As you land, there is a good chance the pilot will announce that it is hazy and warm.
The expected weather around the year is warm, hot or extremely hot. Throw in heavy rains at some point in the year.
Heavy rains are expected to stop the heavily used suburban trains due to flooding at least once a year.
Heavy rains also result in a few “rain days off” during the year.
The city is probably known for its tolerance as much as its communal riots.
It is probably also known more for the riots than the bomb blasts that preceded the riots.
The city has what used to be one of the largest slums in the world, and at the same time, it has restaurants with $500 bottles of wine that customers actually buy and consume.
It is one of the most expensive pieces of real estate in the world. Rooms are small, apartments are small, and independent houses are almost non-existent.
And yet, whenever I am here, and especially now as I visit it from Bangalore, I feel at home. In my city.
Bombay.
No other city comes close.
Some of these can be understood only if you understand Hindi/Marathi and/or if you have lived in Bombay. Enjoy.
Bombay has no bombs and is a harbour not a bay.
Churchgate has neither a church nor a gate. It is a railway station.
There is no darkness in Andheri.
Lalbaag is neither red nor a garden.
No king ever stayed at Kings Circle ..
Nor did Queen Victoria stay at Victoria Terminus..
Nor is there any princess at Princess Street ..
Lower Parel is at the same level as Parel
There are no marines or sailors at Marine Lines.
The Mahalaxmi temple is at Haji Ali not at Mahalaxmi.
There are no pigs traded at Dukar bazaar.
Teen bati is a junction of 3 roads, not three lamps.
Trams used to terminate at Kings circle not Dadar* Tram Terminus (Dadar T..T..).
Breach Candy is not a sweetmeat market, but there is a Hospital.
Safed Pool has the dirtiest and blackest water.
You cannot buy coal at Kolsa street.
There are no Iron smiths at Lohar chawl.
There are no pot makers at Kumbhar wada.
Lokhandwala complex is not an Iron and steel market.
Null bazaar does not sell taps.
You will not find ladyfingers at Bheendi Bazaar.
Kalachowki does not have a black Police station.
Hanging Gardens are not suspended.
Mirchi Gully does not sell chillies.
Figs do not grow in Anjir Wadi.
Sitafals do not grow in Sitafal Wadi,
Jackfruits do not grow at Fanaswadi.
But it is true that you may get fleeced at Chor Bazaar!
AMCHI MUMBAI
A City where everything is possible, especially the impossible .
Leopards Prey on People in Bombay Park
Can you imagine - leopard looking at your face, saying ‘Drop the chalupa!’ ;-)
