Two Friends and an Activa - A City to Discover

Two Friends set out on a trip

On a trusted Activa

To discover the city

Take in the sights and sound of it

One all excited

While the other nervous

Excited cause he had never seen 

the city like this

He had not really seen the city

The other nervous 

Cause he was never driven so far before

But still they gung-ho to take on the trip

So after quick of milk and coffee

(who had what is for you to decide)

So they rode the highway 

Trying to outrace the sun as it rose in the sky

Their first stop was an area 

where horses raced

While on the other side 

Lay the a holy place in the midst of the sea

Where men were trying to 

Reclaim land from the sea

They took in the sight and clicked pics

Then they rode up the road

Where most runners

Call their bette noire

Passing a structure 

that stood out like a sore thumb 

Till  they came to beach that mostly empty 

They walked casually on the sand

Admiring the vastness of the  endless sea

That lay in front of them

Boats bobbed leisurely with the waves

That broke as they reached the shore

They rode down the Queens Necklace

That was lit in a different way

They then stopped at the end point

Where running groups usually gathered 

A carnival like atmosphere 

That was now mostly bare

As scare of the virus hung there

By then they had rode for quite the while

And their stomach began to growl

For the  breakfast they had yet to have 

So they rode to the local Irani place

And had some kheema gotala and Burji pav

And a cup of tea and coffee

Again it’s for you to decide who had what

They then went to the Gate way 

And stood there by the hotel 

That was once under siege 

By now the nervous one grew confident 

And there was so much of his life

He wanted to share

He wanted him to see

So he pointed out to him

The college which he went to

The church he was baptised in

The school that he attended

The house where he lived

Stopping in between by bakery

Where they picked up 

Kahari, Danishes, Croissants and Nankatai

And if that wasn’t enough

He took him to the Church on the Mount

And the Fort by the sea

Which unfortunately closed 

at that time of the day

So they prayed and had an ice cream

And left from there

They said they would be back 12

But now it was three

They had rode all morning

And now it was almost evening

Their knee felt sore

Their butt numb

But in the end they were happy

Cause one got to see the city

The other got over his fears

And was able to share

A huge piece of his life

And he was happy he could do it

So in they end they were contented

Cause they were able to do something 

They had not done before

And share moments in the beautiful 

Maximum City!!!

A Trip... 40 years in the making

 It’s strange how you wait all your life to make it to a place and when you get there it feels, like, ok, very meh. I remember all through my growing years, wanting to come out here and live here, just like my cousins. Used to see the life they had and wanted the same life for myself and my family, ok I was a little selfish kiddo, wanted for myself. But as I grew older (and now I am old) the sheen for the place sort of just slowly faded away, to the extent that I began to feel like yeah, i know I am in Dubai.

I know my mum is all excited about the trip, way more excited than I am, after all she gets to go on her third trip abroad, third trip to Dubai, but most importantly she gets to spend it with all her children. So I guess that without a doubt makes her one happy mumma.

Well not that I am acting sullen about the place, ccbehaving like a grinch. Though my perception of it is that it’s a very artificial, very man made place. But then that’s what I have learned from reading about the place. I need to take it in and then maybe change the way I feel about the place.

Already been gobsmacked by the train ride from the Arrivals gate to immigration, passing through the terminals, past the planes and to immigration and baggage  claims. It was one hell of a ride. And after immigration and baggage claims (and a quick trip to Duty Free), it was great to see my sisters, thus completing the family.

The view from my sister’s apartment sure is spectacular, makes you want to go out and explore. And hey that’s just the start of the holidays, makes you curious of what it has in store for you, what does Dubai have in store for you. So yes in away excited to explore the city and see what Dubai has in store. But in the end, the heart is still in Mumbai.