Today is a big day in India. India has been hosting the World Cup Cricket for the past month and the final is today...India vs Sri Lanka. Two days ago was the semi final...India vs Pakistan...and that was a huge rivalry. So much so that at one point the Hindu fanatical group, Shiv Sena, threatened that this game would not take place on Mumbai turf. I rolled my eyes and thought, "you've got to be kidding." The game went off without a hitch, at least to my knowledge, and India won. (We do have a friend who has "inside" info that the games was fixed, but I'm not buying it. Cricket has had issues with bribery, but I'm favoring the optimistic mentality).
This morning, Greg, Marlys, and I walked to several sports stores to buy Marlys and I India jerseys. We were successful and sorted them proudly the rest of the day. Many Indian s were excited to see us supporting India and we did many call and responses, "India!," "Go, India!" with onlookers. The game started at 2:30pm, so a quarter till we walked down Hill Rd to Mocha Mojos. We were assured that for India vs Pakistan, many people were here watching the game. When we walked in, there was a projection screen with the game just starting. It was on a covered veranda and the bright lighting made it very difficult to see the screen. There were no good seats looking at the screen either. We sat down to made a choice on what to do and finally decided our main goal was to watch the game and second goal to pour back some cold ones and third to have lunch, so we decided to keep searching for a place to watch. (STRIKE 1)!
Greg's idea was the new chocolatier restaurant, which has some TVs. We jumped in two rickshaws and headed over. I called our friend, Rory, to let her know of the change in plan. We got over to this restaurant quickly and headed inside. Greg started to head up stairs, where a big screen TV was located and was stopped by an employee. He was told they weren't open upstairs and we could sit downstairs. Greg let them know our main goal and the man disappeared upstairs. He returned with a manager, who told him the same thing. We walked out with the manager welcoming us to stay for 30 minutes and watch the little TV in the corner. (STRIKE 2)!
Jenn, another friend who lives in our building and was with us, suggested Mumbai Times. Mumbai Times is a bar and restaurant with one room located on the roof top of a building. We had not been there, but Jenn and her husband enjoy going there for beers. We decided to mosey on over and I called Rory again for the update. Mumbai Times is located on a fairly busy street filled with restaurants and shops. As we rounded the corner of the building it's located inside, we heard cheering, horns, and drums. The elevator up to the bar had a line of fans waiting to board. Right when we were getting on, the doorman asked if we had reservations. We did not...reservations??!! We were not allowed in and Jenn laughed, getting a kick out of the craziness of it all. (STRIKE 3)!
We headed across the street to another bar, which was also packed. At the same time, Rory called, trying to get directions to Mumbai Times and I was trying tell her where we were. She was near and I told her to stay put. I went to grab her while the other three tried to find out if we could get in. As Rory and I walked back, Greg, his mom, and Jenn came toward us. There was a 1500Rs cover charge. (STRIKE 4! This is cricket, so we have 10 strikes until we are out).
We decided to head around the corner where two other establishments of sport and drink are located. The first one said there was a 2000Rs "package" and the second a much smaller cover, but not favored with all in our party. Rory, tired of us racking up the strikes, does a little negotiating with the manager. She says we'll go in to help fill their seats, not do their package deal and if other patrons come in and they need our sets, we'll leave. And they agreed!!! Luckily, we were hungry and thirsty and let us stay. When a large group came is, Greg asked if we should leave. They were very happy to have us there and did not want us to leave. FINALLY!!! Success to watch the first part of the game. (The World Cup cricket match is 50/50, which lasts about 8 hours, not the multi-day games that some cricket matches take to get to the finish).
The first half is over, with Sri Lanka having ended strong after a slow start. India is going to have to be on there game to beat to 270+ points that Sri Lanka has...GO INDIA!!.
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