Unforgettable month of April 2013

It could not have been better than this. The whole month of April has been one of excitement, discovery, merriment, fun and frolic. Today, in particular had been a great day. I, generally let life take over me and I take it as it comes. For the first time I have realized that may be I just didn't want to be a sheer spectator or a participant in my life even as life would offer a situation on a platter, I wanted to take control and yes I did. What a day! I never felt so free and never ever had I been so expressive in front of someone whom I didn't know much.

I am brimming with varied emotions. These emotions can only be felt and I am so overwhelmed that the words refuse to flow easily. I have not an iota of doubt that I would like to remember this month all my life. The consecutive events of enjoyment since the beginning till the end gives a sense of satisfaction and creates an array of pleasant memories.

Nothing remains constant. Yes I am aware.  I can imagine, all this will come to an end. But I am not dreading the end, since the trail has been so enchanting and beautiful. I could not thank enough to anyone and everyone who made my month of April appear just so lovely and wonderful.

                                               

                                                 THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! 

Day 3

With each passing day, my love for the city is multiplying. Three days in the city and my amazement knows no boundaries. Whichever part I go to, it holds me awestruck. This is my dream city. With high expectations I had come and I must admit the city hasn't disappointed me a wee bit. Today was also an exciting day for me. I went to a few remarkable quarters of the city. Varied experiences marked my day. Here are a few of them :

A brush with reality!

Yesterday, as I have mentioned in the earlier post, I had a pleasant experience in the locals. I didn't have to negotiate much with the situation. On the contrary, I had some real experience, though on a minuscule level. We had to get into the local train at Kandivali. It was half as crowded as in the rush hour. So it was still quite crowded for me. The announcement had been done that the local was about to enter the platform. As soon as the ladies heard it, they flocked together in a group. The local approached slowly and smoothly where they had formed a group. The train stopped and we found ourselves in the middle. Like a wave in the sea, we were rushed into the train. It was an effortless entry and I guess this is what happens usually. We found a place to stand near the gate. The next station threw another set of ladies inside. They all adjusted themselves in and around the gate. I did not however budge from my place as I wanted to have the feel. This was my real experience with the local train.

My camera ditches me !! 

Any trip has its own set of ups and downs. Without any glitches, you cannot have a trip complete. Yesterday I had recharged my camera's batteries. I thought I would be able to capture these moments from my first trip in Mumbai. Alas, I was in for a great surprise. While being in the local, I finally found a place to sit towards the end of the journey and what do I see? The train was running at its maximum speed. A lady's sari , due to the wind was getting to her knees. I thought if a girl had worn a skirt it would have easily been flown in the air. The lady then turned her back towards me and I noticed the reason why her sari had flown so easily upto her knees. She had been wearing a Marathi style sari. This was the first lady I had come across in real who was wearing sari in this style. I did not want to skip this moment. In a hurry, I took out my camera. But to only realise that it would not open at all and the rest of my trip would go unregistered in form of pictures. That was one turn off , momentary in nature but still...

Sight sea-ing!!!

Despite this glitch, I had an amazing day. The visit at Mahalakshmi temple and then seeing the sea and Haji Ali. We then savoured the picturesque beauty of Mumbai form the Hanging Gardens and oh what a sight it was. The next was a bus ride from Hanging gardens till the VT station. We rode along the sea , along the marine drive, drove through Fort, saw the RBI's Headquarters, The Asiatic Society's building that is now a library and finally we stopped at VT. Victoria Terminus or Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus as it is now known is an exquisite example of British architecture. This quarter in Mumbai makes you experience a foreign country in Europe. After exploring a bit more , we walked our way till Chirchgate and finally back to our place.

I have a strong attachment to places with sea. I could just sit and watch the waves come and recede. It's such an intense moment. The best to connect yourself with the nature and the best to experience your own self. 

This city is certainly one of the best in the countries as far as my top list is concerned. With each moment, my bond gets stronger with it. 

Day 2

On my second day, I used the services of almost all modes of transportation that Mumbai offers to its citizens. The Red coloured Best buses add to the colour of the city. I started my day by getting onto one of the BEST buses. We took it till Borivali railway station. As I had to go to Fort, we had no  other option but to take the local train. And I was all prepared for it.

