DISCUSSION FORUM

DISCUSSION FORUM http://realitytoursandtravel.websitetoolbox.com DISCUSSION FORUM 60 Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:39:25 GMT Dharavi visit: a must in Mumbai http://realitytoursandtravel.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3790911 I have to say that I had no idea what to expect when we started our journey at Churchgate Station. The train journey to the slums was an experience itself. Approaching and seeing the Dharavi Slums is an indescribable experience. It is simply overwhelming and full of amazing surprises. You will learn A LOT and whatever preconceptions you have will quickly fade. Be prepared to see the most fascinating and vibrant environment with the most admirable people I have ever encountered. Overall, an intensely touching experience. Our tour guide was excellent; he explained everything to the smallest detail, whilst giving us an overall flair for what live in Dharavi means. <div>We did the 'Short' tour and I would 100% recommend it. </div><div>Many thanks to Reality Tours and keep up the fantastic work that you're doing!  </div> <p>Forum: <a href="http://realitytoursandtravel.websitetoolbox.com/?forum=89871">Dharavi Slum Tours</a> http://realitytoursandtravel.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3790911 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:56:22 GMT Claudia Dharavi Tour http://realitytoursandtravel.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3785635 Having read about the tour in Lonely Planet and read the book Shantaram, it seemed that I had to do this tour, and how glad I was to .... it was an amazing experience, it was very informative and surprising in soooooo many ways....the people were all welcoming and friendly and surprisingly cheerful and happy.  I am in awe of Reality Tours, all the good work they do and feel that everyone should visit this amazing 'City' see how busy, proactive and productive the citizens are.  Keep up the good work and I will recommend everyone to do this tour.<br> <p>Forum: <a href="http://realitytoursandtravel.websitetoolbox.com/?forum=89871">Dharavi Slum Tours</a> http://realitytoursandtravel.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3785635 Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:35:39 GMT Paddy Dharavi trip http://realitytoursandtravel.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3785633 Having read about the tour in Lonely Planet and read the book Shantaram, it seemed that I had to do this tour, and how glad I was to .... it was an amazing experience, it was very informative and surprising in soooooo many ways....the people were all welcoming and friendly and surprisingly cheerful and happy.  I am in awe of Reality Tours, all the good work they do and feel that everyone should visit this amazing 'City' see how busy, proactive and productive the citizens are.  Keep up the good work and I will recommend everyone to do this tour.<br> <p>Forum: <a href="http://realitytoursandtravel.websitetoolbox.com/?forum=89871">Dharavi Slum Tours</a> http://realitytoursandtravel.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3785633 Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:34:46 GMT Paddy Mumbai in a different angle http://realitytoursandtravel.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3784683 I wanted to visit the slum with my family without being nosy. I love the concept of reality tour. No camera policy is a must. The tour was an eye opening for my family. We saw another side of the city: not just the nice tourist places and lovely shops. Mumbai is very diverse and Dharavi is in the heart of Mumbai. I am still profoundly touch by the visit. It was less chaotic than some streets in Mumbai. It is a city inside the city. I was amazed how people can find resources everywhere. The guide was very helpful in his explanation and patient (I have to translate for my family). We got a very good sense of how things work.<br>Since, I recommended the tour to my friends and strangers who are visiting Mumbai. I met someone at the airport and told her to take the tour to have a real experience of Mumbai. She phoned them at 7 pm and the next day she was going to visit Dharavi. She seemed happy to be able to do it during her short stay in Mumbai.<br>Please do not hesitate to use reality tour.<br><br><br> <p>Forum: <a href="http://realitytoursandtravel.websitetoolbox.com/?forum=89871">Dharavi Slum Tours</a> http://realitytoursandtravel.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3784683 Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:02:32 GMT Annie I Recommend this tour http://realitytoursandtravel.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3757933 I was very interested on going on this tour because I come from a city with a lot of huge slums, but the difference with Dharavi is that back home slums are very dangerous places and in Dharavi we colud walk freely and felt safe, always with our guide. <br><br>What I liked the most of Reality Tours is the way tours are organized, focusing in their working areas and not only on the living conditions of people from the slum, as many would imagine. <br><br>I also liked that they encourage you not to tip guides, but that they are rewarded according to our answers on a private form. (Very rare in India). <br><br>It was a very interesting, full of learnings experience and I would recommend it to anyone going to Mumbai. <br> <p>Forum: <a href="http://realitytoursandtravel.websitetoolbox.com/?forum=89871">Dharavi Slum Tours</a> http://realitytoursandtravel.