Places
to Stay
Shopping
Mumbai has a humid climate. Except in winter (after November) expect to get your shirts sticky. New arrivals generally have tummy rumbles for a couple of days before adjustment. Mumbai is a congested city. Traffic is dense. Industrial pollution is very evident in places like Kurla, Chembur and New Mumbai. Most slum areas lack sanitary facilities, especially along the railway tracks. many residents have a mild chronic throat or nose irritation (rhinitis), possibily due to air pollution. Apart from glaring lapses in public health, Mumbai health care is excellent.
Mumbai has a wide range of hospitals catering to various income levels. Besides the elite Private hospitals, even the Government and Municipal hospitals in Mumbai are arguably among the best in India. Notable amongst the elite are Bombay Hospital, Breach Candy, Hinduja, Leelavati, etc.
Fitness Centres:-- Many citizens take part in fitness related activities like walking, jogging, yoga, going to the gym etc. The more well-known fitness centres are Talwalkars, Mickey Mehta, Davidsons, 10 - The Health Spa.
Actually the average person in Mumbai has very little time for leisure. Leisure time or holidays is used in getting personal things done, or just catching up on sleep! Watching TV seems to be the current leisure activity in Mumbai. Younger crowd spends some leisure time on the web. But only a small proportion PLAN to take up leisure activities systematically, and only these persons manage to make use of their leisure time. Really speaking goofing off is the main leisure activity, unwinding from the daily grind so to speak. (This is in MARKED contrast to other cities.)
Amusement parks: Essel World -----seems to be quite popular. On the west coastline 70 km from city centre, 70 Km. Nearest Railway Stations are Malad or Borivali, from where the journey must be made by road or sea (ferry). Also approachable by road via Bhayander on Western Express Highway. 11:00 am to 19:00 pm Open all days. They have Discos , Childrens Play Area, Indoor Games, etc.
Fantasy Land ---- 29 Km. Nearest Railway Station Andheri (East) Bus Routes 442 from Andheri (E), 523 from Borivali (East)
Water Kingdom ---from Malad or Borivali, or Bhayandar . Highlights-Water slides for kids. Admission: Adults Rs. 120/- Kids Rs. 100/-
Cinema Halls: The better ones are Regal, Sterling, Eros, Maratha Mandir, Minerva, Plaza, Liberty and Satyam/Sachinam. On the whole going to the cinema is not an outing like in other cities.
Dramatics: The more famous drama theatres are Prithvi Theatres(juhu) , Sahitya Shivaji Mandir (Charni Road), Shivaji Mandir (Dadar), Rang Sharda(bandra), Tejpal hall (gowalia tank) Sophia's, Nehru Centre(worli). In the suburbs the popular auditoria are Dinanath Natyagriha (Vile Parle E),Kalidas Natyagriha (Mulund), Prabodhankar Thakre Hall (Borivli W).
Night life: Most of the downtown restaurants in hotels have floor shows. Usually a band is in attendance. The scene is shifting to the suburbs here too.
Music and dance shows: Music 'circles' are active and organise musical evenings. They generally belt out popular hindi film music and old songs. You find them taking place in all odd areas and times. They are most prominent during festival seasons.
"Mujra" and "Qawwali" nites are organised in season at various auditoria. In any case, a huge number of cultural and social associations organise some thing or other all year long: a look at current events guides from newwpapers, city web sites and so on is the best place to get information.
Discos:
The discotheques in Mumbai, unlike those in Bangalore stay open pretty late.
The trendier ones have names like :
Head Quarters, Colaba
Cyclone, Andheri
More Maddness, Khar
Twice As Nice, Dadar
J - 49, Juhu
Razzberry Rhinocerous, Bandra
Club IX, Bandra
Pubs:
Popular pubs are :
Grand Canyon- (Kumaria Presidency Hotel) Andheri
Panposh- Bandra
Totos Garage- Bandra
Merlins- (Hotel Orchid) Vile Parle East
Nest- (Hotel Valajanu) Borivali
Library Bar- (President Hotel) Cuffe Parade
Jazz By The Bay- Marine Drive
Geoffery's- (Marine Plaza Hotel) Marine Drive
Ghetto's Pub- Mahalaxmi
Tavern(Fariyas Hotel)- Colaba
Scream- Vile Parle
The Windows- August Kranti Maidan rd
Cafe Mondegar- Colaba
Leopold Pub- Colaba
Gokul Bar- Colaba
The Garden Bar- Church Gate
source:mumbai2000.com
WORK
CULTURE & ROUND UP
Employees
are self starters, resourceful and get on with the job, deliver on their
own without constant prodding--this is the opinion of senior HR managers.