We had already avoided the rush hour from 6 in the morning till 11. So it was almost a pleasant experience in the local. I also got the concept of Fast and Slow locals. It was such a nightmarish thought when I used to think about boarding a local train, but getting face to face with it today cleared of my head all my apprehensions. It wasn't as crowded as I had imagined.

At Churchgate, I discovered that there are no auto rickshaws that ferry passengers instead there are taxis, black and yellow in colour. My excitement level shot up when I spotted a Fiat black and yellow taxi. It isn't the car you would find in Delhi, not even as taxis. What a visual delight!!

 This was about the various modes of transportation. Now coming to the city, I must admit I am still awed by the city. In fact I am in love with this city that looks so vibrant , so lively. All its tall buildings feel as if they are keeping a watch over you and nothing could go wrong. 

Today I visited the South of Mumbai. And, what traces we have of the colonial times! You get transported back in time when the Britishers had them constructed and ruled over us. You also get taken away to a more Westernized part of the city. While roaming around I could almost feel that I was in England except that the population and the environment kept reminding me of Mumbai. I saw almost all of the tourist places. Beginning with Jehangir Art Gallery, Prince of Wales museum (of which we saw only the exteriors as it had got closed by that time), we then walked down till the Gateway which was closed for the public because of some ceremony of the Indian Navy, and right in front of the Gateway stood the TajMahal hotel, that still rings the memory of terrorist strike. We then hailed a taxi and went till Nariman Point. I was and I am still mesmerised with the skyscrapers. Just so many of them! We then walked down till the Marine Drive. My dream had finally come true. I had been dying to come to Marine Drive. Although I have been to a better version in Nice, Promenade des Anglais, but this had its own charm. Walking straight till Churchgate, I realised it was time we got back home. 

On my way back, we boarded the ladies compartment of the local train. While sitting there, it seemed I had already used its services since long. The pleasant experience of city's lifeline has instilled such confidence in me, I guess I could make use of its services on my own (not so certain about the peak hours though) 

I had a beautiful day in a dynamic, electrifying and animated city. And yes I am enamoured!!

Day 1 in my dream city

I reach Borivali. The train stops for 2 minutes. We get down in time. Our relatives are waiting for us. Borivali is just like any other small station. Nothing very imposing about the station I could make out. The station was sure crowded. People were hurrying their ways to board the local trains. We came out  and I saw a stream of auto rickshaws and BEST buses right outside. We hailed an auto. The first striking thing : unlike Delhi auto wallahs, Bombay's are very sincere in using the meter. There is no haggling involved. Wow!

We head to Borivali West. On my way, another eye-catching thing is the high rising buildings everywhere. In Delhi, the region I stay majorly has bungalows, not many skyscrapers. While on the contrary, wherever my eyes roam, I see tall residential buildings. These high rises cater to the demand of rising population in the city.

And the next thing which I notice is the congestion in the city. You wouldn't feel that you have ample space to relax or stretch your arms. In South Delhi, I have been habituated to wide roads, I feel and breathe though the polluted air. The reality is different here and I am not complaining. In fact, I am still in the awe of my dream city.

Tomorrow, I would take a local train. Let's see how awe struck I remain after my first rendezvous with it.

Bombay , enfin !!!

A long secretly harboured dream comes true as I step inside the August Kranti Rajdhani that would take me to my dream destination, city of dreams and hopes : Mumbai. For me, it still remains Bombay or Bambai. 

Uncertainty loomed large over my prospect of getting ticket to Bambai nagariya. I got a ticket after so much exasperation. At last, I had a sigh of relief with the ticket in my hand. 

Rajdhani leaves at Nizammudin at almost 5 in the evening. We kept on reminiscing of our last year's Pondichery trip, around the same time of year, an all women's trip and for the same purpose. Meanwhile, we were looking forward to this one. The only missing link on this trip is Baby. It's just the two of us unlike the last one where we were three.

I am excited to explore the city. The local train that is the lifeline of the city scared me earlier but I am now eagerly waiting my first brush with it. 

I don't know how would the city receive me and how would I take it. But now that I have reached here in Bombay, I am so delighted.