Twenty- five Seven

When the pumpkin was locked out

November 25, 2017

It’s pumpkin time

With Halloween and Thanksgiving just over, it’s been pumpkin time the past few weeks . Last night , it was my turn to become the pumpkin.

In the fairy tale which is now considered perverse or subversive or whatever , Cinderella has to return home by midnight lest she reveals her true identity at the Ball-from-which-she-was-banned. Just before midnight, she tears herself away from the arms of her dreamy prince and gets into her Pumpkin Carriage drawn by six white mice masquerading as horses.

All that Jazz

Last night I was no Cinderella dancing at a ball but enjoyed a lovely jazz concert at the NCPA. It was the opening night of the 3 day International Jazz festival and my dear friend R invited me as she had a ticket to spare.

The festival kicked off with India’s only Latin Jazz band from Kolkata – Latination . I enjoyed the music, two of which were original compositions by the band’s leader Emmanuel Simon. Sanjita Bhattacharya’s rendition of the much loved ‘Besame Mucho’ made me wish I was in a more relaxed setting rather than the formal environs of the NCPA. However that didn’t detract from the music , particularly the more serious stuff that followed without Kevin Davy Quintet from England . It’s band leader Kevin Davy is passionate about Miles Davis and provided a wonderful tribute to this legendary trumpeter.

Unfortunately we couldn’t stay till the end as time was running out for us as my ‘home by midnight ‘ curfew was fast approaching.

In case you don’t know, Friday night sees me in bed at 9 pm. (And Thursday night and every weeknight for that matter . )I sleep early because I wake up early. Almost at the crack of dawn .

IZAYA – The new Thai in Mumbai

So we made a quick exit and went to Amadeus next door for a quick bite before R made her long trek home.

Surprisingly Amadeus was packed and the only option was to go away or sit at the bar of the 2-day-old IZAYA, Chef Farrokh Khambatta’s latest culinary offering.

Despite the steward’s suggestion of the quickest-to-make dishes on the menu, it took a long while before we finished.

I got home just before the clock struck 12. And the door was locked.

I had become a pumpkin after all!!!!
If we were having coffee #FridayReflections

November 24, 2017

Chances are I’d be having a really quick cup of coffee with you simply because I’m being rushed off my feet .

If we were having coffee I’d pour my heart out and tell you how the hot and cold water taps in our bathroom clogged up. I’d tell you how the plumber checked it out and said it was a small job that would take a week to set right

If we were having coffee, I’d tell you how a 6″ pipe fix became a whole bathroom reconstruct ! And how a one week job became a ONE month nightmare.

If we were having coffee I’d tell you about the lovely wine and cheese evening I had at Mumbai’s hippest and happening place – The Quarter.

If we were having coffee, I’d tell you about the fun times I’ve had with friends and family this month soon coming to an end.

If we were having coffee I’d tell you about two birthday parties – one to celebrate 60 and the other 61! I’d tell you about my 60 year old friend and the others in the room . All the ladies of that vintage looking good with their wrinkles and greying hair. They moved well and with grace on their not- so nimble feet but with all the verve and vigour that they did when they were all of 16.

If we were having coffee, I’d tell you about the disappointing art show at Sassoon Docks. Though the theme was recycling it was depressingly real.

If we were having coffee I’d tell you how amazed I am that November has come to an end . How it seamlessly it has slipped from October and into December.

If we were having coffee I’d tell you you about the hazy, grey mornings and the cool evening breezes that have started blowing after sunset.

If we were having coffee I’d tell you how Blissful it is to be woken up by Ms Papaya calling me the Pudge .

And how lovely it is to nuzzle up to Little Po playing dog on all fours.

If we were having coffee I’d tell you how grateful and blessed I am for the life I’m living despite its down moments when I feel terribly low.

We all have our lows but I think they only make the highs more glorious . Don’t you ?

Sharing this with Sanch and Corinne on #FridayReflections
Sunset at Haji Ali #SkywatchFriday

November 24, 2017

Last evening I was off to a wedding reception at BKC or Bandra Kurla Complex, a swanky address for multi nationals and corporates that have shifted out of Ballard Estate, Fort and Nariman Point, the erstwhile prestigious business districts of Bombay.

Once upon a time, Worli was considered the outermost part of the island city while BKC was not even thought of. Bandra was a prime suburb and still remains so while Kurla was always part of the boonies. However, constant expansion of the city’s borders has meant that the original city is a mere fraction of the Greater Mumbai Area and BKC is very much a centrally located business district!

This has also meant long traffic lines on the way home so a half hour wait in the car is considered quite normal especially during peak hours. There are times when it has taken me around 2 hours to traverse a distance of a mere 15 kms so yesterday I was lucky that my journey took only half an hour or so.

The sun was setting and Mumbai was getting ready to welcome a cool November evening when I caught this scene off Haji Ali. Hornby Vellard , the bund road that linked the main island of Mumbai to Worli is a very important linkage. Now rechristened Lala LajpatRai Road to honour the freedom fighter after whom a college of that name stands opposite the mosque, is a pretty road. It is flanked by the sea and the mosque on the west and the verdant grassland of Mumbai’s Royal Western India Turf Club’s race course on the east. The Mahalaxmi Race Course is one of the few places in India where horse racing is still conducted and come Winter, Mumbai’s racing season begins.

Haji Ali itself is a busy pilgrim centre for the Muslims who come to visit the tomb of Haji Ali .

Yet, despite all this busyness, the road has a sense of calm and tranquility.

Sharing this sky with other bloggers from around the world who share their skies on #SkywatchFriday here

Do drop by and see those happy skies.

And to all those celebrating, Happy Thanksgiving !