Bombay to Barcelona: How Travelling Inspired an Indian Street Kid to Chase an Impossible Dream.
Tucked away on a quiet street in Andheri, Bombay to Barcelona Library Café by Amin Sheikh – with its charming décor, a diverse collection of books and an eclectic fusion menu – could be just another café in Mumbai. But it isn’t.
As I entered through the wood and glass door, asked for a minced mushroom vada pao and set up my “office” for the day, I remembered my conversation with Dilip D’Souza – renowned author, travel writer and friend – that first led me here. That conversation was about a boy called Amin Sheikh, and his story is one of the most heartwarming stories I’m ever going to hear. It goes like this:
Like thousands of kids in India, Amin Sheikh was born in a slum and made to work long, hard hours in a tea shop when the rest of us were toddlers in school. One day, a set of tea glasses slipped from his tiny hands and broke, and anticipating the thrashing that awaited him both at work and at home, he decided to run away.
Dadar Railway Station became his adopted home. He begged and polished shoes, learnt to scavenge for food out of garbage cans, and slept on the platform or in the streets. Everything bad you can imagine on India’s streets, happened to him, even as he hardened up and learnt to fend for himself.
A few years later, an orphanage called Snehasadan took him in, and gave him shelter and another chance at life. When he grew up, he met Eustace Fernandez – Dilip’s friend and neighbor and the brain behind the advertising phenomenon, the Amul Girl. Amin started doing odd chores around Eustace’s house, acted as a chaffeur to Eustace’s friends from India and abroad when they came to the city, and saw a glimpse of the glamorous life in Mumbai.
That’s when a second turning point happened in Amin’s life. He received perhaps the world’s most generous birthday gift from Eustace – a trip to Barcelona!
After his first-ever flight and international trip to Barcelona, Amin returned to Mumbai with newfound dreams and determination: to write his autobiography and use the funds it generated to start a cafe – a safe space that offers employment and food for those grew up on the streets like him. As it probably sounds to the rest of us, Dilip confessed that it sounded like a nearly impossible dream.
But one day, Amin surprised him with the first draft of his book – “Life is life. I am because of you.” The entire draft was written in capital letters, for Amin has had next to no formal education. Dilip’s family helped him through the editing process, and soon, Amin had self-published his book and started selling it at traffic signals in Mumbai. The book didn’t receive much attention in India, but word spread to Spain and France and the book was translated to Spanish and French. It even made it to the front page of the national newspaper in Malta!
Also read: 15 Awesome Mumbai Hangouts, Green Corners and Cosy Cafes
I almost teared up reading Amin’s book, for his story is the story of so many kids we ignore every day on India’s streets. The chottus (little boys) who wash dishes in roadside dhabas (food stalls), the girls who beg for money outside posh restaurants in big cities, the kids who try to sell books and tea on railway stations. One part of the book that particularly remains with me is Amin’s first trip to Spain; he writes about how incredible it felt to see a construction worker in his work clothes and a white collar office employee in a business suit share food on the same table… something you’d rarely ever witness in India, a country stuck in its notions of class, money and caste.
In late 2016, with the proceeds from his book sales in Europe, Amin started his cafe – Bombay to Barcelona in Andheri East – and it currently holds the top spot on Tripadvisor! The boys and girls who run the cafe grew up on the streets too, and meeting them, I felt like I already know them from the characters in his book.
Also read: Offbeat Getaways from Mumbai That’ll Inspire You to Rethink Life
A few weeks ago, I sat chatting with Amin under the creative tea cup lights, sipping lemongrass tea fresh from the cafe’s own mini organic garden. I had to ask him, would we still be sitting here had he never travelled to Spain?
Without a second’s hesitation, he nodded no, explaining, “that trip opened my eyes to possibilities I could have never imagined.”
Also read: Hidden Treasures on a Road Trip in Maharashtra
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Practical Information
The book: Life is life. I am because of you.
The book documents Amin’s journey as a street kid in a simple, innocent and objective way, and puts our own life and attitude in perspective. A book that every Indian must read.
You can buy the e-book on Amin’s website or a hard copy by emailing him at [email protected] (shipped India-wide). Copies are also available at the cafe.
The cafe: Bombay to Barcelona Library Cafe
If you happen to live in or visit Mumbai, spare an afternoon for a trip to Andheri East, not just because of the incredible story behind the cafe, but also because it’s a cool spot to have a meal and drinks inspired by Bombay and Barcelona (think eclectic tapas and vada pao). See upcoming events at the cafe on their Instagram.
Support the schooling of street kids
Amin is currently raising funds to support the schooling of street kids, through the Street Angels Foundation. A beautiful way to support his work and dream!
Have you been to Bombay to Barcelona by Amin Sheikh? Have you met someone who made you think differently about everyday life?
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Featured image by Rajarshi Mitra.
Welcome to my blog, The Shooting Star. I’ve been called a storyteller, writer, photographer, digital nomad, “sustainability influencer,” social entrepreneur, solo traveller, vegan, sustainable tourism consultant and environmentalist. But in my heart, I’m just a girl who believes that travel – if done right – has the power to change us and the world we live in.
I had read about Bombay to Barcelona in Mumbai Mirror however your post gave a better insight. Nice post 🙂
very interesting knowledge in this blog .i liked it
a safe space that offers employment and food for those WHO grew up on the streets like him. A slight editing thing.
This world has so much to offer for every breathing soul; Just an effort is what it takes.
Shivya – Story is quite inspiring.
But we are so different by fate; time we start making an effort towards our fellow humans (especially in India) as well.
Can’t agree more.
