Van Chitgo - The Art of Life

don't you just love it when things do live up to the hype? naysayers will always say dont speak too soon and 'nazar lag jayegi' (non hindi speakers get in touch with me for the meaning) and stuff like that.
but the plan, the excitement and the nostalgia came together in a magical congruence that even the gods would have been proud of.

mumbai is as i remembered it. although its been just about a year since i saw her last, the city was as vibrant, fast paced, inviting and beautiful as ever. i spent my time enjoying the very same thrills of yesteryears with my bro sam....from visiting the old haunts that were our partners in midnight chats and lazy (hardly) sundays to knocking down on the poison of choice. the pictures say it all.
crepe station was classy as ever whilst bandra looked in the best shape ive seen it in. merlin's was a heady addition with this karaoke pub taking the spot of an ever favorite not just jazz by the bay.heck we even brought in sam's bday that way:) happy bday bro...am so glad i could be there with you to celebrate.

although the shoulders i walked besides weren't with me this past weekend, know that you were there in my thoughts. NP, KS, DG, AK, AD, PC - missed you. you need to make a visit down there as part of your itinerary some time soon. armed only with the power of nostalgia and a positiviy towards the future....she will embrace you with open arms.

totos doesnt play the music anymore. although that doesnt take away from the quality of the experience. the deadly combination of the 'pops and baaaaeeeeers still rules. the waiters recognized an old face and enquired with due dilligence on my whereabouts. i loved the contemptous smiles i received on reciting the destinations. nothing in their opinion could really match up to the garage.at that point of time, i could not agree more.

mochas was as mochas is. bustling, noisy, hookas and chocolate. redefining coffee conversations - the ultimate in cooleth.
that was the year i grew up..and made the best damn friends along the way.

i got scared when i saw the exterior facelift of gokuls as i entered. luckily it was just a facade. The sheer simplicity of its inner walls reminded me those lesser aware moments of rowdyness...the best celebrations of battles won hard, the initiation and new beginnings, the clinking of masquerading beer glasses in numbered groups- much too large for your capacity, yet you found a way to fit us in. gokuls always understood the importance of togetherness in times of sheer happiness.

the sports bar at phoenix mills was another reminder of just how cool and fun we were, we are :) england is on its way and i still maintain federer is the best that ever walked the courts....a sporting weekend of epic proportions , and who better to spend it with then raw energy mr gurjer himself. pure , unadulterated bliss.

the last night was dedicated to the chilled out evenings at the marine plaza. the ever so familiar dessert buffet with the view of the queen's necklace, surrounded by those not unlike me...reflecting back at a day gone by....

oh and btw, for the first time in my 6 year history of cell phone usage, i got mine stolen in mumbai- maybe she wanted to remind me not to get complacent and always keep guard:))

and now im back. fresh yet exhausted. ambition + 1, optimistic +1. thank you mumbai. you are by far the most powerful city in the world. within you lies the epicenter of our country's magnificence, her economic prowess and her delicate beauty. the sheer awesomeness echoes from the streets of dadar to the skill in your taxi driving. they say you need to clean your act up. but only cos they fear that you redefine rebellion everyday - never failing, never wincing, never.
i will taste you once again. and as i departed i heard your mocking whisper "there's always room for one more"

you temptress.

Posted by chitgo on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 at 6/13/2006 11:32:00 AM | Permalink