Week 4 follows:
1. Its raining, finally! Rained for an hour, two mornings and one evening, this week. And today is the first day at work, when it's raining on and off, during the day as well. The balmy, sweaty heat has given way to breezy and fresh sprays and people are smiling all over. "Today we will buy an umbrella" some colleagues say. Hopefully the rain will soon take care of the water cut at home.
2. Talking of water cuts, this week, I woke up to no-water-in-the-tap, 4 days in a row. After last weeks experience, I made sure to yell at the caretaker, who now regularly ensures, drums/ buckets/ bottles all are permanently filled with water at home :) Some yelling and bossing around, can get you very far in Mumbai!!!
4. I love how casual a workplace can be, here. People joke, talk, gossip, ridicule and even imitate each other at work. Radio Mirchi blasts in one section of the office and Tamil music in the other. Signs of stress are few. Work gets done, in all this fun. Seriousness or silence doesnt loom over everyone, as it did in NY at the workplace often. And somehow the feeling of acceptance, topped with a lot of warmth and concern from strangers who I' ve met just yesterday, is unbeatable.
5. A mid-week trip to South Mumbai, after work, on a Wednesday, to see a friend's potential gallery space. Fantastic drive in the rain. The Lower Parel skyline is now dotted with cranes and high rises, some built, some beign built. There was a strange sense of fear and sadness, when we drove past the Gateway and the Taj Mahal Hotel, four times that evening; both abuzz with the night crowds. Almost 7 months ago, on 26/11 last year, I was here in this exact same neighbourhood, with the exact same friend, doing the exact same thing as today - Viewing potential gallery spaces, in Colaba. Talk of coincidences!
Having viewed two gallery spaces, we went to friend's friend's cafe; a quaint little white washed salad-and-sandwich kind of cafe. Kalaghoda Cafe, reflects it's owners interest in all aspects of the place; from the exposed once-upon-a-time trussed roof, to the wooden bench, to the perfect cup of cappucino, to the intriguing photo-art exhibition on the walls. Post-dinner, a short stint at friend's high-rise apartment with a spectacular view and then another fun-drive back home, with a stranger. Details on the drive back home, in point 7 below.
6. http://www.partyharddrivers.com is one of those business plans, you discover and then go "Why didnt I think of this?"
Gurcharan, my parthyharddriver last night, drove me home, talking non-stop, because apparently my forehead reads "Come, confide in me". From his stories of immigrating to Canada, to a pesky sister-in-law to Australians troubling Indians, we talked about everything under the sun. He ended the ride with his phone number and a "Call me if you need anything, absolutely anything, in Mumbai, ever!".
7. Raga, the best friend, flew back from Bangalore, earlier this week. She came over to spend Thursday night at my place. After some initial catching up, we headed out to the Marriot for our 'midnight coffee/ drink' date, which ended only at 1:30 am. Back home, and more chit-chat over flipping T.V channels went on till 2:30 am, until finally when we called it a night. Second fun night in a row.
8. Friday evening, tickets for a special screening of the movie 'New York' at the Red Lounge. Thanks to Atit :), movie tickets promise to be galore. Not much can be said about the movie, as it seemed highly passable to say the least. But red box seats, popcorn and fun company made up for it. Dinner was at Trishna, one of Mumbai's premier sea-food restaurants. Missed the hubby when I devoured his favourite Goan Shrimp curry. Third late night in a row.
9. Saturday night was spent at hubby's grandmom's place devouring the best 'paaplet' (friend pomfret) that I ve ever had. She taught me to eat fish the right way, when we visited here last November. Grandmom-in-law had churned out a 5 course meal, all by herself, which made sure my 'dieting' regime was tossed out of the window for that one night. Turned out to be quite a fun ladies' night with mum-in-law, her sister and my sis-in-law too. Conversation flowed from the husband's childhood antics to my crazy work experiences. Fourth fun night in a row.
10. Sunday morning started with the weekly long run; my slowest 7 miler ever. Something in me is dreading the NYC Half Marathon this time. Got to run faster. Sunday routine followed after that; mommy-made lunch at four bungalows, weekly head oil massage and even a rare short nap that afternoon. The evening was spent with the best friend and her extended family, at her cousins wedding. The 'pani-puri' that had eluded me so far, was devoured with pleasure there, among other delicious wedding fare. Making fun of the best friend, draped in a sari to look like 'Tulsi ben' of the infamous 'K' - T.V serials, was priceless.
"When in India, attend a wedding" - Checked!
Enjoy Week 4 in pictures:
Finally I am up-to-date and current with my weekly diaries.
Almost a month down, 4 more to go, of this madness in Mumbai! Can't wait :)
Until Week 5, you take care while I go looking for my driver, to take me home, after this insane long day.
Shweyts
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