It's been 19 years since we came back to Mumbai. Majority of this period has been spent in Nabard Nagar, Kandivli. Can't even begin to explain the importance of Nabard Nagar in our whole group's lives. All our schooling, college and graduation has happened in this period. Even the first 4 years of my job and the whole traveling to Navi Mumbai in a Sumo, a long but mostly enjoyable journey was done from here. The bond to the place is as strong as the relationships we made here. So after 17 years, after Dad's retirement, when we moved out of Nabard Nagar, it was a bit difficult to let go of the house and the colony.
Family shifted to Bangalore and I moved to Navi Mumbai. This was my first experience living in the other end of Mumbai. Till that time I was just traveling to that place for office. It was pretty different in the beginning and adjustment took a little while. One of the many advantages living there was that office was just 15 minutes away. Got so much more extra time to.... well....eventually waste in timepass......but still have started to think that our homes should be nearer to offices. It saves so much more time which otherwise is fruitlessly spent in traffic in the bigger cities at least. Another advantage was that I was much nearer to my uncle's place and was able to visit them almost every other weekend. Staying near Vashi made it much more simpler with fast access to malls and theaters....and that's what we used to do every weekend.
But then with 2 job changes, I found myself traveling back to Andheri, right back to the western suburbs. The worst part is that I had to travel to Kurla, which I personally feel is one of the worst stations in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. Also my client office is located in such a pathetic place, that getting public transport is a pain. Finally we decided to move to the western suburbs where traveling would be much easier. I really have to thank my roommates wholeheartedly for supporting this decision. If they had decided not to move, then I wouldn't have either as traveling issues are secondary compared to living with these guys.
Neways leaving aside senti dialogues, we moved to Kandivli cos somewhere the heart said, western suburbs = Kandivli. Got a nice little place just near the highway making it convenient to travel to our offices. For me it was kind of a homecoming. It didn't take even a day to settle back in. Back to the familiar area, back to watching all the nonsense movies with more people, knowing where to get whatever we want, the bookstore guy who gives me concessions is here, the only guy still living in Nabard Nagar and one of my closest friends is near again, so are a few family friends.......this list can go on. Even parents were happy that I moved back here. Only one disadvantage is that our almost fourth roommate is not able to come here as frequently as he could make it in Navi Mumbai. That is one thing which we miss quite a bit. We have had 2-3 nightouts learning to gamble with cards.
Somehow I feel "Am Back Home". It's all good. :-)
