Supposedly the final day of my saccharine sojourn had dawned – 20th May 2007. I had to pay tribute to my sisters and B-School Mates – Pooh (Dipika) and Pooh –2 (Lisa). Anyways 11 AM and I was all set depart Mickey Mouse’s (Nilesh) apartment leaving Giraffe (Pramoth) behind, not before a splendid breakfast.
Noon-ish and I was at Pooh’s residence – the colony is idyllic, endowed with verdant cover and blessed with an old-worldly allure - slothfully entrenched in a sofa in tête-à-tête with Pooh-2, who had camped there over the weekend. Pooh was….err..helping auntyji (her mommy) to concoct what would be nothing less than ambrosia. Yes!! Pooh was actually cooking! She in fact made dal and sev puri – all be herself and so that world would not mistrust my statement – I made a video of the same. She was in to a groove in the kitchen among the culinary – indeed, roll back time a couple of months to the B-school days and you would have been aghast by these revelations!
Lunch was nicely served and set (again by Pooh) – as Pooh-2 and myself only devoured over the sev puri,paneer sabzi, dal and gulab jamun. Lunch served as a deterrent to any lateral movement of the corpse and enhanced earth’s gravitational pull – as was witnessed in case of Pooh –2 – gravity was particularly being mean to her eyelids. I expected the afternoon to be bashing session, for myself, amongst Pooh and Pooh-2, but both the Poohs seemed to have spared me and were more ponderous than anything. Anyways Pooh once again articulated her command over the kitchen by serving us finely prepared tea that we slurped up!
Dusk was settling over Pune and as the sun was sanctifying the city with a crimson drape– it was time I set my foot out and head back to Aamchi Mumbai as Pooh-2 headed back to her accomodation– or I thought so. Swaargate ( Pune’s M.S.R.T.C terminus) proved callous and an hour’s wait in the queue proved futile as buses to Thane/Mumbai seemed to have been booked till 10:00 PM. Pune had incarcerated me. Anyways, I decided to make the most of it.
8:30 PM and a rendezvous was set at a place near Mac Donald’s. This was preceded by pillion seat ride with Pooh – who rides her scooter as if it is reincarnated Hayabusa. Roopa greeted us and the first statement that came to me was ‘ I dink I daw a Puddy Cat’ – indeed she was a human reincarnation of Tweety! Her expressive eyes (owing –as she avers- to her dance training) and unbolted beam eased me in to a conversation with Tweety – another addition to my list of sisters.
Sid Ghaisas aka Placomm guy aka Ronald MacDonald Jr was perched on a bench and seemed to have been in a profound conversation with Ronald MacDonald seated beside him. Differentiating between the two was quite a undertaking! After the usual vacillations over the venue we decided to stick to a desi restaurant (Ronald McDonald must have been extremely peeved over Junior’s conduct!). Over dinner Tweety went about interrogating me..err.. pulling my leg as well Ronald Jr’s leg as both Pooh and Tweety giggled away their time!
Post a not so auspicious dinner (the food was below par) the four decided that the soothing Pune air deserved a saunter. Chocolate milkshake – that would make my stomach linings dance to the tune of its magic – beckoned. Tweety went about explaining the galaxy of stars that stared at us and with consummate ease. After a few more rounds of leg pulling and interrogations– it was time to part ways. I would venture again on the Hayabusa, as Pooh showed me her old residence before I retired for the day, only to head back to Mumbai the next day!
Friday, May 25, 2007
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Pune Diaries - Day 2
19th May 2007 would start off, late with the, usual laze, which deters most commonsensical humans from getting off their comfy cot. The day continued with sumptuous and scrumptious breakfast ..err..brunch as we gorged ourselves with upma (Minnie Mouse has an extraordinary culinary knack) daubed all over with bhujiya sev. With stomach declining any further advances of ambrosia and legs feeling the effects gravity we were vacillating over the next..err…move!
Life in a Metro at Miramax Adlabs seemed a good watch. The 2:15 show seemed apt. Giraffe (Pramoth) would pillion with Mickey Mouse (Nilesh) aka Valentino Rossi aka Bullet ki Safari while I shall venture my courage by agreeing to pillion with Minnie Mouse (Shilpa) on a use-starved Kinetic Honda. Ok, relax, I survived.
