Mumbai Athletic-Minded Connections

One of my friends was in Mumbai for the Grand Opening of India's first Bikram Yoga studio. Bollywood stars and local dignitaries (along with approx. 25 American representatives) gathered at the Mumbai Marriott hotel for a 10pm Bikram Yoga demonstration and party to follow on Wednesday night.

Grenades exploded and guns were fired at the nearby domestic airport just as the yoga festivities began (airport shootings were not covered by the media). Not understanding the scope and breadth of the attacks at first, Bikram officials proceeded with a modified/shortened program as the assault on the city continued. After the hundreds of guests and spectators in attendance received increasingly alarming text messages from friends and relatives (texting held up better than phone lines), the fete was cancelled and the crowd dispersed.

The group of Westerners was taken to the home of a Bollywood singer/actor where they watched the horrific events at the Taj and Oberoi unfold on television. Ten minutes after leaving the Marriott, explosions erupted near the hotel's front drive (not covered in the media).

After spending the night at this personal residence, the group returned to their hotel--an Indian-owned property near the domestic airport. There, they unsuccessfully attempted to rebook flights and come home, but the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday made already difficult-to-reach call centers and travel agencies even more challenging.

My friend along with most of the group was able to return home Friday and Saturday. But judging from the stories, it sounds as if the international media has still yet to learn and understand the scope of the attacks. Fortunately, nobody from this group was harmed.