Mumbai Meetups

machadinha · Apr 19th, 2009, 01:57

Well folks, I don't know what went wrong and where, but after a 24-hour hot ride from the deep south yesterday and last night, I just spent some 160 Rs., 2.5 more hours in various forms of hot and congested city traffic, and some 75 minutes waiting inside and out of that coffee bar. If anyone was there, they weren't very good at making it obvious they were having a meet-up, nor being attentive to an obvious hippie-type firang standing there and making himself seen.

Unless I ended up totally at the wrong place (I don't think so though), suggest people calling for a meet at least make it there in reasonable time, and/or devise some way of recognizing each other. (This place would in fact not have made it easy to do so, I don't think.) Hold up a sign or something, look out for people obviously and extendedly looking for people.

Anyway, 'tis a pity. I don't intend to hang out more than I feel like in hot and iffy internet cafes, but if I do something the coming days, I'll drop a note if it so happens & then folks can just see if they want to drop by. Tentative plans include free classical Indian music tomorrow, ditto classical Western violinist on Monday, possible slum trip to Daravi, and perhaps visit to thingumajig Gandhi's wild park, just north of Mumbai. Or just laze out, I'll see. Hope to meet up with Shimla and Avid in fact. Aadil, for that matter.

Well, over and out for now. Off to Gokul's for a cold one.

machadinha · Apr 19th, 2009, 23:22

... Wow. Whereas I was sort of half-hoping I'd just missed some folks, I see now not only did no one show up, but they've not reported back here with any explanations either.

Thanks for nothing guys. Yes, I've been in touch with SSG who I'm in touch with anyway, who also (and as the only one) showed up even later than me and who had expected me to have some company in the meantime.

(He informs me btw the staff were able to inform him some guy had been waiting very long for some meeting. Now if the staff were aware of that -- and of course I asked around and stuff -- and he managed to find out about it, anyone reasonably could have.)

May I express here my dismay, not just with Mumbai meet-ups, but with meetings in general, at people who cry the loudest about keeping other people busy about what where and when, then show no commitment themselves.

That someone may say I'm sure to join then doesn't show up is one thing; to call for a meeting though then staying away with no further word I find pathetic. I'm sure we all have better things to do.

Well, yadida. Mumbai is doing me well; however after 2 months of staying mostly in utterly hassle-free places, I find my patience and temper is running very low with the hagglers here. So I'm very kind to the regular folks around me, and shouting at the hasslers in the meantime. It seems to impress them, LOL. (No, if I want hashish I'll find me my own dealer, if I want to change money I'll go to the bank, thank you very much sir.)

Likewise after two months of pleasantly being neither responsible for nor dependent on anyone, except the many I met and chose to, the above IM business doesn't up my mood. But whatever.

Had a good long sleep today, then did a lot of not much of anything. Just now I hung out in some weird Indian brothel-type of place (it advertises it's a bar and so I thought I'd get me a beer), it took me a while of observing the scene to figure out the idea is you pass the girls some money and they'll sing a song for you. The bouncer thought he could well keep an extra 100 Rs. for my 400 Rs. tab; so having politely declined all the girls' offers (and I truly think a song is the best you'll get -- well, and a lot of their standing around looking pretty), I left with some decent scolding of the greedy staff, including the other dozen on the way out who thought they were likewise entitled to a "tip."

Er, till later, and all that.

mojogirl · Apr 20th, 2009, 12:44

ok so i reached CCD Carter road at 7.30 , all the tables were full, but couldnt figure out who were there for India mike Meet up.

Had a look around the place, trying to see if there were any familiar faces from india Mike, but no luck.

Well..may be i should have asked the staff if anyone was there for the meet up.

Macha : I am sorry mate you had to wait there for so long for nothing. Not that I didnt turn up, I Did but just didnt know whom to approach.

