Rox Outside the Box

Roxanne to World:  As promised I have begun my own blog to take my friends along with me on my latest "Journey to the East" and beyond!  Welcome to my world and I hope you will enjoy my usual rants and raves about the good, the bad, and the ugly I encounter on this magical mystical tour.  

I am beginning this literary journey in Mumbai where I have been enjoying time with my son and his family in this amazingly cosmopolitan but user-friendly city by the sea.  Their spacious apartment in West Bandra, one of the more exclusive neighborhoods, overlooks the sea but with a small fishing village and crowded makeshift houses crammed with life in between.  From here we can walk to the bazaar, to countless shops and restaurants, and the seaside walking path that is usually quite busy in both the mornings and evenings.  The contrast between rich and poor is stark and to be expected.  But what is most surprising is the contrast between rich and middle class.  The prices here in the malls are higher than New York City and every designer and expensive brand seems to be flourishing.  Fortunately India is a country where next door to such places you can find a dhaba or chai stall where the poor can also buy some cheap eats or snacks.  Every level of society is catered to in one way or another in the urban setting.  It is in the villages that the poor fare the worst.

So stay tuned for more postings.  I will try to keep them brief and will soon be able to upload photos as well.   Take care and lot's of love from ROX OUTSIDE THE BOX!