A dyed-in-the-wool Bengali,the transition to Bombay from Calcutta was traumatic to say the least.A five hundred square-feet house??That was almost the size of my bathroom back home!And the long commute?I felt like a sardine packed in the local trains.Not to speak of the local lingo,the strange street food and the whistle that meant someone was trying to get my attention.Where were my genteel bhadralok friends?The hubby,long accustomed to life in Bombay was no help at all as I struggled to find my feet in the city which is a potpourri of composite cultures.But gradually,as the days turned into months,the terror receded.Space-saving,multi-functional box beds,folding dining tables,sofa-cum beds came to my rescue.As the language began to make sense,I realized there were hearts of gold under the rough facades.Neighbours,unlike in Calcutta may be too busy to have adda sessions but were always there in times of need.And wonder of wonder,the ubiquitious vada-pav began to make my taste-buds tingle!!
It has been a long journey since those arriviste days!There are still times when I long to be in Calcutta.But amchi Mumbai now has me in her thrall!The long drive to town is an opportunity to catch up with the Top 20 countdown on FM radios!!And once in town,Colaba Causeway,Fashion Street and Chowpatty welcome me with open arms.Parsi food,Goan fishcurry,Bade Miyan,we are spoilt for choices!What can beat the experience of listening to Sufi music in Horniman Circle at midnight!Or watching the Queen's Necklace twinkling as cars whizz past!The Queen of Suburbs with its starry residents,a must-visit for all visitors from Calcutta.Indeed,the charms of Mumbai are many and varied,as she reaches out and embraces me and countless other newly arrived lost souls.As my friends and I say proudly,Mee Mumbaikar,in a home away from home!
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Way to go Sharmila! :)
ReplyDeletenice!
ReplyDeleteThanks guys:-)You have no idea how much it means to me!!
ReplyDeleteA charming ode to amchi Mumbai. Waiting to read your Benaras experience.
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ReplyDeleteThanks Starpom!Each word of encouragement helps. Would like to read your blog if possible.
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