The insider-outsider city trail

Soon after a family wedding of which we were a part had wrapped up we comfortably slipped into our city guide avatar for visiting cousins Despite the hectic schedule that comes with bigticket shaadis it was a breeze as compared to navigating multiple tasklists while sporting threeinch heelsAs it turned out these relatives had their fair share of memories from their time as professionals in the city at some point in their lives For many this visit was after ages so their references to the lsquothenrsquo and lsquonowrsquo proved insightful The wish list was like The Wonder Years as one remarked towards the end of this curated Mumbai DarshanCafe Mondegar was the unanimous choice They were keen to relive those moments perhaps sans the madness with their spouses and kids The Gateway of India and Marine Drive were predictable inclusions With two middle schoolers their kids tagging along the younger generationsrsquo reactions later made for cool observations too We reached the quiet stretch near the otherwise busy Kala Ghoda before walking towards Apollo Bunder While the Chhatrapati Shivaji Vastu Sangrahalaya was shut for Diwali a miss for our junior target audience halts like the INS Vikrant model on a traffic island the Maharashtra State Police Headquarters and the adjacent Wellington Fountain offered several frameworthy opportunitiesBefore we could settle down for the return pilgrimage to lsquoMondeezrsquo the walk down CSMT Marg to catch a glimpse of the Gateway beckoned ldquoWhatrsquos with such massive crowdsrdquo one of my cousins exclaimed noticing a dramatic shift in numbers Somehow we jostled our way crossing a wobbly ramp that led us to the landmark ldquoA lot has changed I remember riding on a bike all the way up to hererdquo he sighed while indicating the point where he and his friends had biked up to get a closer look at the landmark Yes that was a long long time ago I reminded him Managing the picture postcard frame with the structure in the background and without disruptors wasnrsquot easy Gazing at the cityrsquos most famous landmark was no longer a walk in the parkSoon we realised that the exit point was also via the same rickety ramp It called for some serious navigating alongside the teeming nowdoubled crowds As a cityworrier we hope that the powersthatbe have a solutionbased executable blueprint to make it a visitorfriendly site It wasnrsquot for us and we could tell that our guests did not expect this kind of a hurried experience while on their return yatraThankfully our timing to enter Cafe Mondegar after the challenging episode was perfect given that we managed to bag one of the coveted tables overlooking the streetscape on the arterial Lansdowne Road The recollections rolled out as quickly as the jukebox belted out songs from its retro playlist From oldtime favourites like Keema Pao and Garlic Bread to Fish and Chips two generations did justice to the menu Gradually it became clear how such spaces emerge as iconic to outoftowners It joins the dots to their favourite moments while in the city There were other warm vignettes as well mdash the jukebox selection beerlaced chuckles the souvenir Tshirt and yes the equally iconic cityscape tribute captured by Mario Miranda that drew praise from all at the table A sweet gesture from the waiting staff for the kids in the form of candy bars added a thoughtful touch to the lsquolandmark returnrsquoWelltanked up we headed towards Marine Drive for a seaside signoff Walking down the pavements drew reminisces that yoyoed from hilarious drunk dialling episodes to soaking in the stone masonry of the David Sassoon Library and Reading Room The Victorian Gothic ensemble including the University campus and the Rajabai Clock Tower and the Bombay High Court made for the ideal mini classroom to share factoids with our young friends the artfullylitup ensemble did its bit to increase the wow factor as did the Western Railways headquarters and the restored Eros building However our joy was shortlived as we approached the promenade Crowds similar to those at the Gateway greeted us While the Queenrsquos Necklace didnrsquot disappoint with its dazzle and shimmer the sea of humanity was a sight to behold and I guess would have created an impression on the young and notsoyoung in ways that we will be reminded of possibly on their next visit Most Bombaywallahs love their ice cream there exists an inexplicable urge to indulge in it each time the sea is in view We were keen that the group bid goodbye to the city on an icy saccharine noteTrail done it got us thinking that a rich landmarkfilled city like ours is all about the memories even for its visitors Except that the script is a bit different Some of us might not even lsquogetrsquo their BombayMumbai meri jaan moment But itrsquos special enough to treasure as well as share with their children as we witnessed That we believe is the definitive most democratic way that underlines why we continue to call ours an iconic citymiddayrsquos Features Editor Fiona Fernandez relishes the cityrsquos sights sounds smells and stoneswherever the ink and the inclination takes her She tweets bombayanaSend your feedback to mailbagmiddaycomThe views expressed in this column are the individualrsquos and donrsquot represent those of the paper