Cities around the world are almost always one of the most fascinating aspects of each country. They each tend to have their own rhythm and harmony. But some also run on unwritten schedules day in and day out. Here is a glimpse at the city life in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.

Morning: Waking Up to Another Lovely Day

Sunrise in the summer happens around 5:30 am and a little later in the winter. But, guaranteed, you will hear the occasional bicycle bell ringing as an early riser rides his or her way to work at 4:00 am. Slowly, by 6:00 am, you can hear the city slowly get up to its morning routine. Go outside and you can see flocks of crows going to get a bite for breakfast. School kids and office goers will be getting ready to head out and beat the morning rush-hour traffic. Some women will be cleaning the doorsteps with water and cow dung in order to put fresh kolams (designs made with rice flour on the ground) to invite the new day.

By 7:00 am, the city is wide awake and alive with the fresh sounds of horns and tires screeching on the warm tar roads. Buses will be jam-packed with people and it'll be nearly impossible to penetrate the sea of humans and vehicles.

And if you are curious as to how long rush-hour lasts, it would be at least until 10 a.m. (so if you miss your alarm and oversleep, good luck, for the city waits for no one).

High Noon: Two Words... Lunch Time

Nearly the entire city, from shops to schools to offices, all take an hour lunch break around 11:30 to 1:30 pm, depending on each individual's personal schedule. Restaurants will usually be full then (especially on weekends or holidays) and canteens (cafeterias) will be bustling with the latest news in the day so far and small talk. Also, this is when you can really start feeling the heat of the sun (fun, right?).

Side Note: As an environmentally friendly noontime activity, if you find you have leftovers and are at home, just place the food on a raised, visible surface and let the crow fest begin!

(I kid you not, they will eat every last bite of it. Just make sure the leftovers are not spicy though!)

Afternoon: Easing Into Relaxing

This is where the city has two options: Nap time or work. If you are at work or school, the options are pretty much limited to working. However, some shopkeepers and most stay-at-home individuals prefer the first option of napping. Most temples also close for the afternoon. If you decide to venture out in the afternoon heat, on your way, you can find some ox and street dogs trying to cool off on the side of the road while half asleep. Else, staying indoors with the A/C on full-blast isn't such a bad idea either.

Also, this is your local tea or coffee time, so savor in all the sweet tea spices and strong coffee bean smells as much as you possibly can!

Evening: Sea Breeze and Chill Time

Being along the coast most certainly has its advantages. Around 3:30 pm, the sea breeze sets in to offset the afternoon heat wave. Schools let out around 3:30 pm. People start to leave work and head home around 4:30 - 5:00 pm. Shopping destinations like Mylapore tend to get busy during this time of day as families go out to look around town or just enjoy the sunset time. Little kids can be found playing cricket in narrow streets with less traffic. You can also see the routine temple goers during this time as they carry their offerings in little plates or bags.

Night: Winding Down

Dinner time begins by 7:00 pm and ends by 9:00 pm. Nearly every shop and office close for the day by 9:00 pm, too. By 10:30 - 11:00 pm, most of the city is asleep. Rarely will you hear a scooter or truck drive by on the roads. The silence of the city at night is quite scary at first, given the day's bustle. Of course, if you do become a little nostalgic for the sounds and sights of the city at night, locations such as the railway station, the international airport and areas close to them are pretty much awake 24/7. So, you still have pockets of places that never sleep and therefore maintain the daytime bustle of Chennai. But for the majority of the city, the meditative lull of the night means recharging for another busy day ahead.

Chennai is one of the many, many major cities in India and like each city, has its own unique schedule and vibrant lifestyle. It is a city, a concrete jungle, with its own heartbeat and rhythm to which anyone who visits can feel and hear.