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3757933 Mon, 26 Oct 2009 03:04:34 GMT Irene Irazbal Must Do activity in Mumbai http://realitytoursandtravel.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3692179 I took short tour of Dharavi slums today and I can definitely say that its one of the best tour I have ever done... though I am from India I was amazed by the life in dharavi... its true that its a city by itself..... I think every Indian should visit this place.... the people, the kinda work they do... the kinda environment they live in.... its definitely an eye opener... Reality Tours and Travels is an amazing initiative.. keep up the good work and all the very best... <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> <p>Forum: <a href="http://realitytoursandtravel.websitetoolbox.com/?forum=89871">Dharavi Slum Tours</a> http://realitytoursandtravel.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3692179 Thur, 01 Oct 2009 13:49:53 GMT Preetham Shankar Eye Opener - Must do when visiting Mumbai http://realitytoursandtravel.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3676195 I debated with myself for a long time whether to join my girlfriend on this tour or not. Even as I went to the meeting point I was still unsure if I made the right decision.<br><br>Retrospectively I am very glad that I went. The tour is an eye opener. Our guide, Sunny, was very helpful and briefed us ensuring we knew what to expect.  Our group was only the two of us plus Sunny which was great as some of the places you visit are extremely small.<br><br>People were extremely friendly. The entire talk we felt completely safe. This was one of the best experiences we had in Mumbai and without this I would have left the city feeling somewhat neutral to it.<br><br>Only after this visit we realised how much this city depends on the workers and residents of Dharavi and even how much us living in Europe depend on the workers in Dharavi.<br><br>We have had hours of discussions after the tour and even now 3 weeks later it is still a frequent topic in our home because it has really touched us.<br><br>This should be top on your list of things to do in Mumbai.<br><br>Tip what to wear: definitely covered shoes, preferably long trousers<br> <p>Forum: <a href="http://realitytoursandtravel.websitetoolbox.com/?forum=89871">Dharavi Slum Tours</a> http://realitytoursandtravel.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3676195 Mon, 21 Sep 2009 09:57:27 GMT Jan Dharavi - a must see http://realitytoursandtravel.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3655207 The tour was an outing which we debated doing, as were not sure of the "ethical" aspects.  i.e. should we be invasive and invade others privacy (not sure I would like people walking through my neighborhood peering into my house etc etc).   However, after reading the various write ups around the Internet we decided to do it.<br><br>We were a group of 5 which was joined by 2 others so a total party of 7.  This did create some issues as the places you see are not big and thus some of the explanations were lost to those stuck outside the small workshops.<br><br>Overall though a very eye opening experience.  The revenue generated by the slum is astonishing - however, when you break it down (even to the registered folks) its a small amount to be shared amongst each person (i.e. $650million across 1 million registered people means $650 per person per year.<br><br>As we went recently and its monsoon time then you really do need to heed the "closed shoes" advice.  The two ladies who hooked up with us were in sandals ~ so can't imagine it was fun for them when it rained and the "mud" was stirred up.<br><br>So many images in your mind, but no cameras allowed (which I agree with) - hence a few more photo's on the page link you get after the tour would be fantastic.<br><br>Cheers<br>  <br> <p>Forum: <a href="http://realitytoursandtravel.websitetoolbox.com/?forum=89871">Dharavi Slum Tours</a> http://realitytoursandtravel.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3655207 Mon, 07 Sep 2009 06:44:08 GMT Dean Yon Intense, and not something you will forget http://realitytoursandtravel.