Mumbai - the city of dreams..that come true!

Hey....back for more. Thanks pal Shravan for that lovely comment....made my day!

Picking up the threads from where I left them yesterday.......life in Mumbai is every bit more exciting and challenging than that in Dubai! Be it the transport or the roads or the level of independence or the people you come across.....Mumbai teaches you to live. I've always believed that a person who can survive in Mumbai can live anywhere in the world! Following are a few pecularities about Mumbai!

• The fastest way of reaching anywhere is to take the local train....it could be packed to the point of explosion, it could make you look haggardly by the time you reach your destination, it could be actually be a theatre for all the wonderful scenes that you encounter in there.....but the bottom line is that at least you'll reach your destination somewhere around the stipulated time! If you are thinking of taking the bus or car, you better plan to leave atleast a couple of hours in advance or banish all hopes of making it in time!!
• Roadside food may be unhygienic but it is a means of subsistence and sustenance for many!!!! The sandwich-walas, chaat-walas, chana and sheengdana-walas make roaring business.....some people eat to satisfy their hunger, others eat to pass the time during long journeys and yet others eat simply because the stalls are there!!!!
• Slums and skyscrapers complement each other. In most places in the city, these two exist alongside each other. It is the norm rather than the extraordinary!
• Mumbai is often branded the "most dirty metropolis" yet, you will always find a few BMC (that is Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation for those caught unawares!) workers sweeping up the roads and sidewalks - that it makes no perceptible difference is another matter altogether! People are about as indifferent as they could be - they'll be screaming about the lack of cleanliness and that the BMC doesn't do this and doesn't do that and yet,remain blissfully ignorant of their contribution, or lack of it! They'll litter all over the place like it nobody's business and still have the audacity to grumble about the dirt and filth! Silly People!
• "The city that never sleeps" - another name assigned to this vibrant city . How true! At any time of the day or night, it's impossible to find the roads or railway stations or any part of this sprawling city empty. The city is agog with people att all times of the day. People who go out at night always ask themselve the question, "where the heck are all these people off to??" And then, realization dawns on them in that they too are off to to somewhere at this unearthly hour and so may others!!!!!!

So that's Mumbai for you! There are about a zillion lessons that Mumbai teaches its residents: Some of them are as follows:

• If you are lost, never think twice about asking for directions....chances are that the people around you have already noticed that you are lost and are waiting for you to ask! Don't make a fool of yourself and your inflated ego by going aroud in circles too shy to ask!
• If you are at the railway station waiting for the train and the train arrives bustling to the brim with people, don't worry. Just jostle your way in - there are usually more people at the door than inside.....So, even if the compartment looks like it's going to split into two the next moment......its not...there's always enough place for you (its healthy to think so!!), anywhere you go....anytime!
• Jump queues at ticket counters and registration counter and wherever else queues are formed (rather supposed to be formed!) but if someone else does it, raise up such a hue and cry that people around stop to watch and admire your guts!!!!!!
• If you're ever caught by a traffic cop for speeding, all you need to do to get out of the mess is hand him what he demands because he's not going to leave you anyway and chances are that the corruption begins at the top level......so don't stop to argue. You can try to bargain if you're good at it but if you're not, then its better to shut up, pay up and leave the scene!
• Of the many good things about Mumbai is the fact that people here are always willing to help. At first sight, everyone around may look like hooligans - unkempt and without a care in the world - but should something untowardly happen to you, the people are all set to rush to your aid. Appreciate it and be a part of it, too!
• Don't take nonsense from anyone. Gone are the days of Gandhiji's generous philosophy of extending your right cheek when someone slaps your left. The mantra now is to slap on both the cheeks of the other person, should he so much as raise a finger!
• And Most importantly, Mumbai is the city where dreams come true. So never stop dreaming.......dream all you want and go all out to achieve them.......Be sure that this wonderful city will not fail you!!!! So, DREAM ON!!!!!!! Just don't follow the adage that "your life revolves around your dreams...so go to sleep!!!" On the contrary....wake up, buck up and fulfil them......"no pains no gains" formula operates but given the slightest effort from you end, you just can't fail!

Well, well......it doesn't end here but if I had to go on, I'd be at it all day and still have loads and loads to say! So I'll just give it in doses!!!!!!!! At the end of the day, the fact remains that Mumbai ROCKS and if you know to go along with the rhythm, you can really have a blast in this exuberant city!!!!!!

Well...now something about my life........life's going on and about as nondescript as ever! That's not to say I'm studying 24/7 for my upcoming CA exams from May 2nd to 6th but then the thought that the dreaded exams are just around the corner haunts me all day! Just keeping my fingers and toes and whatever else crossed that they go fine!

More later........tally-ho!