The movie was…well..convoluted to say the least. Irfan Khan despite his typecast and clichéd performance stood out as he delivered dialogues with astounding comic sense. The three singers popping up in the streets of Mumbai were the obscure elements. I wonder if they would croon for me whilst I am sauntering! Anyways, the film is a worth a watch, atleast watch it to pity Shilpa Shetty and Shiney Ahuja over their fate!
While Mickey Mouse continued in his vein of pulling Minnie Mouse’s leg, grub awaited us at Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC). A few roosters might have shrieked in enchantment as Giraffe and Rat ( arrey..me yaar!) ordered Veggie Delight( envisage that too at KFC!!). Back abode and away from the desiccating Pune heat and sloth encapsulated us again as the snug sofa seemed to defy gravity.
Rat was lost deciphering the fiefdom of rock music that seemed to be providing some vague delectation to Giraffe and Mickey Mouse. But the Tube Box came to rescue albeit not for long. Television brings home such startling movies that can be viewed only in the company of friends over probing looks and mirth. Lethal Dose playing on HBO was one such. Rodent bites to Human Brain the less I delve in to this the better, but it sure did keep us clinging on to our sofas..err..in frustration cocktailed with mirth! Dare not watch it alone!!
As the soothing evening air revisited Pune to tranquil the scorched souls hiding in concrete walls, Mickey Mouse would guide us to the Camp area in Pune. Abuzz with activity and filled with bevy of shoppers, Camp provides capital opportunities while away. Pangs of hunger revisited and Mickey Mouse suggested open-air restaurant was the way to go and rightly so!
Pune seemed to have congregated to eating out that night as restaurant eating entailed long waits. Finally we hit upon Prem’s which had a decent ambiance and saved on electricity by having kerosene lamps on every table(what else?? MSEB is starved of electricity anyways!!). After munching on the delicious paneer, that would make palate go wild in enthrallment, and recollecting the good old days it was time to head home. Not before we devoured over Pune’s very own Kulfi and the belly groaned in rapture for the last time that night!
Life in a Metro at Miramax Adlabs seemed a good watch. The 2:15 show seemed apt. Giraffe (Pramoth) would pillion with Mickey Mouse (Nilesh) aka Valentino Rossi aka Bullet ki Safari while I shall venture my courage by agreeing to pillion with Minnie Mouse (Shilpa) on a use-starved Kinetic Honda. Ok, relax, I survived.
The movie was…well..convoluted to say the least. Irfan Khan despite his typecast and clichéd performance stood out as he delivered dialogues with astounding comic sense. The three singers popping up in the streets of Mumbai were the obscure elements. I wonder if they would croon for me whilst I am sauntering! Anyways, the film is a worth a watch, atleast watch it to pity Shilpa Shetty and Shiney Ahuja over their fate!
While Mickey Mouse continued in his vein of pulling Minnie Mouse’s leg, grub awaited us at Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC). A few roosters might have shrieked in enchantment as Giraffe and Rat ( arrey..me yaar!) ordered Veggie Delight( envisage that too at KFC!!). Back abode and away from the desiccating Pune heat and sloth encapsulated us again as the snug sofa seemed to defy gravity.
Rat was lost deciphering the fiefdom of rock music that seemed to be providing some vague delectation to Giraffe and Mickey Mouse. But the Tube Box came to rescue albeit not for long. Television brings home such startling movies that can be viewed only in the company of friends over probing looks and mirth. Lethal Dose playing on HBO was one such. Rodent bites to Human Brain the less I delve in to this the better, but it sure did keep us clinging on to our sofas..err..in frustration cocktailed with mirth! Dare not watch it alone!!
As the soothing evening air revisited Pune to tranquil the scorched souls hiding in concrete walls, Mickey Mouse would guide us to the Camp area in Pune. Abuzz with activity and filled with bevy of shoppers, Camp provides capital opportunities while away. Pangs of hunger revisited and Mickey Mouse suggested open-air restaurant was the way to go and rightly so!
Pune seemed to have congregated to eating out that night as restaurant eating entailed long waits. Finally we hit upon Prem’s which had a decent ambiance and saved on electricity by having kerosene lamps on every table(what else?? MSEB is starved of electricity anyways!!). After munching on the delicious paneer, that would make palate go wild in enthrallment, and recollecting the good old days it was time to head home. Not before we devoured over Pune’s very own Kulfi and the belly groaned in rapture for the last time that night!
