From Gateway of India to the village pond – a day spent amidst crowd, sea and peace

Greetings of the day,

Although today started because of work, but by the end this day became a memory for me. Had to wake up early in the morning and leave for Mumbai. The work was important, so there was not much enthusiasm in my mind, the only thought was to finish the work quickly and return back. During the journey, the hustle and bustle of the road, the sound of the train and the crowd of people once again reminded us how fast the pace of the city is.

Same familiar atmosphere as soon as we reach Mumbai. People, cars, sounds everywhere. There was office work, so I went straight there. Meetings, papers, conversations… I didn't even realize when the time passed. When the work was completed, a slight relief was felt. At that time I looked at the clock and realized that there was still some time left. My mind said that after coming so far, it would not be right if I did not experience the city for some time.

With this thought I set out towards Gateway of India. The atmosphere changed completely as soon as we reached there. A huge gateway stood in front and a huge crowd of people surrounded it. Someone was taking photos, someone was roaming with the family, someone was standing silently and just watching. I also stood there for a while and saw everything. Seeing that building made of stones, a strange feeling came to my mind. This place standing for so many years must have seen the stories of so many people, how many people must have come and gone.

The sea breeze seemed different there. There was slight humidity, clouds and the sky was not completely clear. Still, it felt good to stay and stand there. For some time it seemed that the hustle and bustle of the city had stopped here. Despite the surrounding sounds, my mind had gone somewhere else. I looked at the crowd, saw people's faces, and just stood there for some time.

I took some photos, but to be honest, it was better to stay there and watch rather than taking photos. The height of the gateway, its size and how small the person standing in front of it appears, is understood only there. After some time, I felt that I should leave now, because it was evening and there was still a journey to return to the village.

The return journey was a bit tiring, but the mood was light. The city was being left behind and the streets were gradually becoming quieter. As we approached the village, the atmosphere started changing. The sound of vehicles decreased and openness increased. This difference is felt every time, but today it seemed even more clear.

After reaching the village, I did not go straight home. Felt like sitting by the pond for a while. It was evening time, the sun had set and light colors were scattered in the sky. The reflection of the sky was visible in the water. There was silence all around, only sometimes the sound of a bird or the rustling of the wind was heard.

I sat there. Calm water in front and the shadow of mountains in the distance. At that time I was automatically remembering Gateway of India. The crowd, noise and people of a few hours ago flashed before my eyes. And now I was sitting here, in a completely different environment. The difference between the two places was in my mind. On one side is the fast life of the city and on the other side is the slow, peaceful evening of the village.

Sitting on the bank of the pond, it felt as if all the fatigue of the day had come and gone here. No hurry, no need to talk. Just sit and think. Sometimes I remember the view of Mumbai, sometimes the people standing in front of the gateway, and sometimes the entire journey of today.

Today I understood that job takes us to cities, but the heart keeps searching for peace somewhere. The city is important, work is important, but the peace of the village is equally important. If both are not there then life may seem incomplete.

Today was not part of any big plan. There was just work, a bit of travel and then I had to return home. But still it became a day to remember. Sometimes simple days like these, without any special preparation, sit very close to the heart.