This is seen right from unskilled work to very complex jobs too. There is
also a co operative spirit. There are any number of professional associations.
Women's issues: Women are treated exactly as men with a little bit of regard maybe but that's all. There is very little "eve teasing" or harassment of women by louts like in Delhi. More than such crimes, property crimes are the ones to watch out for. For young working women Mumbai is a grind, but they say it is worth it compared to other metros. New arrivals, both men and women are surprised and annoyed that they are pushed and jostled rudely --by men and women alike--- in crowded areas. They take a week to understand nobody even looks at them, just want them to get out of the way. Then they too efficiently start using the Mumbai elbow-and-shoulder technique.
Elderly people: Mumbai is NOT a good place for elderly people. In the suburban localities, like minded elderly people tend to get together (for instance on early morning walks) but travelling downtown is troublesome. Those who hail from joint families may feel lonely at first.
Pros and cons of Mumbai - who is it good for: EXCELLENT for young
people just beginning their careers: Mumbai work experience is invaluable,
not just for professional reasons but also as an educational experience.
It is great for "learning fanatics" and self starters. The value of discipline
and systematic, methodical application which even a short stay in Mumbai
engenders, lasts a lifetime.
It is NOT a recommended relocation destination for people planning their retirement.
For mid career professionals it really depends on the nature of the job but generally the hidden costs of relocation ( children's studies, etc), the stress of living in Mumbai etc dampens such moves.
Obviously the pace being frenetic, everybody is in a hurry. Also, since people are thrown together in groups, in order to respect the other persons' privacy, people tend to absolutely mind ther own business. This on the surface looks like aloofness or unfriendliness. Actually it is a matter of respecting the others' privacy.
On the flip side, people tend to align in "groups" after work. Children naturally play sports and games and they are another link between families. Most regional cultures are well represented here, and they often meet.
Often new arrivals say "it a lonely unfriendly place" New arrivals tend to feel lonely at first. Depends upon the interests. In the opinion of old Mumbai hands, sports is the quickest way, cricket for instance. For those with specialised interests like literature, it will take longer, but it is rewarding. Music groups are found everywhere, right from rock and pop to classical western and Hindustani and Carnatic. One can also join part time courses for foreign languages, personality development, the arts and crafts, dance, music, etc.,which are conducted by reputed organisations and private institutions. Internet Relay Chat is said to be successful in making new friends and the Mumbai crowd is quite active here. The more adventurous, for example, can tag along with hikers' clubs and clamber over the hills between Mumbai and Pune.
Socialising: This is a matter to beware of. Unlike in other Indian cities, people do not drop in unannounced on holidays and Sundays. This is because usually the people have planned for something or decided simply to catch up on their sleep. Usually it is better to fix social visits beforehand. Parties are commonly thrown on weekends. Picnics to nearby areas are often organised. Major festivals are infectious, as newcomers soon realise.
Could your husband land a job in Mumbai too?: Men can get jobs in Mumbai too. The lesser IQ does not matter in Mumbai, really. Skills, of any type, are always in demand in Mumbai. As far as women having to do a full time children-and house-keeping job, those with some time on their hands can make extra money even with their traditional skills for instance in cooking are appreciated tremendously - many have started small businessess too.
A
good source of information on mumbai is:
www.123india.com
Many links available for further information on Mumbai specific to your
requirements.
www.bombuy.com ---- city information, directory, services
www.cafemumbai.com ---- city portal
www.chalomumbai.com ---- city portal
www.city4u.com/mumbai----- maps, movies, weekend retreats
www.dombivalionline.com ---proudly claims to be " cultural capital of Mumbai
"
www.dombivlionline.com ----mini portal for a suburb of sorts
www.esselworld.com ---- amusement park in Mumbai
www.fultoo.com --- movies, music, medicine, travel in Mumbai
www.himumbai.com ---- city guide, government info
www.mmrdamumbai.org ----Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority
members.tripod.com/~PGeorge-----Mumbai 59 -- local info on suburbs of marol
village, Kondivita, JB Nagar
www.mumbai-central.com ---- portal on-line index
www.mumbai-mart.com/index.html--city directory and city information. www.mumbaineeds.com
---- yellow pages etc
www.mumbainet.com ---- about the city of Mumbai
www.mumbaipolice.com ---- Mumbai Police
www.mumbai-suburbs.com ---- Mumbai Suburbs portal
www.mumbaisuburbs.com ---- another Mumbai Suburbs portal
www.mumbaizone.com ---- portal
www.prithvitheatre.org ---- Prithvi Theatre
www.mumbaiairport.com ---- airport enquiry, international & domestic air
timings
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