Very inspiring. Will visit the place for sure when in Bombay. Thanks a lot Shivya for sharing this.
Cheers
Sunil 🙂
I’m sure it’ll feel even more inspiring when you visit the cafe; read the book if you get a chance!
Downloaded the kindle version..started reading..
Another great write-up from you 🙂 Thank you for retelling such an inspiring story.
Thanks Jheelam; glad I got introduced to Amin!
I am buying the book soon and will definitely visit the cafe whenever I am in Bombay, thanks for sharing this! 🙂
Hope the book moves you the way it moved me!
I have contacted him and he is sending me a copy….thanks for sharing about this Shivya!
What an amazing story! Wonderful post. Thanks.
The beautiful city to city walk that Mr Amin has made..thank you shivya for this beautiful story..
What an incredible story. Going to order the book and go to the cafe when I am back in Mumbai.
Great, I hope it’ll be time well spent for you!
I’ve met Amin through Dilip. Lovely person and his story is really inspirational. Thanks for posting about him. Many of us can learn from his life.
I agree; grateful to Dilip for the introduction too.
Loved Amin’s journey thru your post Shivya.very inspiring.I too will try my best to visit this place when I visit Mumbai.
Fascinating piece. Love the culinary journey. Congratulations!
wonderful and inspiring journey! I will suggest this place to my friends in Mumbai for sure.
Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful experience. Would love to visit it one day.
Everything you write is Inspiring and makes me happy. 🙂
Love your journey! So amazing! Thanks for sharing. We are getting ready for a trip in August and love seeing what you guys are doing!
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Shivya – Story is quite inspiring.
A very inspiring story.
I’ll be going to India again next year and hope to make our last stop in Mumbai. I’ll try to stop by! p.s. Is Bombay still being used by locals? Any idea why the city was renamed Mumbai instead?
Wow such an incredible story. Thanks for sharing. Would definitely be interested in reading it!
That hummus looks magical 🙂
What an incredible story. I’ve never met anyone that’s experienced what he has but reading about it makes me put lot of “first world problems” in perspective. His story is going on my reading list.
Wonderful to read an inspiring story and am so pleased for his success. His motivation is inspiring. It gives me hope for the kids i teach here in the slums in Jaipur. I would love for everyone of them to have an amazing opportunity at life like this guy.
Yes, I meet people who change my life almost everyday. We humans are incredible, social creatures. We have lessons for each other. I love India. I want to go back there someday.
Truly inspiring, Shivya. So much to learn from Amin’s life! I will definitely visit the cafe whenever I’m in Mumbai.
Reblogged this on Eat N Travel to Live.
That is cool Cafe! Your article is Inspiring! Thanks for the article and Cool Photos!
It’s amazing mem. i really appreciate your article. keep up good work
amazing..
Nice vary inspiring
Lovely person and his story is really inspirational. Thanks for posting about him. Wonderful to read an inspiring story and am so pleased for his success.
Such a nice Blog, its very inspiring. I will definatly visit the Cafe.
Awesome Shivya…yeah absolutely…it’s high time we Indians help each other to one’s capability and intent…
Thanks for mentioning…
This is a great article, I loved it..
great article Shivya. I am glad to know this story..
wonderful and inspiring journey! I will suggest this place to my friends in Mumbai for sure.
hey shivya,i am a travel seeker.though i did only one trekk but i want to explore more…but in the past days i gone through Disc problem..i have taken docs prescription but thats not running.so what should i do?
Hey Shivya,
Your writing is really inspirational. Thank you!
you’re an inspiration to me ! awesome blog by the way. you kinda people taking the ‘cultural tourism’ to the next level in India.
This one is really inspirational, its a good decision to follow you.
Seems like such a great experience. Really inspired.
A very inspiring story. Life is not that dark as we think,it has so much to show. Thanks for sharing it.
“he writes about how incredible it felt to see a construction worker in his work clothes and a white collar office employee in a business suit share food on the same table… something you’d rarely ever witness in India, a country stuck in its notions of class, money and caste” this is what caught my attention. It gave a different perspective and left me thinking about the harsh reality in India.
Great article shivya!
Loved this… Extremely inspiring story and must appreciate his tenacity to convert his dream to reality…
Now after reading this Blog post, I am eager to read that Book.
This is so inspiring 🙂
The beautiful city to city walk that Mr Amin has made..thank you shivya for this beautiful article.
so inspiration
so good your post
Graet inspiring story. Thank you for sharing.
That’s really inspiring about Amin. Really tempting to read book. I also like the Tea cup lights photo.
When I first read your post about Amin, I immediately ordered his book and couldn’t put it down. On November 20th I will be starting a three month volunteer internship in Hyderabad with an organization that assists children and women in need of food, education, health care, shelter, clothing, emotional and moral support. The whole time I was reading Amin’s book, I kept wondering if I would meet an Amin in Hyderabad during my internship.
I have a couple of days to myself in Hyderbad before I start my internship and the first thing I’m going to do is pick up a copy of your book.
i really enjoyed this post really amazing one. very informative and unique article,hatsoff for your hard work
Oh Shivya, what an inspiring true to life story. Its really a humbling learning experience.
Another great write-up from you 🙂 Thank you for retelling such an inspiring story.
Great Post
You are true inspiration for all traveler in India.
Keep it up
Really nice place, but sad that its closed now.
Now after reading this Blog post, I am eager to read that Book.
This is so inspiring 🙂
its very inspiring story . great
Feels like a fairy tale but I am damn sure it took a lot more than just magic or miracle to work things out for Amin. It was the best thing to start my sunday with 🙂
Really wonderful content actually….!!