This is my second visit to Philadelphia and I naturally asumed that having been there I knew it all and therefore did not pack any warm clothes as the last visit was in July when it was hot and humid - worse than Mumbai I had written then.
The first few days were simply great as the temperatures were in the 20-25C range and we enjoyed the walks in the parks and the warm sun. Wow we said, what a change from the humidity and the heat of Mumbai. Come Friday it drizzled. Well it did not pour like the rains in Mumbai but the wind and the rain together brought down the temperatures to below 15C and for a Mumbaiwallah that was brrrr freezing cold. The wife was shivering and I was being brave until I stepped out on the street and caught the first blast of the chill wind that literally knocked the stuffing out of me. Rushed back indoors and saw my daughter laughing at me for trying to be brave and not listening to her. Wear layers of clothing she said in a "I told you so" condescending tone. Under the circumstances, bravery be damned I said to myself and wore the ugly skull cap that she offered. The coat was a size too small, the wollen scarf was bright red but I was willing to wear anything just to stay warm. So, padded in layers of clothing I ventured out again. The chill wind was still as nasty as before but the layers of protection kept me warm and I conitnued the walk around the block. It did not need much intellegence to realize that even with all this 'warm padding' I was more comfortable indoors and I had really no reason to go out for a walk. Brilliant thought I said and quietly walked down to the neighbourhood wine shop and raced home. The warmth of the apartment and the glass of brandy felt just great. I peered out of the window at the poor souls who had to be out on the street as they had to go to work or to do some essential chores. Folks like me could stay indoors and enjoy the warmth. Then it dawned on me that this was almost summer and yet I was shivering. How did people survive the winters in these parts. Well I wasn't going to wait and find out. I called the airlines and advanced the date of my return journey - give me amchi Mumbai with all its heat and humidity! Close