24 hours Mumbai
The sunshine in summer was like hell. After the train from Pune, I was dropped off at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus.
People moved in and out of the station like ants. I stepped outside to greet Mumbai City. “Where are the rickshaws?” I wondered. In India, you can usually spot rickshaws everywhere, even in the Himalayan mountains, but they seemed doesn’t have rickshaws in South Mumbai.
According to public opinion, South Mumbai is considered an affluent area where wealthy people reside. It is believed that they do not prefer rickshaws in order to maintain the upscale image of South Mumbai. Taxis, on the other hand, are available in South Mumbai. Taxi drivers have a strong union, which is why they resist the presence of rickshaws to avoid competition.
As I walked along the street, I noticed that Mumbai is a city that blends Western and Eastern cultures. Every review I read emphasized the importance of visiting the Gateway of India if you are in Mumbai.
I visited the Gateway of India, but it didn’t leave a strong impression on me. However, one thing that shocked me was the association of the monument with the tragic events of 26/11. In 2008, a terror attack in Mumbai claimed the lives of 164 people. The attackers hijacked a fishing trawler and docked near the Mumbai waterfront close to the Gateway of India monument.
Afterward, I visited the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya Museum. The highlight of the museum for me was the animal zone, where I had the opportunity to see a wide variety of animals found in India. It was truly amazing.
The sunshine was pleasant as I walked in South Mumbai after 3 pm. The weather was perfect for strolling. I visited the Jehangir Art Gallery to admire the artwork created by artists who also held other professions. Art brought me a sense of calmness while also evoking a hint of sadness.
I walked exploring South Mumbai like an adventurous dog. It was an ideal place for travelers who enjoy walking. The Marine Drive Beach was a breathtaking spot to witness the mesmerizing sunset. Among the numerous people gathered there, couples exchanged sweet moments while others engaged in conversations.
As the orange sunshine illuminated the building, how could I possibly forget it? The gentle ocean breeze caressed my skin, and I looked at the vivid blue hues of the water and sky. The building shadow seemed distant but it connected with me.
I had to take a train to North India to stay with my friend. It was my first time using the local train system, and I was amazed by the incredible infrastructure in Mumbai. However, there was no room for romanticism when it came to the train experience. It felt like a small war inside the train, as everyone fought to survive and make their way back home amidst the overwhelming crowds of people.
The Mumbai Suburban Railway operates an impressive 2,342 train services and serves over 7.5 million commuters each day. It is undoubtedly one of the busiest commuter rail systems globally. However, it is also one of the worst-rated systems by passengers around the world.
According to Wikipedia, the Mumbai Suburban Railway has been responsible for the deaths of an estimated 50,000+ passengers in the past two decades. Shockingly, there have been no substantial improvements in safety regulations, infrastructure, or future planning. It was not surprising for me to witness passengers standing at open doors or even walking across the platform on the train tracks.
I waited for my friend for two hours. I didn’t like this habit but I had to try to understand Indian habit.
By the way, Indian people have always been incredibly kind to me. They have taken such good care of me. That night, my host in Counching was Sunal and his son. We watched a movie called “Chak De! India.” It was a fantastic movie that portrayed the journey of the Indian national women’s hockey team. Just one thing, I didn’t particularly like how they emphasized the concept of nationalism too much in the movie.
Sunday is always Sunday. If we pay enough attention, we will notice that the atmosphere on Sunday is different from other days.
I visited Dhobi Ghat, which is known as the world’s largest outdoor laundry. In addition to that, there are homes for around 200 families who work there.
I disliked the concept of this tourist place. It seemed as though the government had created a space where tourists could peer into the local houses at all times. Who would want to have someone constantly observing them?
The ironic part was that I noticed many Western people who often talk about respecting privacy, yet they seemed to enjoy observing people in Dhobi Ghat and taking their photos.
I was also one of those people who took photos. I tried to capture as much as I could. However, there was a moment that made me pause. I was taking a photo of a man who was working on a Sunday afternoon. He looked at me without a smile or any visible emotion. At that moment, I felt a sense of shame and realized that I wouldn’t appreciate someone taking a photo of me like that. So, I made the decision to delete the photos that had people’s faces from my camera.
On a quiet Sunday afternoon in Mumbai, I had a chicken burger from the microwave. As I observed the city, I could see that people were enjoying their Sundays. Meanwhile, I was watching Dhobi Ghat (Mumbai Diaries) while waiting for my train.
As the movie story shows that, 24 hours in Mumbai for people there was completely different. Someone lives in a high building near heaven while another one lives in the ground and far away from their home to fulfill their stomach.
Mumbai is a unique city, and 24 hours are not enough to explore everything it has to offer.
Thank you for the information:
- https://allthingsmumbai.com/why-auto-rickshaws-are-not-allowed-in-south-mumbai/
- https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/permitting-autos-to-enter-island-city-is-unreasonable/articleshow/8450633.cms
- https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-mumbai-terror-attacks-what-happened-on-2611/365392
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mumbai_Suburban_Railway#Rolling_stock