It’s my second morning in maximum city. Post the routine ritual..cutting chai, walk in the city I already integrated myself in the humdrum of city life in amchimumbai. I have to take the bus to Pune at 2.3o and I give a call to Nitin. Unfortunately, we couldn’t catch up owing to his busy schedule and that he is in the other side of the island city, Borivali. We promise to catch up when I come back to Mumbai. That would be after the new year celebration and post my impending trip to Goa.

I checked out of YMCA around 11 a.m. Must say that the hospitality at YMCA Mumbai is amazing and first class. Kudos to the whole staff who nabbed a cab for me. Next stop: Barista@ VT. Yes, the place was my hang-out spot for a very long time. I ordered my regular cappuccino coffee along with a grilled chicken sandwich. In fact, I gulped two coffees, one cold coffee. I met a nice guy Vicky who is a businessman and whose wife works at Times of India (TOI). We get chatting. Barista is one place where the strangers socialise and there is no hesitation. Yeh hai Mumbai meri jaan! Fascinating city, fascinating individuals.

Spoke to him of my plan to relocate to India and he told me that he can help me out with networking and all. We spoke about films like Rockstar, Rock On, Zindagi Na Milega, Buddah Hogaa Tera Baap and Saahib Biwi aur Gangster. After all what do you expect movie buffs to speak about. I reminsice about the time spent..oops the whole day spent at Barista. The whole staff has changed and the gang no long hang around there. After all, it’s been three fucking years and priorities change over time. Guess,everyone is busy making money in Mumbai.

I spotted a chick I knew the time she started her first year at Xavier’s years back. Now,she must be doing her final year. She went past me but she couldn’t recognize me. Nah! I didn’t go to her neither I wanted to refresh her memory with the typical, hey you remember me. I may just end up looking like a fool.

It’s already 1 p.m and after having few smokes, I hailed a cab and took my luggage towards Sion where I have to catch the bus. I seem so much like a traveller. As the cab drove past VT now CST, Mohamed Ali Road and towards Sion, time to remove the camera. I captured the whole spirit of Mumbai. The soul of the city is so vibrant. Sometimes, the sun interfere with my modest camera but it’s no deterrent to the beauty of life. Mumbai simply rocks. Bang on!

This is a city we all love for its complexity. We come across the slums, chawls and the skyscrapers. It’s the tale of 2 extremes yet it’s so simple to understand, Not so to newbies who are in for the first time and whine about almost everything. You need to love the city to understand what I mean. The mystery remains. Reached Sion after one and a half hour. I am just in time for the bus.

Finally, we got the bus at 3. It’s Neeta travel and time to board the bus on the way to Pune. As I bid farewell to Mumbai, I am soo happy to be there and experience the entire gamut of life. The local trains, BEST buses, yellow-and-black cabs, cutting chai, insane crowd and Pani puri. One thing that hasn’t changed in Mumbai”the growing traffic snarls. In fact, it got worse. And why should it change or else it would not be Mumbai.

This post is dedicated to the wonderful people who makes the city wondrous and fantabulous. I salute the spirit of Mumbai who never-say-die and every time someone try to upset the balance, like one human being the whole of Mumbai face the utter challenge of life. That’s Mumbai for you. So unique. So appealing. Sole reason as to why I wanna make my life here and longing to be back.

Love you Mumbai.

V

1. (Top) The soul of SoBo Marine Drive 2.(below) That’s me, sipping my fav beer KF at Red Box @Andheri.

Day 2, December 22, 2012

Mumbai

The feeling of waking up in Mumbai. Voila! Encore! Icing on the cake. People who lived life in the city would share my excitement of being in maximum city after a huge gap of three years. First ritual first: Get down and gulped a cutting and a cigarette by the side of the road. Back to YMCA: I was treated to heavy breakfast with salad, oat meat, bread, omelette and tea.

Here I set off on my journey to Maximum city. What have you done in Mumbai if you haven’t travelled by the local train and boarded the BEST. Down the alley at Mumbai Central and on the road to station, hawkers displaying caps, jackets, T-shirts and several goodies on both sides of the road. It’s typical Mumbai, not to mention the shady dance bars which one can easily recognize while walking nearby.

I was surprised and happily amazed that the entrance at Mumbai Central had an overhaul. It was no longer the path hijacked by hawkers but a well painted and marbled floor. It makes life soo friendly for commuters. Then,starts the queue for ticket..getting into the routine life of a Mumbaikar is soo fun, smooth and easy..Ek ticket Andheri la…I tender him a 10 bucks and he hands me the ticket and 2 rupee coin. Now, just for fun and stand to read the platform indication on the computerised screen and its platform number 1. Time to get into the train towards Andheri. Unfortunately, for me the local to Andheri was not crowded at all. I soo wanted to get into the crowded train and jostling by way out by shouting..kude chala kude chala.