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3626612 <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CU14398%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><style>  </style> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="EN-CA">The slum tour was amazing, impressive in the true sense of the word. I couldn't take any pictures, that was the agreement, and I'm not even sure whether this place is easily described in words. Apparently the slum Dharavi houses a million people on just 1.5 square kilometres, and it was built on marshy land between railway lines that were just filled up with garbage and solidified. The guide, Sunil, took me, Jamie and a journalist called Sudeshna in, and the poverty and filth of the place was overwhelming, but not unexpected. I found myself walking slowly, in a bubble almost, my gaze covering everything but lingering nowhere where people were. The houses, usually two storeys high, were made out of bricks, cement, wood, corrugated iron, sheet metal, tarps, cardboard, everything that would keep the rain out. Inside they were dark, dingy, stiflingly hot. Electricity was jerry-rigged everywhere in thick low-hanging cables. Running water existed, but for only three hours a day. Toilets were pungent communal latrines, few and far between. People were everywhere, in rags and cheap, dirty clothes, in every dark doorway, every sweatshop opening, in the walkways carrying things, hanging around, with children playing in the dirt around them. The lanes were covered ankle-deep in mud and garbage, there were goats tethered, crows fighting the dogs and cats for scraps. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="EN-CA">Recycling is the slum's main industry, so lanes were narrowed with stacks of recyclable materials, huge bags of plastics, empty oil cans, cardboard, metals. Sweatshops right and left were sorting and processing the materials, crushing the plastic and producing pellets, cleaning out paint cans with water, turning boxes inside out (so they could be printed on again), scraping metals. In other shops people were squatting, sewing shirts, suitcases and laptop-bags,<span style="">  </span>or welding machinery, smelting aluminium, baking cheap pastries, making pappadums, making coarse soap, tanning hides and making leather. The heat, stench and industry was intense, and the meaning of the word "sweat shop" became immediately apparent. It's a place of great industriousness, reminiscent of the industrial revolution, and everybody seemed to be doing something, earning a few rupees a day towards food or some basic means of living. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="EN-CA">We passed through the areas of the shops and work-shops, and entered a residential part of the slum by diving into a shoulder-wide passage. These walkways between houses were claustrophobic, lightless, constrained by hanging electricity cables, sharp edges of protruding sheet metal, the resembled a sewer. Children, animals, wizened old women and wiry men in dirty clothes were eyeing us, sometimes smiling, mostly just staring. Animals , garbage and insects were everywhere (and I received about 40 bites on my unprotected legs). We were navigating this squalor and condensed humanity for perhaps only five minutes, but it was the most intense part of the walk which we needed to break with tea.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="EN-CA">The journalist with us conducted brief interviews with the shop owners, and she was trying to get quotable sound bites out of me too, but I resisted. I don't think the experience of visiting such an area can be reduced to a convenient sentence. It's not voyeurism or anything like that, because I am exposing myself to this just as it is exposed to me. I also don't think I had preconceptions that needed to be corrected. It was simply experiencing something which is important to know. The growth of slums and low-level prosperity is one of the major trends in the world today, and it's on the opposite side of the scale from the lofty flight of globalized business and the growth of an informed elite. This is important to see and not to forget.</span></p> <p>Forum: <a href="http://realitytoursandtravel.websitetoolbox.com/?forum=89871">Dharavi Slum Tours</a> http://realitytoursandtravel.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3626612 Wed, 19 Aug 2009 12:05:53 GMT Martin (Vancouver) Insightful tour http://realitytoursandtravel.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3570085 The tour was very insightful, with our guide Ganesh taking us for 2.5 hours all throughout the slum. Although it was a Sunday and more quiet, he still showed us the factories and the poor working conditions.<br><br>He knew a lot and was happy to answer all of our questions. It's amazing to see how people can be creative in such cramped conditions. Seeing how the work is carried out made me realize that we need to have accountability across the supply chain in developed countries. It's literally back breaking and toxic work going on here.<br><br>It's a very worthwhile way to spend a few hours and the teaching this organization is doing is a big help for the children of the area. One of the best tours I've been on.<br><br> <p>Forum: <a href="http://realitytoursandtravel.websitetoolbox.com/?forum=89871">Dharavi Slum Tours</a> http://realitytoursandtravel.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3570085 Tue, 14 Jul 2009 06:30:32 GMT Nick An Exceptional http://realitytoursandtravel.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3568813 I did the Dharavi tour in June 2009, and it was an exceptional experience and one of the most rewarding elements of a 5 week trip through India.  