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Pune Diaries - Day 1
After scheduling and rescheduling and series of mails later we decided to head for Pune on the weekend starting 18th May 2007(a non Grand Prix weekend).
Sacks packed and tickets booked, Giraffe (Pramoth) and me were all set to leave for quaint city of Pune. The time set to meet was 5:30 PM at the mystifying ST stand opposite imposing, pristine and notorious Vandana Cinema at Thane. Giraffe must have lumbered in as the clock stuck the half hour and me as usual was lagging behind trundling along in our very own polluting agent called the Auto Rickshaw.
The Rat (who else? Me) was lugging along 10 Kg sack that Nilesh had ..err..forgotten in the city and Amol had passed it on to the Rat under the shroud of a diminutive hand bag. As the Rat and Giraffe met conversation ebbed toward the days gone by. Giraffe exploited the 10 Kg sack to catch up on the exercise which he had skipped earlier. Our bus…err…trundled in. The white and green Asiad bus inundated all over probably effects of aging (these buses are way past their prime). Hats off to M.S.R.T.C that they keep these beasts ambulating.
The journey was pleasant with Sahyadri waving her unkempt hair in the southwestern winds and parching summer not enough to mess the verdant landscape. Series of tunnels dot the silky roads that serpentine along the mountainous terrains ever climbing and ever extending. Sun was shying away in the horizon as the sodium vapour lamps took over. Rat and Giraffe as usual surmised back to the pizza parties and Mahabaleshwar trip of the days of the yore. A few of our ex-managers might have definitely got hiccups that night.
10:30 PM Pune City beckoned. As we hailed, another pollutant, to hurl ourselves towards Viman Nagar,through the tangled roads of Pune, the weather was titillating and the slight breeze that soothed all nerves. Nilesh aka Mickey Mouse (both are endowed with similar cheeks) awaited us at his colony. Mickey Mouse has not changed over the years – I must admit he had pruned up – his hairstyle might have undergone an inconsequential tweak but largely unaffected and yes loves to be with friends.
Cozy and comfortable in a house, we relished over culinary artwork carefully concocted by Shilpa (I am tempted to use Minnie Mouse). In the balcony outside, as we ex-roomies tided over the days gone by – Beeper stories ,DVD player stories(ok these stories entail another blog by themselves) – an owl circled overhead penetratingly looking out for a snack. The air in Pune during the evenings and nights levitates the spirits as it encumbers your body with its coolness. But, alas, it levitates the mosquitoes in to a renewed sense of potency as well!!
Back in to the cozy comforts of concrete walls and it was time to hit the bed, but not before it took some time for the Giraffe to soak in the brutal reality that no matter where he goes his feet would always hang over the edge of the bed!!
Sacks packed and tickets booked, Giraffe (Pramoth) and me were all set to leave for quaint city of Pune. The time set to meet was 5:30 PM at the mystifying ST stand opposite imposing, pristine and notorious Vandana Cinema at Thane. Giraffe must have lumbered in as the clock stuck the half hour and me as usual was lagging behind trundling along in our very own polluting agent called the Auto Rickshaw.
The Rat (who else? Me) was lugging along 10 Kg sack that Nilesh had ..err..forgotten in the city and Amol had passed it on to the Rat under the shroud of a diminutive hand bag. As the Rat and Giraffe met conversation ebbed toward the days gone by. Giraffe exploited the 10 Kg sack to catch up on the exercise which he had skipped earlier. Our bus…err…trundled in. The white and green Asiad bus inundated all over probably effects of aging (these buses are way past their prime). Hats off to M.S.R.T.C that they keep these beasts ambulating.
The journey was pleasant with Sahyadri waving her unkempt hair in the southwestern winds and parching summer not enough to mess the verdant landscape. Series of tunnels dot the silky roads that serpentine along the mountainous terrains ever climbing and ever extending. Sun was shying away in the horizon as the sodium vapour lamps took over. Rat and Giraffe as usual surmised back to the pizza parties and Mahabaleshwar trip of the days of the yore. A few of our ex-managers might have definitely got hiccups that night.
10:30 PM Pune City beckoned. As we hailed, another pollutant, to hurl ourselves towards Viman Nagar,through the tangled roads of Pune, the weather was titillating and the slight breeze that soothed all nerves. Nilesh aka Mickey Mouse (both are endowed with similar cheeks) awaited us at his colony. Mickey Mouse has not changed over the years – I must admit he had pruned up – his hairstyle might have undergone an inconsequential tweak but largely unaffected and yes loves to be with friends.
