Question Everything

While walking around the city, we started asking many questions...

*Why is the sky blue?

*This game called cricket...what is the meaning? How does one play it?

(Note: we have both participated in a cricket match during these walks and we may or may not have developed a game, for adults + beverages, during a quest to learn about this cricket...that will be beta tested at home, but I digress).

And you've heard mention challenges and stuff...

One thing we noticed every single day, block after block, was fresh-squeezed sugar cane juice. (Remember the teaser photo?)

This got us thinking...since we are both scientific, have medical backgrounds, and what not...

"I wonder what pure sugar cane juice would do to your blood glucose level?"

So we designed an experiment and it went something like this...you're only getting an abstract version because we are waiting for the official results to be reviewed by The Lancet. (Kidding)

Our hypothesis: Drinking a large amount of pure sugar cane juice will put you into a near or total DKA state...possibly wreck a pancreas or kidney...Overall give an intense sugar rush.

We purchased a glucose meter and did some basic fact-finding about sugars and stuff- 1 liter of Coke has a lot of sugar. Sugar cane is sugar. Your glucose level should be within 30 mg/dL of a baseline 2 hours after intake...so on an so forth.

Wake up...take a baseline glucose level: Cools- 88 Chai- 75

Walk ten minutes to Sugar Cane Juice Cart. Purchase 3 Jumbo's each, or 1.5 L.

Drink sugar cane juice.

Round 1

Round 2

Round 3 (Note, standing is now a problem)

Success.

Return to the Lab and monitor glucose levels 15 minutes, one hour, two hours, and four hours following sugar cane juice intake.

Our findings.

Not what we expected. However, we feel that additional studies should be completed (not by us...we have surpassed our quota for sugar cane juice for possibly ever). Our glucose meter may not have been of the highest quality. The way we felt did not match the numbers. We didn't do much yesterday because we may or may not have done some damage to our bodies...which were at the time accustomed to relatively healthy eating.

We believe that sugar cane juice is healthy for you in a smaller dose (please, do some research :). Raw sugar (ergo, higher concentration of sugar) comes from the dried sugar cane plant...which when squished is full of water.

But we can at least say we completed the Dare to DKA Challenge we thought up.

Always ask questions...you never know what you will learn or experience.

About other stuff...

We did our first aid presentation today and things went well...we were able to share what we know and have excellent discussions. If you're reading this, take a second to review first aid and health and stuff.

Tomorrow we leave Mumbai...for a new chapter/adventure.

But before we go, we have to more challenges to attempt in the morning...you'll have to check back. ;)

Plus, I injured a rib during a nap today, le sigh, and got beat-up at dinner by some of the best pizza ever...

Paneer Tikka Pizza

Carry on.

So we know I've made it in Mumbai, now it may be time to coin me as a Mumbaikar (in the truest sense)...

Life on the rails can be hectic here, we all know that. CST alone has an intense atmosphere full of energy of the primordial type. Learn the routes, know the game, ebb and flow...

You've heard mention of a challenge to come and the challenge has been R&D'd for a few days now and don't worry, it may or may not be happening tomorrow...

Sometimes new challenges can arise unexpectedly...of the High Risk, Low Frequency type...

Things can happen in the blink of an eye. Things happen all the time that are not captured by a camera.

Today was my HRLF test of a lifetime...one of those things you've never had to do before. One of those things where you can't describe the results. Think beyond the adrenaline rush, try to understand the neurology.

No pictures, only words...

*CC/T standing on a platform discussing a successful visit to a school in Kala Killa and trying to figure   out a challenge they have developed (one of 5 or 6 that need to be completed in the next few days)...nonchalant.

*There's an unusual or usual amount of people in the train station...and on the trains that have passed.

*CC/T are not moved by the abnormal or normal volume of traffic.

*Train arrives.

*People begin the usual...get off the train/get on the train (note: this is one of 15-20 cars per train)

*Another note...this happens in about 10 to 15 seconds...bring your A Game.

*CC is standing in front of T along with 20ish other people all around.

*CC gets a good route with a flow of people onto the train throwing bow along the way...T gets peppered by people exiting the train.

*Train starts to move.

*T looks to his right to catch the next car that is slowly moving towards him but is hit by the wall of people who have just exited the train.

*T looks to his left and sees the car where his partner in crime made entry beging to grow more distant.

*T ends up sprinting, leaping/diving, and crashing into the full car where his partner in crime is located...note: under the wing of a stranger who saw the division of the team.

*Cheers can be heard throughout the station and car as the team in reunited.

Inside the car after being reunited.

Je ne sais quoi...

