Lets go back in time around 2 year 9 months, give or take a few days.That was the time when I set out from the comforts of my home to Pune.
The events that transpired on 20th July 2008, have been etched in my mind for a lot of reasons (Mostly and sadly bad...)
I landed at the Pune railway station at 3:40 in the morning, with just one bag and my bike (my companion in my turmoil).
I was yet to breathe in the early morning air, but the duty bound, highly (monetarily) motivated and dedicated cops of Pune decided 'enough is enough', its about time to start making my first day in Pune "SPECIAL".
Having had no previous experience with Pune cops, I had not gone through the trouble of transferring my bike from Goa to Pune(Big Mistake.. and the traffic cops made it a point to remind me and my friends, almost on a daily basis).
I was promptly stopped right outside railway station at 3:50 AM, and was asked for my papers, I could see the cash register in the cops eye go 'kching.. kching..kching', needless to say other than the papers I had, there were some that were missing.
Having shelled out 150 bucks and spent close to 30 mins bargaining(yes.. my friends you can do that.. although it requires a lot patience and a very sad face, and I was is no hurry)
It can be real fun, finding a place at 4:30 in the morning, in a new city. And all that you have for reference is the address and a vague idea of the route (courtesy Google Maps). Now here comes the catch, but how can the poor folks at Google know that Pune municipality had decided to repair and revamp the roads vis-a-vis how could I either?
Finally had to resort back to the age old method of asking directions, from which ever soul I could find at that time of the day.
I have a feeling that even the dogs on the street understood my problem, and barked and chased me relentlessly, in order to get me to the Guest house asap.
There is something about riding around early in the morning, wish I could explain.
I can tell you the symptoms but you have to understand the effect it has for yourself.
- Early morning cold heavy air blowing in your face.
- Feeling of wanting to slow down and just drift away.
- No TRAFFIC!!!
- No Noise
- The craving for a cup of hot tea.
All of the above add up to mean a lot of different things for different people.
To me this is a version of heaven.
I ended up reaching the Company guest house at 6:15am.
Peace and rest, welcomed me for the first time in the day...
Although the sun was yet to pop up in the sky for the day, I felt drained out.
Evening falls and I decide to go and meet my chaddi buddy Nived Jayprakash studying at the Pune University.As soon as I reach the University gates I encounter my Nemesis again "Pune Traffic Cops" (here after referred as "Mama".)
I should have seen it coming. Guess I was too innocent back then to expect it.
Having fed some more mewa to the mama, I proceed.
The Pune University campus reminded me of the cantonment area.
Now this is the part where, I have quite a faint recollection of events.
I remember having met my friend, and being a bit taken back by the condition of the hostel he was staying in.
Rest all is vague..
The next thing I remember is meeting MAMA again!!! the same freaking day.. :'(
Well this time it was about 10 PM, Mama had all the time in the world, but I didnt..
Again going through a round of haggling, and shelling out some more donation to the Pune cops welfare fund..
I head towards the guest house to deal with some sort of acute post traumatic stress disorder...
The bad taste that first day left in my mouth, is still lingering around.
No matter what happened that day.. I have met some of the best people in my life and had some of the most memorable memories.. All thanks to circumstances created in Pune for making them more "special".. :)
The events that transpired on 20th July 2008, have been etched in my mind for a lot of reasons (Mostly and sadly bad...)
I landed at the Pune railway station at 3:40 in the morning, with just one bag and my bike (my companion in my turmoil).
I was yet to breathe in the early morning air, but the duty bound, highly (monetarily) motivated and dedicated cops of Pune decided 'enough is enough', its about time to start making my first day in Pune "SPECIAL".
Having had no previous experience with Pune cops, I had not gone through the trouble of transferring my bike from Goa to Pune(Big Mistake.. and the traffic cops made it a point to remind me and my friends, almost on a daily basis).
I was promptly stopped right outside railway station at 3:50 AM, and was asked for my papers, I could see the cash register in the cops eye go 'kching.. kching..kching', needless to say other than the papers I had, there were some that were missing.
Having shelled out 150 bucks and spent close to 30 mins bargaining(yes.. my friends you can do that.. although it requires a lot patience and a very sad face, and I was is no hurry)
It can be real fun, finding a place at 4:30 in the morning, in a new city. And all that you have for reference is the address and a vague idea of the route (courtesy Google Maps). Now here comes the catch, but how can the poor folks at Google know that Pune municipality had decided to repair and revamp the roads vis-a-vis how could I either?
Finally had to resort back to the age old method of asking directions, from which ever soul I could find at that time of the day.
I have a feeling that even the dogs on the street understood my problem, and barked and chased me relentlessly, in order to get me to the Guest house asap.
There is something about riding around early in the morning, wish I could explain.
I can tell you the symptoms but you have to understand the effect it has for yourself.
- Early morning cold heavy air blowing in your face.
- Feeling of wanting to slow down and just drift away.
- No TRAFFIC!!!
- No Noise
- The craving for a cup of hot tea.
All of the above add up to mean a lot of different things for different people.
To me this is a version of heaven.
I ended up reaching the Company guest house at 6:15am.
Peace and rest, welcomed me for the first time in the day...
Although the sun was yet to pop up in the sky for the day, I felt drained out.
Evening falls and I decide to go and meet my chaddi buddy Nived Jayprakash studying at the Pune University.As soon as I reach the University gates I encounter my Nemesis again "Pune Traffic Cops" (here after referred as "Mama".)
I should have seen it coming. Guess I was too innocent back then to expect it.
Having fed some more mewa to the mama, I proceed.
The Pune University campus reminded me of the cantonment area.
Now this is the part where, I have quite a faint recollection of events.
I remember having met my friend, and being a bit taken back by the condition of the hostel he was staying in.
Rest all is vague..
The next thing I remember is meeting MAMA again!!! the same freaking day.. :'(
Well this time it was about 10 PM, Mama had all the time in the world, but I didnt..
Again going through a round of haggling, and shelling out some more donation to the Pune cops welfare fund..
I head towards the guest house to deal with some sort of acute post traumatic stress disorder...
The bad taste that first day left in my mouth, is still lingering around.
No matter what happened that day.. I have met some of the best people in my life and had some of the most memorable memories.. All thanks to circumstances created in Pune for making them more "special".. :)
mama...hahaha....nice one harsh....
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