A Walk Under the Wet City Lights

Though the sea did not seem calm and quiet, the night was still and serene after the heavy downpour during the day. I was walking along Marine Drive listening to the sound of the waves, watching the tides go back and forth and enjoying the cool breeze caressing my face. Even though it was not raining, I was entirely drenched in my thoughts about how moving to the City of Dreams had brought in positive changes in me and wondering what surprises life had in store for me ahead.

While I was walking down the 4.3-kilometre-long boulevard engrossed in my thoughts, I heard a few voices singing one of my favourite songs along with guitar being played in the background. I deviated from my path and started following the sound of music when my eyes rested on three young boys surrounded by a group of people singing away to glory. They were standing under a shade to shield themselves and their instruments from getting wet in the rain. They looked carefree and lost, their eyes burning with passion for music. They sang and played as if no one was watching.

Lost in Music

I just stood there listening to them sing and soon got carried away by their music. Rain acted as the perfect catalyst as every tune seemed to reflect the mood of the moment. The sound of the waves seemed to echo every beat of music. As the crowd slowly started to disperse, a curious soul approached the boys with the hope of finding out what music meant to them.

“Excuse me”, I said, almost interrupting their session. “What does music mean to you? How is your perception of music different from the others?” They looked at each other and smiled. Then one of them said, “For us, music is the universal language of expression. Music has no time, place, creed, religion or any possible boundaries in this universe.” Seeing the passion in their eyes, I urged them to continue. “Music makes you forget about all your troubles for a while and just be in the moment. When we return after a hard day’s work, we turn to music to unwind. When we are upset, it is music that we turn to. Music fills you up with joy, it touches your soul”, said the other. “Every note struck, every string plucked, every fret held, according to me, is a sensation ten times better than the best of the orgasms (laughs)”, said the third.

The essence of music so beautifully and simplistically described!

They agreed to pose for a picture!

What was supposed to be just an evening stroll under the wet city lights turned out to be one of the most memorable experiences for me. I had never witnessed something like this before. I don’t know who they were, what they did, where they were from. I don’t even know their names. All I know is music has the power to break barriers and turn strangers to friends. The group of people surrounding the boys were not people they knew or were friends with. They were people who had joined them in their merrymaking. And it was just one common factor that brought them together. Music. Every single soul present there could relate to the resonance that the mood and music yielded.

Maybe that is what people mean when they talk about the spirit of Mumbai – the city that never sleeps. Mumbai has fascinated everyone who has visited it and made it their home – artists, writers, musicians, tourists. I saw a different Mumbai that day – a city that is not always in a rush. A city that knows how to enjoy the simple pleasures of life. A city where people have the time to share each others happiness. A city that celebrates life. A city with a heart.

Backpacker Hostels – Changing the Way India Travels

The common area of Zostel Jaipur – where strangers become friends. Picture Courtesy: Prachita Pandey

Bean bags, comfortable sofas, colourful cushions, bright Indian-themed posters, board games, a small library, a world map with imprints of travellers, and a couple of guitars fill the Zostel common room. A group of young backpackers shared their travel stories with each other over cups of coffee. Another group planned a visit to a Rajasthani eating joint for lunch while a third group played cards and enjoyed a few drinks. One could hear a few ecstatic voices coming from the gaming zone while, in the dining area, a couple of Indians offered “the famous Rawat ki pyaaz ki kachori” to some foreigners who had never heard of such a food item in their lives.

I began to wonder how the concept of travel was slowly undergoing a change in India. The advent of backpacker hostels in the country has given the Indian traveller a chance to experiment and try out newer ways of travelling. Backpacker hostels like Zostel, Stops, Jugaadus among others have provided people, especially the youth, with social, cheap and safe accommodations while they travel. Moreover, they offer a good alternative to untidy hotels and foul-smelling washrooms. Most of these hostels are anything but that. Besides being safe, hygienic and inexpensive, they offer well-lit and clean rooms, ample facilities, and a strong “social vibe”.

Located inside a narrow lane on Hawamahal Road in Jaipur, Zostel is the perfect hub for travellers who are looking to explore the old city of Jaipur with all its pink buildings, chaotic streets, clustered shops, bustling lanes, local food and history. The hostel offers free Wi-Fi, laundry service, a common kitchen for travellers to cook, library and much more for just under 500 bucks.

