Life in (this) Metro!

“Life has a surprise locked in for every one of us.” Chennai is one such surprise for me!

Not long ago, during the insti days, I used to wonder why people (the insti junta) cursed this place. I used to think they talk as if they have landed from America, but as I moved on with my college life, I understood the eternal truth behind people’s swearing – well, Chennai has many beaches, It has decent pubs and discos, It has good theaters – (mostly showing tam films though), nice malls, and multiplexes, Asia’s first ever flyover on the mount road and cool coffee day shops to hang out; But the only problem is: the crowd is missing. Yes I am referring to the dearth of youthful crowd at this place; Runaway couples wanting privacy dot these beaches, Pubs and discos I must admit is no short of youth, but it is mostly more of stags (Yeah ! Guy, Guy’s and Guys) and occasionally a couple of 100 eyes staring at one! Talking of theaters multiplexes and malls, Chennai I believe has built these structures just to show off that it worth the metro status.

Chennai has some nice heritage to boast about – As I already said Asia’s first flyover – Anna flyover, It has a historical significance as well, On two sides of the circle roundabout below the centre of the flyover are two identical statues of a man controlling a horse placed there to commemorate the banning of kudurai pandhayam (yeah! horse racing).Chennai roads are wider (Mount road is a 3 lane road! No, it’s not a metro show off!) And longer (yeah! this city is big). Naturally, you might jump into conclusion that the city traffic is neat! Dudes, Potholes are potholes, be it on the mount road or on Wall Street, same holds for the traffic. The second worst thing in this traffic is to the traffic signal, jumping a signal is not a bad idea if you are getting late – but do not try this at this place, the traffic police will definitely not let you flee. (I can write a long summary on them, if anyone is interested).

As I said “Life has a surprise locked in for every one of us”, I must say Chennai was not at all devoid of what all I said. I found this surprising; the very Khader Nawaz Khan Road in-front of the office is filled with youthfulcenters, Mochas coffee shop, Pick and move, Some Italian restaurant(I am yet to go here L), Fruit shop on Gream’s Road, Galloping gooseberries, and many more. Talking of malls, thank god that there are no malls on this road, there are umpteen number of showrooms which are worth visiting, these place makes you feel wear good clothes. These have been my daily hangout spot until the thought of something productive came into my mind – British library is a nice place to be in, it has a huge database of books and magazines waiting to be read (Stag entry is allowed? I forgot to enquire today; I will let you know soon). Entertainment is not any short here, “satyam cinemas” is at stone throw distance from this place. Check in the office – short time later sneak away to British library, lunch at one of the places mentioned above, wash it with a juice at the fruit shop( one interesting thing about this shop is this: http://www.fruitshopongreamsroad.in. Yes, it has a website!) And walking through the KNK road check in again in the office, wait till 6 and sneak out to mochas, finish the day with a movie. This is no short of enjoyment!

Humming the new Taxi Taxi song (listen to this - if you claim you are a chennaiaite) I walk back home usually at 6, accepting this surprise that life has given me. Chennai is no more the same. One thing eludes me though, (Work! Yes correct, there is another thing too) night life. Yeah, Chennai-metro da machha - night life “eppudi euurikum”. (How is the night life here?) I would still want to believe that I am staying in Chennai not in NewYork, at least Mumbai. Good night folks - go to bed!