Even though there are potholes to grudge about, after a couple of showers and the city breathes heaven! The weather has changed; dark clouds have hid the sun and breeze flows like money from a rich man's hands. Mumbai looks most beautiful in the rains, with kids playing in puddles, boys playing football in the Wilson college courtyard and the beaches didn't look this clean through the year.

Mumbai also suffers much in rains; the slums drown, and as the rain pound the roofs, fear grips most reminding them the days of deluge. Of course, most people make a quick getaway to the nearest hill stations as traffic often comes to a stand still in this season. So what exactly is that you should enjoy in the rains in Mumbai, how do you make the best of this season?

According to Priya Wal "the first thing to do is to get out of your house and get drenched. There isn't another joy than feeling the rain on your face!" Now once you are wet, "go play football if you like, get dirty baby' advises Jay Bhanushali, and if can't play the sport, go take a dive in the pool or in shallow waters at the Juhu beach."

The rains make you cold and often hungry, the favourite season munchies are pakoras and chai or for the more westernised sipping a bowl of hot chicken soup! Where on the one hand Jay insists that "you must have a bhajya pau", Ali Merchant warns against "eating chaats and frankies on food stalls." Priya backs it up as "it's a season to fall sick, though I am crazy about Pani Puri; I avoid it in the monsoons. Water contaminates faster hence if you are eating out eat piping hot food!"

Manish Goel voices that "its time to get out of the city, as the traffic often mars the fun. I am starting to worry about my cars, the rain and the roads are cruel to them!" Aamir Ali supports Manish completely, "I too prefer to sit indoors and watch the rain fall from my balcony. It's a mess outside."
Ali Merchant on the other hand pools in a brilliant suggestion, "Why go anywhere, stay indoors, watch Kahaani Ghar Ghar Ki and boost our TRP's!" However eemember as he advises you on staying put, he can be found every weekend in Lonavala enjoying the weather! Priya boos all the boys for being spoil sports and house hens, "you want to really feel the city and the season go trekking to Kashid or Igatpuri; the place is green and cold: may never crib about Mumbai heat again!"

However, there are some statutory warnings: wear comfortable clothes, short skirts, capris with floaters or sandles, avoid chapples as they slip away while commuting. Place the denims and cottons in the last shelf, get darker colours and carry a big umbrella or a windsheater for protection. Finally as Aamir puts it, "Women should keep away from whites!" And the second you think the rain is going to get out of control, run home or go to a safe place, keep your cell phones charged in case of emergency," cautions Manish.

We at Tellychakkar encourage you to explore the city. Walk down the Worli sea-face, have corn butta on Marine drive. Take a book, sit on Asiatic Society's Roman steps and sip coffee. If you are a townie, stroll into the BTP gardens, smell the flowers and watch the yachts sail. For the suburban visit to the Mahim and Vasai forts is a must! Drive down the Mumbai Ahmedabad highway and halt at Chena creek for a quick dip. Better still spend a day at the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, climb up the Kaneri caves, watch birds, variety of spiders and hear the lions roar!

If you have any things to add to our list, feel free. Write in to us at editor@tellychakkar.com till then enjoy the rains!