'Old friend'
Today started with a traditional Indian breakfast of upma, which is a savoury dish made with semolina and was very tasty.
On our way to the train station we stopped off at what we believe is a yoga ashram and were invited in to look around. A man told us that their guru was currently teaching in America.
We then headed to the train station to meet an 'old friend'. This is a man we met on our last trip to India, who was the cycle technician for an across India cycle race for the police force. We have stayed in contact and today he invited us to his home for lunch with his family. He travelled an hour by train to collect us. The scenery heading north out of Mumbai was beautiful as we crossed Thane Creek.
We arrived at Dombvili and caught an auto rickshaw to his house. This is always an interesting experience as you think you are going to crash but somehow everyone seems to avoid each other, whether it be another auto rickshaw, car or pedestrian!
On arrival we met his wife, mother, sister-in-law, brother-in-law and baby niece. We were made to feel at home and sat and chatted over chai.
We were served an amazing lunch and spent a wonderful afternoon swapping stories and getting to know the family. All too soon it was time to catch the train back to Dadar where our accommodation awaited us. We left with gifts of homemade sweets and savoury crunchie sticks. Again our friend escorted us on the train and ensured we arrived back safely.
In the evening we ate a little more delicious Indian food and then relaxed.