| Apart from
Juhu in the suburbs, Chowpatty is Mumbai's most famous
beach. During the day, it is the hangout of the happily
unemployed who snooze under the shade of its stunted
trees. But in the evening the atmosphere is more like a
carnival: kids screaming on Ferris wheels or taking pony
rides, wayside astrologers making a quick buck, monkey
shows, and even the odd self -styled gymnast who will
demonstrate amazing yogic postures for a small fee. At
one end is a row of bhelpuri shops hawking Mumbai's most
popular snack: crisp puffed rice and semolina doused in
pungent chutneys, all scooped up with a flat, fried puri.
You might even catch a film shoot or a street play. In
short, for most tourists Chowpatty is where the action
is. |