Cozy and comfortable in a house, we relished over culinary artwork carefully concocted by Shilpa (I am tempted to use Minnie Mouse). In the balcony outside, as we ex-roomies tided over the days gone by – Beeper stories ,DVD player stories(ok these stories entail another blog by themselves) – an owl circled overhead penetratingly looking out for a snack. The air in Pune during the evenings and nights levitates the spirits as it encumbers your body with its coolness. But, alas, it levitates the mosquitoes in to a renewed sense of potency as well!!
Back in to the cozy comforts of concrete walls and it was time to hit the bed, but not before it took some time for the Giraffe to soak in the brutal reality that no matter where he goes his feet would always hang over the edge of the bed!!
Monday, May 14, 2007
Saunter in the city!
It is probably once in a year I get to meet and yes anguish my cousin – Anusha (I have nick named her Jhansi). So 10th May 2007 was the auspicious day, which was set, and at a timing – 1 PM - that beat the bevy that accompanies any expedition in Mumbai. The encounter spot was set to Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus – near the tea stalls at the egress. As usual – I was held up in traffic and Jhansi reached 10 minute early and me about 15 minutes late.
As I alighted at CST after a not so momentous sojourn through dug up Thane roads(why do they dig up roads just before rains?) and CST fast train shown on the indicator to arrive at a wooly time I was again enchanted by the terminus in to a sense of levitation. As Jhansi rightly commented later ‘I never get bored at this station’.
Jhansi stood in a corner- bewildered and bemused – probably observing probably in incredulity – shifting positions every minute. She seemed have lost height or have interactions with the human race – most of whom do not enjoy adequate summit to see eye to eye with her – had its toll? Her torch like spectacles seemed not have changed covering almost her entire countenance. Draped in green and she carried a colossal(she claimed not) purse which could probably lug merchandise for the entire Iceland cavalry.
Down we went the murky and cacophonous subway outside CST and out in the open sun as our conversation meandered around my new employment and finally reached ‘Not Just Jazz by the Bay’ (yes again!). This time we seated ourselves at the red furniture in Pizzeria outside gaping at the Arabian Sea through a neat set of windows adorned with red sills. Conversation flew in to her area of expertise as the pasta was being drained.
Out in the open again, as we set out to saunter towards Metro through the perky Fashion Street. Marketing Gurus and sales gurus – this is the real world – fashion street abuzz with innovative ways for luring customers including having fake customers admiring the eminence of clothes they hope to vend. A sorry looking Metro cinema(adlabs now) beckoned. Disappointed with having no shows for us at an appropriate time we trundled back to Eros Cinema to catch Spiderman–3. Jhansi was not complaining thus far despite the abject walking exercises I was subjecting her to.
Eros Cinema has a stately façade, which seems to rise in countless tiers. The spiral staircases that glided up at an extreme curvature at Eros are a treat to any connoisseur. The foyer leading to the main cinema hall is a delight to the iris, as it gazes in marvel towards the ceiling gilded in marble. Ok the seats at the stall area do not recline they do not glide and they are not exactly ergonomically friendly.
As we giggled at the promos and ads, and at this very Americanized Spiderman was going about his errands spreading the web of justice over the city of New York. Did I sound dreary about the movie? Well the graphics were good but it was too mushy for an action hero movie.
Post movie was saunter session again. As we vacillated over the next haunt, our minds could not go beyond crimson kissed waters, soft zephyr and spacious promenade -that embellish the Queen’s Necklace. Chat went around the social issues in the Indian Educational system and well as the waters shone in gleaming lights of the city – it was time to head home. Not before we drained down a glass of sugarcane juice at one of stalls Jhansi had gained adeptness on.
Why Jhansi? Well that entails another blog altogether!!
As I alighted at CST after a not so momentous sojourn through dug up Thane roads(why do they dig up roads just before rains?) and CST fast train shown on the indicator to arrive at a wooly time I was again enchanted by the terminus in to a sense of levitation. As Jhansi rightly commented later ‘I never get bored at this station’.
