As simple as bread

The aroma of freshly baked bread – or a delicate bite of one – is heaven on Earth.

Bread can be made with just four ingredients – flour, water, a little yeast, and a pinch of salt. That's it.

I was reminded of this last night when I visited Marine Drive in South Mumbai. It's a graceful arc of a road abutting the Arabian Sea. It was the night before New Year's and the embankment was chockfull of people. Thousands sat with their backs to the road and faces to the sea.

"I have never understood the point of it," a friend noted. I nodded. I hate crowds and though I love the sea, I am not a big fan of Marine Drive. We walked for 10 minutes. A space opened up on the embankment as a large group got up and left. Our little group filled the space happily.

We turned our backs to the road and our faces to the sea.

A steady cool sea breeze fanned us. The traffic sounds faded. Our eyes took in the sea, breathing in the salty air. To our right, Marine Drive disappeared into the horizon. Despite the crowd, it felt like the whole wide sea had opened up just for me.

I recognised the feeling. Just four ingredients. The Arabian Sea, a glittering road, our little group of close friends, and a pinch of salt.

That's all it takes.

Heaven.