Hanisha Learns to Ride

I'm 26, and I don't know how to ride or drive.

There I've confessed (now my shoulders feel light). What a shame right? For all my life, I've been piggy-backing on someone else to get me from point A to point B. So much dependence. Sheesh Hanisha! My sister 8 years my junior took to the wheel before me (shame again, I know...I know!). I'm the only one left out of my four siblings who doesn't who the C of a car or a b of a bike. But don't judge me...I've tried learning both, a two and a four wheeler - a two wheeler in college when all I could manage was riding on the straight empty roads, but having my heart in my mouth on the turns; a car when I was in school, where for two days I'd just drive it in the compound round and round in circles, with a nervous-wreck of a driver sitting beside me. But I never saw through either. Both trainings ended abruptly and my heart wasn't in it either.

Recently, when I switched jobs and moved back home (which is Pune in case you're wondering), I was auto-ricking it to work and back. This city (and like many other cities in India) has pesky rickshaw drivers who NEVER and I repeat never have any small denomination bills! It's always a fight to churn up the exact amount that the meter charges. Sometimes I actually open my wallet expecting a miracle - those worn out orange ten rupee notes and red twenty rupee notes and some gleaming silver coins! So while the rickshaw drivers expectantly stare at me for the money, my glare shifts to a dozen or so women whizzing by on their little two-wheelers, independent, with the wind blowing through their hair (why don't they wear helmets man?!), I cringe wishing I could be one of them. Sigh! I need to get my own two-wheeler...

But the auto fraternity doesn't get to take away full credit for me feeling the urge to learn to ride. The Vespa. That's right, the Vespa. That beautiful metallic machine in all its glorious colours caught my fancy. I could just picture it - petite me zipping away on my yellow two wheeler in Paris..uh I mean in Pune. Next thing I knew, I was Justdial-ling driving schools and enquiring about female trainers. In two days of making up my mind, I found myself learning how to balance on my loud-mouth trainer's rickety, rusty ol' scooty.

Three classes down and training isn't going well. I'm scared as hell. And my trainer's not helpful in the least! What's more, my visit to the Vespa showroom was disappointing. That sleek-looking two wheeler is not sleek - it weighs 140 kgs (more than twice my weight) and my feet can barely touch the ground! Vespa dreams down the drain. Anyhoo, other options are being explored. I hope to be the proud owner of one in a few weeks and say hello if you spot me riding by!

INSIDE THE GO CHEESE FACTORY

Last weekend, I got a unique opportunity to visit Gowardhan Cheese Factory in Manchar district, a good two hour drive from Pune city. The owning home-grown company Parag Milk Foods brand portfolio includes Gowardhan and GO boasting of a range of dairy products that have been retailed across Mumbai and Pune over the last decade. I first started using their yoghurt when the local kirana store ran out of my usual preference of Amul , Danone and Britannia . One spoon of it and I instantly found it so fresh, light and 'unprocessed'. I have always loved cheese but now I even prefer it over chocolate. So when I was scheduled to visit the GO factory, it bore semblance to winning the golden ticket and entering glistening gates to its factory much like the popular Roald Dahl 's Charlie . Except that it was not all that dramatic!

An Immersive Stay at Andaz Amsterdam

I have stayed at some great hotels, but none were like the Andaz Amsterdam . None of them. No hotel has impressed me as much as this Hyatt brand of hotel has. It's so good, it warrants an entire blog post. And here is why - right from the word check-in, you're really made to feel like you've stepped into a little slice of Amsterdam . The hotel is located on one of the hottest streets in Amsterdam called Prinsengracht, a street along the city's most prestigious canal. A lot of the city's attractions are a short walk away. The hotel is designed by the famous Dutch designer Marcel Wanders . So no wonder hints of this vibrant old city of Amsterdam peek out from the interiors to induct you into Dutch culture. The lobby was stunning - with its prominently blue interiors, there was a touch of quirk everywhere. From the very high ceiling is suspended an enormous artsy lighting-cum-chandelier installation. Above each reception desk there are huge white bell-shap...

Restaurant Review | Where Else Cafe & Bar

Where Else promises to be unique in Viman Nagar, a neighbourhood already brimming with so many eateries. Four young friends came together to put their love for food and travel experiences in a melting pot called ‘Where Else’. This new café and bar is the brainchild of sibling duo Ardesh and Daisy Rustomjee and best friend duo Amritha Shrikumar and Sweta Jobanputra. These Viman Nagar residents have been firsthand witnesses to the rise of new eateries in their locality. With ‘Where Else’ they aim to fill in the void of a place that offers all-day breakfast and good quality indulgent food. We drove to the outlet in its first week of opening to find out if ‘Where Else’ is the place to be.

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