It was much later than I expected by the time I got out of Mumbai. I was keen to hit the highway. I went to the Hanuman temple near the old apartment on 18th road and did a little prayer for the Bull. Then I was off.
Oh yes, the big absurd thing was I got on to the expressway inadvertently on which motorcycles are not allowed. A man on the way stopped me and advised me to take the longer route, which I did. Then again somewhere along the way, I couldn't spot no clear road signs and got back on the expressway. I was pissed and decided lemme just figure this thing out...whatever happens. There was no way to turn back anyways. And then the expressway patrol stopped me and I explained to them, "Look I have no intention of riding on this highway. I want to get off but I don't know how." And that man helped me out...I got out, took the longer, painful highway to Pune. Near Lonavla, I kept riding with the doubt if whether I would get back on that expressway.
Stopped at Lonavla, bought chikki...which was my highway comfort food up until Chennai. I'd eat it whenever my butt ached and I was disgusted with the dust on my face and it would make me happy.
And then I got lost in Pune. Missed the bypass. Got stuck deep in the city in traffic and pollution. I felt sad for the state of inside Pune and our cities in general. These cities and their populations are bearing the brunt of development. The cars and the motor vehicles create so much heat and pollution in the city that it's unbelievable what it does to your skin and face. My skin starts burning literally. Black soot gets stuck in between the hollows of your eyes. It's sick when you wash your face.
I was happy to get out of Pune. I was keen to make time and I drove and drove. I can't remember where and what I ate. But I did recall eating. There were a few days I skipped lunch to stick to my deadlines and felt silly for keeping goals and driving per goals when I just shouldn't do that.
On the way, I took a 12km deviation when I saw the sign for Wai. On the way, it started raining crazy and I Bulleted through. Wanted to. Wai is there in Swades movie...it's the temple where lot of stuff if shot. The village however is rough...nothing like the movie. The temple was a Ganesha temple -- lovely. Kids were playing outside. Very dirty. There's a small manmade lake closeby...dirty.
I was surprised to see Kolhapur, Parashuram's district. It was very well developed. I've noticed that one of the signs of developed towns/ cities are the car showrooms on the highway -- this trend is consistent.
It was getting late and I wanted to find a hotel...and when I'd ask in some town (forget the name) for a hotel, they'd point to a restaurant. And I'd say, "sleeping hotel" and they'd respond, "you mean a lodge" and finally I ended up in Nipani city on the border and near Belgaum. It's in Karnataka but they speak more of Marathi.
I stayed in place called Pravin Lodge (my namesake) and the place was a shit hole with roaches and all. The kid there showed me a big room and insisted it's the best that one can get anywhere. He kept saying, "soo good, soo good." The quirky, angry manager got friendly only the next morning when he knew where I was going. He said, "Lot of stamina." Oh well.
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