The Motor Bikes of Pune

Pune is a city of 3 million in the state of Maharashtra, and also where my friend Vishwas lives. After we had a brief intro to the UWC campus and lunch, we returned to Pune to explore the city, and because Cecilia wanted to shop. This is one of the key lessons of GYLI--that in a group setting sometimes your own needs are put aside for the group. The group was Cecilia, Vishwas, his wife Jotti, and I. Half of the group needed to shop, and half did not, so we proceeded to Tulsi Baug, the local shopping area (not the Western Style Mall). On the way I was struck by the number of motor bikes and scooters, they were everywhere and coming at us from all directions.

They were just cleaning up and de-constructing from the festival honoring the Hindu god, Ginesha. So according to our guides this is why things were not as crowded.

The women on the scooters and bikes all where scarfs around their faces, so they are nicknamed the "bandit queens." One of the rules that I try to live by when traveling is not to take photos of people from a vehicle. If I am on the street and I can talk to with them. So I wanted take a picture with one of these "bandits" and after two or three attempts, I was able to have a conversation and have Joti take my picture with Monisa.

The shopping area was a wonderful local market where you could by everything from metal carvings to home goods to clothes in 4 or 5 narrow lanes. Walmart can definitely never compete with this for price selection and ability to negotiate. Cecilia and Johti were in heaven, lured by shiny stuff in every corner. I enjoyed watching the negotiations. Seems the first offer is always one half or less, and I can't help thinking what this would do to American consumerism, if we always had to negotiate for everything.

After shopping we picked up Vishwas' and Jotti's two sons and returned to their place for dinner. It was great to get to see and experience a middle class India home and see their wonderful hospitality for ourselves. Not only are they great cooks, but Jotti did a quick henna art masterpiece on Cecilia's hand. They have a huge map on the wall and the two boys can name almost every world capitol--they basis a very strong eduction in my mind.

Off to Bangelore and two workshops on Monday!

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Part of trip: Matt--India

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