As I travelled through the stations Parel, Elphinstone road, Dadar, Santacruz and Vile Parle it brought a dash memories. The memories of a Mumbai traveller was still fresh in my life and how we would all wake up early in the morning and catch the train in the morning to university and be back during the night jumping in the crowded train. That’s the beauty of life in amchimumbai.

As the train halt of Andheri station, one gets a feeling of deja-vu and the madness of Mumbai makes it so addictive and vibrant. One can’t help but think, No matter what we say, Mumbai is a soulful city. As I was heading to the bus stop, a rickshaw was ferrying passengers on a sharing basis. Unfortunately, he fleeced us and forced us to pay 30 bucks each. That means for a short distance he earned 90 bucks till Infinity. But, then I was in no mood to argue with him since I was too happy to be in Mumbai. Shopped like crazy at Landmark–got myself DvDs and tons of books. I was surprised to see a whole shelf dedicated to Indian writers. It’s proving to be another reason to pen my book which has been in the offing for decades. As I got out of landmarks, I was already carrying a heavy carry bag full of books and DvD’s.

Outside the mall, I became camera crazy and started to click everything that headed my way..mall, busy streets, BEST buses and rickshaw. Jumped at Red Box for a beer. Bang on! Kingfisher beer as I sat down admiring few hot chicks who were having lunch and having a hell good time with beer and a fag. Yeah, I did read the whole morning edition of MidDay.

Heading back to Andheri station, I took a bus and though I stood throughout the journey in the bus with my heavy shopping bag, I wasn’t complaining. Dude! I was travelling in the BEST bus after a hell long time. Some more shopping for briefs and banyans at a shop nearby Andheri station and bought myself a pirated MP3s for 30 bucks only. Time for another cutting and a smoke before taking the local to Mumbai Central.

Checked into the room and had a shower. After that, I headed to Colaba to meet a dear friend of mine, Wilbur who owns a cyber cafe very close by Leopold. Needed to get a sim card and Wilbur got me the connection in a jiffy. He booked my bus for the next day to Pune. I suddenly realised how maximum city is soo fast but how things are so fucking easily fixed. We tend to take things for granted in life. It is only when I left Mumbai that I realized the importance of the city. Amazing is an understatement to describe Mumbai.

Took a walk at the causeway at Colaba where one is surrounded by hawkers selling fake T-shirts, belts..Yes, one will still get a fake Gucci belt for 200 bucks and other fancy watch, clock, scarfs. That’s what Mumbai is all about. On the other side are located the big branded shops..You name it, you will get it..United Colors of Benneton, Pepe, Levis, Spykar..The causeway is swooned by tourists and one will see the infatuation of goras at this part of SoBo (For those who came late South Mumbai). I got myself a new pair of Woodlands shoes and a very nice cap at the shop. At 8 p.m, I was done for the day and hailed a cab to Churchgate station and from there Mumbai Central. It was indeed a busy day in Mumbai. Yeah, I had fry beef masala for dinner at Baghdadi.

Love you too, Mumbai

V

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

I’ve been off blogging for more than 20 days, except one or two short posts. I promise to be more regular now with the description of the holidays and how the cities, Mumbai and Pune since the time I left. I spent three days in Mumbai and I couldn’t go to Delhi, a place which I so wanted to visit. Better luck next time, as I promised to be back to India in December. I visited my college, met my professors and I indeed went crazy with my chota-sa-mota sa camera clicking almost anything. There have been discussions on work opportunities once I’m back in Pune and thankfully things have been positive so far and are moving in the right direction.

I stopped over at Dubai for three hours on my way to Mumbai and what a huge airport it is. My God! I was truly amazed at the airport which looks more like a shopping mall. Yes, I had Starbucks coffee for the first time in my life and it was truly awesome. On the flip side, everything is so f****** expensive at Dubai airport. Once can see many migrant working at the airport, including many Chinese.

Landed in Mumbai on December 21 in the afternoon and the window, aerial view of the Dharavi slums and Bandra-Kurla bridge gave a familiar sight of the city I roamed seamlessly for two years of my care free life.The proper word was excitement and I’m like, finally I am in amchi mumbai. Immediately as I reached YMCA Mumbai I dropped luggage and all, I had a cutting chai and visited some shopping malls to buy some clothes. I went to Phoenix mall at Parel which is so big and sexy. That’s how I spent my first day in Mumbai.

