Mumbai

Time: July 3rd - 7th 2010
Place: Mumbai
Company: Relatives
Highlights:

Day 0: Udyan express at 8 pm. Last time I went in this train from Bangalore to Mumbai (then Bombay) was 20 years ago!

Day 1: Had a wonderful day long train journey. Not too hot a day nor rainy. Perfect weather conditions for a non AC coach, which is what both my wife and I prefer. Nothing like the whiff of fresh air while you gaze across the sweeping greenery of the country side! Also got to see the beautiful scenery after Lonavala station while the train swept through the mountains that make up Khandala such a sought-after place. What with the rain bearing clouds hovering over the mountain tops and the just-concluded rainfall adding gusto to the waterfalls, it was a sight to be never missed!

I have noticed that Udyan express never reaches late and so was the case this time too. It reached on time at 8 pm. Got off at Kalyan Junction. Immediately outside was the aftermath of a rain in Mumbai. Soggy roads, innumerous flies, bustling people. For once, I was afraid of H1N1. The autowallahs were not ready to come to Ambarnath. I was surprised that auto drivers recommended Govt. mode of commute (local train) when we told the destination. This showed how well connected Mumbai was, but at the same time how dependent one has become on one mode of transport.

Reached Navare Nagar in Ambarnath by about 8.45 pm. Had dinner and slept at wife's relative's place (on the 3rd floor!).

Day 2: Bharath Bundh. But wife's brother's engagement day too! About 21 relatives arrived at Ambarnath station with no auto or bus to get them to Navare Nagar. One auto guy conceded thankfully and made multiple trips to get all relatives home safely.

Prepared for the engagement formalities all day. Bustling house. Voice and noise everywhere! I took a walk around Navare Nagar. Noticed that apts in Mumbai tend to wither away very soon because of lack of maintenance. The swimming pool and jogging track were in tatters. All apts were similar in shape - 3 sided, like the sides of a square with the missing side acting as the gateway. Also understood why higher you go in an apt, it is cheaper in Mumbai whereas higher you go in an apt in Bangalore, it is costlier. In Mumbai, there is no elevator/life if building has 4 floors and most buildings are not more than 4 floors! My! These people would be extremely healthy, what with walking up and down 4 floors every day multiple times!

Had fixed one private cab for shifting people from house to engagement hall (2nd floor) in Dombivili and he screwed up big time. So there was some tense minutes while the clock ticked. Finally, could make it to the engagement hall later than expected. No major issues but noticed how bad Mumbai roads were. Did not feel it last time I was here, roaming around Mumbai's great places but this time around, went in by-lanes and rode amidst middle class society and noticed that the Municipality and Corporator were not as good as their Bangalore Counterparts.

Engagement formalities ensued and went off well. Dinner. A visit to the would-be bride's house. Another 4-storey climb up and climb down!

Day 3: A relaxed day. Rained all day. Noticed how one sweats even if it rains. If it rains in Bangalore, the whole place becomes cooler! Watched some local soaps (due to family) and watched a movie. Some small function at the end and finally, it was time to leave.

Went in Mumbai local train for first time in life. From Ambarnath to Kalyan. Got the Coimbatore Express at 11.30 pm.

Day 4: One more good-weather-day-for-non-ac-coach! Very pleasant, not too sunny nor rainy. Enjoyed the journey all through. Caught up on listening to a huge list of songs after a very long time, munched some junk yummy food on the train, read few chapters of a novel and had a nice time talking with mom and wife. Reached Bangalore on time and home at 10.30 pm.

All in all, had a good time off from hectic work. Noticed Mumbai in a very different light. Made some close connections with wife's relations. And had a good time!