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5 reasons a Delhi girl fell in love with Mumbai
Delhi girl Harnoor Channi-Tiwary has moved to Mumbai. And she loves it already! Here's why!
While I will miss a lot about Delhi, Mumbai is fast earning a place in my heart and my life.
As a friend of mine commented the other day -- Mumbai is a city, Bombay is an emotion.
No one could have said it better.
Here are the top five reasons why I love Mumbai already.
1. The sea
Whatever may happen, no one can take away the beauty of the sea from Mumbai. Vast and endless, it offers the perfect backdrop for many a languid evenings. Whether you go for your daily run to Jogger's Park, have a sea facing flat (and how lucky you are), leisurely walk on the Marine Drive or jostle with the crowds in Juhu, the sea will play its magic on you in subtle ways.
My favourite part of my Mumbai life so far is the evenings spent sipping cold coffee in Cafe Coffee Day on Carter Road and then sitting on the rocks and watching the sun set over the sea. All my homesickness melts away and no stress seems important enough, at least not in that one hour.
2. Stargazing
I admit I'm star-struck. Well, honestly which Indian isn't?
Though life in other cities confines stars within the television box at home or the cinema screen, here in Mumbai they are actual people you see all the time.
Within a week, I had stopped at a red light next to Sohail Khan's car, bumped into Rajat Kapoor at a grocery store and waited with Mandira Bedi for our children to come out of summer camp every afternoon.
Even though I played it cool and did not beg for selfies, I must confess that they were the topic of many conversations I had with friends back home.
3. The hills
I love mountains but hate the drive to get there. I know it is sacrilege to compare the mighty Himalayas with the Western Ghats but I am slowly learning that proximity is a great boon.
Within a month of shifting to Mumbai, we already have made a weekend trip to Matheran.
Yes, a weekend trip -- it's possible!
With many hill stations just 2-3 hours away, hill vacations now do not demand advanced planning and asking the boss for leave.
One can just pick up the car on Saturday morning and drive off.
4. Auto rickshaws
I would have said local trains but I'm afraid I'm not that adventurous.
Even though in Delhi I rarely ever took the (fantastic) metro to commute and preferred to drive, having the option to hail and auto at whim is an advantage where Mumbai scores.
Whether one wants to go just down the road or to the next suburb, autos are happy to take you, even late at night.
Finally, an inexpensive option to come back home safe if we go out drinking with friends.
5. The passion
As much as I love Delhi, the degree of my passion for the city may put me in a minority.
Whether it is Delhi or any other city, no one feels as passionately about their city as Mumbaikars do.
They love it, defend it and will not hear a word against it.
I admire that passion and it is quite contagious.
I only wish that in today's cynical age, every Indian feels as strongly about their country and being Indian and Mumbaikars do about belonging to this city.