Mumbai is a city of dreams, and at the same time, it is the city that never sleeps. Dreams come true only when you dream with your eyes open. Time check- 3:45 am.
Having lived here all my life, I give you Five reasons why Mumbai is NOT for you-
1. If you are content where you are in your life, Mumbai is not for you
Mumbai- The Economic, film, art, and entertainment capital of India. Everything and anything is possible here if you are determined to work hard. This is a city of hustle-bustle and struggle. People come here with big hopes and big dreams.
Mumbai is a center for anyone in search of work and better career options. People from all over the country migrate here in search of a better life.
These examples shall give you a perspective of what I'm trying to convey-
Dhirubhai Ambani came to Mumbai in the early 1950s and began his business trading in spices before the oil network, soon he was a business tycoon. His net worth when he died was 29 billion US dollars, in 2002. (Source- Free Press Journal). One of his sons, Mukesh Ambani ranks among the Top Ten richest people globally.
Akshay Kumar worked as a waiter and a cook, before getting success in Bollywood. He was on the Forbes list of high-paid entertainers, ranking 52nd in the world. His net worth is $48.5 million. (Source- Wikipedia).
I too aspire to do something big in life. We Mumbaikars are content in our lives, but are always looking for more!
If you are content where you are, Mumbai is not for you.
2. If you like to sleep early, Mumbai is not for you
You can watch a movie in the theatre past midnight, or go on a coffee date after a really long day at work without worrying about the cafe being closed, or you can simply shop for new clothes in the middle of the night, or wander in a mall with your friends all night.
If you're studying late at night or preparing for a presentation, and are craving Pizza, you can order your pizza at 4 in the morning! I have ordered my fair share of Pizzas between the hours 2 and 4 am during exams.
Shops, malls, pubs, and multiplexes were granted permission to remain open 24/7 in early 2020.
The permissions were temporarily withdrawn due to the pandemic.
If you do not like to experience the nightlife, Mumbai is not for you.
3. If you like Mountains or Beaches, Mumbai is not for you
There are few mountains on the outskirts of the city, which can be your weekend getaway. The lush green terrains are just so beautiful during the rains, makes it a perfect hiking spot.
There are few hill stations on the outskirts of the city which is a honeymoon destination for a lot of people here.
Being in the coastal region, there are a few beaches here but they are not very clean and tidy (you see what I did there? *wink wink*). Anyway, you won't find blue water white sand beaches here.
But, all in all, nothing beats the Himalayas in Northern India and the Temples and Beaches in Southern India. The location of Mumbai is such that both, Northern and Southern India is easily accessible.
If you'd like to spend your life in Mountains and beaches, and not in business offices and skyscrapers, Mumbai is not for you.
4. If you are suited to a specific food palate, Mumbai is not for you
We have designated lanes called 'Khao Gully', containing rows and rows of street food. Mumbai is a cosmopolitan city, people from all over India come here seeking job or business opportunities, they bring with them their cuisine. Chole Bhature from the North, Momos (Dumplings) from far East, Dosas and Idlis from the South, just to mention a few. This is in addition to our own local food!
With the advent of Globalization, Western food outlets are making a way in too!
We've been witnessing fusions and food inventions as well. How about a chocolate Pizza? Dear Italians, please don't come after me after seeing this.
Or how about a picture of your friend and yours on your coffee?
If you do not like trying new dishes, Mumbai is not for you.
5. If you dislike celebrations or festivals, Mumbai is not for you
YouTube Fan Fest and Comic-Con, we have them everywhere, but I'm not talking about them. I'm talking about religious festivals. Festivals are the life of the city that bring people closer to each other, to God, and to their spiritual selves. The festival season begins in July and lasts up to November.
If you're too lazy to go to the place of celebration, the celebration comes to you! 'Sarvojanik Mahotsav', or community celebrations, where people collect small contributions from everyone and everyone celebrates together.
Ganesh Chaturthi shall begin from tomorrow. Large groups of people bring in idols of Lord Ganesh (remover of obstacles) in processions with pomp and show either in their homes or in temporarily set pavilions. Drum work and firecrackers are abundant. If you see an idol passing, everyone on the road stops doing what they were doing and says a small prayer with sincerity and faith.
In every corner of the city, you'd find temporary pavilions which shall be decorated with lights, flowers, music, an and idol of Lord Ganesh in the center. This festival goes on for 11 days. The celebrations are grand and the idols are huge. How would you like to be where everyone is dressed in their best, offering you sweets (Prasad) and are thrilled?
I genuinely thought the entire world celebrates like Mumbai during festivals. I took them for granted and never left my house to witness the celebrations until someone from outside Mumbai said, 'You are so lucky to live here, the city is lively during festivals, nothing like back home'.
If you do not like your heart racing because of the energy around you, Mumbai is not for you.
Whether you are a morning person, or a night owl, the city is always awake. The flower market in Dadar opens as early as 4 in the morning, the club closes at 4 in the morning. There's everything for everyone here.
If you get to write about the city you love, you can write endlessly and effortlessly.
It took a lot in me to stop writing and adding only a few pictures.
I'm aware this article won't do the city justice, but I have attempted my best to not be redundant and have tried to be crisp.
If you get the subtle tone in my article, tell me one good reason why one should NOT visit your place?
(All of the attached pictures were taken by me)
Let's thank my sponsors for believing in me, you guys are the best:)!
A pesar de que vivo en Cuba me gustaría visitar tu país ya que por las fotos que pones se ve espectacular además de la vista en sus comidas se ve deliciosa. Lindo día te saludo desde Cuba