On a organizational level, Reality Tours did a magnificent job: the guides were both knowledgeable and attentive, and you not only felt secure but knew you were with people who had a significant interest in lives of the people you saw.<br><br>On a human element, the tour was surprising and uplifting.  After the bugaboo of a 2009 Oscar win for Slumdog Millionaire, you realize while touring the slum that the really inspiring story of Dharavi is not a fictioinal game show contestant, but the real people who work live and work against difficult odds but somehow manage to create industry and a fully functioning world.  These people don't need your pity so much as your respect, and it's reassuring to know that while delving deep into their world on the tour the people guiding you both respect the citizens of Dharavi and work hard to empower them.<br><br>An exceptional and highly recommended experience.<br><br> <p>Forum: <a href="http://realitytoursandtravel.websitetoolbox.com/?forum=89871">Dharavi Slum Tours</a> http://realitytoursandtravel.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3568813 Mon, 13 Jul 2009 15:50:42 GMT Luke Windisch Dharavi Slum Tour - Fascinating http://realitytoursandtravel.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3545787 <P>In October 2008, my wife and I had the privilege of spending four weeks traveling through the northwest of India.  We experienced the delights and wonders of Mumbai, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Agra, Delhi, Chandigarh, Patiala and Shimla.  We also were guests at a glittering Punjabi wedding and reception but we both agree that the short slum tour was the highlight of our trip.  As a 63 year old Brit who has lived in the USA, Europe and Australia, I believe that if every western school leaver had to spend 3 months living in India, starting with the Dharavi Slum tour, before they were allowed to get a full time job or go to university, the world would become a far better place in no time at all.  </P> <p>Forum: <a href="http://realitytoursandtravel.websitetoolbox.com/?forum=89871">Dharavi Slum Tours</a> http://realitytoursandtravel.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3545787 Sat, 27 Jun 2009 04:04:03 GMT peter@yum.com.au Dharavi - something that is worth visiting http://realitytoursandtravel.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3462729 <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 10"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 10"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CDasha%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><style>  </style> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="EN-US">I visited Dharavi a couple of month ago. It's really an inspiring place! Especially after this hollywood-made film Slum dog millionaire. You would be impressed by how much of different work is done by people! That's amazing! </span></p> <br>  <br> <p>Forum: <a href="http://realitytoursandtravel.websitetoolbox.com/?forum=89871">Dharavi Slum Tours</a> http://realitytoursandtravel.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3462729 Wed, 06 May 2009 17:17:00 GMT Anny Dharvi Short Tour http://realitytoursandtravel.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3453390 The tour we had of Dharvi was amazing; we had a great, knowledgeable tour guide and we did the short tour, which was still a lot for two and a half hours.  I highly recommend it!<br> <p>Forum: <a href="http://realitytoursandtravel.websitetoolbox.com/?forum=89871">Dharavi Slum Tours</a> http://realitytoursandtravel.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3453390 Fri, 01 May 2009 02:49:24 GMT Leah A mind-opening experience http://realitytoursandtravel.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3432904 <P><SPAN class=post_table_nutxt><FONT size=3>The Dharavi tour is an extraordinary journey. In the midst of deprivation and poverty, you will find a stark and straightforward display of mankind's most heroic traits... creativity, resourcefulness, optimism, and affection. Yes, there are difficult sights and unpleasant smells, but there is nothing to be afraid of on this tour, and there are great rewards -- a craftsman's smile of pride and welcome. The short sure movements of strong hands doing hard work. The elegance and simplicity of hundreds of small tasks that together transform a mountain of the world's cast-off trash into raw material and finished goods -- aluminum ingots, plastic feed stock, hand-printed fabrics, dollhouses, pottery, blue jeans, luggage. And there is community here... neighborhoods and schools and mosques and temples and butcher shops and clothing stores and barbers. And bright-eyed children with perfect smiles who touch you timidly, curiously, honestly and ask "what is your name, please?" or "play, play" and hand you a cricket bat.<BR>A visit to Dharavi is an unmatched opportunity to better understand and appreciate the world in which we all live -- together. </FONT><BR></SPAN></P> <p>Forum: <a href="http://realitytoursandtravel.websitetoolbox.com/?forum=89871">Dharavi Slum Tours</a> http://realitytoursandtravel.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=3432904 Mon, 20 Apr 2009 03:30:20 GMT Patrick Zickler