The Omaha guide., 1945-06-02
Bombay to Me

~ ~ III VI
Bombay as a colorful and romantic
city Of the far East. In many ways
this is true. and l have always
thought the same. The portrayal
of the city in the movies made me
all the more eager t visit 1T. |
looked forward to the pass witch
would enable me to 60 there. aid
not know what to expect. but that
did not dull my anticipation
Entering the city / was ~accosted
by Indians Of all descriptions. They
were selling nick-knacks Of all
kinds; knives. canes, watches, jew
elry of all makes, pictures. magaz-
ines. papers and every little thing
a person a imagine, and some you
cannot imagine. There were mag
icians which tool my breath away,
with their magic, and making snak-
es come from everywhere. was a
little frightened when I came upon
a man or boy who was playing some
sort of music to a cobra snake.
Rooster fights on the streets were
not uncommon The Indians had
almost anything to make an Amer
lean spend his money. They dashed
up to you wanting to clean your
fingernails or remove corns or bun
ions, and guarantee their work
They would overcharge you most OF
the time, and you get a little pan
icky at their excitement, and usual
ly pay them what they ask
We were warned not to buy their
fruit, and although it looked Gclic-
ious. l was afraid to eat any or IL,
somehow I was afraid Of this
strange nation, and these strange
people. 5 have kept hat feeling to
this day. After being a sucker SO
many times, now. whenever | pur-
chase anything. I am afraid am
being cheated. | just can't get on
&c their way of doing business. 1t
IS so very different than the Amer
lean way.
The most appalling sight was that
Of the beggars. Children with no
arms, and many blind; old men who
had limbs missing; old women dress
ed in dirty white clothing. and
n:any little Logs and girls that just
beg for a LIVING. / guess. l was
somewhat dumbfounded by the
sight Of d%efornlity. | just couldn't
picture PEOPLE like this, although
every country must have them. J.
felt only pity and sympathy; it was
not a pretty sight. Almost every
where | have been in India. thew
flatter an American by calling him.
Rajah or Rich Man. / don't believe
IL is so much the man. although
most Americans spend their money
freely; l.ut in some ways they have
seen the power and wealth Of our
great country, and in many ways
they have heard.
The streets Of the city were mar
row in most places. and vet many
were made beautiful by their pools
and creatures of art that graced
many an intersection Cars, rick
a-shaws, and small enclosed carriag
Is, served the greater Of the trans
portation. The city also had street
cars, but because Of the crowded
condition. most Of them moved very
slow. 1t was not to see
an Indian herding many head Of
cattle through a busy street. Build
ings were mostly painted white,
and very few were over four stories
high.
Quite a large part Of the city was
out of bounds to American troops.
and I did not know the out Of
bounds area very well, so I imagine
l was out of bounds quite often dur
ing my stroll. The Indian and
British military police did not both
err me, but the American NJ. p. will
not only bother you. but send YOU
back where you came from, ana l
don't mean the states. They are
only trying to protect US from the
that can befall a soldier; / am
always glad to see them. believe it
or not.
l had so little time, and did not
the opportunity to see the best
Of Bombay. I did not realize how
clean ana q America was I'M
til / visited my first city overseas.
No wonder the people Of the world
love the American way OF lie. our
Country just has something: | don't
know if it is her freedom or ner e.
quail chance to every man. ~ the de-
sire to give every man. life, liberty
and the pursuit Of happiness. but
every American should THANK his
God a million times, that we are 50
blessed.
1t is getting much easier for me
every day to understand why Amer
is the symbol Of all freedom
nations. Its freedom its
and its power, 50 many Of
US have taken for granted hut 20
many Of US do not know. We All
know the old saying, that the gras
looks greener on the other
side Of the fence" but this time
our eyes to hat hope for the
greener grass, and pray hat there
III