maximum city
Went to south bombay 2 days ago...was a profound experience
BTW a lot has happened since - BTP presentation, IIM results, V for Vendetta
just not finding the mood to write this, but i will try...
I had come to hate this city, these last 2 or 3 years... that trip down south made me realise how foolish/juvenile i had been. I just cudnt have fun* (*fun definition changed now!) in this city - so few places to hang out, going anywhere is hell, thanx to the huuuge distances and traffic etc. I preferred Hyd's sense of homeliness, such a nice little city where everything is nearby.
Then it hit me - the aura of this city, its genius and its tragedy. Its people.
Walking along the heritage buildings strewn all over south bbay, i noticed all the people. The cheerful nimbu-paani wallah who made a living out of selling lemonade for 3 rupees a glass. The zealous salesman trying to sell his wares to pedestrians, with his well-rehearsed spiel (I think it was Toys@Rs.10 he was trying to peddle). Earlier i had noticed the man in the local making a living out of selling scales(rulers). What a life. They all must have come to this city with such hopes - The City of Dreams. Indeed, isnt Bombay the destination for any underpriveleged man with dreams of making it big?
Their resilience shows - in the little family cramped in a corner of the local, sharing space with the old Qazi and the harried young professional. I have had glimpses of Bombay's soul before, but never so intensely. The imagery sticks to teh mind -- eating juicy fruit chat with grubby hands under teh golden sodium streetlights; passing the stream of humanity in the CST subway, i could somehow empathise with them. That man trying to sell sparking rackets, the amazed wide-eyed kids... I suddenly felt a gush of fresh emotions in that horribly humid subway! sheesh the emotions and imagery are so strong...a poem would be better!
All these years I just sat on my ass, bitter as hell, when i should have gone out and experienced this city... even recently, i was yakking about travel to make my mind clear, well i need to go to erewhon. This city maybe a mix of cheer and depression, but i want to taste more of it! Walking along Lamington road, with the Ghost Song playing, i was so enthused that i just wanted to roam the whole town aimlessly. Will do that sometime, for sure! And i think i now understand the concept of being able to travel all alone. Ahoy Bombay, the maximum city.
[flicked the pic from somewhere...no pics for me till i get a digicam :(]
BTW a lot has happened since - BTP presentation, IIM results, V for Vendetta
just not finding the mood to write this, but i will try...
I had come to hate this city, these last 2 or 3 years... that trip down south made me realise how foolish/juvenile i had been. I just cudnt have fun* (*fun definition changed now!) in this city - so few places to hang out, going anywhere is hell, thanx to the huuuge distances and traffic etc. I preferred Hyd's sense of homeliness, such a nice little city where everything is nearby.
Then it hit me - the aura of this city, its genius and its tragedy. Its people.
Walking along the heritage buildings strewn all over south bbay, i noticed all the people. The cheerful nimbu-paani wallah who made a living out of selling lemonade for 3 rupees a glass. The zealous salesman trying to sell his wares to pedestrians, with his well-rehearsed spiel (I think it was Toys@Rs.10 he was trying to peddle). Earlier i had noticed the man in the local making a living out of selling scales(rulers). What a life. They all must have come to this city with such hopes - The City of Dreams. Indeed, isnt Bombay the destination for any underpriveleged man with dreams of making it big?
Their resilience shows - in the little family cramped in a corner of the local, sharing space with the old Qazi and the harried young professional. I have had glimpses of Bombay's soul before, but never so intensely. The imagery sticks to teh mind -- eating juicy fruit chat with grubby hands under teh golden sodium streetlights; passing the stream of humanity in the CST subway, i could somehow empathise with them. That man trying to sell sparking rackets, the amazed wide-eyed kids... I suddenly felt a gush of fresh emotions in that horribly humid subway! sheesh the emotions and imagery are so strong...a poem would be better!
All these years I just sat on my ass, bitter as hell, when i should have gone out and experienced this city... even recently, i was yakking about travel to make my mind clear, well i need to go to erewhon. This city maybe a mix of cheer and depression, but i want to taste more of it! Walking along Lamington road, with the Ghost Song playing, i was so enthused that i just wanted to roam the whole town aimlessly. Will do that sometime, for sure! And i think i now understand the concept of being able to travel all alone. Ahoy Bombay, the maximum city.
[flicked the pic from somewhere...no pics for me till i get a digicam :(]
posted by Rukesh Reddy at 6:18 PM
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