![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
Amchi Mumbai?
« previous entry | next entry »
Jun. 22nd, 2006 | 12:53 am
mood: 
good
Now that I’m blissfully back at home after a 45-day stint at Mumbai, I’m gushing with things to talk about.
First of all, what struck me most pleasantly there:
• I am absolutely in awe of the efficient transport system (especially after grappling with the Bangalore roads and traffic). Local buses were frequent and not very crowded generally. I did manage the local trains but only on weekends! (I have preserved my first local train ticket which was from Chembur station). It was hilarious to see women pulling each others’ hair and duppattas and saree pallus in a frenzy of entering the ladies’ compartment. A few even engaged in physical fights. I had my share of fun!
• The attitude of the people – non interfering, industrious and always ready to help with information. Free-home delivery for whatever paraphernalia irrespective of the volume.
• Not very arrogant auto and taxi-wallahs. They don’t demand excess fare and generally comply with the destination you want to hit.
• Numerous shopping avenues – a treat for a compulsive shopper like me. I went all the way from Sion to Malad just to wade through Inorbit (a friend claims that it is the biggest mall in Asia). R Mall and Nirmal’s Lifestyle in Mulund, Eternity Mall in Thane, yet another mall in Goregaon, Linking Road and Shoppers’ Stop in Bandra, Fashion Street in VT, Colaba – whew!
What I really loathed:
• People spitting and defaecating anywhere and everywhere. I’ve said this before and I’ll reiterate that if the Mumbai Municipal Corporation started fining people for these obnoxious acts, its revenue woes would be a thing of history.
• The filth on Chowpatty beach – probably I was comparing apples to oranges when I likened Mumbai beaches to the Kerala ones.
Memorable Places:
• Band Stand, Bandra – very neat for people who just want to walk. Good breeze and amazing sunset view.
• Chaat Chaska, Chembur – I was literally addicted to their yummy “Chaska Jamuns”
• Bombay Blues, Bandra – for some nice veg sizzlers
• Urban Tadka, R Mall – Ambience and food
Pet Peeves:
• Didn’t do justice to the gourmet (or should I shed my ego and call myself a gourmand ;-) ) in me – didn’t have enough time or probably company to discover more eat-out places
• I have heard praises of Pune but could not make it there
• Could not indulge in trekking or in visiting places around Mumbai
All in all, I had a good time in this gargantuan city. Since most of my expeditions were solitary in nature, I had all the time to savour the beauty (or otherwise) of this place. But then heart is where the home is :) I was longing to get back – to my place, my people and my life. And here I am – happy and tranquil in my city – my part of Terra Mater.
First of all, what struck me most pleasantly there:
• I am absolutely in awe of the efficient transport system (especially after grappling with the Bangalore roads and traffic). Local buses were frequent and not very crowded generally. I did manage the local trains but only on weekends! (I have preserved my first local train ticket which was from Chembur station). It was hilarious to see women pulling each others’ hair and duppattas and saree pallus in a frenzy of entering the ladies’ compartment. A few even engaged in physical fights. I had my share of fun!
• The attitude of the people – non interfering, industrious and always ready to help with information. Free-home delivery for whatever paraphernalia irrespective of the volume.
• Not very arrogant auto and taxi-wallahs. They don’t demand excess fare and generally comply with the destination you want to hit.
• Numerous shopping avenues – a treat for a compulsive shopper like me. I went all the way from Sion to Malad just to wade through Inorbit (a friend claims that it is the biggest mall in Asia). R Mall and Nirmal’s Lifestyle in Mulund, Eternity Mall in Thane, yet another mall in Goregaon, Linking Road and Shoppers’ Stop in Bandra, Fashion Street in VT, Colaba – whew!
What I really loathed:
• People spitting and defaecating anywhere and everywhere. I’ve said this before and I’ll reiterate that if the Mumbai Municipal Corporation started fining people for these obnoxious acts, its revenue woes would be a thing of history.
• The filth on Chowpatty beach – probably I was comparing apples to oranges when I likened Mumbai beaches to the Kerala ones.
Memorable Places:
• Band Stand, Bandra – very neat for people who just want to walk. Good breeze and amazing sunset view.
• Chaat Chaska, Chembur – I was literally addicted to their yummy “Chaska Jamuns”
• Bombay Blues, Bandra – for some nice veg sizzlers
• Urban Tadka, R Mall – Ambience and food
Pet Peeves:
• Didn’t do justice to the gourmet (or should I shed my ego and call myself a gourmand ;-) ) in me – didn’t have enough time or probably company to discover more eat-out places
• I have heard praises of Pune but could not make it there
• Could not indulge in trekking or in visiting places around Mumbai
All in all, I had a good time in this gargantuan city. Since most of my expeditions were solitary in nature, I had all the time to savour the beauty (or otherwise) of this place. But then heart is where the home is :) I was longing to get back – to my place, my people and my life. And here I am – happy and tranquil in my city – my part of Terra Mater.