RAINS in Bombay

Written by SuperHypersonic

Thursday, 10 July 2008 11:14

Rains

One of my favorite things about Bombay is the rains! I understand that the rainy season is not a favorite with most Mumbaikars who commute over a long distance from home to work as they have to travel with wet commuters, trudge through pools of water, struggle to open their umbrellas in the wind and reach their offices very wet. Nor for people who live on the streets, slums and low lying areas as they are fearful of water rising and entering their homes. And usually in the recent present the rains also tend to bring back the not so pleasant memories of 26/7.

But like every coin has two sides, rains in Bombay do have its own allure and romance. :)
So I thought to list out a few things you can do whether you are like me , a true rain-lover [we are a vanishing breed, aren’t we ;) ] or someone who would stay indoors [sorry, but you are boring ;) ] and a few other things. Try them, even if you are busy, maybe on a weekend and of course feel free to add to the list.

Get out and get wet!

1.Take a walk on Marine Drive, Juhu, Worli Sea Face, Carter Road, Bandstand or the Gateway of India, You will get doubly wet with the sea waves splashing and the rain. (But watch out: Don’t lean or walk on the parapet, you could fall in with the strong winds).
2.Walk around without an umbrella or a raincoat in your neighborhood. Raincoats anyway drench the trousers and why struggle with the wind to hold the umbrella, instead enjoy the fresh water drops.
3.Walk around in any of the Maidans (Azad, Oval, Cross, Shivaji Park)
4.Play cricket in any of the Maidans or gymkhanas. In fact on a weekend you will see many cricket fans playing a match in the rain. And who can forget the charm of playing football in pouring rain .Try it on a beach as well.
5.Stand by at the door of a local train. (Be careful and don’t lean out)
6.Finally and this is my favorite. Sit on the front seat of the upper deck of a BEST Double Decker bus in pouring rain leaving the windows open [especially the front glass panel, Bliss!]. However, don’t do this if there are other passengers sitting behind you or make sure they don’t mind.

Eat out [and it won’t be the same without rains]

1.Have chai …piping hot with some adrak…it does wonders for the throat too.
2.Have bun maska at an Irani restaurant.
3.Have a piping hot ‘Hot-n-Sour’ soup at any Chinese restaurant.
4.Have a vada-pao .
5.Eat some spicy chaat at a beach
6.Have pani-puri [or golgappas for the Delhites ;)] , maybe at Elko ….Mineral water Pani-puris ! [Though I wish they would replace plastic cutlery with something more environment friendly.{Correct me , if they have already done so, haven’t been there in a year and half}
7.Have roasted corn [bhutta] at any of the beaches.
8.Have hot coffee at a place where the rain almost comes in and hits you. For example Cafe Coffee Day's outlets at Chowpatty, Just Around The Corner, Bandstand, Carter Road or the Barista outlet opposite the New Empire theatre and at Bandstand or the Mocha at Bandra and Juhu. I would prefer a chai but the experience of these is quite priceless.
9.Have a toasted cheese sandwich at the local sandwichwala or chose your own favorite flavor.
10.Dine at an ‘open’ restaurant like Prithvi Café,Karma, Koyla,Sheesha ,Salt Water Grill etc.
11.Have some steaming hot sambhar and other south Indian food at any South Indian restaurant you love.

Get Out and About (For the adventurous, by the way, have you posted on our DARE section yet ?)
1.Go for a trek. Lots of places to trek around Bombay where you will see lush green hills and waterfalls. Several options like Tungareshwar [beautiful], Matheran,Chinchoti falls, Khandala,Palasdhari, Bhimashankar, Lonavla, Karjat, Malshej Ghat and Kamshet.
2.Take a walk at the Borivali National Park, Mahalakshmi Race Course, Aarey Milk Colony, Vihar and Powai lakes.
3.Take a BEST bus ride on a picturesque route like 123,108( Marine Drive), 398( through Aarey milk colony),82,89 ( Worli sea face)
4.Go swimming. It’s just magical in rains.
5.Go to Esselworld for some wet rides or to Water Kingdom
6.If all of the above is too far, [as some people love excuses ] then just go to the nearest garden in your area and soak in the greenery..
7.Go to a beach. Be advised though, don’t go swimming, as the waters can get very choppy.
8.Take a train ride to Khandala or Lonavla or Igatpuri. Make sure to get a window seat and absorb the greenery and watch the waterfalls while passing through rain soaked tunnels.

Stay Indoors (For the non-adventurous, in pouring rain)

1.Listen to music and play rain themed songs . If you love classical music, listen to some 'Raag Malhar' compositions.
2.Make bhajiya’s and chai and eat them whilst watching the rains
3.Read a book. Always good and also applicable without rains.
4.Simply stay in bed and listen to the rain bang onto your roof or window pane.
5.Go and see a Museum. There are many in Mumbai. Though you will have to step out of your house for this, as you will still be indoors- this has been put in this category
6.Just stare out and watch the rain and wish silently to convert to the adventurous side ;)
7.To work on the above mentioned wish, just open the windows, stretch your hands and feel the rain on your palm, chances are you would get out and get drenched.
8.Make hot tea for yourself and a loved one and watch the rain together.

Get caring [For everyone, also applicable without rains]

1.Give umbrellas, rain-coats or even plastic sheets to the needy. It would be most useful during the rains. Check if NGOs collect them for distribution.
2.Serve all your visitors hot chai with bhajiyas
3.Shelter a stray dog or a cat.
4.Plant a sapling and see it flourish in the rains.
5.Spread awareness about water-borne diseases and precautions especially during the monsoons.
6.In the rainy season, you might see many young birds falling out of their nests. Contact an animal NGO and help them.
7.Post alerts here in city section about any flooding etc.

Add more to the list. Add more to your experience. And finally enjoy the rains.