Hard to Convince

Time and again, someone or other, usually someone who doesn't live here any more will hear the fact that I don't like the city (if they are impatient) or will listen to me rant against the city (if they are patient), and will then try to convince me about how I will begin to like this city soon enough. How at first, they all hated it and by the time they left, were extremely fond of it. And every time I hear that, I want to dunk them in the sewer that calls itself Mumbai.

But it could still be good for your health. Last night, I got back from Bangalore where I had gone for three days. On the way to my house from the airport, which is a 20 minute drive at most, I did all sorts of respiratory exercises. Well, to be fair, the bulk of it involved simply holding my breath on account of the stench all around. And I am hoping it was good for the lungs. I am glad I will be out of this shithole soon enough.

Shithole is hardly an exaggeration. Not that I tried keeping a tab, but I would have lost count even if I had tried to count the number of people I have seen shitting along the local train tracks every morning on my way to work. Not exactly the best wake-up call, so to speak. And since this is not angel shit but quite human instead, it smells as such. It also makes for funny sights sometimes. Like the 5-year old shitting on the sidewalk while god pissed down from the sky in great fury and his 7-year old sister holding an umbrella over them both.

And I used to think once upon a time that the rain cleanses everything it touches...