India # 6 - Mumbai
The Taj hotel has several world renown specialty restaurants. We chose to eat most dinners in the patio. Why not! Beautiful, relaxed and balmy evenings with great food and an opportunity to talk to staff and learn about their lives--their home country, the positive perspectives of the hotel management as well as the personal and professional goals.
Historically, the wood door area was a group of "windows" where travel agents would sell boat and airplane tickets.
The guide has worked at the hotel for over thirty years---happens to be a professional artist with a myriad of hobbies and interests. Tried to retire---hotel management "insisted" he keep working! He was wonderful. The stories he told and insight about the Tata family was enlightening. The Tata's and hotel management kept the hotel employees on salary and provided free medical care during covid.
The hallway leading to a massive ballroom
Another 2/3's of the facility area is behind Jerry
Setting up for a large party. The "Crystal Room" is used to host presidents, prime ministers and other high-profile dignitaries. Hundreds of guests can be served at these special occasions.
Plenty of historical photographs -- this picture was taken when the maharajas relinquished most of their power to the British
Terrorists barged into this area - tried to beat down the door where many guests and staff were hiding. Some folks jumped out of the building in an attempt to save their lives.
Our 2008 hotel room was several floors up from where we are standing
The lobby floor area has several large mosaics made with a variety of semi-precious stones 
The hostess uniform is based on the paisley pattern on the mosaic floor.
Hotel took a patio wall area and created a memorial for those people killed during the terrorist attack. Once the terrorist situation was resolved, the hotel turned the facility into a hospital for the wounded.
This is the artist, long-term employee and guide. His wife (registered nurse) was wounded and still cared for the injured. She still has pieces of shrapnel and bullets in her body. It would be too dangerous for her to have these things removed.
There were several situations when we had an opportunity to engage some of the staff. We made a point of informing the management team when something exceptionally good happened to us. As a result, the management took pictures of us to be uploaded onto the hotel's portal as "happy guests." The server (blue shirt) was wonderful!
Anyone for "Beetles and Bangladesh" music?"
A very rare situation. Because of our "friendliness" with the staff, we were gifted with a selection of special teas and a "Bon Voyage" cake.
Time to say good-bye to Mumbai and the Taj Mahal hotel
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