Jhansi stood in a corner- bewildered and bemused – probably observing probably in incredulity – shifting positions every minute. She seemed have lost height or have interactions with the human race – most of whom do not enjoy adequate summit to see eye to eye with her – had its toll? Her torch like spectacles seemed not have changed covering almost her entire countenance. Draped in green and she carried a colossal(she claimed not) purse which could probably lug merchandise for the entire Iceland cavalry.
Down we went the murky and cacophonous subway outside CST and out in the open sun as our conversation meandered around my new employment and finally reached ‘Not Just Jazz by the Bay’ (yes again!). This time we seated ourselves at the red furniture in Pizzeria outside gaping at the Arabian Sea through a neat set of windows adorned with red sills. Conversation flew in to her area of expertise as the pasta was being drained.
Out in the open again, as we set out to saunter towards Metro through the perky Fashion Street. Marketing Gurus and sales gurus – this is the real world – fashion street abuzz with innovative ways for luring customers including having fake customers admiring the eminence of clothes they hope to vend. A sorry looking Metro cinema(adlabs now) beckoned. Disappointed with having no shows for us at an appropriate time we trundled back to Eros Cinema to catch Spiderman–3. Jhansi was not complaining thus far despite the abject walking exercises I was subjecting her to.
Eros Cinema has a stately façade, which seems to rise in countless tiers. The spiral staircases that glided up at an extreme curvature at Eros are a treat to any connoisseur. The foyer leading to the main cinema hall is a delight to the iris, as it gazes in marvel towards the ceiling gilded in marble. Ok the seats at the stall area do not recline they do not glide and they are not exactly ergonomically friendly.
As we giggled at the promos and ads, and at this very Americanized Spiderman was going about his errands spreading the web of justice over the city of New York. Did I sound dreary about the movie? Well the graphics were good but it was too mushy for an action hero movie.
Post movie was saunter session again. As we vacillated over the next haunt, our minds could not go beyond crimson kissed waters, soft zephyr and spacious promenade -that embellish the Queen’s Necklace. Chat went around the social issues in the Indian Educational system and well as the waters shone in gleaming lights of the city – it was time to head home. Not before we drained down a glass of sugarcane juice at one of stalls Jhansi had gained adeptness on.
Why Jhansi? Well that entails another blog altogether!!
Friday, May 04, 2007
Rendezvous by the bay!
Back to Mumbai. Amchi Mumbai. The air never felt so capital (err for it provides you respite from the scorching heat and cools the overheated pores reeking sweat). Time to catch up with some ex-Patniites (Ex from my perspective..)and ex-Somaiyaites…
After an extended deliberation and series of mails it was decided that April 28th,2007 at Churchgate Station ticket counter …the rendezvous shall transpire! I left out one inconsequential detail, the time! 1 PM. Yes when the gorgeous sun shall grin all its love over its joyous subjects!
So I set out boarding a fast local for CST station from Thane - bemused and nostalgic,for it had been an year since I set foot on this mode of transport(Mumbai Train). As the train neared Ghatkopar, I was almost about karaoke to my favourite song which was playing in my vicinity ‘Ajeeb Dastaan hain ye..’ …Hold on that’s my ringtone! I held up my cell..call from a mysterious number. I answered and was greeted ‘Tum apna dabba uthake fek do..’.
Smiles daubed my countenance as I realized this to be none other than an aggravated Pooh(Dipika) whose patience had brimmed limits trying to reach me through a labyrinth of network issues that AirTel service assures you. Incidentally Mr Mittal happens to be her role model (Ask her!!). Time flew – in conversation with Pooh or lambasting the AirTel connection, which could not keep lick with the Mumbai locals.
Anyways after short jaunt through Azaad Maidan,Cross Maidan et al I arrived sodden in sweat and pouring like Niagara to descry a giraffe in deep tête-à-tête with a pink canary(kidding). Now NatGeo experts beat that! Ok the Giraffe is none other than Pammu Don aka Pramoth who incidentally has ceased growing any taller and the pink canary is Pinks aka Jasma.
Giraffe was his usual hunky dory self dressed in his emblematic maroon T-shirt and sporting that ‘I am gonna take your case’ grin on his face! Its bird flu season it seems!! No wonder he has stopped ascending heights..he has had to cut down on his egg ingestion. Eggs of the world rejoice!!
Pinks was the Indian Bahu in Western outfit. Apart from the typical Indian bahu jewelry that she adorned - nothing had changed. She was her usual pink self. She changed earrings for every occasion. Apparently she had procured two sets of earrings at the station and in fact immediately embellished herself with one of them. She had to- regrettably -carry her purse for her hubby was not around to carry her credit cards.
