Mumbai in a nutshell - a non-Mumbaikar’s POV

If you ask a Mumbaikar to talk about the city, they’d end up writing a book about it and yet not feel like they have done enough. If you read that book, the city will feel nothing less than a dream come true - flawless and perfect in every aspect.

We all can understand and agree, it won’t be on them. A Delhiwala would do the same. So will a Kolkata wala. Like people say, no parent would call their kid imperfect. But you need a sane, unbiased and well-experienced view about the city to know what you are in for. Considering that, here’s a non-Mumbaikars’ POV on Mumbai – a travel guide that will give you an objective view on the city.
Don’t worry, if we miss out on the important deets, there’s another blog sharing a locals POV on Mumbai.

Disclaimer - Mumbai is not extraordinary. Nothing like the picture Bollywood movies and Mumbaikars paint. But, it is worth a visit. It has a soul one can understand only if they visit the place.

Here’s a non-Mumbaikars’ version of everything that makes Mumbai the city that never sleeps.

Obsession with Pav:

Mumbaikars are in huge denial about this but it’s out in the open. They are obsessed with ‘PAV’. There’s an endless list of pav-based food items - vada pav, misal pav, dabeli, samosa pav, bhaji pav, keema pav, bhurji pav, ulta pav and more. It keeps growing as you travel within Maharashtra. The silver lining in this whole pav fiesta is, some of these items are actually good and are available throughout the day. And they are affordable. Tbh, one of your trips to Mumbai can be just about the local vada pav.

Another favourite of Mumbaikars – pav bhaji.
 

You’ve got to try the seafood

There are plenty of coastal cities in India but Mumbai ki baat hi kuch aur hain. Same goes for the seafood here. Specifically fish. You’ve got to try it here, especially the Malvani and Konkani varieties.

Mumbai ke beaches are a vibe check!

Mumbai has a beach in every corner. All of them are a vibe check! But, if you book your stay at The Hosteller Mumbai (located at Andheri), you can take an auto to two of the best beaches in Mumbai - Versova beach and Juhu beach. Both these beaches have a vibe of their own. While Juhu beach is the selling point for many high-rise, expensive buildings in the area, it still has a very familiar atmosphere. It is much cleaner comparatively and offers the space to just sit down, meditate, watch the sun submerge in water and other range of activities. Versova beach has a completely different aura. It is an escape or call it a hotspot/ adda for the young blood to hangout. Anytime you visit, you’ll see a lot of people - playing cricket or football, some taking a walk - alone or with their partners, some just sitting in the remote-st corner for some private time with their partners, some just finding a way to vent after a day of hard work, some just reflecting on their life. I like to call it the beach of hustlers! If in Mumbai, pay a visit.
 

A family relaxing at the Mumbai beach

The local trains aren’t just a mode of transportation

Call them a local attraction. They cover the entire Mumbai and nearby districts, making it easier for Mumbaikars to travel. If it weren’t for the Bambai chi locals, the locals would still be waiting for an autowala who’d take them to their destination without any convincing. Take a train from CSMT to Karjat or Panvel or any other far-away destination. You’ll get the most scenic views and a lot of time to reflect about life.

Note: Dadar has two different stations - Western line and Central line. And I promise, even though you’ve been told, you’ll still get lost. 

The sweet scent of freedom is in the air!

There’s a sweet sense of freedom in the air here that is very distinctive. You can smell it from the moment you arrive in Mumbai. For someone who’s not from the city, it is the first thing they’d end up loving. Okay, one thing to note here is, when we say Mumbai, it refers to specific areas only - anything beyond Ghatkopar like Andheri, Bandra, Dadar, Juhu and so on. You can step out on the roads even at the darkest hours of the night and still feel safe. You can go to clubs, dance your heart out, party like crazy and still return safely. You can also take a casual stroll on a stranded road at midnight, go to the beach, drive to see the Bandra-Worli sealink, all without even thinking about safety even once.  

The Bandra-Worli Sea Link looks stunning at night! 

