Break ke Baad in Aamchi Mumbai

AI 130 was hovering over Mumbai to land at Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport. As I stepped out of the plane, the swanky new terminal was the first amongst the many changes I noticed in Amchi Mumbai.  


The new terminal, duty free shops were unlike what I had seen a few years ago when I first travelled abroad. But this was short lived as the two helpless scanners tried best to accommodate luggage of the passengers at the customs.  On my way home, I noticed the new construction at City Light theatre was complete, but was promptly told that it’s just a commercial complex with no theatre. One more landmark with many childhood memories has disappeared in the builder-official-politician nexus.

Prices of vegetables, basic food items have inflated

Eating out is too expensive 

The most striking was the sky high prices of fruits, vegetables and daily items. Prices for dozen eggs, a litre of milk, bread and vegetable made me think, perhaps grocery was cheaper or at similar rate in London. Our staple Idli sambar at DP’s now costs Rs 32 while the favourite sabudana wada from Prakash is for Rs 30. So much for the inflation.....  

It was the next day after Dasara, my first festival since my return J, I got a call from my brother ‘you missed ganapati visarjan this year; start walking towards Gokhale Road you will get a glimpse’. Sure I did, it was a long queue of trucks with Devi idols headed towards Dadar Chowpatty. Sign of another festival becoming bigger, louder, commercialised and politicised. This time my usual long drive at night to Marine Drive took another route on my way back – the new Lalbaug fly over. Another subtle and important change was the death of close relatives, friend and acquaintances when I was away, a loss which will never be relived.  

I missed it sooo much - The Sea!!

Those who live by the sea can hardly form a single thought of which the sea would not be part. Broch, Hermann

This quote is so true. Its been 8 months that I left Mumbai to study in London but there have had endless discussions remembering Mumbai seashore and rains. I realised how much I was missing sea when I visited Whitstable, near Canterbury this week. The site of calm water with men, women and kids enjoying themselves was so soothing and refreshing.

Born and brought up in Mumbai, my memories are filled with the sea. The childhood trips to Dadar 'chowpatty' as we call it, eating Mumbai street food and making sand dunes and wells on the beach. How can one forget those long drives and bike rides along the queens necklace, Bandra and Worli Sea face. The fishermen boats anchored at Versova, Juhu or Worli. The salty stink one is exposed to while crossing the Mahim causeway. Ah and the sea roar and splash during rainy, windy, Mumbai monsoons. The joy of drenching in those splashing sea waves at Marine Drive or Worli Sea Face cannot be described. The soaring sea, rough sea, sometimes calm sea is witness to the several romantic, gentle, emotional moments in the lives of us Mumbaikars. It swallows our sadness, frustration, anger and celebrates our joy. I am so longing to go back and feel that familiar cool and salty sea breeze in my beloved city - Mumbai.

When I became a kid again - Cadbury World

For most of us the first memory of eating a chocolate will be relish Cadbury Dairy Milk. I remember those days when a guest at home use to bring a Cadbury Dairy Milk or Five Star as a token of love. My father's love for chocolates - specifically Dairy Milk, makes me a child, which in a way I experienced this week.

The not on agenda trip to CadburyWorld at Birmingham, UK was an amazing experience to know how my favourite chocolate is produced and learn about its origin. What drew my attention was how an interactive experience is created, instead of making tourists go through standard bill boards and posters at an exhibition or a museum. The 4D screen shows of origins of Cadbury and other stories involves you as a visitor. The shadow games, chocolate mould imaging and Cadbara Car are all introduced considering the huge children following. And not to forget the free cadbury chocolates and some hot melted chocolate that you get to taste here. I would love going back to this world of chocolates !