Pune: Day 2
When Mrunmayee turned my guide
Remember when I shared my idea of travel with you?
My second day in Pune was precisely that. In fact, I tried to explore all my days in Pune as a migrant, but Day 2 was memorable as I got to see not just the happening side but the local Pune too.
But before reading this one, I ask you to read Pune: Day 1 to stay in context.
Mrunmayee and I decided to spend the entire day with no itinerary. I had a few places on my list, and the rest was impromptu.
Mrunmayee is a proper Punekar and the best person to hang out with to understand the city culture. She took me to a lot of places. Here are all of them, in the order as they occur:
Walk Workout at Parvati Hill
We met around 10 am. She asked me to come to the Laxminarayan Theater and then picked me up from there (Is it picking up if I drive? idk, nevermind)
We first went to Parvati Hill, around 15 mins from the theatre. It’s a not-so-high but peaceful hilltop where you can see the entire Pune city.
It took fifteen minutes to drag ourselves uphill (good lower workout, I must say.) We enjoyed the view and spent some calm time in the temple. I was surprised to see no one in the temple, and then Mrunmayee reminded me it was a weekday, 11 am.
There was also a museum, but that didn’t interest us. So we walked back down.
Walking around at Saras Baug
We were starving as we didn’t have our breakfast. So we wanted to grab some food after Parvati Hill. Saras Baug was on our route to the breakfast place.
Then what? We starved a little longer :p
Saras Baug is a park—more of a tourist spot than of travel. I liked how vast it is. Alsooo, I got to see some fish, pigeons, and squirrels (if you think why that’s an important detail, I like watching animals.)
It’s not a place where I want to hang out for a long time, so we just walked around for 20-25 minutes, and we were out.
But But…
I was glad I visited Saras Baug when I saw this heartwarming moment:
Breakfast at Bedekar Misal
This was my first introduction to the entire ‘pav’ cuisine. I was in Mumbai for a day in 2020 and had Vada Pav back then. I don’t remember how it tastes, but I know it felt good.
I had Pav Bhaji a few times in Hyderabad, but it wasn’t great. So yep, my first time trying REAL pav varieties in a city it’s famous for.
We went to Badekar Misal (started as a tea stall in 1948 and is now famous for its misal.)
Mrunmayee asked if I was okay with Misal Slice.
I said, “I don’t even know what that means. Just get me good food.”
She ordered Misal Slice.
It arrived at our table, and this was running through my mind:
“Okay, food looks weird. Are there any better options? What is this curry even? Or is it curry? What is it? And how should I eat this? Why is there bread? I hate bread.”
Mrunmayee probably figured I was clueless and asked me to have the bread in the Misal (The one in the bigger bowl.) She also explained the bread is called a slice and the red thing is misal. Hence the name Misal Slice.
I was like, okay… and had a bite. This was me right after:
It was so good. I even asked my friends if there was any good Maharashtrian restaurant in Hyderabad where I could go and have Misal Pav or Slice.
That’s how much I crave Misal Slice now.
Shaniwar Wada: Perfect Place to Sleep
I liked how Pune kept surprising me. Again, I thought Shaniwar Wada would be boring (assumed it to be no fun, blaming the vloggers for not advertising it well.)
But Shaniwar Wada is beautiful. Even more, peaceful.
The tall trees, the huge Wada walls, the lush green grass with droplets over them, and the cloud cover that might pour down any time—All combined made the environment beautiful, and my description won’t do justice to what I felt.
It’s one of the most peaceful hours I spent lately.
Fun Story: I felt sooooo peaceful I wanted to nap. In fact, I asked Mrunmayee to walk around for 30 minutes, so I could take a nap. :p (Good to have friends for years. You’ll be comfortable enough to do this.)
Dessert (yes, in rain) at Sujata Mastani
I heard many good things about the desert place, but it disappointed me in providing a new taste. I’m not saying it’s bad. I had Chocolate Mastani and Mrunmayee, Pista Mastani—both tasted great, but they were like any other milkshakes.