As we waited for our fourth accomplice to materialize chatter meandered towards the times gone by and as our banter was ambling along in came a roly poly figure which was unmistakably that of the person we were waiting on. Ten years have not changed a thing about this individual or at least the way he carried himself neither have they changed his greeting style – quick beam and witty gag – Divya (it’s a He :)). Divya… I am at loss for a nick that suits you!
Next stop – ‘Not Just Jazz by the Bay’. A protracted wait and we had a nice little table by the corner and sumptuous lunch awaited. Giraffe loves his mocktails and more so for their names. Some things do not change. Indeed! As the three assassins tried to beguile me in to savouring the Tabasco sauce to reminisce the good ol’days where yours truly would sweat under the attack of heavily spiced up culinary preparations!
Meal never tasted so good with the warm Marine drive breeze for desserts. The sweeping promenade along turbulent water refulgent under the late afternoon sun and a warm zephyr that soothed the soul set the stage for a fun filled afternoon show!! Yes Mr Bean’s Holiday playing at Inox. Pinks had changed her earrings in the interim as fun never ceased to stop as Rowan Atkinson set the stage on fire.
As the sun slowly ventured beyond the horizon it was time to head back home. Wait!!
Pinks had caught sight of Nautica outlet on her way and that surely needed a stopover. We were amused by the multihued Bermuda shorts, which only reminded us of another Patniite – Gujju Ghaati aka Chirag. As we reeled under the price tags so heavy Pinks set out buying saccharine gifts for Mr Singh(her husband!!) and Churchgate beckoned…..
After an extended deliberation and series of mails it was decided that April 28th,2007 at Churchgate Station ticket counter …the rendezvous shall transpire! I left out one inconsequential detail, the time! 1 PM. Yes when the gorgeous sun shall grin all its love over its joyous subjects!
So I set out boarding a fast local for CST station from Thane - bemused and nostalgic,for it had been an year since I set foot on this mode of transport(Mumbai Train). As the train neared Ghatkopar, I was almost about karaoke to my favourite song which was playing in my vicinity ‘Ajeeb Dastaan hain ye..’ …Hold on that’s my ringtone! I held up my cell..call from a mysterious number. I answered and was greeted ‘Tum apna dabba uthake fek do..’.
Smiles daubed my countenance as I realized this to be none other than an aggravated Pooh(Dipika) whose patience had brimmed limits trying to reach me through a labyrinth of network issues that AirTel service assures you. Incidentally Mr Mittal happens to be her role model (Ask her!!). Time flew – in conversation with Pooh or lambasting the AirTel connection, which could not keep lick with the Mumbai locals.
Anyways after short jaunt through Azaad Maidan,Cross Maidan et al I arrived sodden in sweat and pouring like Niagara to descry a giraffe in deep tête-à-tête with a pink canary(kidding). Now NatGeo experts beat that! Ok the Giraffe is none other than Pammu Don aka Pramoth who incidentally has ceased growing any taller and the pink canary is Pinks aka Jasma.
Giraffe was his usual hunky dory self dressed in his emblematic maroon T-shirt and sporting that ‘I am gonna take your case’ grin on his face! Its bird flu season it seems!! No wonder he has stopped ascending heights..he has had to cut down on his egg ingestion. Eggs of the world rejoice!!
Pinks was the Indian Bahu in Western outfit. Apart from the typical Indian bahu jewelry that she adorned - nothing had changed. She was her usual pink self. She changed earrings for every occasion. Apparently she had procured two sets of earrings at the station and in fact immediately embellished herself with one of them. She had to- regrettably -carry her purse for her hubby was not around to carry her credit cards.
As we waited for our fourth accomplice to materialize chatter meandered towards the times gone by and as our banter was ambling along in came a roly poly figure which was unmistakably that of the person we were waiting on. Ten years have not changed a thing about this individual or at least the way he carried himself neither have they changed his greeting style – quick beam and witty gag – Divya (it’s a He :)). Divya… I am at loss for a nick that suits you!
Next stop – ‘Not Just Jazz by the Bay’. A protracted wait and we had a nice little table by the corner and sumptuous lunch awaited. Giraffe loves his mocktails and more so for their names. Some things do not change. Indeed! As the three assassins tried to beguile me in to savouring the Tabasco sauce to reminisce the good ol’days where yours truly would sweat under the attack of heavily spiced up culinary preparations!
