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!!