I was told it has a different taste. But I couldn’t experience it.
Vishrambaug Wada
We were casually walking, and Mrunmayee pointed to a beautiful red building and said, “Oh that’s Vishrambaug Wada. Just like Shaniwar, it’s a Wada too.”
In case you didn’t know like me: Wada means residence; built by Bajirao for the Peshwas.
“I liked Shaniwar Wada, so I might like this too,” I thought and said, “Let’s check this out.”
It wasn’t as big as Shaniwar Wada, and Vishrambaug was more like a museum with facts and history documented beautifully.
Did I read everything? No.
Do I think it’s a must visit? Not really.
Do I like the vibe? Yes.
Shopping at Tulshibaug
I get gifts from every place I visit for my friends and family. Tulshibaug was perfect for this.
It’s a local shopping market with many household goods and women's accessories. I took some earrings and Pesha-cultured Bindis (Lol, I googled what Bindis are called in English. The answer is: Decorative Dot worn between the eyebrows.)
Didn’t find anything good to get for the boys.
Work, nap, coffee at Zen Café
We were back at KP by 4 pm. We planned to go to FC Road in the evening, and it was raining heavily, so we decided to sit in a café.
Mrunmayee wanted to visit Zen Café as she has been there recently and loved the place (What she meant: I had this Chocolate Croissant, and I miss it now. Let’s go have it.)
So we ordered one and shared it. It was good.
Mrunmayee was too tired after all this, she took a nap.
I ordered a coffee and got some work done. Zen has great work culture. Good place to just sit, work, and hang out. Coffee was okayish, but the prices were reasonable compared to other cafés in KP.
Honestly, I felt a lot of KP’s cafés were overpriced.
Place I looked forward to: FC Road
Before going to the FC road, we were at a café 10 minutes away. We met Alisha, Mrunmayee’s closest friend. We spoke about how I liked Pune, their recent trip to Udipi, and a bit of their office gossip.
Alisha had to leave soon, but she suggested some really good places for us, starting with this 👇
This has the best Crêpes!! Mrunmayee and I were too full at this point, so we just ordered one Paneer Crêpe and shared it. If you’re around FC Road, don’t even think of missing Nina Pinta Santamaria.
After having Crêpe, we roamed around the FC Road.
I love love loveeee these streets where the young population hangs out. I was looking forward to the street’s vibe, and my positive perception increased a thousand-fold when I bought this:
Fifteen minutes later, we were at the famous Cafe Goodluck.
This place has been popular for decades for Bun Maska with chai. (Again, Mrunmayee explained to me Bun = Bread; Maska = Butter)
It’s the first time I had Bun Maska, and trust me, I never imagined it would be this yumm! Good to know there is a lot beyond Biryani I can fall in love with.
There’s usually a huge crowd—You should wait for a seat. But it’s worth it.
I can go back to Pune just to have Misal Slice/Pav and Bun Maska.
When Mrunmayee’s Mom made Pav Bhaji ✨
The finale for the day was at Mrunmayee’s home. I have known her for years, her parents know me too, but we never met each other. So she invited me home for dinner.
Honestly, I like meeting families. I can’t explain why or how, but having lunch/dinner with families or just casual conversations means something to me.
I have good relationships with all my friends’ parents. They all love me (my friends would disagree but okay.)
It went great at Mrunmayee’s home. Her mom was sweet, dad, great with conversions, and her brother was a mix of both.
Mrunmayee didn’t allow me to eat Pav Bhaji elsewhere because aunty was cooking it at home—I’m glad I waited the entire day for it.
I spent a decent time with them. I wish I could have stayed longer, but my place is far from her home. So I thanked them for the food and hosting me, and left early, at 10 pm.
Back to my hostel, freshened up, and slept like a baby.
Misal pav is something my husband loves too. He spent 4 years in Maharashtra while studying engineering and made me enjoy vada pav and pav bhaji in Mumbai. It tastes sublimely delicious!
I still think, even after the fees, you won't be actually able to commit the murder🤣