There is a lot more to Mumbai than the mouth-watering food (If you can handle the spice, that is), Bollywood movies and dance “numbers”, the beautiful story behind every monument, the festivals and traffic that just doesn’t seem to lessen. I mean, where are all these vehicles coming from?
Anyway, I’m going to talk about, and pay attention ladies, shopping. Because I think it’s one of the best things you can do. Shop. ‘Whoever said money can't buy happiness simply didn't know where to go shopping.’ right? Speaking of, I can tell you one thing- Shopping in Mumbai takes skill. It’s more of an art, if you please. But once you get the hang of it, you may find it extremely difficult to get rid of it. I sure as hell do.
Mumbai is not only known for its shopping malls, brands like Sabyasachi and Manish Malhotra and Manish Arora and some particularly shady boutiques, but also (and ESPECIALLY, to us locals) for its local markets that sell just about everything from bags to vintage gramophones. Who knew? Shopping for women here usually begins and ends with Colaba Causeway. Or Linking road. Or Hill Road. Or Fashion Street. Or Crawford Market. I am not going to discuss all of these places at length. Got to give the other topics a chance, right?
Colaba Causeway is a place that is often frequented by locals and firangs. I don’t blame them, really. Beautiful clothes, accessories, books, antiques and cozy little cafés to go to after a long, tiring day. What’s not to love? But like I said, it takes skill. We all know Mumbai’s hawkers love to trick people into buying things for a cost much higher than what is necessary. So.. You bargain. You bargain like your life depends on it! In my mother’s words, ‘Show them who’s boss’. Now, that is not for everyone because these hawkers can be really persistent and over time have learnt the art of face reading (Or whatever Cal Lightman stuff it is they do). So, the trick is to act all cool and pretend like there are better things to do in life even though head goes all ‘I WANT IT! I DO!!!’. If that doesn’t work, you go to another guy and compare prices. It rarely ever happens that you don’t get something you‘ve set your heart on. Chill out! There’s always better stuff out there. Trust me, there always is.
Crawford market is another fun place to go to for shopping. This is not the place you go to to find fancy shmancy clothes though. This place if for ‘Fresh fruits madam, imported food madam, party items madam. Very cheap. Come, have look’. I remember buying some real funny “party items” from here for my best friend’s eighteenth birthday. And if your pet’s been a real good boy, this is where you come for his favourite treats.
But more than anything, I like Mumbai for its sarees and kurtis or any piece of ethnic clothing, for that matter. Because that is what defines us. The intricate designs, the material, the ability to look good on anyone. It bothers me that women and men here pay less attention to what’s their own just because there is a Zara outlet at the end of the street. But no, we just won’t stop. We shall never back down. We shall.. Make dhoti pants and jhodpuris and sarees that come in the form of shorts (what?). Because we will never stop loving what the city has to offer. Even if we don’t wear sarees everywhere, we sure as hell will incorporate at least a little Mumbai to whatever it is we have on.
Mumbai may still be the home of Vada Pavs, cutting chai and crowded (Understatement much?) trains. But some of us need to shop now. So, see you at Causeway?
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