Shirin's Place, Magarpatta City, Pune

01.14.09

3:30 PM

Shirin's Place, Magarpatta City, Pune

I landed in Pune on the 31st, met Shirin after almost 18 years. Wewere in school (AFGJI) together in class VII. In class VIII I ended upin a different section, however, we caught the bus together so weremained good friends. Even so, that was a long time ago and we werekids back then. It has been fun getting to know my friend all overagain - we get along great - perhaps one of the reasons I've stayed inPune for so long.Life works in funny ways, not in a million years did I imagine I'd bespending new year's with Shirin. We went out to Post 91, had a nicedinner with good company. Last week I was out travelling but Ireturned on Friday. This week I've been chilling in Pune. It's a neatcity, full of young people. Shirin lives in a lovely community calledMagarpatta city. It is mostly residential with some IT companieslocated within the city. Everything is walkable, very secure, cleanand green. There is a local market about a 10min walk and a nice parkwhere I've gone running on occasion, so you really don't have to leavethis area unless you're looking for entertainment in the city. Thefirst weekend, Shirin's friend Sonia along with her daughters, took usaround Pune University and other historic places in the old city. Wethen ended the evening playing dominoes with a teenager and a 4 yearold over a cup of chai and cake. It was an excellent day!The Kelkar museum is also a must see in Pune, it has a lot of art andthings from all over India all housed in one location. The Osho ashramis located at Koregaon park; I visited the Osho garden - lovely gardenand wandered around looking at the mansions in Koregaon park. There'sa German Bakery in this area which has good bread, cakes, andsandwiches - it also has fast internet, a PCO for local phone calls, agenerally good vibe and is a nice place to chill if you want to hangout for sometime. A lot of backpackers, local college students andyoung professionals hang out here on occasion so you're likely to haveinteresting conversations with people. Though if you're looking forsome solitude, it might be hard to find here.Shirin rents a flat on the 9th floor, with a lovely view at night.It's a nice two bedroom apartment. In spending time with her here,I've found her lifestyle in certain broad terms to be similar to minein Boston. While the cities are different, the climate is different,the food is different (the food here is very good); the long workhours, general lifestyle habits of 30 something professionals and therelationship struggles are the same. Shirin is also an excellenthousemate. She's been incredibly generous in sharing her space. I feelquite at home already - I made dinner for her and another friend lastnight. She went to Mumbai for work early Monday morning, and on a whimmade me sprouts for breakfast before leaving - it was a nice surpriseto wake up to. She's a really sweet person and kind of quirky - we'rehaving fun together in Pune! I feel like as if I've already got acommunity of friends here.