Hill Station Glimpses

I thought of writing a travel blog as its new year or its the differences, I noticed between two cities.

I took a Pune - Mumbai trip in this New Year. It was a journey through mountains, tunnels, rivers, windmills, and mangrove forests, with the sweetness of the sugarcane plantation, the beauty of sunflower gardens, the taste of Bombil fish and the delicious golden biryani.

There were more two-wheelers in Pune. I didn't see any parking system. Vehicles were parked in the middle of the road, and no one was in hurry.

All Vehicles were moving in slow motion. Sometimes two-wheelers were in the middle of the road, but no one was honking. The traffic signal was turning into green for ten seconds or so. By the time two cars pass by, the signal was becoming red.

If this was happening in Bangalore, the two-wheeler would have been run over by other vehicles. I thought many times on why people are like there in that city. I understood it later.

It was because, people in Pune used to leave and return on time. They have a fixed schedule. Bangalore it’s not like that, everyone is in hurry burry, someone has to reach the office, the other has to reach the hospital and so on. If you overtake some vehicle, then the road rage will start. Then will anyone start early or try to be on time, no never. It’s like a race.

Pune people will teach you patience. No one was seen wearing a helmet. I heard that only the driver must wear helmet over there. I went to fill up air and it took fifteen minutes. If in Bangalore, they could have filled air for at least fifty vehicles.

Then there is a track in the middle of the road for government buses. The bus stop also in that track, on the middle of the road.

But there are parks everywhere. Bangalore also has, but only in posh localities with bungalows. That's why all the migrants must spend crores to buy houses in any township.

At the Udupi Hotel there, they don't apply that red chutney in the masala dosa. Their chapatis are very soft. Not rubber. Pav (bread) is their main food.

When I went to Mumbai, I had a drink called Neera. It was Fifteen rupees. Then been to Kolhapur and had Kolhapur chicken over there.

Cost of living is also less in Pune. When I saw the doctor in between, I had to pay only one hundred rupees. The weather is the same here and there. Because of that, IT companies have established their roots there as well.

Sindhi community is very strong over there. They all have businesses over there. After closing the shop and reaching home, they go out at night with their families and will be walking everywhere. Others, who used to close their main door at eight o'clock in the night won't be able to digest this.

There are scenic spots nearby. like Lonavla. Pune Mumbai Expressway Road driving was an experience. Flat mountains, bald hills, and tunnels in between. Paragliding also can be seen at some places.

There is a difference in people's names also. Most of their names ending in "kar". The Junctions were called as chowks. The name of shops who sell Vada pav were ending in “vade wale”.

There are many places of historical importance. Including “Shanivar Vada”.

Pune people don't have much interest in Mumbai people and vice versa. There are other state community. Clubs and Association where people from different religion come together. They know each other for many years.

Another interesting thing was about the building reconstruction. Big builders take initiative to demolish buildings which are 30 years old and build new ones. Owners will be paid rent till the completion of work. No cost owners has to bear. Your 1 BHK may become 2BHk or your 2BHk will become 3BHK. Only thing is that, they will construct high raise building and other floors they will sell.

I am not sure if Bangalore has started this practice, or they may do it in near future.

Happy New Year to Everyone.