I don't stick out at all. Churchgate Station, Mumbai.
I grew up in the Chicago suburbs, moved to Central Missouri for college, and spent time in both Málaga, Spain and Washington, D.C. In June 2010, I bought a one-way flight to Mumbai, India. This blog will follow the greatest adventure of my life.
Update: For many reasons, I left India in July 2011. This blog will remain active, though I’m not sure how often I’ll post. I have moved back to Chicago and am working full-time in the city.
I’m glad I can claim your “About Me” photography credit!
Hey sara,
good morning, my name is dilip pinto and I am from bangalore.I work here as a financial planner Was reading through your blog. pretty interesting articles to read. the one on ordering food was a nice one.. so how do you spend your time in mumbai.. guess there’s a seaof difference to mumbai and chicago. are you working in mumbai?? anyways will try to keep a tab on your blog.. take care.. hope you have a great day ahead..
regards
dilip pinto
Hi Dilip,
Glad you enjoy the blog. I am currently doing an internship here in Mumbai, but hope to find full-time employment when it’s over. Chicago and Mumbai are quite a bit different.
I am completely amazed by this blog! I read most of your posts in one sitting, and it’s such a great read! Kudos for taking such a big step, and having this amazing adventure(:
I’m glad you enjoy the blog. It is definitely an adventure.
Hi Abby, awesome blog you have there, glad to know you’re having a great time in Bombay!
This is an outstanding blog. You have a lot of really interesting posts that go beyond “I did this, then I did this, then I did this, then I did this…” My only experience with Mumbai was with the airport on my way to Nagpur, and it was not a good one. What did you think of the airport?
I’m also from Illinois, so it’s nice to see what other Americans think of India. Keep posting!
-Chris (anindianyear.wordpress.com)
Hi Chris,
Glad you like the blog. My experience at the Mumbai airport was okay. I got pulled aside, and some security guy looked through one of my bags, but he seemed to be more interested in what I was doing in India than what was in my bag. Luckily, my boyfriend picked me up from the airport (and it was 2am) so I didn’t have to deal with the cabs and such.
If you’re ever in Mumbai, let me know!
Hi Abby,
Its been fun reading your blog. Have always been interested in getting different perspectives from visiting tourists / expats. Dunno why
Keep up the good work, girl.
Regards,
Jai
I love the tagline on your header. Stay bold
Thanks! Me too. A professor of mine wrote it in an email to me, and I fell in love with it.
Hi Abby,
Found you while searching for expat bloggers in India. I just moved to Navi Mumbai, from the Chicago area, about a week ago. I’ve read all your posts to date and have added you to my Google Reader. I’ll be living here for the next 2-3 years…maybe we could hook up?
Linda~
hello,
I found your blog as I want to do what you are doing but don’t know where to start. I went to India for a week last year and fell in love, and want to come back for an extended stay. do you have any suggestions for finding jobs or positions? any help would be appreciated.
thank you
Hi Abby
Happy new year!
I just came across your blog while researching for an article about expat bloggers. I’ve really enjoyed reading your observations – many ring true to me too as a foreigner living in Mumbai as well. I’d love to talk to you about it, if you’d be happy to talk to me sometime in the next few days. The article is for Times of India.
With best wishes,
Rachel
I’m always curious to know what others think of India.. especially Bombay. I just moved here 7 months ago and it’s a completely different, wild and challenging experience for me. So I like knowing I’m not alone…which is why I googled ‘blogs, bombay’ and found yours.
I love everything you’ve written about this city.
Thanks Vimla,
Living in Bombay is always interesting. That’s my standard answer. Sometimes I love it, and sometimes I wonder why the heck I’m still here.
Abby,
Wonderful blog, it makes me glad to hear Mumbai adventures told in a midwestern mindset, I am also a midwestern gal living in Mumbai
keep up all the good blogging and let me know if you ever are looking for a midwestern gal to have a chai with =)
Hi Laura,
Glad you enjoy the blog! I’m always up for chai and meeting new people.
Hello Abby,
It was nice going through your blog and the one thing which has always fascinated me has cropped up once again in this little note that you have posted. I will always be in awe of that streak of adventure you white people have in you. To get a one way ticket to a land you have only heard about and then catch the plane without even a second thought. The pull of the unknown, the call that beckons you to explore, the urge to follow your heart are some of the traits we Indians have perhaps never learned to know. I have never heard of a fellow country man who has left everything behind and has just set of to follow his calling. Or even if there is one he is so rare as to be totally obscure and unknown. The lure of foreign shores to us has always been for the opportunities they offer. And opportunities for us have always been that better life, meaning more money and materials. It is not that we are of nation of deprived people. The land of the golden birds, thats what the ancient explorers of the west called our country. And thus they set sail centuries ago to alight upon our shores to trade, to loot and to plunder. And amazingly, in our ten thousand years of history never have we set out to conquer any foreign land and yet we have been conquered and dominated countless times. What is it that makes us so, is it because we are so happy and content with whatever we have that we never ever needed to look any further or is it that we never had it in us to strive for adventure or have the hunger to explore the unknown. What is it that attracts you people to travel so far and wide, what is it that you are looking for. Is it because you people are looking for something which is forever lost to your post modern world. I think that is not the answer. There was a time when you were barbarians, at a time when we were at the height of our civilization. Yet what is it that flipped the tables and you surged ahead so fast that you left us decades behind in all respects. This may be hard to swallow for some of my fellow countrymen who pride themselves to belong to a country which has a rich culture and history. But what really matters is what are we now. A country always on the brink of poverty, a country where the gap is ever increasing between the few rich and the numerous poor. What is it you people come to see in our country. Is it the pathetic life of the majority of our nation which reassures you about the fact that how fortunate you are. Or is it the fictional land of the mystics and nirvana which you people find so attractive and fascinating and yet to which India has never been even been familiar with. Is it because you are turned on by the kaleidescope of cultures and people you perceive India to be made of. An illusion you love to live in till your visit comes to an end so that you never have to get a glimpse of the harsh and cruel realities that surround us. I have always tried to find answers to these queries and some more. And as I grow older I realize that we will forever be where we are unless we learn to shoulder the burden of one another and have the courage to see our collective benefit before our selfish motives. India has always been ruined by middlemen, that unique set of people who can make millions just by perching themselves between the sellers and the buyers. And that is perhaps what we are known as the world over, the people always on the look out for their ‘cut’. And till the time we can really learn to think, dream and aspire as one nation one people, we will be forever grateful to cower under the veil of the pretenses of our so called rich culture and heritage and yoga of course. But all said and done, I do wish from my heart that love your stay in our unique country and ultimately find what you are looking for. And the day you really find your peace of mine, your ‘moksh’, please have the generosity to share that eternal light with the poor souls that live here forever hoping for a better world.
Pankaj,
I think you’re giving me a little too much credit. While it certainly involved some adventure to move to India, it was a well thought out decision over months before I finally caught that plane “without a second thought.”
I think it’s a certain personality type that seeks adventure, one that is definitely not exclusive to “white people.”
As far as what I’m looking for, I’m not sure. In today’s global world, the more places a person can see and the more people a person can interact with, the better. If I can gain some understanding of India and its culture, I think that’s good enough for me.
Dear Abby,
I really enjoyed reading your fantastic blog.
I like your interesting posts and believe your experience concerning India would be helpful the expats in my network as well..
In case you are not already part of InterNations you are of course invited to join our network of selected members – just let me know and I will send you an invitation.
I am looking forward to your response and would be happy to welcome you to my global expat community.
Sincerely,
Philipp