So i Left.

kristinm · Apr 20th, 2009, 13:07

Poor macha and poor mojogirl - you were probably standing beside eachother! Might I suggest badges? Red Hats? A copy of 'Maximum City' under the arm?

amarshah · Apr 20th, 2009, 13:15

Well just my two bits, all past meets of Mumbai IM, most of us exchange our cells on PM etc this way we are in touch with each other even if we are late.. Guess this one just turned more ugly than otherwise... !

Another thing i see with this last meet was the other regular ppl like Ronak, KS, Avid, Praks & others including me were not present so i guess this was a whole new bunch of people...

Sorry mach.. guess the next one once decided would be much better... From what i think the next meet would be in May mid sometime once KS returns from his GIRTH i guess...

honestraj · Apr 20th, 2009, 13:51

what is this IM meet guys?

steven_ber · Apr 20th, 2009, 13:57

Quote:

Just now I hung out in some weird Indian brothel-type of place (it advertises it's a bar and so I thought I'd get me a beer), it took me a while of observing the scene to figure out the idea is you pass the girls some money and they'll sing a song for you. The bouncer thought he could well keep an extra 100 Rs. for my 400 Rs. tab; so having politely declined all the girls' offers (and I truly think a song is the best you'll get -- well, and a lot of their standing around looking pretty), I left with some decent scolding of the greedy staff, including the other dozen on the way out who thought they were likewise entitled to a "tip."

Should have held the meet-up at that place, entertainment while you wait.

A UK PIO took me to a similar place in Bangalore, I didn't much like the place, maybe if I was passing Rs10 notes instead....

Quote:

Originally Posted by machadinha

after 2 months of staying mostly in utterly hassle-free places, I find my patience and temper is running very low with the hagglers here.

Isn't it strange how these things don't bother us when we first arrive, but towards the end, when we've experienced many relaxing hassle free places, we find it hard to take when we get back to the big cities.

Anyway, cheer up, you'll be home soon.

How about if I come over to your place next Thursday (30th April) for a meet-up?

Thursday would be best, but maybe friday.

We could even find a bar and throw some money at femail tourists if it makes you happy, do they have 1 Euro notes?

steven_ber · Apr 20th, 2009, 13:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by honestraj

what is this IM meet guys?

IM is short for India Mike.

We regularly have meetings, mostly for a meal and a chat, sometimes (OK, most times) for a few beers as well.

honestraj · Apr 20th, 2009, 14:05

really thanks, you are very speedy

AwayFromHome · Apr 20th, 2009, 14:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by machadinha

... Wow. Whereas I was sort of half-hoping I'd just missed some folks, I see now not only did no one show up, but they've not reported back here with any explanations either.

Thanks for nothing guys.

Sympathy, Mach - must have been horrid.

We have Shashank here in Delhi who makes sure all the gears are synchronized. Maybe someone in Bombay needs to step up and take charge?

machadinha · Apr 20th, 2009, 15:24

Ah, no worries folks, I've let off my steam, that's it. Had an interesting bus ride on the way back really -- just not really the first thing on my mind or my to-do list, and I've sort of had it with picturesque decaying houses and bazaars by now.

That's really silly we were both there and missed each other, Mojo! Yes, once there it struck me a poster or something would have been handy -- maybe a good idea for organizers to carry such a thing (I looked around for something to make one out of actually, didn't really come across anything. Then went looking for a phone -- STD across the street was broken. Turns out this rather flashy area is a little low on STD's; reaching the next one, I find the only nr. I have on me is busy. Meanwhile, I really have to pee, and believe it or not the cofeeshop's loo is likewise broken. Consider using the ocean instead, but it is after all a little busy here, and peeing on some hip restaurant's doorstep likewise seems like not such a good option. Etc.) Or inform the staff, or something.

Steve, 30th in A'dam sounds just fine to me actually. I think MirjamD & hubby should be around that time too. We'll get you some coins to toss around

Well, over & out, I'll speak to y'all from Holland. Meeting up with Avid, Shimla and SSG tonight it looks like, so should be fun.

