For eastern suburbanites like yours truly, there was a time during our growing up years, when heading to Bandra felt like a mini adventure; and was at par with the planning that was required if the family had to visit 'town' aka SoBo, for the many annual pre-Christmas shopping trips to Crawford Market and Colaba.

But come September in those days, and the mention of Bandra meant only one thing – Bandra Fair. Planning for the visit would begin in late August. The departure from our respective homes needed clockwork precision as it had to coincide with the BEST bus route timings (route 422). The day of the visit was either a Thursday (it was a school holiday) or a Sunday. The final group size had to include sufficient numbers of adults [we'll get to the reason later]. The bachcha log looked forward to this trip. Chicken and ham sandwiches were packed in pre-Tupperware era containers; everybody had to carry their own water bottle and hand napkin, and at least one aunt had in her multi-utility hand bag — the 'other' bag. Yes, we never forgot the bag that would come to the rescue of at least one unsuspecting victim from the pack who fell sick during the over hour-long journey.