Guest Posts

BOMBAY - By @ishaqzaadi

I moved from Nagpur to Bombay in June 2004, for work. My joining date was June 11. I’d told my mother that I’ll test waters for the next 3 months, and, if I cannot cope I shall be back home. Believe me; I had full plans to be home for my birthday on September 14.

I ended up celebrating every birthday from 2004 to 2007 in Bombay and the only reason I had to go back was acute sickness and doctor’s insistence of three months’ bed rest.

Those 4 and half years were when I lived life. Literally. Coming from Nagpur, and being an only child, I was everything one shouldn’t be in a city like Bombay – a snob and very protected. Today, eight years later, having actually looked at life in the eye and braved it all, I can say I am a little lesser of a snob (alas!) but definitely not someone who needs to be protected.

Bombay, (yes please, BOMBAY) is basically a safe city. And if someone tells you the glitz and glamour of the city blinds you, don’t believe them. It’s as grounded as can be – you decide how you want to interpret it. Bombay humbles you. You might be a ‘someone’ in your own city, but here, you are just one of ‘everyone’. It gives you all life’s vices in a platter and you have the choice to throw the platter away, try it and move on, or, relish it all your life.

It’s very very easy to lose focus in this city, especially when you are on your own and earning more than you can count. For someone who would never have ventured out of home alone post 9pm, I have travelled alone in cab, from SoBo to the western suburbs, all alone, as late as 3 am. And the best part was I wasn’t scared or worried! Where else in the country can you do this!

Bombay gave me the best of friends and the worst of foes. Some memories and photographs make me yearn to live those days again while some make me wish I didn’t remember them. Despite the unimaginable spectrum of wealth, access and opportunity in this city, emotions like anxiety, love, loneliness and being lost apply equally and beautifully to everyone. Still, if you haven’t experienced Bombay, you seriously haven’t done justice to your youth.

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Samarpita Sharma

http://sankshvet.blogspot.com

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Bombay - By @JustMadhusmita 

 

Welcome!

 

Now that Yatin is going to set foot in a city where every square-foot spells money, I thought I could give him a lowdown on the Do’s. Not the Don’ts because you won’t be there long enough to be cautious. 

If you are going to spend more than a week in Bombay, it would compel you to make at least one statement in life. That life is tough. You will know you are in Bombay when you will sleep in the middle of the night, desperately trying to push away the approaching dawn, push your way through the crowded streets to the crowded platforms to jump into the approaching local train. When you fight for a 4-inch space in the train, elbowing people spurting out the profanities to the T, you will know you are in Bombay! This city is delightfully international and fashionably expensive. If you hear someone say “Oh I pay 200 bucks for a vegetarian meal from a small eating joint but then it’s Bombay so it’s okay,” don’t be surprised. After you get past the initial shock, you will start your journey of devouring the city as much as you can in the limited time that you have.

Take an aimless walk in Marine Drive post midnight. And monsoon is the ideal time for such a sojourn. Admire the old and gorgeous South Bombay buildings, the lashing of the waves at Gateway, and the art galleries that line the Fort area. Visit the Rhythm House and Strand Book Stall. “Town”, as this place is referred to as, is old Bombay and admittedly very beautiful in its own way. Pointedly, Fashion Street is not fashionable anymore. But you can pay a visit to see how people haggle. Crawford Market is the mecca of all shoppers, where you get anything from a pi to a car. Word of caution – it’s crowded and you have to literally scream for attention here. Last but not the least, head to Café Mondegar and Leopold, a drug to many a starved soul. Sam and me included. Have a leisurely drink and savour the starters and see life changing to a happy colour for a while.

Take a trip to Bandra, where the air around you screams of Bollywood. You won’t need to ask which is Salman and Shah Rukh’s house. You will know! Witness the crimson dusk in the midst of walkers, joggers and expensive breeds of dogs in Carter Road while you sip on some roadside coffee. Mount Mary Church is not to be missed at any cost. It’s undoubtedly one of the few places in this bustling city that offers peace amidst all the chaos. Bandra Fort is a must-see. Also, the houses here have character. Click lots of pictures. Visit the small bakeries that swamp the area and experience bliss in the form of cupcakes.

In between complaining about ‘too many people’ you can make way to Siddhivinayak, Haji Ali and the Mahalakshmi. Catch a play, any play at Prithvi Theatre, Juhu just for the sheer experience and a suleimani chai in their cafeteria. And if you are lucky enough, you might spot the very beautiful Sanjana Kapoor there too. Juhu beach is an assault to the senses and you might want to kill yourself if you go there on a weekend. For that matter, malls on a weekend are dreaded by most sane people in this city. One visit there and you would know why India is one of the most populated countries in the world! All this while, keep your camera ready to click away to glory. Bombay is full of moments that will amaze you to no ends.

These are just a few places. Am sure your friends have made special plans for you and will take you to a lot of other. Enjoy your time to the fullest here. And don’t waste any moment sleeping. Because Bombay is beautiful in the nights.

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Madhusmita