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!

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.

First Look Inside Legoland Dubai

Yesterday, I went for the soft opening of Legoland Dubai . It's a much anticipated attraction at the Dubai Parks & Resorts - home also to the Bollywood Parks (I hear you can film your own movie here), MotionGate (a Hollywood inspired theme park), Lapita (a Polynesian, tribal themed Marriott hotel) and Riverland (retail and dining zone). Now who doesn't love Lego right? I remember spending as many hours building Lego house models as I did playing with Barbie! So when you get a free ticket for a trial run of the park, you go! Riverland, the 'reception' zone of Dubai Parks & Resorts; and way in the distance, Bollywood Park The beautiful 500-room Lapita hotel with the beautiful sunset backdrop This wasn't the first Legoland I have visited. On a trip to the U.K., we spent such a fantastic day at the Legoland . Imagine what a fascinating sight it was to my ten year old eyes! I vividly remember seeing a Lego version of a giant Cadbury...

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