A Problem Called Clutch

Clutch. You darn thing. My nemesis.

Yes, after having learnt how to ride, I am now learning how to drive. Embarrassed for a long time for not knowing how to move a car and bike, I made up my mind I would just learn and get these two things done with once and for all.

I gave myself a breather of a month post my bike classes to actually pick up the phone and enrol myself into driving school. Maruti Driving School was highly recommended to me and I was quite keen on opting for them having heard highly about their professionalism and their teaching modules. Besides, I did not want to repeat the mistake of joining one of those private training schools who are only interested in your money and care little about whether you actually learn to ride/drive at the end of your sessions.

One of the first things the trainers at the school laid emphasis on is road safety. They have a simulator that you spend xx hours on and they have theory classes and a demo where the

The simulator

function of every car part is explained and do's and don't's of driving are ingrained in you. They have dedicated hours spent on practical driving classes and all the teachers are certified trainers; they are punctual, regular with classes and particular about the progress of students.

So there I am, at 6AM waking up every morning. It's brrr-cold and I'm huddled under a warm blanket. But I have to get up...hitting the snooze button on my phone won't make time stop nor will it make me warmer nor will it miraculously have my classes cancelled. I get ready, dig out my woollen gloves I haven't worn since Australia, hurl around my neck my pashmina shawl and start the ignition of the scooter. A quick prayer and off I go with the biting cold winds sweeping past me, glad that my helmet not only performs the function of keeping me safe but also keeping my ears sheltered from the cold.

With 6 classes down my belt and far more than that to go, I can't wait till my classes are over and I master the wheel - the steering wheel I mean. But I's having problems. Problems with the darn clutch. Press it completely, release it till biting point slowly and smoothly, release it completely, press it completely, release it till biting point slowly and smoothly, release it completely, until the whole process has to be repeated time and again in course of your driving. My foot on the clutch seems to have a mind of its own, and it's taking its time to boss over the darn clutch, but it'll get there. And what's with the gears man! When I'm driving, and have to increase/decrease the speed, yes I have to change gears and quickly, but I don't recollect which gear it was in in the first place, which one did I last change it to? I need to look at the speedometer for this, I'm told. Yes, I have a long way to go... Then comes the hand brake. Sometimes, you need to press the button to release it, sometimes you don't. Sometimes it needs to be pulled up, sometimes it doesn't. I am being familiarized with the reasons of the do's and don't's but I think I'm getting a bit impatient.

Today, after having progressed gear by gear in earlier classes, I drove using fifth gear. It was too fast for me. I can do 50 on a bike, but 50 in a car was scary to me. I'll get there eventually. Wish me luck, just because...

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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