When the summer season is at its peak and the sun is at its zenith, the Kapoors , the Kumars and the Khans of Bollywood leave for cooler locales abroad. That’s precisely the time when we Barves head for Mumbai from Pune. Once here, our sweaty clothes and beads of perspiration on our foreheads become an extension to other lovely things like crowded trains, smell of the sea (and fish), bumper to bumper traffic, vada-pavs and pav-bhaji and of course, a feeling of being at home (philosophically and literally) which Mumbai offers. Being from Mumbai, this is something that I look forward to returning to during the rest of the year. Strangely, these are precisely the things which my typical Punekar husband, Abhi, hates. Clothes sticking to your body, crowded trains, smell of ‘khaadi’ (as he calls it), and sweat are a big NO for him. Add to it, the fact that he will have to spend 10 days with his in-laws lends a certain level of stubbornness to his decision. Thus, my son, Anay (a Mumbaikar by birth but with an increasing liking for Pune) and I take this annual trip mostly without dear husband.
This year turned to be little different though. Abhi decided to be brave and conceded to spend few days with me and Anay in Mumbai. This was my chance to show my city to the duo of a pukka Punekar and an about-to-convert-Punekar and do some damage control. After a long discussion and some expert suggestions, ranging from, “why bother to step out”? (My mother) “Come araam se” (my father) we three Musketeers finally stepped out with a plan for our very own, unad divas!
We took a rickshaw to Borivali station and got on board a Churchgate slow. On getting off at Dadar, the first thing planned was to visit SiddhiVinayak temple. However, while searching for a taxi a sudden brainwave hit me and we digressed to Shree Krishna Vada Pav , Chabildas lane. For the uninformed, any visit to Dadar is incomplete without three things, Shree Krishna vada, Siddhi Vinayak temple and Frankie at Shivaji Park.
| Outside Shree Krishna Vada-Pav, Dadar |
| Outside Shree Krishna Vada-Pav, Dadar |
I was taken unawares by the long queues outside Siddhi Vinayak Temple. It was a weekday and I had assumed a hassle free entry. Sadly, it was not as planned. The queue that we were a part of was the least priority one. It only circled the exterior of the temple offering a long distance ‘darshan’ of the idol without allowing for an entry inside. This was a total shocker to me.
Next we headed for Worli Naka. Since many days Anay wanted to ride in a double decker bus and bus number 124 starting from Worli Naka to Colaba was fixed for the same. After a good 40 minutes wait and innumerable regular 124 number buses, we finally got into a double decker one with beaming faces. Anay’s being the happiest! Alas, we made another mistake here. While attempting to choose a long route for Anay's sake, we ended up selecting a tiresome one which passed through the by-lanes of Bhindi Bazaar and Kalbadevi. Finally we got off at Mumbai CST station and went straight to Cannon pav bhaji center which is behind the '1857 memorial' and serves yummy Mumbai-style pav bhaji.
| On top of the world in bus-124 |
So far, barring a few instances, Anay had enjoyed himself and Abhi had not complained about the weather, thus it was safe to conclude that our day was well spent. Watching the sunset, listening to the crashing waves and munching on 'chatpata chanachaur', Abhi and I soaked in the calm of that balmy Mumbai evening as Anay had his fill of playing on the shore. For the first time in my life, I found chowpaty so clean. Over here you will also spot a free potable water dispenser counter run by Aquaguard.
| chanachaur at Girgaon Chowpaty |
To travel by AC local was next on the list so we headed towards Churchgate station. But here we took an impromptu detour. We stopped at K.Rustom's ,a dairy like shop exactly opposite Hotel Ambassador that sells biscuit ice cream. What a treat it was to relish one variety after another!
| Hotel Ambassador at Churchgate |
| Yum yum!! Heem - cream... |
Walking towards Churchgate station we marveled at the Victorian architecture and how its grandeur gave the whole place an aesthetic touch. On reaching the station we made the quintessential stop at the world famous Frankie corner. Just like Dadar vada pav, Churchgate station's frankie is another must for any foodie. How I miss eating it in Pune!
| Frankie at Churchgate station. |
As is the norm with Mumbai trains, 7.50 pm AC local for Virar was right on time. Despite the crowd we managed to get a seat and settled down comfortably for the 50 mins return journey. Bound homewards, I reflected upon today's happenings. The day long visit was more like a spur of the moment decision. With Anay in tow it was difficult to predict which way it will turn. But today, I could once again visit those places and enjoy eating those things which were an inseparable part of my childhood years. These places and things made me understand Mumbai and taught me to love it. From the swanky buildings of Malabar Hill to the congested lanes of Bhindi Bazaar, the Victorian feel of Churchgate station to the newly renovated Mira Road Station, from road side pav bhaji, chowpaty's chanachaur and Dadar's vada pav and from double decker buses to AC trains, Mumbai has it all. It continues to offers all of this to its people without any bias and without stopping.
| Waiting for 7.50 pm AC local to Virar |
| On board and homeward.. |
Such was our unad divas - our wandering in Mumbai. Today I rediscovered Mumbai in the company of my dear ones and (once again) fell in love with it. It will remain etched in my memory forever and hopefully become unforgettable for Anay and Abhi too!
