THE SANGLI SOJOURN

December 29th was brrrrr.... Punekars woke up to a near frost-bite , with temperatures dipping to 5 degrees . Providence would have it ,being a Thursday most of Pune will be indoors as it's a Weekly off. Not like we antipodes who observe it on a Sunday !

I trundled off with my skimpy upholstery [ reminds me of those poor heroines who do a Hindi song jig in the Swiss alps while the protagonist is clad in the choicest of winter dresses ] in a creaking three wheeler to the ' Shivneri ' stand waiting for the elusive Bus which would transport me to Sangli for a rendezvous with the ' Watwes' . I heard they specialise in adding life to our ' Blue lucid planet ' gynecologically. Adam and Eve were blushing !!

7 past 15 mins... the bahn was to arrive .. which came in hurtling at 8.15 am, as would have been with any regional transports. I was plucking my bristles from the forehand trying to while away the time and endure the wait... in the process turning into a dressed chicken, making me shiver all the more. The people scurrying all around, and passengers jostling to get into the bus.. the brawny takes the first step... there is an eerie pleasure, ofcourse beating the others .. as we are never used to maintain a linear line-up and enter the bus like a few disciplinarians.

After a nerve wracking 6 hours reached Sangli. A three and half hour journey became a nightmare when the bus pilot yanked the gear rod into his hand [ seen in many a Laurel and Hardy skit ] and it was to be re-positioned for the right synchronisation.

Was greeted by a brunette whom I mistook for Jennifer Lopez , waving at me in an eco-friendly dress .. yes friends it was Alps with a green attire , green mascara , green eyelashes {sorry I am overdoing it a bit !!}

I was bundled away in a Hyundai accent - not the fluidic version because ALPS now wants to rule the roads with an Innova and " Hai - " Hai" with the slit -eyed Japs. Arigatou gozaimasu !!

Was ushered into a palace .. I lost trace and count of the rooms.... a home plus clinic and heaven for the Pregasauraians. [ Pardon me all would be mothers !!].

We walked into memory lane at times it was a cobbled path and times a unhurdled highway.

Met UNC [ last saw him at Bam on his Sky blue 'Hamara Bajaj ' ]. I was flummoxed at his fluent Oriya. And Aunty a contender with Arun .. penning stories.. I have to yet read her 'PARADISE LOST' and rate her skills, which she is eagerly looking forward to !

After having worshipped Lord Bacchus ardently with my fav 'CHIVAS ' and a tearless 'ALVIDA' [ sorry my eyes are dry they are not lachrymose ] chartered my course back in a Volvo to Pune.

Thats it guys ! Until next time for having a ' SRIKHAND '