Mumbai life has really put things in perspective

My only concern is that, right now, people here keep referring to this as winter – and it's absolutely roasting.

So I'm a little apprehensive over what an Indian summer might bring – besides a fantastic tan. Other than that, I've happily adjusted to the way of life out here.

And for those of you who keep asking me, it's very much like what I've seen on An Idiot Abroad. Thank you Karl Pilkington.

Over the past few weeks, I've seen some incredible sights and experienced a few things that really put my life into perspective.

And while I'm pretty sure everyone at home has been watching – or at least knows about – Bene?ts Street, if you want to see some real poverty then India is the place.

You see it down every street – people living in unimaginable conditions. However, they are a happy and spiritual nation.

Not far from where I live there's a huge open ?eld, a dumping ground where everyone deposits their rubbish. And amidst all the plastic, rotting food and broken glass, there are children running around, playing cricket barefoot, without a care in the world.

A little further down the road you'll see other children dressed smartly in their school uniforms with books in hand. Their teacher is with them, writing on a chalk board, in the middle of the pavement around which all the pupils are sat. The school is on the side of a busy main road. I think this brings a whole new meaning to the phrase street smart. It was a truly inspiring and humbling sight.

I drove down one street the other day, where people had all their belongings lined up beside them. There were beds, sofas and stoves – that's where they lived. The only things missing were walls, doors and windows.

But for people who don't even have a roof over their head, they are surprisingly resourceful.

The children still go to school and get an education – even if it is on the side of a busy road.

Families might not have a kitchen but they still manage to cook and put nutritious food on the table.

And on this particular day, the ?re hydrant at the end of the road had burst, creating a fountain of water in which people were showering themselves.

That same morning, I had been in a foul mood because the hot water in my own shower wasn't working. It certainly gave me a sense of perspective and kicked my ego into check.