The Last Indian Holiday V

Days 17 – Present day: Sexy sexy and the epilogue.

So I lied. Slightly.

There was never a need for inebriation but we were just drunk enough to see there wasn’t any reason not to.

Goa happened. It was brilliant. An expose into how much wine I had would be fairly unintelligible so I’m going to comment on how absolutely ridiculous the towns of Goa could really get. While the “Ladies party” seemed a cultural favourite, we were sold everything from ecstasy to what might have been a serious offer for a 12-year old girl. The fact that most offers happened at noon made for a stark quality. I fear for what happens in the puke stained by-lanes off the Baga beach.

Stay away from those alleys, and even the water, apparently, and enjoy the likes of endless gastronomic passage.

Goa lasted a mere two days. Finances had everything to do with the decision to return.


“Purr!”

The plight of tigers in India drains the ad slots on television the past week. An issue someone needs to be something about.

1411 and counting.

I plan to make something of it all. Haven’t figured it out yet.

A little over a week to go in Pune and neither I nor my roommate off late care little to make it count. I spend some time making it a point to meet the peeps. The peeps most often come with alcohol. Why, oh why?

None of those escapades warrant mention.

But we did go to the zoo!

Yep. The zoo. The Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park in Katraj holds a likeness to the Bermuda triangle. No one seems to be certain of its existence but it sucks the odd passerby off and on.

Armed with camera and the enthusiasm of an 8-year old, we walked in to the unknown. My greater concern was I hadn’t seen a wild animal in almost a decade. Katraj is home to a snake and crocodile park too, housed alongside the zoo. So we decide to pay a trip to the reptiles before the tigers. Snakes don’t excite me. But crocs do. Goddamn magnificent they are.

I found it a tad surprising people didn’t really know off the zoo. For Pune it was a step forward. It was clean and they housed a pretty decent collection of animals. I don’t particularly like the idea of a zoo and cages, but I took what I got.

The high point – the White tiger. Wonderful beast, that.
The low point – the Leopard enclosure. Found two potentially pregnant women amble about, often attacking each other, mocking each other. Was entertaining until they got a male-full from the man of the house. The male leopard nonchalantly ended the brewing spat by boinking one of the unsuspecting women. Smooth.

Buses, wada pav and tapri chai later, we’re back. Throw in a Shaniwarwada and wham – you got Pune in a bun.



How do you do it Mr. Bhardwaj?

Caught Ishiqya the other day. Pretty great watch. While it isn’t an epic movie, it very easily allows you to appreciate it and love it. Abhishek Chaubey is someone to watch out for. His actors shine in their finest. While Naseeruddin Shah is no surprise, I find both Vidya Balan and Arshad Warsi are the best they have offered since Parineeta and Munnabhai MBBS. Both, perhaps, underestimated and underused by the popular stream that often sucks them in.

Vishal Bhardwaj, inspite of all else that goes for this movie, steals the show. The music and background score make for great listening and are perhaps, among the best we could have heard in a while.



Not just you sir! Well maybe just you, but we try.

My proposed involvement in the tiger campaign runs through my head while “I’m on holiday” and it’s cause for awe for my sister-in-law.

I learn a few hours after that conversation that perhaps my mind takes vacation in activity after three inane years in Symbiosis. Idleness is of virtue only in contrast, else it’s a ball and chain.

I act on the few more idle hours in Pune. 15 years of friendship can send us down dark paths. But we share a sense of challenge. Nothing lies beyond our reach. Albeit small fingers and soft grip.

Something we did.





Call it a month.

I’m in Bangalore as I type this. Back from a trip of introspection, recollection and resolution. Back from a trip of alcoholic disarmament.

Back from a trip of goodbyes.

We wait as a visa seems around the corner.

Hamburg and the new life anticipated.