Hello!
As I have mentioned in my previous post, my father is getting treated in a hospital in Pune, India. Taking advantage of being in a relatively nicer neighbourhood of the city, I have taken to going for evening walks. While taking one last evening, I was struck with the idea of writing a post about the place. Here we go!
The lane stretches to almost 3 kms. and lush green trees and shrubs adorn the sides of the road. The neighbourhood is a quiet & serene one with dense greenery, a rarity in urban India these days.
Almost opposite the hospital is the Osho Commune or as they call it, Rajneesh Osho Meditation Resort. Late Shree Osho is a famous and somewhat controversial spiritual teacher/Guru who apparently still has a huge following all across the world and the city witnesses a huge draw of tourists and spiritual seekers every year from all over the globe. Osho disciples in magenta and white robes are a common sight in the area (you can see one in the picture above if you squint your eyes). The disciples appear happy and relaxed to me. So much so that I am quite tempted to attend a discourse and see what this whole hurly-burly & mystique around Osho is all about!
A stone’s throw away from the ashram is this happy looking diner called ‘Dario’s’. My cousin tells me they serve good breakfast. *Note to self : Try it once!*
Ok here comes the exciting part!! 😀
As you go ahead you are distracted by a colourful sea of shoes in a little shoe corner.. It’s a make-shift kind of bohemian-ish shop that also sells colourful bags and provides robes on rent to the disciples. The shoes/flip flops are too pretty and vibrant to be true and my, are they CHEAP!! A pair sells for about Rs. 170 ($3)!! Carrie Bradshaw would have shrieked in delight! 😀
The sales guy in the picture, ‘Rahul’ was sweet enough to pose for me. The picture below is of the popular ‘Osho Chappals’ or Osho Slippers. Why are they called that, I don’t know but they are damn comfortable and cheaper than the other shoes. They do have a ‘hermit’Â vibe to them because of their jute/bamboo soles and are environment friendly. How cute!!
I bought a pair – (I simply couldn’t resist!) *see below* one of my least expensive buys in footwear till date and quite sassy,with the fringed ribbon and all… I plan to go back there soon with a big and empty bag. 🙂
On a somber note, below is the picture of the infamous German Bakery. As you walk out of the lane and hit the main road (rather noisy and brimming with traffic), you instantly notice this cute bistro situated on the square. The once happy and thriving cafe & breakfast joint has been shut for the past 2 years and is still heavily guarded. The vibrant and cheerful graphics on the walls defy a rather painful past. The place fell victim to a terrorist attack in the year 2010. My heart goes out to the victims & their families.
I hope the place reopens and flourishes with all its former glory and spunk soon, healed and stronger than ever. *Amen*
That’s it for now. I hope you find the post of some help if you ever happen to visit this/corner of the city.
p.s. Please excuse the quality of pictures. I took them with my phone and there is only so much a phone’s cam can do.
xo,
M
Elfin Olive 