Nick-H · Apr 20th, 2009, 18:28

We've had meetups in Chennai with only three or four people, but looks like poor Mach has now set the record: a meetup for one!

machadinha · Apr 20th, 2009, 18:46

Folks,

Meeting tonight 8 PM, Gokul Bar, forgot street name (it's in a post of mine not far above here), behind the Taj, in Colaba. It's well-known, so just ask for it. Not far from Regal Cinema. Head for the downstairs back A/C room; look for the somewhat tanned whitey with glasses and a pony-tail, in a short white kurta & white pyjamas.

Attendants so far: SSG & I, possibly Shimla; Avid has the flu, and Aadil could only make it very late, whereas I have to rise fairly early for my flight.

Be a triangle or be a meatball.

SHAILESH · Apr 22nd, 2009, 19:54

[quote=mojogirl;708102]ok so i reached CCD Carter road at 7.30 , all the tables were full, but couldnt figure out who were there for India mike Meet up.

Had a look around the place, trying to see if there were any familiar faces from india Mike, but no luck.

Well..may be i should have asked the staff if anyone was there for the meet up.

Macha : I am sorry mate you had to wait there for so long for nothing. Not that I didnt turn up, I Did but just didnt know whom to approach.

So i Left.[/QUOTE

It was really horrible for me Even I left at 5-30, While leaving I logged here to check up here any news or changes. But there was nothing so I left from here. It was far off place for me but I did reached before time. Then I waited till 7.40 PM. Could not meet anyone. But it was lovely place and the sea shore was nice. But I would have really enjoyed if atleast we would have met. But roamed around for couple of hours and reached home at 9-00 PM without satisfaction of meeting and wastage of time.

Anyway, lets exchange cell nos. or some dress code like Jeans and white shirt or something of that sort so such things are not repeated.

Atleast Rohit has pic of himself in profile of IM, so I was searching for him. But of no use.

Anyway...........better try next time.

Karina83 · Apr 22nd, 2009, 20:15

Hello Guys,
@ SHAILISH, I am really sorry to know that you waited long time in vain! Yes you are right...Those who want to meet for next Mumbai's meetup should organize things better!! The dress code is a good idea...so all people come with the same color to be organized....Green or Red (Strong colors that call attention)...Or maybe we can think of the posibility of making it a bollywood scene: Another code would be that All men come with a flower in the hand hahahaha :-D!! I think Rohit2travel will like the idea!!

Best wishes to you all and I am willing to see you soon in Mumbai Inshallah!

Apr 19th, 2009, 01:57	#541
machadinha brother my cup is empty member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 14,373	Well folks, I don't know what went wrong and where, but after a 24-hour hot ride from the deep south yesterday and last night, I just spent some 160 Rs., 2.5 more hours in various forms of hot and congested city traffic, and some 75 minutes waiting inside and out of that coffee bar. If anyone was there, they weren't very good at making it obvious they were having a meet-up, nor being attentive to an obvious hippie-type firang standing there and making himself seen. Unless I ended up totally at the wrong place (I don't think so though), suggest people calling for a meet at least make it there in reasonable time, and/or devise some way of recognizing each other. (This place would in fact not have made it easy to do so, I don't think.) Hold up a sign or something, look out for people obviously and extendedly looking for people. Anyway, 'tis a pity. I don't intend to hang out more than I feel like in hot and iffy internet cafes, but if I do something the coming days, I'll drop a note if it so happens & then folks can just see if they want to drop by. Tentative plans include free classical Indian music tomorrow, ditto classical Western violinist on Monday, possible slum trip to Daravi, and perhaps visit to thingumajig Gandhi's wild park, just north of Mumbai. Or just laze out, I'll see. Hope to meet up with Shimla and Avid in fact. Aadil, for that matter. Well, over and out for now. Off to Gokul's for a cold one. __________________ Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links

Apr 20th, 2009, 12:44	#543
mojogirl Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: mumbai Posts: 337	ok so i reached CCD Carter road at 7.30 , all the tables were full, but couldnt figure out who were there for India mike Meet up. Had a look around the place, trying to see if there were any familiar faces from india Mike, but no luck. Well..may be i should have asked the staff if anyone was there for the meet up. Macha : I am sorry mate you had to wait there for so long for nothing. Not that I didnt turn up, I Did but just didnt know whom to approach. So i Left. __________________ vidyam cavidyam ca yastadvedobhayam saha \| avidyaya mrtyum tirtva vidyaya'mrtamasnute \|\| Meaning: One who knows the correct knowledge, and also criticizes false knowledge, for him, by criticism of false knowledge (which causes suffering), he overcomes suffering, and by practice of correct knowledge (which causes enjoyment), he obtains mukti.