Shall update with my travels, starting majestically with Mumbai.

Have a great day.

The year started with a bang.

Much Love

V

The Goa trip was indeed a wonderful way to start the year. 2012 resolutions..nopes coz I can’t stick to it but I intend to cut smoking and go on a spiritual quest this year. Very often, I shall withdraw from the world and cut myself off from everybody, including myself..but not now for sure. Shall read major spiritual books and materials. Withdrawing into my shell is something good for oneself and doing some soul-searching and craving for one’s identity is a good way to clean up one’s act and to really see within me, the real ME. For starter, I shall be completely unavailable including mom and closed and dear ones. It’s a unique journey where I shall practice detachment and stick to the free flow of energy. Need to rejuvenate the self with the identity. The new me will take birth.

I am not contemplating anything for the year which just started and there shall be no plans as such. As it is whatever is there, energy will take care of it. I will also try to cut my hyperness, anxiety and stress and am in to become more composed in life. I am planning to start with yoga.

Wishing all of you folks, a happy and prosperous new year 2012.

Much Love

V

I’ve been out of blog, absolutely invisible for a long time and it may well be my last post for 2011 and here wishing everyone a belated Merry X-mas and a Happy New Year 2012. The reason: I’m on holidays and there is no time for blogging. Been busy catching up with friends and working out stuffs career wise. Presently, I’m in Pune and meeting with old pals, meeting teachers. Been to Mumbai for few days and I set off alone to Goa on Friday. It’s not a question of seeking fun dis tym but rather clicking pics, admiring the scenery and being with myself. I need all the peace in the world and absolutely deserve it.

I stopped at Dubai airport for three hours last Tuesday before catching a flight to Mumbai and the airport is soo fucking huge. I was amazed and had the first star bucks coffee in ma life. It totally live up to its name and its starbucks indeed.Speaking bout Mumbai, took lotsa pics and fondly remembering the days that were and indeed will make my comeback in a few years. But, the place I truly belong is Pune and despite the big changes in terms of traffic woes, new buildings and commercial centers cropping up, it’s Pune indeed. The city that I can truly call home.

There are lots to speak about the special holidays and post my vacations I shall devote the blog on my holidays, starting from Dubai, Mumbai, Pune, Goa, Lavasa and Delhi perhaps. Till then, I shall stop my yamming and bak bak.

Happy New Year 2012.

V

Image via Wikipedia

I’m excited since India must have changed a lot after three years. The economy is booming and shopping malls are cropping every where and the excitement level is soaring and I’m even more excited since I will be traveling through Emirates for the first time in my life. How will it be inside?! It’s the curiosity of the human mind which is presently gaining an upper hand on reason. I am also curious about Dubai international airport since heard a lot of positive things about it. Bang on! Here I come to India. Going home has never felt so good and right now the adrenaline is rushing.

My God! How has India changed I dunno but the feeling will be the same. The smells from Mumbai slums,the sight of black and yellow cabs, Best buses, Marine Drive, Vaada Pav, Peth areas in Pune, Ganeshkhind and Fergusson college. In 2 days I am coming coming up from the sky and land where the heart is. Btw the blog has hit 10,000 views and still counting.

I’ve been waiting for the holidays and for the few remaining days, there were the anxiety pangs and finally D-Day comes and I’m sure it will be a great feeling tomorrow when I shall kiss the land in Mumbai. I will be off the blog for a long tym. Though I may come once to give the updates. I’m off for a long tym.

Merry X-mas N Happy New year.

Ek Dum Desi Flavor

V

What irks me when people decides the career for their kids, engineering and medicine thinking that the 18-year-old is not intelligent enough on the course of his or her life. One thing:Kids did not asked to be brought in the world, It is the parents who brought them into this world and why you choose to punish them and impose your rules on them. Remember it’s their lives. probably, during our times things were different and now things are different. Move with time dude if you don’t wanna lose your children for good. This is the reason when children leave their homes for study they never come back and that your absence never makes any difference to their lives. Then, you don’t have the right to complain.

The bottom line is command respect and not obeisance. If you want to command respect with children and spouse or live-in partner, first learn to give them the respect in a relationship. First believe in equality in relationship. Don’t ever think that you are superior just because you are the bread-winner or the one who signs the cheque. That will never earn you respect in a relationship. If you think so, perhaps you are the biggest fool on earth.

