By Vaidehi Nanivadekar
ऐ दिल है मुश्कील जीना येहा जरा हटके ज़रा बचके ये है बॉम्बे मेरी जान…..
CID (1956)
Mumbai and I share a bond of over 18 homely years. I live in the chirpy suburbs of this city, close to the beaches.
Around 23 million people live in my city. The very own charm of Mumbai is the traffic that gets you to your destination; an everyday adventure of every Mumbaikar.
A morning in Mumbai is an experience that speaks for itself. The city which never sleeps has its way of celebrating early mornings with crowded local tea stalls and people rushing to their workplaces from the beating heart of Mumbai, the local railway.
The local gulmohar trees adorned with playful squirrels along the streets give this city a cosy ambience.
The humans of Bombay have a lifestyle like no other place. Marked as the hub of all cultures and languages, Mumbai is the epitome of cultural and social diversity.
The city comes alive in the late summer when the wind muffs about the approaching monsoon at the door. You can also enjoy cricket matches at every nook and corner of the city.
I love hanging out with my friends in the evenings. My favourite places in the city are :
Little Italy, Juhu – The best place to be at when craving a delicious slice of pizza.
Prithvi Cafe, Juhu – Perfect to catch up with friends over a cup of coffee.
The best local cuisine to try in Mumbai is the Irani cafe’s Bun Maska and the street food king of Mumbai, Vada Pav.
The SOCIAL Colaba in Mumbai is the best place to enjoy Mumbai’s nightlife.
One of the rising bakeries that you can’t help but get addicted to is the Vanilla Beans, Bandra.
Some hidden gems of Mumbai you won’t find in guidebooks :
Kitaab Khaana, a hidden store near the Flora Fountain waiting for you to discover and explore the literary beauty of Mumbai.
To get closer to nature, Sewri Mangrove Park is a place you must explore.
Throughout the year, Mumbai brings a lot of events for you to cherish and celebrate. The city adores art exhibitions like the Kala Ghoda festival, late-night plays at the Horniman Circle and renaissance events at the NCPA.
When I am unhappy and need some peace, art galleries like the Jehangir Art Gallery and the National Gallery of Modern Art are right to my rescue. The old Parsi dairies at the Queen’s Necklace treat me with the best ice cream sandwich ever, and that lifts my spirits. And of course, my city treats me with a quiet evening walk at the beaches.
The city’s loveliest stretch for shoppers is Fashion Street, a tuft of around 385 street shops for you to purchase clothes, accessories, and shoes from a wide range of varieties. This street is also famous for its bargaining culture.
And for high-end purchases, you should head to the exquisite fashion houses in Kala Ghoda, Rhythm House.
The evenings in Mumbai are bubbly. When the sky is busy turning purple and dark, Mumbai glitters in her dazzling lights. The streets are jewelled with the delicious aroma of wonders prepared at the local restaurants.
In Mumbai, a typical weekend is incomplete without a late-night ice cream treat with friends and family and a quiet walk at the sea shore.
I love my city because nobody knows this place as I do. The bond of passion and adventure binds my city to my heart.
Also read : Mumbai, Cycling and the Hidden Sea-Walk