Apr 20th, 2009, 13:15	#545
amarshah Maha Guru Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Posts: 844	Well just my two bits, all past meets of Mumbai IM, most of us exchange our cells on PM etc this way we are in touch with each other even if we are late.. Guess this one just turned more ugly than otherwise... ! Another thing i see with this last meet was the other regular ppl like Ronak, KS, Avid, Praks & others including me were not present so i guess this was a whole new bunch of people... Sorry mach.. guess the next one once decided would be much better... From what i think the next meet would be in May mid sometime once KS returns from his GIRTH i guess... __________________ Cheers Amar Himalayan Trips - http://amards14.googlepages.com/

Apr 20th, 2009, 13:51	#546
honestraj Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: belgaum Posts: 8	hi friends what is this IM meet guys?

Apr 20th, 2009, 14:05	#549
honestraj Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: belgaum Posts: 8	hi friends really thanks, you are very speedy

Apr 19th, 2009, 23:22	#542
machadinha brother my cup is empty member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 14,373	... Wow. Whereas I was sort of half-hoping I'd just missed some folks, I see now not only did no one show up, but they've not reported back here with any explanations either. Thanks for nothing guys. Yes, I've been in touch with SSG who I'm in touch with anyway, who also (and as the only one) showed up even later than me and who had expected me to have some company in the meantime. (He informs me btw the staff were able to inform him some guy had been waiting very long for some meeting. Now if the staff were aware of that -- and of course I asked around and stuff -- and he managed to find out about it, anyone reasonably could have.) May I express here my dismay, not just with Mumbai meet-ups, but with meetings in general, at people who cry the loudest about keeping other people busy about what where and when, then show no commitment themselves. That someone may say I'm sure to join then doesn't show up is one thing; to call for a meeting though then staying away with no further word I find pathetic. I'm sure we all have better things to do. Well, yadida. Mumbai is doing me well; however after 2 months of staying mostly in utterly hassle-free places, I find my patience and temper is running very low with the hagglers here. So I'm very kind to the regular folks around me, and shouting at the hasslers in the meantime. It seems to impress them, LOL. (No, if I want hashish I'll find me my own dealer, if I want to change money I'll go to the bank, thank you very much sir.) Likewise after two months of pleasantly being neither responsible for nor dependent on anyone, except the many I met and chose to, the above IM business doesn't up my mood. But whatever. Had a good long sleep today, then did a lot of not much of anything. Just now I hung out in some weird Indian brothel-type of place (it advertises it's a bar and so I thought I'd get me a beer), it took me a while of observing the scene to figure out the idea is you pass the girls some money and they'll sing a song for you. The bouncer thought he could well keep an extra 100 Rs. for my 400 Rs. tab; so having politely declined all the girls' offers (and I truly think a song is the best you'll get -- well, and a lot of their standing around looking pretty), I left with some decent scolding of the greedy staff, including the other dozen on the way out who thought they were likewise entitled to a "tip." Er, till later, and all that.

Apr 20th, 2009, 13:07	#544
kristinm Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Beautiful Bondi (not Bundi!) Posts: 1,603	Poor macha and poor mojogirl - you were probably standing beside eachother! Might I suggest badges? Red Hats? A copy of 'Maximum City' under the arm?