Common Area of Zostel Jaipur. Picture Courtesy: Prachita Pandey

Backpacker hostels provide the best option for young travellers travelling on a tight budget. We cannot deny that there is a barrage of young travellers including college students with a penchant for adventure and a desire to explore their own country.” There has been a shift in the attitude of Indian travellers toward travel and a newfound enthusiasm to explore the unexplored. They wish to expand their knowledge about the different cultures across the world and backpacker hostels provide just the suitable platform to further social interactions between travellers.

Most of these hostels organize parties, music events, travel talks and get-togethers where backpackers get to exchange travel stories. They also organize bonfires and help travellers plan their itineraries for excursions within the city and nearby regions. Recently, Zostel Jaipur organized a travel talk during the Jaipur Literature Festival where three eminent travel bloggers interacted with a host of other travellers and exchanged ideas and different ways of travel. It felt amazing to see people from different cultures coming together and getting along like a house on fire. Backpacker Hostels try to provide a holistic experience to their boarders, something they can cherish for life.

Corridor of Zostel Jaipur. Picture Courtesy: Prachita Pandey

Also, the Indian youth has begun to embrace the idea of solo travel which makes the presence of backpacker hostels in the country even more important. “Nowadays, people are quitting their jobs to solo travel. Travel is being seen as an instrument of self-discovery and many travellers are seeing solo travel as a way of alleviating their fear or nervousness”, says Sanjay Sodhi, the owner of Jugaadus, Amritsar. But isn’t safety an issue, especially for women? “Initially, we would get a lot of queries about safety from women solo travellers especially foreigners. With rapes and molestations making headlines all over the world, their concern was obvious. But slowly things changed. We addressed those concerns and made sure that they get all the help they need with their travel plans. Also, I think the whole idea behind a backpacker hostel is to provide safe accommodation.”

Sodhi also says that while Jugaadus entertains a host of foreign backpackers, Indians contribute to only ten percent of the entire year’s footfall. He adds that it’s nevertheless an encouraging figure. It shows that Indians are opening up to the idea of backpacker hostels and are getting more “adventurous” with even the most diffident people willing to give it a try.

Needless to say, backpacker hostels have filled a huge vacuum that existed in the Indian travel industry. They are for those crazy travellers who want a taste of adventure. They are for the ones who never dared to solo travel before. They are for the ones who wish to know about different cultures. Backpacker hostels are here to change the way India travels.

Singapore Diaries

The 8-minute Fireworks Show at Marina Bay Sands on New Years’ Eve

The machine refused to accept our MRT tickets, thereby making it difficult for us to get out of the Farrer Park Metro Station. It was 1.45 am and we couldn’t spot a single soul at the station – not even a security guard whom we could ask for help. My friend and I were frantically looking around in the hope of spotting someone who could help. We finally came across an Indian family stuck in the same situation as ours, except for two members whose tickets were working.

So we, as Indians who are famous for ‘jugaad’, came up with an idea. One of us, whose tickets were working, swiped it and, as soon as the gates opened, went and stood there, thereby stopping the gates from closing and making it possible for all the others to get out before moving away. Phew! All of us walked out relieved that we didn’t have to climb barricades to get out of the station! We were also surprised that the police didn’t pull us up the next day for trespassing considering there were CCTV cameras installed all around the MRT station.

So that’s how I ushered in the New Year, also having enjoyed the magnificent fireworks display (the 6-hour wait truly paid off!) with thousands of other revellers at Merlion Park in Singapore.

I was visiting Singapore for the third time and was amazed to see how much the city had changed in the last few years. There were high rises in almost every block. The city had transformed itself into a tourist spot. It had also become more expensive!

View of the city from the Singapore Flyer

The Singapore Flyer, which was under construction when I had last visited, was now of the height of a 42-storey building. I was dumbstruck when I saw bird-eye views of the beautiful city and its famous landmarks like Gardens by the Bay, Singapore Grand Prix and Marina Bay Sands from the topmost point of the Flyer.

