We’re waiting at a light that will take a while to turn green. To my left is Chowpatty junction and the silver-grey sea surging forth this early afternoon. The road turns upward and narrow, winding determinedly to meet old limestone havelis, banyan tree compounds and the scent of theplas at Teen Batti. In the foreground are battered boats, scraps of torn clothing and greedy pigeons feasting on somebody’s idea of religion. The beach needs a clean-up. Eighteen dustbins should do it. It wouldn’t hold a candle to Venice and I know it.
In the distance, phoenix-like, rises Cuffe Parade. The monolith of the World Trade Centre, the soaring steeple of Afghan Church, the identical pygmies of Navy Nagar that house brilliant, impoverished scientists. A lighthouse clings to the island of Colaba, just before the world’s steepest real estate crumbles away into the Arabian Sea. Marine Drive shimmers like a mirage, framing the good bay* in a tolerant Sunday mood. Honks are notably absent, siesta has spread its picnic mat.
I turn to him, my heart filled with pride. “You’d like Hong Kong,” he says casually. I look back at the view and slowly shake my head. It wouldn’t hold a candle to my home and I know it.
*[Bombay gets its name from the Portuguese Bom Bahia, meaning good bay.]
Wisdom Wears Neon Pyjamas 
I am just glad that you have chosen to be less quiet than before 🙂
I hope you find comfort and solace in the silence, we will all be right here….
Ah the feeling of belonging….nothing compares to home..nothing
🙂
Its pretty clear you love your city
Its banyan/bay/boat complexity
Your words fascinate
And we deeply take
A sigh of relief that you’re slowly de-misty!
Be it ever so humble, there’s no place like home!
I so get this!
M…: Nothing. 🙂
Aunty G: *Hug*
M4: Oh but mine, it’s graaaand!
But.. but.. Hong kong is NOTHING like bombay!
Singapore on the other hand is. But not Hong kong. Really.
Hey
Have been reading for a while, but delurking now to say your post, put me on that red light and i could just see chowpatty on my left and smell the theplas at teenbatti.. lived there all my life of 25 yrs.. moved to the US for love.. but feel like i lost what i loved most.. my city..my bombay!!!
As long as it’s still there. more or less intact, the concept of home is a comfort even if you are far away.
It’s when you know that it’s gone forever that is truly heartbreaking:(
Khattak key maar dala OJ! bus all you needed was mention SRK in your ‘viewfinder’and I was ready to chuck it all here , clutch bub in one arm and hail a cab to take me to the airport.
Miss M: He doesn’t like Singapore. Thinks it’s too clinical. Therefore Hong Kong.
mini: Aww… here’s a hug for the Walkeshwar woman. Actually, that’s more for delurking. 😉
dipali: Ouch. Bad time to hear that.
aneela: For my impression of the man, peruse point # 3 of this post–> https://wisdomwearsneonpyjamas.wordpress.com/2009/07/07/the-five-best-things-the-boy-has-done-for-me/
n all we have in delhi is the small lake at Old Fort and even here boating is allowed during season. waaahhhh :((
🙂
home is home…nothing can beat the comfort and peace it provides!
Meira: It’s a gorgeous city, though. But yes, I’m too much of a water baby to live away from waves. 🙂
sukanya: Hear, hear!
hugs. I love how much you love your city, OJ, your loyalty is infectious.
Nino’s Mum: I must admit, though, my city ends at Worli. Beyond that, with the exception of Bandra, I do not love.
🙂 tiss okay, loyal south bombayiite. I’m most visiting there too!
Nino’s Mum: Oh it’s perfectly okay. Did I sound the least bit apologetic? 😉
Nice. For someone who left his adopted home land to adopt a new home land (for the 7th time in a tiny life), you brought a nostalgic tear to the eye. Yup, South Bombay has an amazing charisma, unmatched by the best cities in the world.
Also, this was one of the rare posts from you that I understood 😛
Vidooshak: Just call me the Inscrutable OJ. 😛