Mumbai Monsoon

The more I lived here,the more I seem to be in love with the city of dreams. But I have to admit it – I like Mumbai best when it rains. Put it down to living in a city that has no seasons; just hot, hotter and hottest. But when it rains, Mumbai comes in to its own; almost comes down close to having a change of weather. The streets become greyer, the skies full of dark clouds and there is love and thunder in the air.
The rains bring out the best in the city. Motorists stopping for stranded pedestrians. People sharing umbrellas; taking in strays; excusing late arrivals at work; turning a blind eye to bare feet and sock-less shoes.
Yes, I love Mumbai in the rains. Soggy raincoats and dripping umbrellas; rattling window panes. Schools closed because of flooding. Trains delayed or cancelled. Erratic power supply. Entire offices stranded with nowhere to go. Ah, you may love spring in New Delhi, summer in Kolkata, winter in Chennai; but nothing comes close to Mumbai in the rains. Urchins flashing in the flooded streets; cars stalled; bedraggled policemen; shanties covered with blue plastic; trees struck down by lightening; and roasted corn on the cob.
The rains in Mumbai. The hot chai and bun maska at the local tea shops.Sitting at the top front seat of double decker BEST bus. A drive down the Worli sea face. A walk along Juhu beach.A trip to Khandala; a hike to Matheran. A siesta at the club. There is nothing quite like Mumbai in the rains.
It’s a time when I want to listen every song about the rain that exists. Sit home and drink tea all day. Talk for hours to a friend on the phone.Wear faded blue jeans a battered slippers. Give rides to strangers. Exchange umbrella woes. Take in shivering pups.
A time for nature’s glory. Everything being washed clean again. The earth lifting its face to heaven in gratitude. An orchestra in the sky. Mumbai’s most blessed season. The rains in Mumbai take us back to school, where we splashed about in the mud to today in offices where we arrive very wet and very late.
Mumbai do not have a winter and never seen a fall. As for the spring, it seems to pass by. But what Mumbai has is the rains. And God – I love them!