Returning to India

This summer I had the opportunity again to visit India for a couple of days. Before flying home after a busy working-schedule, I had some hours by myself to walk around the streets of Pune. It's funny how the hotel personnel always tries prevent you from doing so.

Aga Khan Palace in Pune (India) - SMC Pentax DA 20-40mm F2.8-4

The picture above was taken at the Aga Khan Palace in Pune. It was constructed in 1892 and it is easily one of the few remaining historic buildings you can find around town. The Aga Khan is considered a monument of national importance as Ghandi and his wife were interned in the palace for 2 years. Tucked away in a corner of the gardens I bumped into a column that holding Ghandi's ashes. Such a historic place and hardly any tourist to be found.

Street scene in Pune (India) - SMC Pentax DA 20-40mm F2.8-4

Outside the beautiful and peaceful palace it is Indian reality that kicks in pretty hard. I won't comment too much on the picture above, but lots of stuff is going on there. In any case, I've never felt unsafe in India and decided to head into the direction that the hotel personnel explicitly told me to avoid. 

Shopkeepers in Pune (India) - SMC Pentax DA 20-40mm F2.8-4

Before heading to India I promised my colleagues that buy some bakarwadi, a spicy snack from the area. Most kids in the street were surprised to find a white guy asking around for bakarwadi. After some time I ended up in the shop above and the shopkeepers were more than happy to pose for a portrait. 

Street mechanic  in Pune (India) - SMC Pentax DA 20-40mm F2.8-4

The guy above insisted that I took his photo. What you can't see is that a bunch of streets kids are cheering behind me to take the picture. After my walk around the area it was time to head back to the hotel and prepare for the flight back to the Netherlands. Let me close the article with two last pictures:

Street kid in Pune (India) - SMC Pentax DA 20-40mm F2.8-4

Street scene  in Pune (India) - SMC Pentax DA 20-40mm F2.8-4