Feeling lucky to have spent a good 23 years of my life in Delhi, I can swear by the capital even more after my recent trip to Mumbai. Last week was my first trip ever to the city of strugglers. What’s forcing me to give a not very flattering assessment here is probably the expectations I had from the financial capital of India. May be it was a bad time to go or whatever, but the first impression of the city baffled me. And sadly, first impression lasts forever!<br/><br/>Throughout my holiday, I desperately looked for ways to get friendly with the city I had heard such wonderful things about. It is said to be much more developed than Delhi. Owing to a recent development, there are chances of my shifting base to Mumbai because of a family issue. It’s not confirmed yet, but that little possibility of bidding goodbye to Delhi is scary. There are apprehensions, of course after my rendezvous with the metro, but people say Mumbai is lovable. Not that I don’t want to believe them, but… <br/><br/>Honestly, I don’t know what to say about the massive patches of slums I could see on my left or right at every 2 kilometers of distance on a pretty decent highway. I was completely taken aback when I saw Dharavi, it was so huge! I mean I’ve seen Slumdog Millionaire, but the actual sight of it was alarming. <br/><br/>As they say, everyone comes here to make money, mostly by stealing wallets. And it is not unusual for people to commute for more than an hour to work each day. Fine, Delhi roads can’t be recommended for that perfect pleasurable drive to your workplace either, but Mumbai traffic is bizarre! <br/><br/>I had absolutely no clue of where exactly we were, when the taxi wallah told us that we were stuck somewhere in Malad. As he seemed to be very relaxed and casual about the whole scene and seeing no hope to get out of it for another hour or more, my folks chose to enquire about the reason for the mess. “Kahan hai traffic jam?,” (Where is the traffic jam?) he asked puzzled. His response, we thought, confirmed his mental disorder, until he explained that this was not even close to what Mumbai wallahs call a ‘traffic jam’. By the way, after sitting in the taxi for about 2 hours, we had even forgotten where we intended to go!<br/><br/>Ironically, this was the scenario when it is said that more than 50% of Mumbai travel in locals. At least you have the option to get closer to your destination each minute in that case. <br/><br/>Anyway, we were heading to the famous Marine Drive. Thankfully, by that time, my expectations from the city had nose-dived. The beach was stinking, and adding to the disappointment, we couldn’t find a place to sit there even for a while and click some pictures (since people usually come all the way to do that). Weather was the only respite, but certainly not enough to call it a pleasant experience. <br/><br/>By evening, the whole of Mumbai seemed to have come on the beach for a breath of fresh air after a day-long journey on polluted roads, or on the reeking railway lines. That’s what they usually do in the evening.<br/><br/>The experience of each ‘tourist attraction’ gave shocking revelations about the worrisome population picture. They call it vibrancy, the city being full of life, but it was quite amusing at times to see people running all the time. It seemed like a race or a marathon I would say. As for the nightlife, Mumbai does sleep at night, but usually rather late. Not interested!<br/><br/>On the contrary, I can’t keep myself from appreciating the Mumbai auto wallahs…I have to say that their counterparts here can learn a lot from them. People in Delhi, and yes especially girls, must have gone through the pain I’m hinting at. But in Mumbai, they would never refuse to take you to any destination, no matter if it is just a short distance, or even if it just happens to be a construction site! Unlike here, I used to first sit in the auto and then tell the auto driver where I had to go. Felt good. Probably the only thing which was truly likeable! <br/><br/>Well, I won’t say too much about their language because Delhi’s lingo is not very good either. Though personally I quite liked the ‘Kya re..’ style, it’s addictive! They are helpful, undoubtedly. They don’t really make you feel like an alien. They don’t let you on your own so easily, unlike Delhi.<br/><br/>But I’m not too convinced with the idea of going. Also, after the kind of experience I have come back with. I’m hoping that I don’t have to because there’s nothing that I’m looking forward to in Mumbai. May be because I think I have been living in a culture and a lifestyle completely different from what I saw. But as I’m bound to weigh the city against my hometown, will someone please tell me what can be liked about Mumbai?<br/><br/>The thought of starting off again personally and professionally, in a completely new city, with unfamiliar faces around on alien roadsides, is already killing me... <br/>
