The Suburban Life

I wake up each morning at 7:30 am, curse the alarm clock, curse a few other people and get into the shower, where I say a few more ungodly words as I discover that the water is either too hot or too cold. I don't have much time however, can't afford the luxury of a luxurious bath... for you see, I live a suburban life!

I hurriedly change into my formal clothes, utter a few more oaths as I discover that I still have to shave... then hurriedly shave, and run to the station. There I see the train I want to catch (usually the 8:36.... minutes become events, don't they, but I digress) is already full! But I got to still get on, cant afford to miss it for anyone. For I live... the suburban life!!

I get on the train, get tired by the time I reach office, work frantically to ensure I finish everything before it gets too late. Can't afford to leave too late from work, wife will be home way before I am. I leave office at 8 pm, "Not bad", you say, but I'm sad, it will be two more hours before I reach home. Why? Because I live.... a suburban life!!

Come weekend, I want to party the night. I've worked hard through the week and deserve it as is my right. But going to the good pubs and bars is either too expensive or too far... for, you see, I live a suburban life.

One day, I throw caution to the winds, against my good judgement I land up downtown at Henry Thams or at Wink. I get there, I realize I am woefully behind the current fashion times. People look at me as if I am from another town and have committed a crime. But I probably have... cause I lead a suburban life!

Why is my life so different from the 'city' life? Is the distance of 30 kms from the city too long, or is it just about the mindset? Why do I have to bath in 10 minutes while my friends in city can afford to spend 30? Why should I reach home everyday at 11 when my colleagues who leave at exactly the same time reach home by 9:30?

Maybe this is what aspiration is about, maybe this is what suburban life does - it imbibes aspiration by building hatred for the 'routine' - the daily fight!! Maybe this is why millions of others, like me, trudge every day to office from their homes in the suburbs, maybe they look at their well-off brethren in Peddar Road and go "saale b#@$c@#$@#, bas ruk jaa... mera time aane de...."

Lifes not fair, but it rarely is!

Some Jazz by the bay

In my limited experience in other Indian cities, I think I've not seen a more beautiful urban landscape then Marine Drive. I am sure a lot of people would disagree, but for me the view from the Marine Plaza hotel's 1st floor restaurant is one of the most beautiful city views in the country.

Marine drive would also have to be one of areas that I have haunted a number of times. I use the word haunted because most of my visits there have been after 12 mid-night. I think that is probably the time when you really feel the city. You can feel the sea on one side and the mega-city on the other side enveloping you. During the day, the noise of the commercial area along with the traffic tend to drown the immenseness of it, while during the night you can feel the size of the city and the silently thudding heart beneath.

The spot that I particularly like is the spot right opposite Hilton Towers (erstwhile Oberoi Towers). I like to sit on the concrete "pali" facing the sea... and stare into the dark sea with the lights of the city behind me. You can see the lights of Malabar hill on one side and if you strain your neck to the right, you can see the Ambassador hotel, silently revolving in the dark - high above the city sky. You can clearly hear the rustling of the waves in the Arabian sea and feel the cold breeze in the hair. It is an awesome feeling.

First timers in Mumbai should try this on a rainy, or better, a drizzly night. You should go the Marine Drive, opposite Hilton Towers and face the sea. You should stand on that concrete contraption and feel the rain beat against your face along with the breeze from the sea. Then, close your eyes and turn around, opening them to view the lights of a mega city. That is the point of time that you will feel yourself integrating with the city... If Mumbai city has a soul, and I am sure it does, it is feeling exactly the same feelings that you feel at the moment you open your eyes...

Aap ka is blog mein swagat hain...
mazaa naav Tushar Chetan Thakkar aahe
hoon ek Mumbai kar choon...
I will use this space to write about the city I love - Mumbai