Mumbai isn't just a city but a way of life catching humans in rustic form and whipping them to near perfection. The city defines its inhabitants giving them nerves of steel for life and lessons that make for resilience in Maximum City. No boring moment for the average Mumbaikar not restricted to living to the Clift's or razor's edge but lingering the extreme in the city off limits.
1. Books on the pavement
One cannot imagine Mumbai without books on the pavement which may not be available for cheap now but remember lapping for 40 bucks at Churchgate just outside the station. I have hoarded quite a treasure trove now and a field time to explore the universe of books on the roads.
2. Ek chalis ki last local
Our lifeline, local trains and what would the Mumbaikar do without them! The slow and fast trains that take us from one end of the city to the other is not just a journey but a way of life for everyone in exploring fellow humans, watching the skyscrapers, old decayed buildings or slums from a distance as the scenery flits past us. Of course, hopping from one station to the other, wriggling past the human sweat in the jampacked locals at any time of the day is never a dull or expensive manner. The world saves you if you miss the last local at 1.40 a.m.
3. Bun Maska and cutting chai at midnight
Hungry stomach crawling at night! Police bandobast but also khana bandobast. The yummy and delicious bun maska and watching the knife slything effortlessly to paste jelly and butter fills the stomach in the wee hours. Cutting chai and maska quench the hunger panged stomach to heavenly bliss outside the railway station makes Mumbai a never-ending love affair as you stand in the hot summer watching the huge buildings and vehicles in the dark to treasure the moments.
4. Queen's necklace
The best thing about South Mumbai at night is to gaze at the tiny dot of lights sprawling from Nariman Point to Chowpatty which makes it a glittery affair. You feel like catching the stars in the night and provide fodder to your thought in the lonely nights.
5. Spotting celebrities
From JW Mariott to Bandra Bandstand and Marine Drive, hordes of celebrities can be spotted, often getting a glimpse of film stars shooting atop double-decker buses. I often saw Anil Ambani jogging at the promenade early morning in South Bombay and met Anupam Kher at Oxford Bookshop, or spotted Perizaad Zorabian at Gaylord, both Priyanka Chopra and Bobby Deol shooting on the double-decker. You can make your Sundays eventful standing at Bandstand where SRK waves to fan or Amitabh Bachchan greeting admirers gone frenzy in front of his bungalow at Jalsa in Juhu.
6. Pubs
There is no dearth of pubs, from Cafe Mondegar, Sports Express Bar or Leopold Cafe in Colaba catching up to guzzle beer with friends or watching cricket matches. The pocket needn't wear a hole and take a walk behind the cool pubs and Gokul is just a walk away near Gateway of India. There is not anyone staying in Mumbai who hasn't gone to shady Gokul to have drinks.
7. Simply Theater
In this age of multiplex mushrooming in the city, typical theaters with comfortable wooden seats of the likes Eros, Liberty, New Excelsior and Regal gives the feel of seethis and thalis living the good, old rustic experience of movies, masti and magic. Nothing can beat the exuberance and joy of watching a movie in the theater. Mumbai offers a unique charm of what is called a true movie watching experience.
8. Language OK
Language unites its people and Mumbai shows you how to speak issstyle se, Mamu. It's a melting pot where the people can easily flit from speaking posh English to effortless slide into Hindi and Marathi adding to the city's sheen and not just horns but language OK. It shows there is no outsider in the city.
9. Food haven
Mumbai is a food haven and there is no dearth of surplus on your thali. Outside Mumbai University at Fort, Puri and bhaji was readily available for 10 to 15 bucks and man that fills the stomach to the brink or the Bombay sandwich for 40 bucks. Of course, I am speaking about a long time back and I am sure the price hasn't skyrocketed that much. Bade Miya is another popular and much-frequented place in Colaba. I was never fond of the place which is not only overpriced but overrated. One of the best places to eat at Colaba within budget is at Baghdadi, particularly if you swear by non-veg, a jumbo naan and beef fry masala for less than 50 bucks.
10. Rejuvenating in nature
The lush greenery and huge green trees bending its mind offers stillness and soothes the mind at Kalina campus, University of Mumbai. Pure magic to break free in the gateway or recluse environment far away from the city yet sitting in the belly of the world that never stops. During my initial days, I remember sitting on the bench at night after 6 p.m to read and be surrounded by nature. This feeling cannot be expressed and just listening to the birds singing or leaves falling on the ground brings peace to the soul. The long walks at the campus with tree shade caressing the building and its people is spiritual bliss. The Fort campus is another favorite campus where I'd spend hours cuddling between giant trees, flowers and fresh air, walking with my notes in hand on the grass. Sitting at Barista in Shivaji Park, Dadar or Bandstand and the breeze wafts to kiss the face and hair fluttering with trees adorned on both sides of the road takes you in the sway of the pure cosmic form in a crowded and crazy city. Mumbai offers everything from the crowd, to peace and retreat for energizing the mind and soul.
