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Going back to Mumbai always brings a lot of mixed emotions like excitement but also a little worry about what it will give me this time. It’s a crazy, crazy city, with crazy people but it is also my home where my people and my family live. Every time I go back it feels like coming home and exploring a new city at the same time.

May was a good time to go home. The weather starting to get hot but not really that bad. The flight back home made me so happy, and excited to see my family and suddenly all the tiredness of academics and work was fading as the destination was coming near.  Looking out the window, I saw clouds and blue sky. It was so much different from the busy city I was leaving behind. Serene.

When I finally got off the plane, Mumbai’s hot air hugged me and welcomed me home. It hit me right away. The Mumbai Airport as usual crowded just like how I expected it to be still it made me happy. I felt good to be back in the city where I grew up.

I immediately booked a cab. The drive home was short but because of classic Mumbai traffic, it felt like a lifetime. I noticed so many changes in the city. New metro lines, New graffities, New buildings…beautifying the city even more. I also saw new shops and a lot of new people in my neighborhood. Mumbai for me was like an old friend with a brand-new makeover.

As I pulled up to my house felt peaceful after a long time. It smelled the same and everything was just like what I remembered leaving, only this time my cute little Bruno had grown so huge that I could not even lift him... Bruno is my cute little pet doggo. Everything was as it is. It made me cry, Joyful tears.

Spending time with my family was the best part. My mother made all kinds of dishes that she learned when I was not back home, cute isn’t it? My father brought all kinds of sweet dishes I love and miss in Bangalore, father’s classic behavior of showing their love towards the child. My brother played me his terrible songs on his guitar, he thought he was the best, couldn’t even say no to him. But it felt that I was home, and made me realize how badly I missed this all back there.

I went to world-famous beaches a few times. Growing up in Mumbai made me fall in love with the sea. Sitting on the beach for hours and hours just listening to the sound of waves calms you down and makes you forget the chaos of the city. The sand every time is hot, and the sea is perfect always! It is equivalent to therapy, trust me! I felt lucky that I got a chance to grow up and live near the ocean.

I also explored new parts of the city. Interesting, isn’t it? The city where you have lived all your life is showing you its new sides.  I found some cool cafes and bookshops and of course not to forget my favorite food stalls. A lot of things changed but Gupta Uncle and his panipuris were the same as it is.

As my trip was coming to an end, I again felt mixed emotions. I was happy to spend time with my family and friends, but also there was a feeling of sadness that I had to leave. Leaving the airport, I looked back at the city. It was a mix of old and new, busy and calm, happy and sad, altogether. And that moment I again realized I belonged there no matter how far I go, it will always be my home.