Chak De India

I wanted to write about everything. Every small thing that happened in India trip. I could Not. Thanks to my "Business trip" schedule. Now just listing random notes –

• Traffic is TERRIBLE. That’s the thing which gets on your nerves. I just cannot bear being on road anywhere in Pune. You go to any place, tried the remote lonely places. But the traffic and the people making own driving rules just irritates me a lot. As a backseat passenger or in a car – you see crowd literally dashing on your vehicle from everywhere. The sole aim of every driver is to get ahead wherever you see the small gap. Then no matter which vehicle you drive, no matter on which side of crowd you are and no matter where you want to go – you just steer your handle in that direction!! Its crazy. Riding in rickshaw or in taxi in Mumbai reminds me of Cedar Point rides. They drive by 80- 90 Kmph speed in a rush hour. I was never ever scared of traffic or in the traffic before in my life! But this was just – mesmerizing. The way that taxi driver manages to get the taxi out from rightmost lane and dash it into leftmost – without using Rear or side mirrors is just – incredible driving skills!! And no one believes in side mirrors – they are either broken or taken off or folded inside!


• Mumbai traffic is better. Undoubtedly.
  Leave aside all the investment it would take, all practical, technical difficulties, political issues to make the traffic better – just the attitude towards traffic rules by every driver here is Disgusting. No other word for it.


• Pune – Mumbai travel is very disappointing. 6.5 hours for some 200 kms is just not worth it!! I had all kinds of experiences in the bus travel. Thanks to my dear friend for all the help!!


• Roads were definitely better than Jan 2006. New katraj highway was awesome!!


• Nothing like riding a two wheeler at late night (cause that’s the only time without traffic) on Pune roads.


• Sarvajanik Ganapati Utsav is not exciting anymore. Its all chaos. Wastage of money, energy and time.


• I can eat Ukadiche Modak everyday!!


• INDIAN FOOD ROCKS!! Especially Indian Chinese food! And Sitaphal Milkshake.


• Nothing has changed much in Pune. One flyover. Few flashy buildings. Few good restaurants. Triple amount two wheelers.


• Radio is the least entertaining media!


• You cannot get a movie ticket for Saturday eve show. Not even for a total disastrous movie. And there are around 6 multiplex and 10+ other theatres.


• I hate the way everyone, even my friends attaching “American” at the start or end of any conversation. Everyone agrees about the issues, is bothered by same facts. But still in every argument I get a tag of being AmericaniZed! Hated it totally!


• CCD sucks. You order any damn coffee on their menu and its terrible. Not worth of Rs. 60 or so. It remotely tastes like coffee. And whats more sad is this is the only hang out place for the young crowd.


• Go to Rupali/Vaishali – order Extra strong Coffee, sugar separate. That’s the best coffee you can get in Pune.


• There are nearly 200 people waiting for hours on Sunday morning in Vaishali. And there are nearly 500 hotels on Deccan n FC Road.
  

Not many friends left in my own city. Everyone seems to be living in various places across the globe but in Pune.
Thanks to my buddies S, A n S to spend so much time with me. Especially for my shopping!!!

P.S. I don’t know why I chose this Title for the blog. Lack of creativity may be. Or I have been hearing this phrase just many times. Its like Fashion in India – to use it it almost everywhere.

I spent 20 years trying to get out of this place
I was looking for something I couldn't replace
I was running away from the only thing I've ever known
I been there, done that and I ain't lookin' back on the seeds I've sown,
Saving dimes, spending too much time on the telephone
Who says you can't go home
That's only one place they call me one of their own