I left the hotel at 7:30am and the streets were still empty, the frenzy not yet awake. Mumbai comes to life between 9am and 10am. I explored the districts of Fort, Churchgate, and Colaba on foot. I strolled between great Victorian buildings, leavy gardens and well-kept parks. Downtown Mumbai is reasonably clean and provides enough public toilets so that nobody has to pee on walls or trees. Cows and auto rickshaws are not allowed in this area. Occasionally, homeless people were still asleep on the sidewalks. Many women are dressed in western clothes.
The city grid is easy to understand and thus even I didn't get lost. Glimpses of Mumbai even reminded me on my all favourite city of Sydney! When I passed a Starbucks-like Coffeeshop, I indulged myself with a hot chocolate extravaganza cake and two massive mugs of excellent coffee. I really felt like in heaven!
Further, all local people who I talked to where very friendly and chatted with me without ever wanting to sell me anything!
In the afternoon, I boarded my train to Varanasi. I was sad having to leave this megalopolis so early.