What's important?
Stay up late. Get up early. Give. Observe. Learn. Laugh (even after the tricky situations like quick-boarding a train).

Saw our kids perform today...passion in the teaching has provided tangible results.

Also today...

Created art...or is the art already there, just needing to be recognized?

Appreciated art...because even Mumbaikars can be tourists - this metropolis is huge!

Remember those challenges? Tomorrow may or may not be Challenge Day Mumbai.

The CC/T cohort carries on.

Namaste hominids.

You know that you've made it in Mumbai when you are 30 minutes early to a morning meeting.

Since we love Mahatma Gandhi's message...

His handwriting.

We still have some projects to finish in the next few days...we'll get to them. You don't want to miss it ;)

Eat. Right. We saw an amazing nutrition program today...so be healthy! (Just a friendly reminder)

Hashtag VegLife

A milieu like no other.

;)

10-Day Forecast for Mumbai, India			High / Low (°F)	Precip. %
Today Jan 27		Partly Cloudy	86°/68°	0 %
Mon Jan 28		Sunny	86°/67°	0 %
Tue Jan 29		Sunny	86°/67°	0 %
Wed Jan 30		Sunny	88°/67°	0 %
Thu Jan 31		Sunny	88°/68°	0 %
Fri Feb 01		Sunny	88°/71°	0 %
Sat Feb 02		Sunny	89°/70°	0 %
Sun Feb 03		Sunny	88°/70°	0 %
Mon Feb 04		Sunny	87°/70°	0 %
Tue Feb 05		Sunny	88°/69°	0 %
Last Updated Jan 27 09:22 a.m. Local Time

What makes you happy? Temperatures like this in January?
-Ok, I'm a little happy about the weather.

Maybe long walks in places you've never been...
eating mango or watermelon ice cream along the way...
or taking a "risk" and trying a new foods (at places you think you've been told to shy away from)...

Adventures are fun and can definitely lead to happiness.

What about doing something unexpected for someone else?

Then seeing them smile...seeing the happiness in their eyes...would that make you happy?

Adventure always.

Stay tuned for the following:

*A challenge- wits, speed, agility, and commerce (along the lines of a dare)

*An experiment- because we love science and are passionate about world health

Both have been developed by CC and myself...some teaser photos below ;)

Additional plans are in research and development (minus the research)

*Think piercing and international adoption

And...Happy Republic Day India!

Ordinary Day

Got some work done.

Stopped by the market.

Tried something new.

Went for a walk.

Conversed over a drink (or some).

And considered the arrow and the bow.

Banganga...Jai Ram

Fuse and collaborate.

"Don't get roadkill." Daya, Reality Tours

Empirically saw how active learning processes are far superior to what I would consider the traditional. I suppose it helps when people have put their heart into it.

Give...(True) Success is measured by results...usually organic in nature, not material.

Be on the lookout for our work soon.

Stay committed to the vision.

"If you can cross a road in Mumbai, you can do anything." 

-Kumar, Reality Tours

Be the change you want to see in the world

Even if that means you have to be called out for your inability to handle the spiciness of your food in a small restaurant off a main road in a foreign land. No worries...even when language and cultural differences are present, humanity prevails and harmony can be established (i.e., promises to reduce the spice level on the next go-round). 

This is Mumbai. This is a sense of community on a global level.

Om Shanti. 

ॐ शांति

Community and supply chains are terms that are tossed around a lot. Sometimes, maybe most of the time, they are talked about without consideration or the mention of how everyone is impacted. From the simple generalities to the dynamic complexities, communities and supply chains are intertwined. Think about it. From a micro to a macro to a global level, humans could possibly be more connected than we think. What is a community? What is a slum?

Today I went to a slum and saw a community...and it may have been functioning on a level that puts it high on the list of contributions to the global supply chain. (If you're curious, research Dharavi...there's plenty of information about it)

My opinion is that anyone who visits Mumbai should contact Reality Tours. It might help bring balance and serenity to your life. It might inspire you to cast away your fears, doubts, or confusion, stop thinking within the box someone told you to think within, and be the change you wish to see in the world....or maybe be selfless for a moment, truly consider other people, observe your community (whatever it is)...maybe the inspiration is right in front of you. Maybe it is easier than first thought to be a change. 

Balance and Serenity are right there...waiting. 

Tuk-Tuk, Trains, Zebra Crossings, Fortune Cookies, and Tangled Noodles.

This is Mumbai.

Today we met with RG to review our schedule and it looks to be exciting.

I wish directions would get me lost more often…
Exploratory walks are sometimes the most fun. 

Plus, Happy hour should always last until 8pm. 

My hotel guard dog.

So much to life and time is a mystery…stop the show and pursue what is real.