Pune

I do a Pune trip every 3-4 months. I go meet friends who will live there. A and AP r two very dear friends of mine who have relocated to Pune, one due to parents and job and the other because of marriage. We graduated together and they are lifelong friends. A was very scared that we would lose touch but she reassured herself and me that we were past the stage where we could probably not stay in touch.

This weekend I left late and caught up with a new friend-D - tht sounds weird but since I met him only at New Year's I think he will be ok with me calling him tht :) He is directionless. His comment was his mind has been rewired with music and lyrics and directions have disappeared. We did a Pune Heritage Walk around Pune Market. Had a super time, walking around. Putting fotus and giving small description as well. First stop - Vishrambagh Wada - this haveli like place which had the Peshwa's durbar.

When it came to these labels, D had a question. Now there was a very old uncle sitting in this Peshwa's darbar reading newspaper (Peshwa uncle must be shuddering in his grave!) Anyways, I was like go ask Uncle. So D (brave soul) went upto uncle and asked him in Marathi btw wot eet eees. Uncle gets up from creaking chair, lifts his creaking bones and moves towards us. He said, 'Mala pun mahiti nahin'. We of course sniggered (wtf else could we do!)


We then proceeded towards Belbag Mandir which looked a bit like this. This place was an oasis of peace in the midst of noisy Pune.


According to the route now we had to go towards the City Post Office. Disappointment as it looked like normal building. We made dig abt how it was built in colonial times and lacked aesthetics :) Then went towards Vachan Mandir. Of course with a name like this, we said must be mandir. It in fact was a 160 year old library - v nice place - full of character.

Walked towards the last port of call - Tulsibag Mandir. Very niceness place this was. This place had similar wooden columns to Vishrambagh Wada but had been painted a hideous green. See for yourself here.


Post this I did depart and went and did bond with AP over cold kapi at Marzorin. That whole area had been converted to a Walking Plaza which means no cars. People were walking, eating, drinking kapi by the gallons and there were roadside stalls and of course loads of shopping happened.

Went to AP's house and was itching to meet her kids. I met her lil one DA..he is the cutest ever. Got very sentimental. Cried for a wee bit. AP was perhaps shocked at this. But seeing her kid made me realise that I am going to go away and not see her kids grow up. They r not going to remember Maasi K and tht sucks totally! Anyways met A and did bond with her. She is another awesome friend, great lover of dance and la française. Anyways, we went for dinner to this fundoo place called Flags - this multi cuisine restaurant. Accha khana khaya and accha daru piya. :D

I had been very keen to do some hiking the next morning but was too pooped so did give up and we snoozed. :) Next day was spent wandering around marriage halls as A is getting married. Had a super time. Luncheon at Not Just Jazz as is tradition that I have estd for myself ever since that first trip to Pune. Left for Mumbai soon afterwards.

I had a very nice weekend. Meeting old and new friend (s), doing a heritage walk around Pune Market, nice food, bonding, some daru and bloddy Sun n Moon Restaurant that directionless D dragged me to. The freaking moons were different everywhere in the restaurant!! But very nice time eet was.