5 things to do this monsoon!

After my previous post, i came up with this list of things that just HAVE to be done here in mumbai in the rains.. Most of these are very sasta and easy to accomplish. The epitome of 'Simple Living - Hi Thinking' :D

Here's my list.. do feel free to send me your views as well!!

• Get wet in the rain, go to roadside tea stall, have tea n bhaji/vada pav.... any place should do.. Like in so many other things, the first time is the best :)

• Go to Nariman point/Worli sea face/Band stand during high tide...watch the sea ... get wet in the rain...

• First seat on the upper level of double decker (obviously, when the bus is running). Route recommendation: The double decker bus from CST to Backbay World trade Center/Backbay Depot... forgot the # of the bus Just a short stretch of road from churchgate to air india... lekin dnt know of other double deckers that ply along the seaface.. do let me know if u know of any!!

• Ice cream while watching the rains from indoors (preferably with a good view)..

• Stand at the door of a train while its raining.. (you can actually feel the raindrops hitting you!!) I know this sounds a bit risky, but can be done pretty safely when trains are not crowded.. AND DONT LEAN OUT!!!!!

Love, NTW,
Vinay

PS: I've been told that the things that I've listed above are even more enjoyable when done along with a person that you like. By like, i dont mean the NTW wala like that I use as a disclamer in my mails/posts. Like means LIKE.. yes, 'that way' wala like.. Till date, I have'nt had someone jiskey saath I could do the above mentioned activities; so any girls wishing to apply for the position, please feel free to do so.. offer open till stock lasts. Guys, pls excuse, only NTW for u ;)

PS2: NTW = Not That Way

Barsaat ka mausam hai!

Sunday evenings with nothing to do make me think. And today being a Sunday evening, and me having nothing to do; i thought, and decided to write on what exactly about the rains do i like so much... So here goes.. thoda thoughts, thoda observations, and thoda opinions...

The rain physically changes a lot around us when it falls, especially in the first few days - dry brown roads become wet with puddles, greenery starts becoming visible, even the sky changes. And it changes quite a few things in us personally as well. The clothes we wear, the way we travel, our daily schedule.... and not all of the changes it brings are good, are they? In fact, i would say that in mumbai at least, majority of the impact monsoons have seems to be detrimental in some way or other... lost time, overflowing sewers, mud n muck on the roads, traffic, waterlogging, drenched clothes, cold, fever, and so on...

But to me, its still the best time of the year - something to look forward to during the other eight months and to enjoy to fullest from june - sep!!

One thing that affects me the strongest once the rains start is the overcast whether and intermittent sunshine... i know a lot of people find the weather very gloomy, lekin i personally like the cloudy sky... clouds are welcome sight to me... ready to take whatever shape that comes up in my head, along with different shades for contrast..the partly sunny weather with rainbows is pretty cool too!! :)

then there's the greenery that starts springing up all around after the rains start... and the feeling of standing in the rain it self is something that cant really be described in words.. neither can i describe the satisfaction of having a garma garam chai after coming indoors...

Rain also signifies to me a new start to things...and letting go of the old ones - as if the water is actually washing away the unwanted clutter in my mind, the negative thoughts and emotions, the bad experiences, things i didn't like, worries and so on...

Last but not least, no holiday compares to the 'forced' holidays we get once/twice a year here in mumbai due to torrential rains ;) and getting stuck somewhere outside during torrential rains, and somehow getting back home is something of an adventure in itself!

So that was mera thoda bahut soch-vichaar about rains.. overall, I guess ke mera views are a bit unbalanced.. looking at only the good points, glossing over the bad... but i guess thats pretty much how I am even in my life.. it works for me :)

Thats all for now... TC

Love, NTW,
Vinay :)