The campus is quiet and depopulated. Walking towards the promenade the only sound that floats with the humid breeze is of the waves lapping up the shore. Breaking and crashing onto the rocks occasionally with a roar. Coconut groves and a green lawns seem to take the edge off all sounds lending the place a certain softness, the cacophonous city is a faded dream.
Dark huge clouds gliding across the massive open sky silhouetted against the fading light of the sun seem like shadows of actors on a massive stage in a grand theatrical production. The crescendo of O Fortuna on my i-pod builds up the scene in front of my eyes and I see dark stormy seas, primal, untouched and untamed. With every beat of the drum the Orcs get closer and will infest the land soon. A certain primitive form of fear grips me entirely.
It's hard not to get caught up in the surreal scene and I'm completely sucked in. I'm far far away from the lame excel sheets of office and the mind games that drive me nuts.
Sitting on the rocks, the big city lights shimmer far in the distance, it seems truly to be the edge of the world. Staring at the lights I can almost hear the bustling noisy city and yet be far away to only hear the sea and the coconut groves converse softly with each other.
................
Am in Bombay for two months. Discovered the TFIR campus last Sunday and fell in love with the city all over again.
Showing posts with label mumbai. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mumbai. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Life in general...
I’m very close to quitting my job. No, it’s not supposed to sound that bad. I’m actually quitting to go back to studying; back to college. These days half the time at work I’m thinking of a hundred different things. At times I wonder that the year that was welcomed on the beach of Anjuna under a fire cracker lit sky has been really good to me. Then again I rush off to do weird rituals in my head to ward off the evil eye. I’m not superstitious, but somethings just rub off onto you.
Recently visited Delhi, twice in fact. First time for an interview and the second time to get myself registered. Rarely have I done two trips so close to each other for one day to another city. Kind of feels good to fly in the morning and get back at night, almost like a business trip thing. Sadly though the money went out of my pocket.
I mostly recall the flights, especially on the last trip. Taking off from Santa Cruz airport over the edge of the island of Bombay the plane turned northward over the Arabian Sea and then headed back to the mainland. The view of the island, with the hills and misty clouds surrounding it was magically serene. As we ascended and made it through the cloud cover the world above was a different place. Here in the kingdom of the sun, it was blindingly bright. And the sun like an emperor ruthlessly shone on everything, piercing every nook and corner, every white cloud valley and hill. Night was equally magical. As the plane prepared to land, I looked out of the window to see an island of neon lights and moving cars and looking at the sky I saw silver stars glittering as if a black and white reflection of the land below separated by a deep black chasm of space.
On a different note; today is a Sunday. Ever since I’ve been working, Sunday’s have become infinitely precious. I consider them to be my days when I redeem whatever bit of life I miss out on the other 6 days of work. I have a particular thing called a redeeming ritual which basically includes waking up late, ordering pizza and coke for lunch and then watching some Scrubs. Afternoon siesta, a walk to Bandstand in the evening and a few moments to myself atop Bandra Fort looking out at the Arabian Sea; this is my perfect Sunday. It’s the only way to assure myself that all is not lost. It gives me a sense of control and satisfaction. Call it weird, but I need it. Of course there are deviations from this and occasionally Sunday’s are spent visiting the city. The best time to do so, according to me, as on weekdays the city is a graphic reminder of the rat race: rivers of humanity pouring out of Churchgate and VT stations in the morning and reversing its flow in the evenings. Six full days pass as the statues and buildings in this stunningly beautiful place stand mute and observant, and suddenly somehow on a Sunday the stunning Art Deco architecture, the tasteful Victorian buildings all come to life. Discovering Mumbai and the story of its many cultures: the Bene Israel, the Baghdadis, the quaint Irani cafes at road junctions and Parsi Agiarys is another complete post in itself.
And finally a little philosophical self note :)
Theres nothing more beautiful than something magical pursued half way and being left with the thoughts of what could have been. Safe in the rocky hills away from the wild windy raging shores of the sea.
The problem with blogging infrequently is huge posts. So many things to say. Hopefully, cause all one has is hope. I will continue.
Recently visited Delhi, twice in fact. First time for an interview and the second time to get myself registered. Rarely have I done two trips so close to each other for one day to another city. Kind of feels good to fly in the morning and get back at night, almost like a business trip thing. Sadly though the money went out of my pocket.
I mostly recall the flights, especially on the last trip. Taking off from Santa Cruz airport over the edge of the island of Bombay the plane turned northward over the Arabian Sea and then headed back to the mainland. The view of the island, with the hills and misty clouds surrounding it was magically serene. As we ascended and made it through the cloud cover the world above was a different place. Here in the kingdom of the sun, it was blindingly bright. And the sun like an emperor ruthlessly shone on everything, piercing every nook and corner, every white cloud valley and hill. Night was equally magical. As the plane prepared to land, I looked out of the window to see an island of neon lights and moving cars and looking at the sky I saw silver stars glittering as if a black and white reflection of the land below separated by a deep black chasm of space.
On a different note; today is a Sunday. Ever since I’ve been working, Sunday’s have become infinitely precious. I consider them to be my days when I redeem whatever bit of life I miss out on the other 6 days of work. I have a particular thing called a redeeming ritual which basically includes waking up late, ordering pizza and coke for lunch and then watching some Scrubs. Afternoon siesta, a walk to Bandstand in the evening and a few moments to myself atop Bandra Fort looking out at the Arabian Sea; this is my perfect Sunday. It’s the only way to assure myself that all is not lost. It gives me a sense of control and satisfaction. Call it weird, but I need it. Of course there are deviations from this and occasionally Sunday’s are spent visiting the city. The best time to do so, according to me, as on weekdays the city is a graphic reminder of the rat race: rivers of humanity pouring out of Churchgate and VT stations in the morning and reversing its flow in the evenings. Six full days pass as the statues and buildings in this stunningly beautiful place stand mute and observant, and suddenly somehow on a Sunday the stunning Art Deco architecture, the tasteful Victorian buildings all come to life. Discovering Mumbai and the story of its many cultures: the Bene Israel, the Baghdadis, the quaint Irani cafes at road junctions and Parsi Agiarys is another complete post in itself.
And finally a little philosophical self note :)
Theres nothing more beautiful than something magical pursued half way and being left with the thoughts of what could have been. Safe in the rocky hills away from the wild windy raging shores of the sea.
The problem with blogging infrequently is huge posts. So many things to say. Hopefully, cause all one has is hope. I will continue.
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