The passion for Ganpati Bappa is just MORE-YAAAAAAAAA:

Mumbai ki dikkate ek taraf and their love for BAPPA ek taraf. As soon as the weather changes and August - September arrive, Mumbai (all of Maharashtra) turns ON its festive mode. The festive energy, the endless enthusiasm and passion - you can feel it in the air. Ganesh Chaturthi isn’t just a festival here, it is an emotion even non-Mumbaikar’s can’t escape. Every gali nukkad has at least one pandal of ganpati bappa.

Ganpati bappa moryaaaa!

A ride in the double decker bus is an experience you must have

A double decker bus is not a common sight in India. Mumbai is the first city that introduced it and is one of the few cities where you can still find it. It is an iconic symbol of the financial capital. So, if you get a chance, definitely take a ride. Now, you won’t find them just like that. You’ll have to know the routes. A simple Google search can help you with that. Additionally, you can take the famous open deck bus tour that includes stops at Marine Drive, Girgaon Chowpatty, Babulnath Mandir, Pedder Road, Haji Ali, Worli Seaface, and more.

Catch the city views from double decker bus

The autowalas who don’t want to go anywhere!

If you are not from Mumbai, autos will be your first option for travel. The problem here is, the Mumbaiya autowalas are one of a kind. Inko lamba bhada mangta hai. Ya kabhi kabhi they don’t go anywhere. ANYWHERE. Like said above, if Mumbai didn’t have trains, Mumbaikars would still be waiting for an auto that’d agree to take them where they want to go. You have a better chance acting in a film than finding an autowalah for your journey in one go.  

And the rickshaw meter runs as fast as Usain Bolt!

Everything is far when you are in Mumbai

Or it is the people who don’t want to go anywhere which turns every KM into a roadtrip. Ask a Delhi guy (living in any corner of the city) that you want to eat Paranthas, they’ll take you to Murthal (which is at least 30-50 kms far) like it’s in the neighbourhood. Ask a Mumbai guy living in Andheri to drive you to Andheri Station, unki maut aa jaani hain! They’d literally act as if you’ve asked them to fight a war.  

It’s always sunny, sunny, sunny in Mumbai

Whether it is summers, winters or rainy season, it always feels the same in Mumbai. The sun continues to shine throughout the year, except when it is raining.

You are rich if you own a house in Mumbai

Even if it is 1 RK. If you own two houses in Mumbai, you already have a retirement plan in place. You own three houses here, your next generation doesn’t even need to work. Real-estate is an actual INVESTMENT for the long run, only if you can afford it.

Mumbai homes are so tiny, you can reach the kitchen from your bed in two steps!

Everyone is hustling

Whether you are a Mumbaikar or not, you’ve got to LOVE the hustle culture here. Everyone here, at least those who don’t have generational wealth is hustling here. They are working hard to make sure they become something.

The young ones look the same

There was a time when Tere Naam launched in theatres and every guy started to look the same due to that weird haircut. Something similar but on a higher level is the case with the young guns of Mumbai. Be it boys of Bandra, Juhu or Versova, they all look like Archies’ movie cast.

Every vacation spot in Mumbai is outside the city

You can say the same about other cities but ye blog is about Mumbai. Alibaug, Lonavla, Khandala, Panshet, Konkan, Goa, Pune - some of the most popular vacation spots are outside Mumbai.

The traffic isn't the problem, the drivers are

Add an extra emphasis on the local Autowalas. They will come at you from every direction, even if they know it is not going to help. If you can drive here, you can drive anywhere in the country.

Mumbai bas traffic mai rukti hai!

Good roads are a blessing here

Firstly, they are tiny. Even the National Highways are as bad as local roads. Secondly, some of the roads, including the Western Expressway, feel like an elaborate prank. We won’t tell you the reason. Iss sach ko samajhne ke liye tumhe Mumbai aana padega.

Mumbai will sink in its own khaddas one day

The recent condition is such, it feels like khadde me seher hain. There’s construction going on every kilometer and even the workers don’t know why.

Don’t let this blog scare you. Like said above, Mumbai is an experience on its own. Plan your visit soon. We’d love to host you at The Hosteller Andheri, Mumbai.