Bombay city never sleeps
Published by Yazad Jal May 7th, 2004 in BombayIt’s not a cliché when you experience it – on a regular basis. A friend was transiting through Bombay and I went over to see him for dinner in Andheri, near the international airport. It was past midnight when I went to Andheri station to catch a local train home (Yes, trains do run past midnight in Bombay – generally upto 1 am).
The station wasn’t desolate. There weren’t just a few stragglers. It was buzzing. Not just single men like me – but families as well – some with small kids. I counted at least four families getting in the same train as me. The station was more crowded past midnight than whatever I’ve seen of the London tube at 7 pm.
Seeing this kind of energy gives me a kick – always.
I had been in Delhi for a month and i had to come indoors by around 9.30pm. I still remember the feeling i had when i took a bite of the sandwich at Bandra at 2am right the next day i arrived in Mumbai from Delhi!! There is simply no place like Bombay!!
Some of my friends have likened it to NewYork, the workculture, the odd timings, the “buzz”!!
On the other hand, sometimes it’s not funny to get stuck in a traffic jam at 12 in the night. Which happens to me every single time I’m out that late anywhere, specially the highway and near Bandra.
Ankh, what are you doing leaving the nightclub as early as midnight? Serves you right for getting stuck in a jam. The correct time to leave is 5 am. If you’re in a mad hurry to get home, 2 am is passable.
If I’m out till 5 am, then I’ll definitely be OUT till the evening with my hangover.
And you know who shouldn’t know about the nightclub.. so quit shouting it out.
Bombay rocks!
I remember when I dozed off in the last train from VT. I got down at Dombivali at around 2 and caught a train back to Mulund at around 3:15. Hardly more than an hour on the railway station!
Hi Nilesh
I remember when I used to travel home late, we used to wake up people sleeping when the train reached VT. Good samaritans we were, otherwise the poor sods might have reached the yard!
Yup Prashant. It does rock. I love it. When I first went to Bangalore, everyone yakked on and on about “pub city”. I was impressed — till I found out that the damn pubs close at 11 pm. And Brigade road is deserted at midnight.
And the autos charge 1.5 your normal rate and look out to fleece you at every single instance!! I’ve had a taste of Bangalore very recently, and probably will for the next two years. Sure Bangalore is cool, but if you want city life, no place like Amchi Bombay!!