The Light and Sound Show at Gardens by the Bay

Our eight-day vacation included everything from a tour of Gardens by the Bay to a 3-day stay at the Sentosa Islands where we indulged in adventure sports and went for an evening cable car ride enjoying the night view of the island. We also visited the Jurong Bird Park and took the River Safari to get a glimpse of the wildlife that the city had to offer. I was quite sad at not being able to enjoy the Night Safari – blame the two-hour long queue – despite going there. But the Fire and Sound Show that we saw after facing disappointment at the Safari, more than made up for it. The stunts performed by the group were so amazing that we ended up watching the show twice.

Flamingos at the Jurong Bird Park

I had heard a lot about the nightlife in the city. So it would have been foolish of us to leave Singapore without visiting Clarke Quay – the hub of party enthusiasts. One look around the area and I knew I had found the perfect place to unwind after a tiring day. Clarke Quay is a convolution of concept bars, buzzing nightclubs and restaurants, shopping and recreation centres. We figured that the best way to enjoy the view would be to either take a walk along the river or a boat tour that starts at Clarke Quay itself. So we did both and what an overwhelming experience it was!.

Chilling at Clarke Quay

Travellers, like me, in search of solitude can stroll along the beaches of Sentosa Islands. After five eventful days in the city, all I wanted to do was relax and enjoy a few drinks at the beach while watching the sun go down. Watching the wet sand slipping away from beneath my feet while soaking in the last rays of the sun was the best feeling ever. I would sit at the bar all alone just gazing at the sea without a care in the world.

The beautiful sunset at Sentosa Island

Singapore has something to offer to everyone. You just need to go out there and explore. Just take a map, travel and discover the city by yourself. You will be amazed at what you can find. Well, I am definitely going back for more!

 

6 Reasons Why I Miss Calcutta

“If you want a city with a soul, come to Calcutta.” – Vir Sanghvi

Leaving the city to pursue my dreams was difficult. Why wouldn’t it be? After all, Calcutta (I refuse to call it Kolkata) has been my home for almost 22 years. The old world charm, the street food, the warmth of the people – there are countless reasons as to why I miss Calcutta so much. However, I am going to list only six of them.

1. The mouthwatering Puchkas: A way better and tastier version of the Pani Puri in Mumbai, Puchka is mashed potatoes mixed with cumin powder, chilli powder/paste, salt, black salt and green chillies stuffed into an oval-shaped Puri with tangy pani. And yes, they do not add “meetha chutney” like the Mumbai ones!

   

   Picture Courtesy: http://www.foodbug.com

2. A memorable boat ride along the Hooghly river: There’s nothing more peaceful or surreal than taking a “nauka” ride along the river while watching the sunset with the Vidyasagar Setu in the foreground. Add to that a bhaanr’er cha at the ghat and you are sorted for the day. 

   

   Princep Ghat, Calcutta

3. The Book Fair that is organized every year: Calcuttans begin their New Year with the biggest and the grandest celebration of books and literature. The Calcutta Book fair is Asia’s largest book fair. We live for the love of books. If you need proof, visit College Street – the second largest secondhand book market in the world. It is said that if you don’t find a book in College Street, it probably never existed. 

   

   Picture Courtesy: http://www.traveltriangle.com

4. The biggest celebration called the Durga Puja: Calcutta decks up like a bride for this festival with around 5000 pandals set up throughout the city. The streets turn into open buffets with food stalls located in every nook and corner offering people the best street food. Calcuttans throng to these pandals in their best attires and celebrate the 7-day extravaganza which includes the dhunuchi naach and the sindoor khela. The city just doesn’t sleep. Durga Puja is, without a doubt, the best time to visit Calcutta.

   

   Baghbazaar Sarbojonin – The most famous Durga idol

5. And then there is Christmas in Park Street: Christmas and New Year celebrations begin right after Durga Puja gets over. People visit Park Street – the party hub of Calcutta – and celebrate like there is no tomorrow.

   

   Picture Courtesy: http://www.news24nation.com

6. Last but not the least, the laidback attitude: Calcutta moves at its own pace. People are never in a rush to go anywhere. They wake up late and go to bed late.

   

   Picture Courtesy: http://www.timescity.com

Like Rabindranath Tagore had once said, “So in the streets of Calcutta, I sometimes imagine myself a foreigner, and only then do I discover how much is to be seen, which is lost so long as its full value in attention is not paid. It is the hunger to really see which drives people to travel to strange places.”