Places visited: Kelkar museum, Shaniwarwada, Lal Mahal
Date: 11/4/2010
Purpose: Kelkar museum, Shaniwarwada, Lal Mahal.
Persons: Harshal, Bhawdish, Milind, Carol, Daniel, Scott, Michael, Ryan.
All the US people wanted Pune Darshan. So Bhawdish requested me to come with them as a guide. I too agreed. I was not sure what all should I show them karan aamcha manager veda ahe, to nako tithe kadya karto.
I reached Cocoon at 11:00 AM. Milind reached a little bit late. From Coccon, we have already booked 2 taveras. We started at 11:30 AM and reached Kelkar Museum at 12:00 PM. Fortunately the drivers found a place to park the vehicles there itself. On the way I told Ryan, Scott and Mike all the information about Pune. Scott seemed to be inerested more than other guys. Bhawdish and Milind were with Carol and Daniel in another cab.
We entered the museum, bought the tickets as well as 1 pass for photography. The flash photography is not allowed. I was telling them about all the things and their importance and about hindu culture. Bhawdish cha chutiyapana chalu ch hota. We took 2 hours to watch entire museum. Scott was impressed by seeing our culture. I explained him about old times, hindu families, God, Ganpati, Why mandirs have dwarf doors, etc. etc. Carol la tithe shu nahi karta ali karan tila indian toilet madhye kasa basayacha te kalala nahi. hahahaha.
Then we started deciding about lunch. I told them that we will be going to "Potoba". Bhawdish naraj zala. Pan mi tyacha kahi aikla nahi. We went to Potoba near Pune Anath Vidyarthi Gruha. The parking at Fadke Sankul was full, so dirvers went to some other place. Potoba madhye waiting list hoti. We waited outside for 10 minutes. Bhawdish started telling them "This is not a good hotel. This is about average hotel." Maag mi tyala oradlo, MA******* kahi pan sangto. akkal nahi tyaala.
We went inside AC room, and it was very clean and hygenic as per the US standards. The plates were clean, too. We ordered many different things. Ryan tried Alu Paratha, Mike tried Veg Dum Biryani, Scott, Carol, and Daniel tried Matar Paneer with Naan and Jeera Rice with Daal. Bhawdish got Dal Khichadi. And Milind tried the same paneer*.*. I took Thalipeeth. Scott, Ryan and Mike tried it, too. Daniel and Carol were little bit upset as they did not get Coke. But thats fine. This was the real India. Bhadwish ghabarla coke nahi milala mhanun... BHAD****. Bil fakta 800 rupaye zala.
It was 2:30 PM, when we reached Shaniwarvada. We took tickets and went inside. All the inside things are broken and in bad condition. Couples are sitting at dark corners in staircases. Beggers are sleeping everywhere. Carol asked me whay they were sleeping, is it a boarding house or so? hahahaha. I showed them the entire thing ani buruj pan dakhavle. Then we took photo near main gate. It was a too hot afternoon.
Then we went to Lal Mahal at 3:45. It opens up at 4:00 PM, so we waited and then entered inside. Inside there are only paintings of Raje Shivaji, nothing else. PMC should do something more there to attract tourists.
Then we started back for Cocoon. I took riksha from MG road till Swargate and then PMT to Home. I reached home at 5:00 PM and slept for a while drinking pineapple sarbat.
It was a good Pune Darshan for the US people. Scott liked it very much. I think Carol and Daniel are pure Amerikans who don't want to know things other than US.
Expenses ( All are re-embursed by John Deere ):
Kelkar Museum:
( Rs. 200 X 5 ) + ( Rs. 20 X 3 ) + ( Rs. 150 for photos ) = Rs. 1210
Potoba:
Food: Rs. 800
Shaniwarvada:
( Rs. 100 X 5 ) + ( Rs. 5 X 3 ) = Rs. 515
Lal Mahal:
( Rs. 5 X 8 ) = Rs. 40
Comments
Post a Comment