Here Are 7 Things Every Mumbaikar Across The World Will Find Relatable
niharika nayakBA (Media & Communication) Experience: 4 yearsNiharika has a passion for all things art, music, and travel and has over 4 years of experience in writing for social media. During her spare time, she likes experimenting in the kitchen, playing vide... more
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“Mumbai is not just a city, it is an emotion.” If you’ve heard this saying more times than you’ve heard your university’s name, you’re not alone. Mumbai is one of the biggest and most expensive cities in the world and has always held a lot of power. Monikered maximum city, Mumbai has been known as the city of dreams and more. From the streets of Colaba to the bay of Mahim to Lokhandwala creek, the city has a powerful charm of its own. Even if you don’t live in the city anymore and have moved on in your life, you still probably reminisce about the good old days. So here are a few things to remind you of the “City of Dreams”:
- Keema Pav And Pav Bhaji
Nothing screams street food like a good old plate of keema pav and pav bhaji. Mumbai is known across the country for its incredible street food. In Mumbai, street food is the greatest equalizer. It doesn’t matter if you’re Ranbir Kapoor or a street urchin, the love for ‘raste ka khana’ will always remain the same.
- Catching The Virar Fast
Mumbai’s local train system is the lifeline of the city. Almost every Mumbaikar would have traveled via a local train at some point in time. The city runs one of the most efficient train systems on the planet and you know you can trust your local train to get you to work on time. And while it is difficult to board a train during the rush hour, most people can’t afford alternative options. It’s either this or the endless traffic on the expressway. Your choice.
- Admiring The Worli Sea-link
One of Mumbai’s most scenic locations, the World sea-link connects two parts of South Bombay, Bandra West, and Worli. Nothing beats driving down the Worli sea-link. The ambitious project was completed in the year 2010. This bridge managed to shorten travel time from 20-30 minutes to a whopping 10 minutes! However, if you’re thinking about stopping and posing for pictures, you cannot. There are a lot of cops stationed across the sea-link to ensure smooth sailing.
- Potholes Don’t Phase You
When you see Americans and other Westerners making memes on potholes, you often wonder what the big deal is. After all, potholes have been a part of your life since you could first ride your bicycle! Every Mumbaikar is used to the horrid by-lanes and shady roads one has to take to avoid traffic. These overlooked roads are oftentimes super bumpy and intense enough to give you a backache.
- Pre Booze Cheap, Party Rich
South Bombay is littered with cheap, shady bars that are frequented by all the enthusiastic, broke college kids. If you’ve grown up and studied in the city, you probably know the Friday night routine. Get tipsy at Gokul’s or Sunlight Bar with your buddies and then head to the super fancy nightclubs. This way you keep your budget low and still get enough pictures for Instagram.
- SoBo- NoBo Relationships Are A No-Go
Besides the differences in status (South Bombay kids are rich, let’s face it), the travel time for the two of you would suck. If you’ve ever dated someone from the opposite side of Mumbai then you know exactly how hard it is to coordinate with travel. You’re also guaranteed that very few South Bombay kids will have the guts to step onto a local train. And as a North Bombay kid, you’ve probably spent half or most of your life on the local train. You might as well be in a long-distance relationship with someone who lives in Pune.
- “Please Andheri Chalo Naa, Bhaiya?”
It starts innocently enough. You call out to one or two rickshaws only to be rejected on a constant basis. You know you’re a true Mumbaikar when you’ve been rejected by more auto-wallas than love interests. Many auto guys want to go in one certain direction and will refuse to listen to your directions. It’s gotten to a point where many people change their destination just to get a ride from the Rickshawala. However, now that apps like Uber and Ola exist, many people prefer calling for their rickshaws beforehand.
Above all else, you’re very very proud to identify as a Mumbaikar. Wherever you go, no matter the occasion, you won’t fail to blurt out to those around you that you are from Mumbai. Sure, it’s a crowded city and it floods every monsoon and the living costs are high, but what really matters is the city’s heart and its people. The one thing that truly makes people love Mumbai is that it is accepting of everyone. The city was built on migrants and is extremely proud of its cultural history, as is illustrated by the various museums that dot the streets of South Bombay. Tell us what your favorite part of the city is in the comments below.
