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.