Over The Breeze...

Sipping a cup of tea after spending a lazy weekday holiday I felt an urge to share my thoughts on my second coming to Mumbai.

I get asked this question a lot "How is Mumbai treating you, buddy". All well so far, is what I feel. However, the city's standing in my mind has changed a lot since I last stayed here seven year ago. Back then, before I landed in Mumbai, I had lived in few Punjab & Haryana cities amongst which Chandigarh and Gurgaon are the ones which I can sanely remember. I came to Mumbai for my undergrad during peak monsoons in July of 1999. The next five years were spent in a suburb named Powai, now home to many. But over those five years Powai was still being developed, the lush green hills existed and to many who would bump into us, the students of IIT, Powai represented just a bus stop. Hence, those five years have little or no connection with rest of Bombay barring our infrequent trips to island city, mid night buffets in leading restaurants and chatter about beautiful women a guy would spot during these trips.

The real Mumbai grind (read liPhe, life) began in later 2004 when I joined a leading private bank and served one of it branches in the Central Business District of Nariman Pt. Obviously I couldn't afford anything on rent in the pompous South Mumbai, but for a room fitted with a commode and a wardrobe being offered at a rent that would put 2 bed room flat in suburbs to shame. Things haven't changed in a big way even now. I still can't afford living in the even more pompous South Mumbai. Not everything is bad though, I have definitely moved a little more Southwards and the hope is I would someday reach the Point. By then lets pray the Point (as taxiwallahs call Nariman Point) retains its glory. This is another economic transformation being witnessed in Mumbai, now, as Nariman Point is losing its place as the most wanted office address in India to suburbs such as Bandra Kurla and Andheri.

These days I stay close to the Central Line, as people familiar with Mumbai would know the city essentially dwells along three railway tracks, the western, the central and the harbour. In my earlier stint I lived close to the Western track. The Mumbai west is by far a splendid destination studded with great eateries, good views and party places. However, with that amount of dominance also comes streets perenially busy and little room for gymnasiums, sports destinations etc. Central, the looked down upon cousin of West is little under developed but some quality real estate has come along this train track. The life on central line isn't bad. However, good views are limited while eateries etc are still coming up. The harbour is a great living destination but only on the other side of the sea.

I was younger, I had lots of bachelor friends and while I had little money, seven years back. I still FEEL young, I have a few bachelor friends and those who aren't in that state now, are worried about owning a piece of land of their own in Mumbai. Hence, my airtime with them has shrunk a bit. I have also developed new hobbies such as regular work out and more time on internet, than being on busy Mumbai streets. The west now feels very far even when I plan a visit on weekends.

My workplace and its nature has changed significantly. I remember walking into a crammed office in 2004, sharing one workstation with 2 others. I now work out of the new business district in Mumbai. While the new business district cuts the city into two, restricting your travel, it is significantly short of the popular Mumbai hawkers. For that matter there arent any. Any true Mumbaiite or those who visit the city often will miss the neighbourhood chai wallah or the vada pav wallah and in my case the anda-pav wallah of Fort. I have limited or no opportunities to shell out a few extra rupees everyday on these delicacies which still come cheap but tend to spoil you.

The distinctions are many, while I have time to share these few. Mumbai experience has been different, but life isn't same either. It was never supposed to be the same, it feels a little slower, a little less drowsed in alcohol esp the erstwhile tequila shots with friends and little more settled. May be because I can afford some more luxuries in the same old city of Mumbai.