Meal never tasted so good with the warm Marine drive breeze for desserts. The sweeping promenade along turbulent water refulgent under the late afternoon sun and a warm zephyr that soothed the soul set the stage for a fun filled afternoon show!! Yes Mr Bean’s Holiday playing at Inox. Pinks had changed her earrings in the interim as fun never ceased to stop as Rowan Atkinson set the stage on fire.
As the sun slowly ventured beyond the horizon it was time to head back home. Wait!!
Pinks had caught sight of Nautica outlet on her way and that surely needed a stopover. We were amused by the multihued Bermuda shorts, which only reminded us of another Patniite – Gujju Ghaati aka Chirag. As we reeled under the price tags so heavy Pinks set out buying saccharine gifts for Mr Singh(her husband!!) and Churchgate beckoned…..
Thursday, May 03, 2007
8:47 Kasara Fast
It was May 2,2007. An evening well spent. I caught up with a couple of my B-school batch mates – Ritesh who was blandishing his weighty camera around trying to capture the sprawling city – Aamchi Mumbai and Lisa err ..Pooh-2 who was in the city as well.
Anyways as the clock stuck 9 PM, I thought wisdom fairy would advise any commonsensical individual out of touch with the crowded worm like trains of the city to head back abode. The edifice of Mumbai Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus with the triumphant figure of progress towering over the city, Jaguar shaped water outlets and the two large lions welcoming you at the gate have always beguiled my iris in to a feeling of enchantment. As I headed in to the train terminus and in to the ticket counter and gazed up the beautiful British work on the ceiling, I would but stare in approbation for the roof this section still sprightly as it might have been in the hey days and of days when white marble was the preferred material of construct to titivate the ceiling.
After a menacingly long stay at the ticket counter, I headed back in to train terminus. This colossal structure can distress those uninitiated whose first glimpse of the city invariably is this humongous edifice with translucent roof that conjures up an eerie yet idyllic ambiance. The stained glass windows never fail to bewilder me. A swift glance at what was in store for me – 8:47 F N (interpretation 8:47 fast for Kasara). A glance towards the clock indicated 9:20 PM. A smirk adorned my countenance, this is central railway , this is Mumbai!
Platform number 5. Crowd started pouring - ready to pounce like a predator on a creepy crawly – the Mumbai train! A beam of light conjures in the distance. The light gets sharper and assumes a circular shape. This sight is closely followed by a familiar sound – the bellow of the train and the rhythmic beating of the metal wheels against the iron track. As the train caresses itself between the concrete platforms, the predators pounce. Using door handles and the vertical iron rods for supports the clutches of these predators grasp on to the running worm, hungry for a place on the wooden bench. Four people squeeze in on benches which are made for 3. This is Mumbai. This is General second class compartment of the Subarban local train! The train finally came to a standstill…and the platform was almost empty!
My mind must have numbed over the period of next few minutes…err seconds? For I next found myself all cramped and crouched one place away from the window in a vantage position for I would receive all the odoured air on my face as the train chugs away. I was not as ill-fated as the teen seated in front of me who looked diffident and profusely sweating – perhaps trying to figure out the mechanics of the Shankar fan as to why the air flew reverse towards the roof instead of showering the coolness of its love over him!
The person next to me on the window seat looked like one of those characters in the movie the politicians send out as goons. Thankfully he was asleep and ..err yes snoring. The person diagonally opposite at the window was at an unfinished crossword in one of the Devanagiri scripts perhaps left incomplete from the morning journey. As the train refused to budge from the platform more people poured in trying fill every crevice. The leg space that I proudly occupied till now gave way to 3 more pair of legs!
Thud! The train was mobile…I sighed a sign of relief for my pores which were reeking sweat will now undergo a break! Over the chug of the train I could hear my neighbour – 30 something - on my right (away from the window) asking his hubby the specifics of the culinary preparations that await him and ensuring that everything was done – just right! While my goonish neighbour managed to sleep through all the cacophony, the people who had snatched my legspace away started conversing about the poor state of affairs of the Indian cricket team. Over the chug and expletives I could make out that the entire Indian cricket team needed to be sacked!
