Hi. How are you all doing? I am enjoying snow in Berlin right now! It isn’t actually snowing though. It’s called “Schnee Regen” -- literal translation is Snow Rain. Whatever it is, I am loving it! Everything covered in white, hot chocolate… Oh yeah! Perfect atmosphere ;)So today, I am trying to compare Aamchi Mumbai with Berlin. Both the cities are really close to my heart. One, my birthplace in which I have spent 16 years of my life and the other, hmm… I haven’t spent much time though (only six months) but I feel at home in this city. While one is the financial capital, the other is the political capital of their respective countries.
Article continues below the advertisement...
First of all, what comes to my mind is the “Population”. Mumbai has a thick population of 13 Million people and Berlin -- 3 Million. At first when I came here it was a bit shocking for me because I am used to seeing tons of people on the streets etc. but soon you adapt to it. Both the cities have a very, very mixed culture. Berlin is very International and has people from all over the globe living here and Aamchi Mumbai has different wonderful cultures of India blending together. Also, it has a big number of people from different countries making it their home, or coming there as tourists. Mumbai is also almost always the city when any big international event of the world is to be launched in India. It’s really fascinating how different people with different backgrounds and upbringings live together and bring a new flavour to the cities.Next comes travelling—Berlin has one of the best public transports in the world, No Doubt! Underground trains called U-Bahn, surface trains called S-Bahn, Trams and Buses take you to any corner of the city! Believe me, any tiny place you name you have public transport for it. The frequency too is quick. Every 4 minutes, there’s a U-Bahn, S-Bahn in around 10 and Bus around 5 minutes. In Mumbai how can you forget our desi trains! In my opinion the best and quickest means of transportation. Also Autos—you have no idea how much I miss them. Buses, taxis again. It has a very good means of public transport -- just that during peak hours, it gets very, very crowded. J Here I would like to add that people do use taxis here but not as often as we do. Firstly, they are pretty expensive unlike ours and secondly, public transport is a better option here.Although it’s becoming a trend in our city too but when it comes to “Eating Out”, Berlin bags the crown! Late Sunday Brunches in a park café,doner/pizza/pasta/noodles etc. at dinner. I don’t say that everyday Berliners eat out but they often do and that’s what I like about them! I really like the food here but yes, kabhi kabhi vo ghar ka khaana yaad aata hai! (Don’t tell my mum, she will kill me ‘cause I never used to like ghar ka khana at home but now I do!). In both the cities, you get food of different countries and continents.Moving on, Schooling in Berlin is hmm… I would say a little easier than ours. I love both!Berlin in general, is a very, very safe city. There aren’t any threats to this city and one thing what I found different here was that No Where in the city will you find metal detectors or stuff like that while entering a 5-star hotel or a mall or cinema hall or whatever. And also, it is perfectly safe to roam around in the city even when it gets dark. For women too, this city is very safe. I can’t say with confidence about the safety of women in Mumbai though they are safer when compared with many other Indian cities. Mumbai, the city itself is under threat from so many forces for a number of reasons. Coming to Historical places, we have the Gateway of India -- one of the most symbolic places in Mumbai. Here in Berlin, they have the Brandenburger Tor (the only gate present at the moment from where people could go from east to west Berlin during the years of the Berlin Wall). Both the cities have many museums – I can’t list all here. Berlin has a Museum Island that has five museums. While Mumbai is a sea city, Berlin has rivers like Havel and Spree. And last but not the least — Berlin doesn’t have any power-cuts, ever! Good point right!? But water does cost a hell lot of money here. Indians beware, taking bath for hours here is gonna cost us a heap of money!Mumbai is known all over for Bollywood and Berlin can boast about its world famous film festivals. There are plenty of Green patches, open spaces and public restrooms (and yep, they are clean too) in Berlin. Mumbai sadly lacks all these, but let’s hope that with the changing scenario these facilities will improve in Mumbai too.Life in Berlin is more comfortable no doubt but Mumbai has its own charm. Life may be very stressful, you might be having a bad time with transportation, terrorist threats, whatever fear may be inside your heart, you love Mumbai, don’t you! Wherever you shift in the future, to whichever corner of the world, I bet you will miss our wonderful city. Just like what I am doing right now.I love our desi city as well as my videshi city. In the last 6 months I have had an amazing time in Berlin and have fallen in love with it!That’s it from a white Berlin right now, its white now but soon it will be back to normal I bet. This year the winter is playing hide and seek with us!
|
|
Comments: 2
Share this article
Print
Email
