Where to begin? My first week in Mumbai has been such a whirlwind of adventure that it’s hard to sum up in just a few hundred words.
I embarked on this journey to push myself out of my comfort zone and discover more about who I am. What better way to grow than by throwing yourself into a new job, in a new city, in a new country where you don’t even speak the language?
Starting a new job is nerve-wracking enough. Starting one in a completely foreign country? That’s a whole new level of intimidating, as I quickly discovered. While I definitely felt a mix of nerves and excitement on Tuesday during my first commute to the office, I will admit it wasn’t even the scariest part of my week.
The scariest thing I’ve done this week? Crossing the street. Alone.
Now, you might think finding a gap in the traffic to step out into is simple. Back home in New Zealand, most of us could probably manage it blindfolded. But in a city of over 21 million people, there’s no such thing as a “quiet moment.”
Every hour here feels like rush hour. I fall asleep to a symphony of car horns and wake up to the same. And unlike NZ, where pedestrians are treated like royalty (or at least given the right of way most of the time), Mumbai’s drivers seem to see us as mere obstacles in their lane—bowling pins to be avoided at the last possible second.
On my first walk to work, my heart was racing. The anticipation, the excitement, the nerves—a mix of emotions all swirling around. My first challenge? Tackling the chaotic intersection to get to the train station. I chose my moment carefully, took a deep breath, and stepped into the unrelenting flow of cars, bikes, and rickshaws. Miraculously, I made it to the other side in one piece. The sense of triumph I felt was indescribable. If I could navigate Mumbai traffic, surely I could handle anything.
This moment has become my mantra for the week: If I can cross a Mumbai street, I can conquer whatever else India throws my way (though I’d really prefer to avoid food poisoning!).
Crossing the street felt like the turning point for me. Now, a week in, I’ve started to settle into this vibrant, chaotic, and fascinating city. My cohort feels like family, and our shared accommodation already feels like home. It’s been a rollercoaster of a week, but every twist and turn has left me feeling nothing but excitement for the next five.
Mumbai, bring it on.
