I’ve always celebrated my birthday (except the years my parents passed away, and once due to an unfortunate turn in matters of the heart).

This year though I wasn’t feeling particularly celebratory. To a large extent it’s because of horror unfolding in Gaza, but I suspect also a general weariness.

So last week, I decided to spend the day doing the things I keep promising myself I’ll do but never get around to doing.

The day started auspiciously: I overslept by 90 minutes.

Lunch was @thetable_colaba; I’ve been curious about their burger which I believe is the most expensive burger in a standalone. I’ll get into a more detailed post later, but I left quite satisfied.

By the time I got home a cake, from the @itcgrandcentral was waiting for me. Thankfully, it was a fruit and not chocolate cake.

In the evening I planned to have a quiet drink at Eau Bar @theoberoimumbai. For the last two years every time I return from my run I’ve promised myself to go there for a drink. I never have.

Though I was recognised shortly after entering the bar, and the senior team came to say hello, things were mostly going according to plan. I had a perfect Negroni, was sent some food and cocktail from the new menu to try, and Larissa Coelho, the lounge singer was singing familiar retro rock.

Unfortunately, a well meaning, over enthusiastic friend informed the singer I was at the bar and it was my birthday and so she sang La Vie En Rose, which was nice.

Then it got embarrassing: the bar team produced a slice of cake with a candle and clapped when I blew it out while Happy Birthday was sung. Not what I had planned for.

And on the way home I got soaked in a sudden downpour. Not the ending I hoped for, but as Longfellow wrote and Ella sang, into each life some rain must fall.
#birthday #birthdaycake Less