Day 5-6: Pune, spirituality and B52s
Trip Start
Nov 13, 2006
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Trip End
Feb 10, 2007
Pune,
India
Monday, November 20, 2006
I left Aurangabad this morning at 9am for a 5.5 hours bus trip to Pune. The landscapes on the way are pretty desertic but we pass through some nice little villahes. There was also a bit of mountain and at some point I could see quite a big cliff on my left side. Seeing the state of the bus, we have got to love the driver, even if he could be the ugliest bus driver in the world, you love him.
Finding a hotel in Pune (pronounce Poona)was quite challenging especially in the area I wanted to stay as it is the beginning of the high season and lots of people are coming to this city to meditate and do yoga. they come from all ver the world to go to the a place called the Osho Meditation Centre. It's a world known place for meditation but quite controversial because of the nature of the meditation. Anyway I finally manage to fnd a room at some family's flat. It's big and clean so that will do for me. The area where I stay is near the Osho Centre and everyone gather and meet up on the corner of the street where a bakery/cafe is. This is the place to meet people and chat. Most of the people there are part of the Osho community, they were burgundy robe and it's kind of a hippie feeling everywhere.
It's saturday night and I ant to finaly taste a bit of the Indian nightlife. Full of spirit I make my way to the place where it's all happening (according to Lonely planet). I quickly realised that it's not happening at all and feeling quite desperate I start to make my way back to the flat.
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I then stop on the way to a pub, also half empty, I quickly finsih my bee and leave the place when on the crner of the pub I meet 3 english guys. They are working here for 7 weeks for an insurance comany and they are up for a bg one, I follow them (naturally). They have a driver 24h/24h so very handy. We, first, stop in a ram packed bar (YES!!) where the DJ is playing the cheesiest tunes ever (that include the Rocky tune: Eye of the tiger, nice!). There is a lot of "Hellos" going on in that place, the beer is flowing and the guys decide to start some rounds of B52s. We went clubbing after that to a club called Scream which is based on the basement of the Meridien Hotel. Despite the hug queue outside , we mange to get in straight as the guys are saying at the hotel. They just had to tell their room number. Obviously I don't stay at the hoel so had to make one up, tonight it's room 608 for me! The guy look at the room listing and the name on it is Maureen Hutchinson (Oops!), I get in without a problem!! Well more damaged were added there and ended up doing some classic moves on the dance floor (that include the shopping rolley one). Their driver drop me at the flat which is nice coz I was feeling more than tired after that.Sunday 19th of November:
Urgggh! I am regretting the shots now. Woke up quite late but still manage to visit The Gandhi Memorial museum at the Aga Khan Palace.
This is the place where Gandhi was jailed by the British after delivering is "Quit India" speech in Mumbai in 1942.
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He was interned there along with his wife Kasturba, his secretary Mahadoebhai Desai and others from his movement for nearly 2 years. His wife and his secretary (of 35 years) died while imprisoned there. It's quite a movng place where may people come to pay their respect.A short bike ride and I am back in the city centre. I spend the day walking around, again I am shock at some of the things I see. I have been called today so many times "Baba" which is the name beggars call you, it means father and it's a mark of respect.
finally spend the end of the afternoon at the Empress botanical garden which s the area where familis gathers on sunday. Kids play there and it's quite relaxing.
Had a chat tonite with a Canadian guy called Thomas, he has spent most of the last 10 years travelling between his native country and Pune. he spend his days doing Yoga and meditate, meet people, "healing" with his girlfriend. He seems to have found the perfect balance and happiness for the moment which is most of the people in the area comes to find here. It's a weird atmosphere but very peacefull and very spiritual. I have never done any yoga or any sort of meditation before but these last 2 days gave the taste to try it one day.
Very quite night for me, tomorrow I am flying to Bangalore. I also feel that I may have overcharge my itinary, I don't have really the time to settle a little bit and just relax as yet. I have then decided to change my tickets so I will now spend a full week in Goa, can't wait for that, I need a beach!!
Comments
Manuel from Spain
Salut Fabien,
Je vois que tes journées sont assez chargées même lorsque tu rencontres des Anglais le week-end ;-)
Tu as raison de passer quelques jours à Goa 'on the beach', repose-toi bien et prends quelques couleurs de façon à nous faire baver car ici le temps commence à être plutôt frais.
Au fait tu aurais pu faire une photo de tes 'Fab four' et de ton chauffeur de bus, tu te souviens celui qui apparemment était ugly... Je te sohaite une bonne continuation. Saludos, Manuel