As I got off the plane at the Mangalore airport I was reminded of Goa airport: small, cozy and peaceful. I wondered if life also will be same as in Goa: full of fun, lots of work and loads of spare time for self and family. As I started the journey towards city I forgot about these thoughts. The weather was humid and sultry ala Mumbai but the landscape was serene and calm, with lush greenery covering the hillocks and spread over till one could see..
The drive down (Yes! The airport is on a hillock and 25 minutes away from the city) from the airport to the city was akin to coming back from a vacation at hilly regions in Maharashtra (Mahabaleshwar/Matheran). I was very pleased with the first impression of this small city.
Next few days I spent around the city, exploring its locales and the important roads. I saw many up-market shops filled with all branded clothes and other accessories, two malls and two pubs! Not a bad start, I thought. As the city grows these entertainers will also grow in number as well as their structure!
It’s more than a month now that I am here, and I feel one among these local-ites. They seem to be friendly, warm, hospitable and ‘considerate’. When they hear ‘my company name’ their expectations are high and it is difficult to bring them down to normalcy whether it is renting a flat or traveling in a rickshaw. However, these are givens of some facts of life! The best advantage for me in this city is the short distances to travel and self managed transportation. I can find the money for a car and not crib about the hike in petrol prices (though diesel or CNG options are more reasonable and cost-effective)! After 4 Saturdays and Sundays, I have realized there is more to explore in this city and nearby places. I am waiting for some extended weekends so that I can hike a ride to nearby Munnar or Kurg and just relax! Never thought while in Mumbai I could afford such luxury, Mangalore makes this need a sumptuous reality! I’m loving it in Mangalore!
Mukul Joshi from Mumbai works as a Consultant in an Indian Multinational based out of Mangalore. He can be reached at mukulsj@vsnl.net
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