Monsoon Meandering

Meandering reminds me of slow, aimless walks via the bylanes of South Bombay in the early 2000s. I am instantly transported to a rainy Bombay. The year is 2001. The smell of petrichor teases my nostrils and the raindrops begin falling, big and fat upon the parched earth. I hold out my hands and collect some raindrops that have quickly pooled into a small puddle in the middle of my palm.  I slowly let the water flow from my palm onto the already wet road and continue walking

I walk past a vegetable vendor who is sitting by the footpath, a mountain of fresh , glistening red tomatoes next to him , arranged in the shape of an impressive pyramid . The tomatoes look almost seductive  in their appearance. Their lush red  surface , a stark contrast to the grey that has descended . 

I am soon distracted by a Bhutta Walla (vendor selling corn on the cob) calling out to potential customers. Ears of corn line his cart – their oblong shapes strangely symmetric.As soon as I reach his cart, he hands me a big ear of corn smeared with lemon juice, chilli powder and salt. I sink my teeth into the cob. The textures and flavours create a massive explosion inside my mouth , one that can only be truly enjoyed against the backdrop of Bombay’s  monsoon.