in the early 60's, the best place to crash in bombay was the salvation army red shield house, a block or so away from the gateway. and, kitty-corner from the taj mahal hotel. it was run by english ladies and seemed to cater to western hitchhikers. the price was right @ 12.25 rs/day for a clean cot, 3 meals and tea. "black market" rate was up to 12 rs/dollar.

besides making/selling student cards for some cash (50% off for anything with wheels or propellers), many days a fellow could be an extra in the indian film industry. at the time, the indian film industry was second only to the u.s. in number of films produced annually. base pay for an extra was 35 rs though if you got even a single line speaking part, the day's wages leapt to 65 rs. the vw microbus would show up early and they'd take european/american extras provided they looked kinda clean... no freaky people, no jesus lookalikes, no wannabe ascetics, no burned out levi jeans, no long beards. typical scenes were night clubs, classrooms, or restaurants which were supposed to be in europe or the u.s. the indian film industry had their version of james bond type of action-adventure flicks. only in the indian versions, the indian hero kicked the cans of the westerners. i never knew exactly what the films were about since they were usually shot in short scenes and most of the conversations were in either hindi (or, possibly marathi).

viewing films in the indian cinemas was something else. an almost current, u.s. film, often with one or more different language subtitles, usta cost mebbe 5 rs for a seat in the best section (the balcony). (i remember watching one where the bottom third of the screen was taken up with subtitles). the cheapest seats were on the main floor, near the screen... the "stalls". though most provinces were "dry" many cinemas would (waiter) serve beer made in goa to western tourists. a couple of goan beers and a half pound equivalent of chili powder coated cashews were good for a rainy afternoon. you had to ignore the occasional rat running across your boot in the dark. in some of the lower end cinemas, there'd be like a triple feature of american films, mebbe with john wayne before he started shaving. more than once i'd sit there and go through a pound or two of oranges, leaving a pile of rinds on the floor. those rats and bugs gotta eat something, wot ?

since this is a 21 site... the only blackjack i played thereabouts was at the soaltee hotel on the outskirts of kathmandu. don't recall much about the game other than the casino was inundated with wealthy indians who came up to nepal to gamble.