Discovering Mumbai Like a Local – Mumbai Meri Jaan

Name me one person who has been to Mumbai and has not loved it. be its air, water, local trains, people or just traffic, you fall in love with everything. Thousands and millions of people come to Mumbai with their dreams. Not all dreams come true but not even a single person is left empty handed. This city has something for all. That’s why we call her ‘aai’- Mother Mumbai. Come here and throw a wishing stone into the sea and wish to rule the city, however big you become, however rich, however powerful, you will never rule the city; this city will rule you the way round.

If you are here on a trip or living here for sometime or finding a house to shift, here are few things you must experience to let energy of ‘aai’ flow into you. 

1. Make friends with the Sea by visiting Marine Drive or Bandra Bandstand

Make some spare time, early in the morning or anytime of the evening, to visit these places by the sea. Enjoy the sea breeze and get accustomed to the humid climate of Mumbai. You’ll find a lot of people ending their stressed out day by sitting or walking by the sea near Marine Drive and Bandra Bandstand, popping peanuts with chai.

Don’t be baffled if you spot some celebrities. Bandra Bandstand is quite often used as shoot location for many movies. Celebrities like Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan stay near the Bandstand and you’ll find fans waiting for them outside their house at any time of the day.

2. Enjoy the Mumbai Chaat on Girgaon or Juhu Chowpatty

The best of street food and chaat in Mumbai is found on the beaches of Mumbai. Amidst the numerous beaches in the city, Girgaon Chowpatty and Juhu Chowpatty offer the best chaat dishes. Beware, you may instantly fall in love with the food here almost to a level of addiction.

3. Walk through the charming markets of Mumbai

Buzzing since the British era in India, Chor Bazaar and Crawford Market are favourites of traders and locals in Mumbai. The Chor Bazaar exhibits some of the most antique and vintage articles. From Gramophones to reel cameras, you’ll find everything here. Warm up your haggling and bargaining skills here before you visit here though.

Similarly, Crawford Market will offer you stuff at wholesale rates, without much bargaining. Locals buy everything from fruits to kitchenware to electronics from this market at a very reasonable price.

4. Travel in the local train, if your job isn’t making you do so already

Local trains are the lifeline of Mumbai. The first passenger train in India was run between Thane and Bombay on April 16, 1853. Since then, commuting in railway has flourished to a large extent in Mumbai. Residents of Mumbai use railways to commute across the city, for it is fast and well connected. It can take you to the northernmost end of the city to the southernmost end in 45 minutes flat. We’ll leave the experience of travelling and meeting new people in the train for you to describe.

5. Party like an animal in any part of the city

From the most expensive clubs in India to the cheapest bars, Mumbai is full of party places. Go clubbing in any of the local favourites and you will never be disappointed. Even if you forget where you’re staying in Mumbai, the streets are welcoming enough to feed you till dawn.

6. Take a heritage walk in the city

Take an entire day on one of these weekends to stroll through the streets of Mumbai, displaying the rustic charm of the city. The old British architecture of the CST Railway station, till the streets or Prince of Wales Museum, through the University of Mumbai will give you a complete dose of heritage feels. Further, take a ferry to Elephanta caves from Gateway of India, to see the old world charm of Buddhist architecture around Mumbai.

If you do these above things over two weekends, apart from finding a flat for rent in Mumbai, you’ve made it. You can be officially called a Mumbaikar after this, considering the amount of conversations you’ll have with the locals, the food you’ll eat, the hassles you’ll go through and the fun you’ll have in this beautiful city.