Let’s face it, the heat stinks! Some fortunate ones can get out of the city and avoid the Mumbai summer blush but most just have to cope with what’s there around us. Fortunately, Bandra always has things to do for adults and kids who need a break from the scorching sun to enjoy vacation time and incorporate it in their daily life.
So besides putting on your dark glasses and hats, these are some of the things you can do……
Movie time…
Watching a flick, in a cool movie hall, you won’t have to put up with the fuming sun for at least two hours of the day. Star Trek U/A, Chhota Bheem, Gippi, are some fun films you can catch with the family this month.
Mall it out
Yes, we need a good mall in Bandra, unfortunately, space being a constraint we have to make do with Shoppers Stop and Globus. But rest assured we can easily spend an afternoon in one of them or both, browsing or simply trying stuff without buying anything if you don’t wish to, the hot air won’t touch you there.
Fans and air conditioners
Keeping the AC on at all times is going to pinch the electricity meter so this method is one I found easiest for those who don’t have AC’s at their place or want to save up on their bills. Find an ordinary 20″ x 20″ household box fan. Go to the store and get a 6 pack of bottled water. Open the caps and add about 2-3 tablespoons of salt (Morton’s works best) to each water bottle. Cap off the modified water bottles and place them in the freezer overnight. Set the box fan up in your bedroom, on top of a table, preferably. The next day, take the modified frozen water bottles out of the freezer and place them on a serving tray. Place the serving tray with the modified frozen water bottles on it in front of the box fan. Turn on the box fan and stay cool!
Easy rides
If you MUST travel then auto is definitely the better option to feeling less warm, (as opposed to cabs and buses) don’t ask why, those who travel in public transport daily, have informed me that.
Spray off
A good antiperspirant sprayed every three hours not only helps with your own sweat but keeps you smelling good all day. I find it specifically useful when am travelling by bus or train and surrounded by bad body odour from others, I use it as a freshener and spray discreetly all around me so I can breathe through my nose instead of holding my breath through the journey. Eva, Garnier, Ponds, Nivea. Impulse, all hold up quite well.
Cold showers
I have a friend who bathes six times a day in the months of April and May. Though that is a bit extreme, thrice a day or at least twice in the lowest temperature water, seems a good idea.
Ice packs
I recently discovered ice packs cut the wrinkles down, close the open skin pores, and also best used after burns and sprains. For me, they are also an answer to sunburns and prevention to a likely heatstroke. Run a few ice cubes on your face and make an ice pack, on top of your head for at least 20 mins after you have braved the weather for a long period of time and you will feel as good as new.
Block it out
It’s so easy to forget this, as there is never enough time to apply face cream and an SPF cream especially when you juggling many acts before leaving to work. Using your daily cream with an SPF formula both in one pot works decently against sun irritation. Clean and Clear, Ponds, Lotus and Vaseline have a range of two in one lotions and are worth looking at. Garnier does some interesting ones for men too.
Book me for this
Best value for money in an 18-degree celsius environment! Advantages of visiting a book store: You can go to a book shop alone, read anything you want free of cost over a basic coffee or just sit there all day on the stools provided at every aisle, and browse through various topics without being harassed by store salesmen. Crosswords, Turner road and Tidal waves, opp. Durello Convent are the stores to check out for this.
Keep it light
(Food and colours) The lesser you eat, the cooler you feel. What Bandra needs is a good salad bar. ‘Eat around the corner’, 30th road, had an excellent one with an ‘all you can eat salad bar’, unfortunately, they stopped that concept and now make us chose from very few options. Though Candies has the full range and bagel shop, subway, etc. do a few salads too, an exclusive salad bar is hard to find. Heading out to Pali market and making your own seems to be the only option left.
