The A,B,C's of Mumbai

Amazing, Bumpin, Cosmopolitan, Dirty, Enticing, Fast, Gigantic, Hot...and the list goes on. All words that i would use to describe Mumbai, formely known as Bombay, affectionately known as Bollywood. Out of all the cities I have visited in India, Mumbai takes the cake. Its not hard for me to say why...the city has an incredible energy and vibe whether its 2pm or 2am. Like New York, the city does not sleep. It has the amenities i desire, great entertainment, people everywhere, amazing food, rich culture, attractive women, charm, and yes, an ocean view (well technically its on the coast of the Arabian Sea, but that sea feeds into the Indian Ocean so why split hairs). Its a city of ~20 million people. 20 million! thats more than half of Canada crammed into one city, and yet this place functions, and functions well. The contrast between Mumbai and Delhi is clear. While Delhi is more of a clean cut, properly trimmed, political capital, Mumbai is more of an ecletic melting pot of music, fashion, food, and people. If you were planting a tree in Delhi, there would be a committee of 10 people who would take about a month studying various sites and calculating exactly where it should go. In Mumbai, they would just drop it from the sky and see where it lands.
But thats what i love. There are no sharp corners and straight edges here, there is really no shape. Mumbai hugs the coast from North to South and everything in between is just waiting for you. It caters to everyone, the rich and the poor, the local and the foreign. The city is lined with apartment buildings, both luxury high rises, and low income dwellings. Tightly packed, 1-bedroom apartments make up the thousands of Chawls that line city streets. You can only imagine how many people live in these buildings, and can only wonder what their story is and what goes on in there. Having been here the past 2 days, I can't believe it has taken me so long to get here. The sites so far include the Gateway of India (built when King George came to visit India as a British Colony) and the surrounding Colaba area, stunning Marine drive and the queens necklace - a winding ocean hugging road that when lit up at night, looks like a pearl necklace, chaotic chowpatty at Juhu beach where hundreds of people enjoy the beach and the sea air till late in the night and then sample some of the most enticing array of mumbai street food from pow bhaji, to chaat, to the finest italian restaurants and of course bandra - the entertainment hub!
Being a food addict, mumbai has definetely provided me with my hearts desire. peanut vendors walking around with charcoal fires roasting peanuts on the spot for Rs 10 a pack (25 cents) that are still warm when you eat them. Fresh Juice vendors that squeeze the juice from the fruit right infront of you for Rs 20 (50 cents) and coconut vendors who in the flash of an eye will chop off the top of those sweet coconuts so that you can down the sweet nectar inside for Rs 10. Midnight buffets and all night coffee shops ensure that no matter what the time, you can get food - great food! Its a shoppers paradise here too, almost every square foot of the city centre, (besides the roads) is setup to sell you something...anything!
Probably my favourite is just walking the streets. During the day, its just as busy as it is during the night. I like to think that a city's true character comes out at night and for that Mumbai gets top marks. Its a city that has seen so much, from Islamic rule, to the Portuguese landing, to the British colonization, to the hindu/muslim riots that rocked its streets in the early 90's. It may not have the steep history of Delhi but Mumbai has taken my heart and this city can definetely tell a story or two...or 20 million...eventually, i'd like to hear them all.