A few stations later – I never knew how time flew off – I was either engrossed in The Economic Times or disturbed by the not-so-hush conversations floating around or trying to makes sense of ads which urged you to call Baba Bengali for all your ailments! – Mulund had arrived. Prudence angel appeared once again urging me to make my way to the door else I would be stranded in the train. I squeezed past corpses, which were drenched in sweat – Shankar fan takes the credit for this- stomped a couple of hundred legs and finally made it to point were I felt safe of my egress.
Thane arrived. Avalanche. I didn’t move a muscle and I was landed safely on to the platform!!! As I stood there taking toll of what just happened, I saw this worm leaving the platform bulging with people hanging on to whatever they can hold on to…..
Anyways as the clock stuck 9 PM, I thought wisdom fairy would advise any commonsensical individual out of touch with the crowded worm like trains of the city to head back abode. The edifice of Mumbai Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus with the triumphant figure of progress towering over the city, Jaguar shaped water outlets and the two large lions welcoming you at the gate have always beguiled my iris in to a feeling of enchantment. As I headed in to the train terminus and in to the ticket counter and gazed up the beautiful British work on the ceiling, I would but stare in approbation for the roof this section still sprightly as it might have been in the hey days and of days when white marble was the preferred material of construct to titivate the ceiling.
After a menacingly long stay at the ticket counter, I headed back in to train terminus. This colossal structure can distress those uninitiated whose first glimpse of the city invariably is this humongous edifice with translucent roof that conjures up an eerie yet idyllic ambiance. The stained glass windows never fail to bewilder me. A swift glance at what was in store for me – 8:47 F N (interpretation 8:47 fast for Kasara). A glance towards the clock indicated 9:20 PM. A smirk adorned my countenance, this is central railway , this is Mumbai!
Platform number 5. Crowd started pouring - ready to pounce like a predator on a creepy crawly – the Mumbai train! A beam of light conjures in the distance. The light gets sharper and assumes a circular shape. This sight is closely followed by a familiar sound – the bellow of the train and the rhythmic beating of the metal wheels against the iron track. As the train caresses itself between the concrete platforms, the predators pounce. Using door handles and the vertical iron rods for supports the clutches of these predators grasp on to the running worm, hungry for a place on the wooden bench. Four people squeeze in on benches which are made for 3. This is Mumbai. This is General second class compartment of the Subarban local train! The train finally came to a standstill…and the platform was almost empty!
My mind must have numbed over the period of next few minutes…err seconds? For I next found myself all cramped and crouched one place away from the window in a vantage position for I would receive all the odoured air on my face as the train chugs away. I was not as ill-fated as the teen seated in front of me who looked diffident and profusely sweating – perhaps trying to figure out the mechanics of the Shankar fan as to why the air flew reverse towards the roof instead of showering the coolness of its love over him!
The person next to me on the window seat looked like one of those characters in the movie the politicians send out as goons. Thankfully he was asleep and ..err yes snoring. The person diagonally opposite at the window was at an unfinished crossword in one of the Devanagiri scripts perhaps left incomplete from the morning journey. As the train refused to budge from the platform more people poured in trying fill every crevice. The leg space that I proudly occupied till now gave way to 3 more pair of legs!
Thud! The train was mobile…I sighed a sign of relief for my pores which were reeking sweat will now undergo a break! Over the chug of the train I could hear my neighbour – 30 something - on my right (away from the window) asking his hubby the specifics of the culinary preparations that await him and ensuring that everything was done – just right! While my goonish neighbour managed to sleep through all the cacophony, the people who had snatched my legspace away started conversing about the poor state of affairs of the Indian cricket team. Over the chug and expletives I could make out that the entire Indian cricket team needed to be sacked!
A few stations later – I never knew how time flew off – I was either engrossed in The Economic Times or disturbed by the not-so-hush conversations floating around or trying to makes sense of ads which urged you to call Baba Bengali for all your ailments! – Mulund had arrived. Prudence angel appeared once again urging me to make my way to the door else I would be stranded in the train. I squeezed past corpses, which were drenched in sweat – Shankar fan takes the credit for this- stomped a couple of hundred legs and finally made it to point were I felt safe of my egress.
Thane arrived. Avalanche. I didn’t move a muscle and I was landed safely on to the platform!!! As I stood there taking toll of what just happened, I saw this worm leaving the platform bulging with people hanging on to whatever they can hold on to…..
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