The Timex Lextra on my wrist is not the most expensive watch I own. In fact, it is one of the simplest. But it remains the most valuable one to me, because it was a gift from my mother after one of the proudest moments of my childhood.
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In my previous post on The Dabbawallahs of Mumbai, I’ve already mentioned about the fast lifestyle of the city. However, to keep that momentum going all the time, without a break you need something that works like clockwork. Yes, in this post we focus on the Mumbai suburban railway network that certainly is the lifeline of the city.
Dabbawallah Art at Kala Ghoda Art Festival
Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay is not just the financial, entertainment and commercial capital of India, but also an important city to the state of Maharashtra allowing the state to churn more money every single day. Nestled on the west coast of the country facing the Arabian Sea, the city has an estimated population of more than 20 million and the numbers grow rapidly each year making it one of the most populous urban regions in the world. People from all corners of the country visit Mumbai to explore it and to make some money that would offer them a chance to lift their lifestyle. The pressure is immense and therefore most residents here have to be on their toes at all times. Hours of commuting across the city, traffic jams, professional commitments, irritating bosses, nagging wives and girlfriends, job insecurities, financial woes and a lot more adds up to the lifestyle making life insanely hectic and stressful. To meet the demands of this hyper-active and not-a-second-to-waste lifestyle, locals need a break – a food break, to rejuvenate, to bust their stress, to have a conversation with colleagues over a cafeteria table and to pamper their taste buds.
While India certainly has a lot to offer there are many tourists that prefer to break their holidays into smaller circuits and make the best use of the limited time and budget they have. Located in the north of India is The Golden Triangle, a tourist circuit that includes Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. Although, it sounds like a smaller circuit it still offers the best experience that one can have in a limited space of a 5-6 days.
The Taj Mahal
What instantly comes to your mind when you first think of India? Let me guess, is it the famous and iconic the Taj Mahal? Or is it the slums and the abject poverty that usually gets highlighted in most Indian and international movies shot in India? Well, to start with the stark contrast between the rich and poor comes out quite clearly in India, no matter which city you choose to live in. However, I am not focusing on what is popular and not quite popular here in the country. This post is going to talk about various more reasons why you should come to my country and what you can get out of it. Let’s get started without wasting more words and time.
Into the monsoon, Maharashtra changes character completely. Highways disappear into mist, waterfalls spill onto road edges, and the Western Ghats turn into long stretches of green and grey movement. What feels familiar in summer becomes slow, atmospheric, and unpredictable in the rain.
Okay, I won’t waste time with any introduction paragraph here. This is the second and concluding part of Savoring the Street Food of Mumbai post. I hope you enjoy it this as well.
I have already mentioned about some of the top street food destinations in Mumbai in my earlier blog post, but this time I am changing the topic slightly. Mumbai is not just about South Mumbai which remains the core part of the city, or about the suburbs where majority of the residents live these days. It is about the entire city that come together and make this city so uniquely beautiful. While I may not be completely happy with the kind of population growth that has made this city over-crowded, bringing people from all parts of the country. However, I also believe that the city would not have been what it is if these changes wouldn’t have happened. In my previous blog about street food, I mentioned some roadside stalls where you can find some great fast food or street food. This time, I am only focusing on the most popular street foods that you can find across the city, I mean literally any corner of the city. No matter wherever you are in Mumbai, all you need to do is walk down your neighborhood and you will find these food items right there. I dedicate this post to all the foodies who don’t care for comfort or restaurant decor, but who care about taste, freshness and are desperately hungry. Let’s get started with it.
Mumbai Sea Shore
There are some things in life that are inexplicable and I am sure you would agree that no matter where you live today, you will always stay connected to your roots and to the city that you were born and brought up. There is this strange bond that ties you up with that city and you always feel like you are an integral part of that city. I share the same bond and feeling for Mumbai, the city where I was born and have lived all my life. Although, the city has changed in many ways and it is not the same city that it was when I was in my teenage years, I still adore it and love it with the same amount of intensity. While there are many locals that have experienced the transformation of the city, I am trying to highlight certain points that international travelers will know about it because the city has never been shown like this before.
Peace is important for our very existence and I believe without inner peace we all would have gone bonkers by now. For me, peace is like emptying myself up of all the worries, sorrows, and frustrations that I carry in myself, which multiplies over a period of time. I believe when peace comes to us, we get rid of all the negativity and become as light as empty glass, ready to fill in more that life has to offer. Amidst all the stress and worries, I and Sarah decided to take a short trip to Navsari, not too far from Mumbai where I would celebrate my Parsi New Year and would also get the much deserved break that I need.