Apr 20th, 2009, 15:24	#551
machadinha brother my cup is empty member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 14,373	Ah, no worries folks, I've let off my steam, that's it. Had an interesting bus ride on the way back really -- just not really the first thing on my mind or my to-do list, and I've sort of had it with picturesque decaying houses and bazaars by now. That's really silly we were both there and missed each other, Mojo! Yes, once there it struck me a poster or something would have been handy -- maybe a good idea for organizers to carry such a thing (I looked around for something to make one out of actually, didn't really come across anything. Then went looking for a phone -- STD across the street was broken. Turns out this rather flashy area is a little low on STD's; reaching the next one, I find the only nr. I have on me is busy. Meanwhile, I really have to pee, and believe it or not the cofeeshop's loo is likewise broken. Consider using the ocean instead, but it is after all a little busy here, and peeing on some hip restaurant's doorstep likewise seems like not such a good option. Etc.) Or inform the staff, or something. Steve, 30th in A'dam sounds just fine to me actually. I think MirjamD & hubby should be around that time too. We'll get you some coins to toss around Well, over & out, I'll speak to y'all from Holland. Meeting up with Avid, Shimla and SSG tonight it looks like, so should be fun.

Apr 20th, 2009, 18:28	#552
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,193	We've had meetups in Chennai with only three or four people, but looks like poor Mach has now set the record: a meetup for one!

Apr 20th, 2009, 18:46	#553
machadinha brother my cup is empty member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 14,373	Folks, Meeting tonight 8 PM, Gokul Bar, forgot street name (it's in a post of mine not far above here), behind the Taj, in Colaba. It's well-known, so just ask for it. Not far from Regal Cinema. Head for the downstairs back A/C room; look for the somewhat tanned whitey with glasses and a pony-tail, in a short white kurta & white pyjamas. Attendants so far: SSG & I, possibly Shimla; Avid has the flu, and Aadil could only make it very late, whereas I have to rise fairly early for my flight. Be a triangle or be a meatball.

Apr 22nd, 2009, 19:54	#554
SHAILESH Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: mumbai Posts: 87	[quote=mojogirl;708102]ok so i reached CCD Carter road at 7.30 , all the tables were full, but couldnt figure out who were there for India mike Meet up. Had a look around the place, trying to see if there were any familiar faces from india Mike, but no luck. Well..may be i should have asked the staff if anyone was there for the meet up. Macha : I am sorry mate you had to wait there for so long for nothing. Not that I didnt turn up, I Did but just didnt know whom to approach. So i Left.[/QUOTE It was really horrible for me Even I left at 5-30, While leaving I logged here to check up here any news or changes. But there was nothing so I left from here. It was far off place for me but I did reached before time. Then I waited till 7.40 PM. Could not meet anyone. But it was lovely place and the sea shore was nice. But I would have really enjoyed if atleast we would have met. But roamed around for couple of hours and reached home at 9-00 PM without satisfaction of meeting and wastage of time. Anyway, lets exchange cell nos. or some dress code like Jeans and white shirt or something of that sort so such things are not repeated. Atleast Rohit has pic of himself in profile of IM, so I was searching for him. But of no use. Anyway...........better try next time.

Apr 22nd, 2009, 20:15	#555
Karina83 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Mumbai Posts: 128	Hello Guys, @ SHAILISH, I am really sorry to know that you waited long time in vain! Yes you are right...Those who want to meet for next Mumbai's meetup should organize things better!! The dress code is a good idea...so all people come with the same color to be organized....Green or Red (Strong colors that call attention)...Or maybe we can think of the posibility of making it a bollywood scene: Another code would be that All men come with a flower in the hand hahahaha :-D!! I think Rohit2travel will like the idea!! Best wishes to you all and I am willing to see you soon in Mumbai Inshallah! __________________ Kabhi alvida na Kehna

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
New Delhi Meetups	vinayverma	IndiaMike Meetups	6007	Yesterday 12:20
Travelling on circle Mumbai - Hampi - Bangalore - Mysore - Goa - Mumbai	Manicek	Indian Railways	8	Feb 16th, 2009 21:32
what site has had the most IM meetups?	bijapuri	IndiaMike Meetups	13	Mar 24th, 2008 23:49