The hard streets of Mumbai

There's a little more to the previous story that I think I should relate to you now. It has to do with the second last sentence(the one involving large amounts of beer). When we returned to Mumbai from the set we were dropped off at the hostel Tom had stayed (the salvation army one remember?); he needed to change, and I waited outside. While waiting I met a young man named Ajit, he wanted to sell me hash but I said no, I don't smoke. Ajit seemed to appreciate this; perhaps he sells it despite his dislike for it. Anyways, we got to talking and it so happened that the place we were standing was the exact location of the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks. It turns out Ajit was right in the middle of it when it all went down. He watched and hid as terrorists threw grenades and fought the Indian police. Intense. When Tom and Malik returned, we all (including Ajit) went out for dinner and drinks. Ajit immediately assumed the role as our guide. I liked him. I asked him if he'd like to play cricket tomorrow and he immediately agreed.   

The next day we met Ajit and went to the central park of Mumbai. It's a large square at the heart of the city; the park was massive, and was lined with big palm trees. In the park around 100 games of cricket were being played all around us. Now, i've been taught the rules of cricket before, but each time I was taught them I understood the game a little less. So, when I stood up to play, bat in my hand, wickets behind me, all i knew for sure was which direction to run should I hit the ball. Basically, you bat until you get out. I just kept hitting the ball and running my ass off mindlessly. I did okay but the real story was when our team was in the field. I noticed that a lot of them aren't that great at catching (you don't get a glove in cricket) so I wanted to impress them. There I was, standing in the middle of a field, a hundred cricket games going on all around me, when the ball gets shot into in the air: it was mine. I began running towards it but soon realized it was falling fast, at the last moment I dove, my arms outstretched, and caught the ball.

Adulation from the crowd! Players surround me! congratulations everywhere! Seriously man, it was a good catch; even the opposing team came to shake my hand. My dream of becoming a cricket star was nearing its realization. 

There was just one problem: The 5 layers of skin I had cleaved off from my dive. 

In reality, I was a mess, little cuts and nicks everywhere, and one big one on my lower left leg. It hurt, and I knew I would need to treat it immediately for fear of infection. My cricket career ended, far too prematurely. At least I can say I learned cricket the hard way: on the streets of Mumbai. It's fine now, really, but the scab is a big one and I've got some picture's of it that would unsettle your stomach faster than the slums of Mumbai. 

I'm in Goa right now and have some wicked stories to relate. I will soon, tomorrow probably, to help me catch up. 

Oh! The episode i'm in has aired--February 7th here's a small teaser video in which I am in around the 2 minute mark : http://www.zeetv.com/shows/jhansi-ki-rani/video/jhansi-ki-rani-february-7-episode-video.html

Hope all is well 

Intestines still fine.