I have finally moved into the much-coveted (by me) and much anxiously-researched (by my mother) apartment in Roppongi. Roppongi reminds me of beloved Bombay's Lower Parel - one of its biggest identifiers is a huge mall next to a flyover, with cinemas and Starbucks and Zara. Usual uppity mall fare.
Of course, one major difference between Bombay and Tokyo is the smell of the place. I have a sensitive sense of smell, so aromas and odours are very important external stimuli for me. I won't describe Bombay's smells to you - instead, I will helpfully refer you to a Russell Peters video which describes them pretty well.
Tokyo, however, smells so different and so good. Sometimes, when I am sitting in the subway or crossing a street, I get a wonderful whiff of the Tokyo Smell, a spring green-ish aroma that gracefully brushes your senses and reminds you that autumn's brown won't last forever. Of course, being South Indian and a resident of Bombay these past four years, the only three weather conditions I have ever experienced are hot, very hot and the rains. So, autumn or not, any distinguishing weather phenomenon is welcome. However, for some (weird) reason, the Tokyo Smell sends my amygdala into overdrive and makes me feel light and Pharrell Williams happy.
So, thank you, my amygdala, for sensing my love for the Tokyo Smell. I wish I could distill and bottle it.
Of course, one major difference between Bombay and Tokyo is the smell of the place. I have a sensitive sense of smell, so aromas and odours are very important external stimuli for me. I won't describe Bombay's smells to you - instead, I will helpfully refer you to a Russell Peters video which describes them pretty well.
Tokyo, however, smells so different and so good. Sometimes, when I am sitting in the subway or crossing a street, I get a wonderful whiff of the Tokyo Smell, a spring green-ish aroma that gracefully brushes your senses and reminds you that autumn's brown won't last forever. Of course, being South Indian and a resident of Bombay these past four years, the only three weather conditions I have ever experienced are hot, very hot and the rains. So, autumn or not, any distinguishing weather phenomenon is welcome. However, for some (weird) reason, the Tokyo Smell sends my amygdala into overdrive and makes me feel light and Pharrell Williams happy.
So, thank you, my amygdala, for sensing my love for the Tokyo Smell. I wish I could distill and bottle it.
With your amygdala, may be, with time your other sensory organs are going to be Pharell Williams happy too.
ReplyDeleteHow will you drop it and go back to Bombay then?
Elle Woods,
DeleteI don't know. There are great things about Bombay too - not the smell, but other things. Maybe I will write about them one day :)
But I am enjoying my time in Tokyo right now, so I am going to go with the flow :)