08 JAN

Back to my favorite place -Aamchi Mumbai!

I had lived 21 years of my life in my hometown Lucknow and left only when I started working. After the short training period in the serene North-East, I had landed in Mumbai. In the next four years, Mumbai became my city – my safe place to be. I would go home for holidays but crave to get back here. I might sound crazy, but even my parents agreed that I was in love with this city!

Years before I arrived, my sister was here for doing her MBA and then her job. When I came here, we would spend hours comparing our notes of place to visit and food joints not to be missed. I would visit all her old haunts and tell her about the new restaurants that had replaced the older ones. And, if I dared to stay home for a weekend, she would taunt me that I am wasting my time staying indoors. Behaving like a typical elder sibling! 😉

The best part of Mumbai for me was the weather, minus the humidity of course. Somehow, it suited me well and I had minimal asthmatic tendencies. A big relief for me! I am a romantic at heart and rains add more colors to my notion of a romance. The continuous rains for months never bothered me. Because, I would always remember the 2005 floods when my sister had near miss of being washed away. The optimistic me believed that no amount of rain could be as disastrous as then.

The team outings to Lonavala, Mahabaleshwar and Alibaug became yearly ritual. Getting up early on weekends to watch the sunrise at beaches was norm. And, how can I forget the festive spirit during Ganesh Chaturthi, when whole city turned into one big fair arena. The air-filled with the chants of Ganpati Bappa Morya!

Food here is another mystery. How did the people manage to add Pav to every food item? Vada-pav, samosa-pav and the list is endless. More than that, I fell in love with the Puran Poli and Patra. And, savor them regularly at home. 🙂

When I got engaged, I was ecstatic, but the heartbreak of leaving Mumbai was no less. Secretly, I had even tried convincing my fiancee to switch his job and shift to Mumbai. Alas, life happened. I moved cities, had a kid. And, now I back to Mumbai after 4 years. I can’t wait for kid to grow up and enjoy all the experiences that I cherish. Sitting at Marive Drive, enjoying sunrise at Versova beach or dipping his toes in Arabian Sea!

“Mumbai is a City, Bombay is Emotion!”

Have you ever fallen in love with a city that is not your hometown? What holds you in that city? And, if you are also as crazy about Mumbai as me, then do drop a Hello in comment section. 🙂

Post Author: Dishki

24 thoughts on “Back to my favorite place -Aamchi Mumbai!”

Amrit kaur

(12th January 2019 - 21:32)

That’s amazing that you are back. Now your kid would live your dreams in Mumbai.

Dishki

(13th January 2019 - 17:12)

Yes, that’s the plan 🙂

Richa Mina

(12th January 2019 - 04:55)

Wow nice you found the love to Mumbai i’ve similar affection to Delhi. I always want to return to it…

Dishki

(13th January 2019 - 17:15)

Oh yes, Delhi has a different charm about it. Hope you get to return soon. 🙂

uttpalkhot

(12th January 2019 - 00:59)

hmmm..Mumbai is definitely a city which people dont want to live. I personally would love to be connected with Mumbai but would definitely not want to stay in Mumbai due to the heavy crowds and pollution levels now as compared to how my city was 30-40 years back.. 🙂

Dishki

(13th January 2019 - 17:16)

Well, consider that after shifting here from Delhi now, I find the air so much better currently. 😉

missbhukkad

(11th January 2019 - 22:58)

Totally relate to Bombay being an emotion. I love this city. Uve added some beautiful pics.

Dishki

(13th January 2019 - 17:16)

Thank you. 🙂

sodapoplove

(11th January 2019 - 22:08)

I have only visited bombay once, but the energy there is a different kind altogether.

Dishki

(13th January 2019 - 17:17)

I so agree, the energy levels are never down in this city!

Dipali Bhasin

(11th January 2019 - 19:55)

I can totally relate to your emotions. Mumbai is a spectacular paradox of chaos and hope, glamor and squalor, modernity and tradition, old and new. It is truly a city of dreams.

Dishki

(13th January 2019 - 17:18)

You have put it up perfectly how I feel in fewer words. 🙂

Dipali Bhasin

(11th January 2019 - 19:53)

I can totally identify with your emotions. Mumbai is a spectacular paradox of chaos and hope, glamor and squalor, modernity and tradition, old and new. It is sheer love and its aura casts a spell forever. It is truly a “jaadu nagri” – a city of dreams.

Jhilmil

(11th January 2019 - 05:48)

How amazing it seems you’re really in love with Mumbai aka emotional for Bombay. I have never lived in Mumbai, just visited as a tourist, but I like the rains of Mumbai and the food joints it has.

Dishki

(13th January 2019 - 17:19)

Thanks Jhilmil, I am all kinds of crazy over this city. 🙂

TessReviews - Makeup-Skincare-Keto

(10th January 2019 - 05:16)

My favorite thing about mumbai is also vada pav…and though i could.not understand how peope have it everyday..when i visited i had it every single day ..i love the busy streets too

Dishki

(13th January 2019 - 17:20)

Haha, even I don’t understand the logic till now 😀
Thanks for dropping by!

Savvy World

(9th January 2019 - 17:02)

Hello! Its me – Savvy.

I have lived forever in Mumbai. Even tho travel, work has had me explore other parts of the world, there is absolutely no other place I call home but Aamchi Mumbai.

And like you, i feel great reliving this amazing city thru the eyes of my 10yr old. There’s so much to explore….so keep at it.

I also blog on the lifestyle and newsmakers of this city.

Ankita

(8th January 2019 - 18:59)

I fell in love with Mumbai too 😍