Mumbai, India, formerly known as Bombay is a fascinating mixture of tradition and modernism, poverty and wealth, that's why visitors just can't get enough of this place. Okay, so Mumbai needs a lot of courage and a little getting used to. It's not your average tourist destination after all. 

Imagine a jungle, then think of Italy or Paris, then picture a densely populated slum area, then recall your box of crayola set, then think of a really loud concert you've recently been to. Where am I gettin at, you say. Now, put them all together, and voila, you have Mumbai in fishbowl. There's a mystique to this city that's almost palpable and yet somewhat elusive. I remember a public figure once exclaim that Mumbai is a crazy place. But crazy in a good way. The kind of craziness you would want to be a part of.

At first, the heat, noise, bad roads, all sorts of weird aromas, the overcrowdedness and overall chaos might be a bit overwhelming for a first timer. But once you get past these, and I bet you'll recover pretty soon enough, you will discover a haven of culture, arts and religion that is so intense that it instantly draws you and decidedly urges you to explore more.

Visit the temples and take time out for mediation. Roam the streets with your polaroids to take souvenir photos of gorgeous buildings and structures. Sample out delectable Indian dishes and exotic delicacies to get a taste of the authentic Mumbai flavor. Don't miss out on social festivities for a first hand account of the modern Indian society and lifestyle.  The Mumbaikar crowd is a force to be reckoned with. Warm up your vocal cords and bring out your dancing shoes, because you'll soon discover that few people surpass Mumbai's love for singing and hitting the dance floor. 

Some of us pride ourselves of being a complex being. We are this and that, and that we are more than the sum of our parts. If this is so, then Mumbai is our soul mate. Mumbai is old, and it is new. It is the window to a past and the portal to the future. Being here, is like being in a time warped zone. It's magical and surreal. 

Since the turn of the decade, Mumbai has been at the forefront of change and progress in India and the world. The increasingly fast pace at which the city moves now indicates a restlessness, and a sign that it is on the verge of something new and exiting, which is a great thing to witness, as a new chapter of India unfolds.