If someone truly loves and cares for his wife, girl friend or children, the person will never raise his or her voice or hand on the loved ones. The reasonable person will sit and talk with that person and will find a way which is acceptable to both parties. This is a win-win situation not head I win and I will always toss the coin in such a manner that you get tail and lose. Such rare gems are winners in life and they may not be the richest people on earth but wealthy in terms of successful career and relationship. This is respect, my dear.

Such kind of human beings will always nurture, encourage love and will always reject the imposition of rules and punish his loved ones when ever they reject such self-imposed rules. This is true love and affection. The ‘my way or the high way command’ is the perfect recipe for failure in a relationship. Partners and children are meant to share your life and laugh, cry with you and not cry in bearing your tantrums as well as foul hardy moods.

Next time before shouting at some, always remember they can also shout and break as many plates and glasses in the kitchen. Respect is earned and not imposed through acts of violence. A relationship based on mutual trust, love, violence and most importantly respect has the capacity wither the violent storms. Value people and the relationship you share with them is more important that the judgement of society. Since when opinion of others mattered more to the relationship you share with your children, spouse and partner.

Coming back to Toshiba, there was this stupid salesman trying to oversell his product to me. He was trying explain the product, HDMI and technology and it was something he obviously learned by heart. But, when I asked his a simple question he was so confused and in trying to hard sell himself, he wasn’t convincing at all. It looks like he was speaking on a subject he hardly knows anything about. The dude was so confused. Finally, zeroed on Sony Bravia.

Today, along with a friend we brought the Bravia in his car and he helped me to lift the car and brought it at home. Since the cupboard where we’ve put the old Samsung is not spacious enough, I got to clean a table where I’ve kept some of my stuffs and put the brand new TV on it. Our old Samsung was born in 2006 when I was quite young. It was during the World Cup. Hell! What I am saying..I’m not old but just a way of saying. Well, of Dad was here, he would be damn happy of the new TV.

Had two back-to back off from work, yesterday and today, that is Thursday and been caught up with some personal issues related to my travel. Yesterday. had to be in the city to sort out things and do some lil’ bit of shopping. There are quite a few stuffs to sort out and blogging, reading took a back seat and now I am trying to make the most of it. Currently, I’m hoping to finish Twilight-3 before my holiday starts on Tuesday.I shall bid my bye, right now.

Stay tuned for the second part of short story: Sex with an ex

Cheers

V

What’s a blog without some spice in my personal life? Bien entendu, these French words find its way here. Frankly, I didn’t expect the first part of the Saturday’s post was appreciated. Got the feedback from someone who find it gripping. Time to work on the second and final one.

Six more days or so and I shall be in holidays. I’m pretty excited and badly deserve the much needed break. Some technical hassles need to be sorted out and it shall be till Friday. God is always with good people and I consider myself to be a good human being. X-mas Carol N Santa will be here at any moment and from now it’s a matter of 12 days more. Personally, I’m longing for shopping coz I know the year-end will be great. Then, a new era and we shall witness 2012, not pleasing naysayers..lol..

Started with eclipse, third version of Twilight and the first 100 pages is as amazing as the first two and the love adventure of Edward Cullens and Bella amid high voltage drama continues for me at least.

This week was filled with holiday planning, buying gifts and lil bit of shopping for the New Year which I am waiting with anticipation. Mornings and nights are reserved for movies and reading. Spent my time downloading Firaaq and Mujhse Fraandship karoge and yeah,I watched Nagesh Kukunoor’s Hyderabad Blues after 13 years. Amazing film and I think it was the birth of new age cinema. The movie appears real in today’s time as well though there are certain things which has changed. Times is moving at a fast pace. But, globalisation or not, I guess certain things like caste or Gothra remain the same for a group of traditional, conservative and reluctant to adapt to modern obnoxious  jerks and conservative out of sync lots.

Yes! Indeed! Three more days of work in office for 2011 and Monday next will be the last working day. Wow! What a feeling! Year end is the best time for holidays and the countdown has already started. I’m in a hyper state and guess it’s a natural feeling. That’s human nature, I guess. There is the anticipation of your beautiful time and my sixth sense tells me that good things are coming and with a bang. It always happens to me. When good things come it comes in a spree. Longing to meet my mates who are as excited as I am to catch up. Life is beautiful.

It reminds me that my room need to be cleaned, in particular my table where lies the PC..I need to get a flat T.V tomorrow and I’ve yet to decide between a Toshiba, LG or a Sony Bravia model. I always wanted to have a Bravia but Toshiba form part of my memory. It was our first ever TV which was gifted by Dad to me the day I turned 1. Can’t make up my mind right now coz there are too much.

Catch ya later, dudes dudettes

V