Halloween in Mumbai
What does one wear to a Halloween party in Bombay? Halloween is not a holiday here at all, but some expats/Indians who had lived in the States threw a costume party in celebration nonetheless. But hence the challenge - where do you find a Halloween costume in Bombay? We already attract enough attention (especially blondie) - are we really going to feel comfortable romping through the crowded streets in bunny costumes (for example)?
Anyway, we finally came up with them. I found a pseudo-party/costume store the day of Halloween and created a Burning-Man-esque costume (eg. one that makes absolutely no sense and falls outside of normal nurse/fireman/witch wear) - I was a love-robber (stealing people's hearts).... And Chris added a nice touch that especially made me stand out in the 100 degree heat - pink and white fuzzy toe socks that bulged out from my open-toed shoes. Chris was much more creative. He decided he was going to be a rickshaw-walla (rickshaw driver) and of course, had to make it authentico. Halloween day he asked around and found the market where all of the rickshaw drivers get their uniforms. After the purchase, with some help of our friends, bargained with a rickshaw driver to lend him his Mumbai rickshaw badge for the night. Pay 50 rupees now, 50 rupees later, with the threat of losing 4,000 rupees (over $100) if Chris lost it. After much cajoling, bargaining, and sheer humor at the white guy wanting to dress up like a rickshaw driver, Chris had the full outfit ready.
Now that we had our costumes - all we had to do then was find a rickshaw to take us to the party...which created quite a stir...
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