An unleashed ‘First Travel’ memoir ~ City of dreams — MUMBAI !
Firstly, let me mention that there are millions out there, who still love to address this city as ‘Bombay’ (I’m definitely one of them!). But herein, just to be technically correct with the official city name, we’ll refer to it as Mumbai ~ Amchi Mumbai!
Straight out of the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, my first encounter with the spirit of Mumbai was when I took a cab to the railway station. My cab driver was a lady, full of life and an equally competent Mumbai-style driver. The most amazing aspect was the way she interacted, with almost every passerby at every traffic junction. They knew each other and she was definitely a favorite ! It was such a pleasant introduction to the spirit of Mumbai and most importantly, that sense of freedom and equality between genders, without any bias.
Then, I got my first whiff of the much-celebrated local trains of Mumbai — I was right at the doorstep, but for a moment I actually believed that I wouldn’t be able to get down at my desired station. The velocity of that massive crowd was quite overwhelming. It was almost as if, you have to just keep yourself stationed right in the middle of the crowd, and you will be effortlessly transferred in or out of the trains, by the sheer velocity of the masses. People are always on their toes, be the inmates of my train or the passengers boarding my train. You have to be really swift at your feet, while both boarding on/off these trains. One message was loud and clear — Mumbai never sleeps and you have to stand upright to match up with the pace of the city!
In a span of 5–6 days, I travelled many places in Mumbai, via the local trains (undoubtedly, the best mode of transport, considering the traffic congestions on Mumbai roads!). Life on the local trains definitely deserve a special mention. A confession — Yes, I suffered a dizzy spell out of suffocation, had a broken pair of shades and a broken toe nail, by the end of my first train journey to Dadar! This did not deter me though, to continue with my local train journeys ahead.
My visits to places across Mumbai ranged from the august Gateway of India, the magnificent Taj, the ever-appealing Marine Drive, the holy Siddhi Vinayak temple, the spiritual Haji Ali, the magnificent St.Mount Mary’s Cathedral, Dadar Kabutar Khana, the Juhu beach, the very popular Fashion Street, the one and only ‘Mannat’ (my favourite actor’s abode ~ SRK is family! :p) — just to name a few.
Lastly, a very special mention about the local favourite — ‘Vada Pav’. I loved the way it is proclaimed as the Common Man’s food. Simple, yet delicious and available round the clock, in every corner of the city. It is a very popular street food snack in Mumbai, and a must-have in anyone’s maiden visit to the city. The vada pav, accompanied with the interesting range of sweet and green chutneys, will definitely satiate one’s taste buds.
The essence of Mumbai lies in the spirit of the people. Be it the man standing constantly amidst the crowds in platforms and trying to make a living by selling tap-water filled in old bottles, or the women folk who were trying to finish off a part of their household work, while cutting vegetables on their way back home in Mumbai local trains — my observations were unlimited! It’s a totally different experience altogether. People here believe in hard work, dedication and solidarity. Long live the spirit of Mumbai!
Now, I’ve started feeling that I still have a thousand aspects to express about this city and just a single travelogue is not enough.
From Mumbai, I’ve returned as a much more rejuvenated person, having a zeal to live my life in my own way. Mumbai definitely does this to you. I’m definitely looking forward to many more such visits to this wonderful city. And I’m sure, each visit will give me something new to cherish.
It’s truly a “Dreamer’s Paradise”!
