Sometimes when in a new country people can make a mistake due to cultural differences and through doing something in a desperate need that creates and awkward situation this was one of those occasions a need so great brought about an unfortunate exposure.
A mistaken exposure - Babu Mumbai Taxi Driver and Friend
I was on my first trip to wonderful , exciting India. I flew into Mumbai where I had arranged for a local Indian to meet me and be my guide and companion whilst I explored in and around Mumbai before moving on to more rural destinations. My good contact there told me on arrival that my local man had genuinely had a family crisis which meant he was unable to be my guide and companion. This left me with a big hole in my itinerary meaning I would be greatly restricted in where I could explore and see on my own. My contact there said he would look for a suitable replacement as quickly as possible but it had taken a long time to source a suitable guide and companion lots of online chat and correspondence moving on to more direct contact then the checking the persons authenticity so I doubted he could do it quickly.
As I left my contacts office I was approached by a smiling chubby black moustachioed man offering me his Taxi service back to my hotel. Normally such opportunist selling by such guys would make me decline but he came across as someone who noticed I had a need and took the opportunity to help me so I gratefully accepted. I climbed in his little black and yellow cab and we set off back to my hotel. I was quiet wondering what I would do with the extended time in Mumbai with no guide or companion. The Taxi driver sensed my down mood and struck up conversation. I responded and soon we were chatting away. he was funny making me laugh as he lifted my mood. He was thrilled to have me a foreigner in his Taxi welcoming me to his city with great joy. In my down state he was uplifting and fun. We arrived at my Hotel. I leant forward paying him also giving him a good tip as he had lifted my spirits. He could not stop thanking me. As I climbed out he told me his name was Babu saying that if I wanted a taxi later or the next day he could arrange to collect me if I wanted. I thought about it and it was worth a try better than being stuck in my Hotel this evening. Who better to know the city that a local taxi driver. Some would think me mad but what the heck he was nice, friendly so I arranged for him to collect me later from the hotel. He smiled broadly then drove off. I thought I might not see him again but true to his word there he was in the lobby waiting.
I dropped my key off then we set off out of the hotel. His little old fashioned taxi like something out of the 50s was parked by the side of the road. We got in. I sorted out an arrangement for his services for the day making sure I agreed it in advance. We would sort out a longer arrangement if he wanted once I had seen how the first day went.
"Where do you wish to go madam?" he enquired.
"Well Babu I would like to see all the places local Indians go to, to enjoy their leisure and spare time but tonight I want to eat some real Indian food at a place where you and other Indians eat ok not a fancy place a good simple local one?"
"Oh you like Indian food madam it will be hot you don't mind?"
"I am used to is Babu I have eaten it since I was a child"
We drove off. I was surprised at the amount of people and traffic on the roads at that time of the night. Finally he pulled up in a little narrow street outside an street cafe. The smell of cooking those herbs and spices filled the air it was wonderful. The front of the little place was open with tables close to the street. Local people were eating and chatting. Babu stopped. I got out but Babu stayed in his taxi.
A mistaken exposure - Babu Mumbai Taxi Driver and Friend
I was on my first trip to wonderful , exciting India. I flew into Mumbai where I had arranged for a local Indian to meet me and be my guide and companion whilst I explored in and around Mumbai before moving on to more rural destinations. My good contact there told me on arrival that my local man had genuinely had a family crisis which meant he was unable to be my guide and companion. This left me with a big hole in my itinerary meaning I would be greatly restricted in where I could explore and see on my own. My contact there said he would look for a suitable replacement as quickly as possible but it had taken a long time to source a suitable guide and companion lots of online chat and correspondence moving on to more direct contact then the checking the persons authenticity so I doubted he could do it quickly.
As I left my contacts office I was approached by a smiling chubby black moustachioed man offering me his Taxi service back to my hotel. Normally such opportunist selling by such guys would make me decline but he came across as someone who noticed I had a need and took the opportunity to help me so I gratefully accepted. I climbed in his little black and yellow cab and we set off back to my hotel. I was quiet wondering what I would do with the extended time in Mumbai with no guide or companion. The Taxi driver sensed my down mood and struck up conversation. I responded and soon we were chatting away. he was funny making me laugh as he lifted my mood. He was thrilled to have me a foreigner in his Taxi welcoming me to his city with great joy. In my down state he was uplifting and fun. We arrived at my Hotel. I leant forward paying him also giving him a good tip as he had lifted my spirits. He could not stop thanking me. As I climbed out he told me his name was Babu saying that if I wanted a taxi later or the next day he could arrange to collect me if I wanted. I thought about it and it was worth a try better than being stuck in my Hotel this evening. Who better to know the city that a local taxi driver. Some would think me mad but what the heck he was nice, friendly so I arranged for him to collect me later from the hotel. He smiled broadly then drove off. I thought I might not see him again but true to his word there he was in the lobby waiting.
I dropped my key off then we set off out of the hotel. His little old fashioned taxi like something out of the 50s was parked by the side of the road. We got in. I sorted out an arrangement for his services for the day making sure I agreed it in advance. We would sort out a longer arrangement if he wanted once I had seen how the first day went.
"Where do you wish to go madam?" he enquired.
"Well Babu I would like to see all the places local Indians go to, to enjoy their leisure and spare time but tonight I want to eat some real Indian food at a place where you and other Indians eat ok not a fancy place a good simple local one?"
"Oh you like Indian food madam it will be hot you don't mind?"
"I am used to is Babu I have eaten it since I was a child"
We drove off. I was surprised at the amount of people and traffic on the roads at that time of the night. Finally he pulled up in a little narrow street outside an street cafe. The smell of cooking those herbs and spices filled the air it was wonderful. The front of the little place was open with tables close to the street. Local people were eating and chatting. Babu stopped. I got out but Babu stayed in his taxi.