Mumbai re-visited(1)

Day 1, December 21

Tuesday:

The Emirates plane landed at around 1.30 Indian time at Chatrapathi Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai. Earlier, the aerial view of Dharavi slum and the skyscraper gave a familiar sight of maximum city. I can’t believe I’m in Mumbai. In the meantime, I pull off the tiny Kodak camera and try to capture the sight of the city.

After clearing the immigration desk and changing money to pay for the day’s expenses I set for a prepaid cab as we set in the city of dreams called Mumbai. A city I called mine for years. One thing that hasn’t changed for sure is the traffic snarls. It took me three whole hours to reach YMCA at Mumbai Central down from Santacruz. In the mean time, I went crazy with the camera and started clicking pictures here and there. The very first day brought back beautiful memories of Mumbai and I remembered my first day in the city. How I was amazed and infatuated with the city that years later I shifted to Mumbai. I was living life again and I felt like a permanent resident again. It’s amazing what the city does to you and once you enter the city, you get so addicted to Mumbai. Memories came back!

One change I observed in the cab: There is a law which prohibit smoking in taxi as the sticker showed and if you are caught by the cop you must shed out 300 bucks. Finally reached YMCA Mumbai at 4 p.m and after checking in the nice room with attached bathroom I get out of the room and the Mumbai journey starts. No, I didn’t sleep after 12 hours flight. After all, how can I? I’m in Mumbai. I buy myself a wills classic mild cigarette and tasted my cutting chai after more than 3 years. Would you believe? It’s been three fucking years. Setting off to the nearest shopping mall at Central..I need to buy myself some T-shirts and socks since I travelled light.

First shopping done. I call the cab and set to Phoenix mall at Parel. Wow! What a mall! So huge and impressive. I was lost in the mall as I see the different outlets, latest brands, spotted the Manchester United bar which I only heard about. At one point I lost my way inside the mall since it is so big. But, its worth a visit. I have yet to see a shopping mall as big as Phoenix though I’ve heard that the one in Pune is the biggest in the city. Unfortunately, wasn’t able to visit. Did some shopping and picked up a nice Pepe jeans, wallet and Tee.

Back to central, cutting chai was the norm of the day on Day 1 and went for a stroll near Mumbai Central station as one hear the familiar sound of train approaching. This is life and indeed a beautiful life. There is not a single moment of slow pace even at night in Mumbai with buses, cabbies swarming in the city. That’s fast-paced Mumbai for you. Mumbai is a city with a soul and has a personality of its own, so distinct and unique in style.

Had an amazing buffet dinner at YMCA with chicken, rice, roti and some non veg stuffs as well. First day was truly amazing in the city that never sleep. I doze off past midnight, shuffling between TV and reading newspaper. First day in Mumbai was worth a million bucks.

Truly Mumbai

V

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