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 Its the street food that makes Mumbai special! From the chana-wallahs at Gateway, to ganna-wallahs and paan-wallahs, seemingly at every corner; and the vada-paav bakdas at Fountain. And of course, Bademiya in the seedy gulli behind the Taj Mahal Hotel. As a school kid, I remember the rickety cart on the sidewalk coming to life after the carpet and antique stores had closed for the day. Baida-roti and boti-kebabs were the big draw then. We gaped in awe of Bollywood stars hanging out there in the early hours of the morning - way, way past my bedtime! Now its a very elaborate affair and Bademiya has acquired legendary status on Bombay's culinary circuit. There are two elaborate stalls (you can't call these carts any more). Folding tables and chairs on sidewalks seat about 50. Waitstaff in uniforms are ever present serving your every need. But they can't do anything about that open drain next to our table, or that mangy dog walking uncomfortably close by. Managers are constantly taking orders for 'take-out' and cars drive by to pick up their stuff. Drugs and skin trade is live and well too. None of this bothers me as I grew up in the thick of this area. This IS the real bombay, my dear! The hippies are all hanging out at the Cafe Leopold around the corner, munching on peanuts, burping beer and rolling joints. Or you can always go to the sterile Delhi Darbar - a stones throw away. For me, I'll take a few orders of their kebabs and kheema roti, the calico street cat rubbing against my leg not withstanding. |
Workers sweating over the grill. WoT! Gloves and all, to give a veneer of hygiene.  I can smell the kebabs at my keyboard. Brain playing tricks again!  The lucky dudes got seats. We had to wait 15 minutes. Snobs of course sit and eat in their cars. They don't want the low-life ogling their perfumed girl friends.  cross posted from my journal and on ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/community.gif?v=92.2){kind=small} indiaphotoalbum |
April 25 2006, 03:26:55 UTC 6 years ago
April 25 2006, 17:58:10 UTC 6 years ago
April 25 2006, 06:42:03 UTC 6 years ago
memories.
Snobs of course sit and eat in their cars. They don't want the low-life ogling their perfumed girl friends.
its not about ppl ogling ppl's gf's. its just a matter of convenience. also, if they step'd out of their cars to use one of the tables, you'd have had to wait longer for your table, no?
April 25 2006, 18:09:58 UTC 6 years ago
if they step'd out of their cars to use one of the tables, you'd have had to wait longer for your table, no?
waah! what logic! Certainly, folks who drive there are not entertaining such noble thoughts.
At the street level there is a certain class-ism. Folks in cars want to eat the great food, but why deal with all the zhunjhat of finding a place, dealing with the draining sewer on the sidewalk and rabid dogs. They could still take it to go and eat at home or park their car down the street. But parking right in front (because they can) perhaps impresses the chick in the car and feeds the ego, ergo the class-ism.
Besides, my choice of words (low-life, ogling and perfumed), which were not central to the post, makes the writing a little edgier, giving it a little 'tension', no?
April 26 2006, 04:22:31 UTC 6 years ago
April 26 2006, 14:32:46 UTC 6 years ago
In retrospect I notice in my other posts, that I routinely take a shot at the affluent; actually the pseudo-affluent or the 'newly monied,' who feel the need to show it off.
... and I am one of the gaadi-walas and perhaps it was my subconscious attempt to be one with the smaller guys.
but thanks for pointing it out. :-)
April 27 2006, 04:40:01 UTC 6 years ago
thankfully you did see my point. i was afraid you'd be out for my blood!
I am one of the gaadi-walas and perhaps it was my subconscious attempt to be one with the smaller guys.
:)
April 27 2006, 17:22:16 UTC 6 years ago
the thought never crossed my mind.
actually I cherished your insight, your willingness to share it and helped me with my future writing. :-)
April 25 2006, 09:06:44 UTC 6 years ago
April 25 2006, 18:10:50 UTC 6 years ago
and thanks
:-)
April 28 2006, 22:32:30 UTC 6 years ago
Cheerz,
Denz
May 1 2006, 04:13:58 UTC 6 years ago
:-)
May 3 2006, 13:33:39 UTC 6 years ago
May 3 2006, 13:48:30 UTC 6 years ago
:-)