On the road to Daund (the little bit of buildings far at the back near the horizon, that's Daund!)
Who in the right mind would make a shift from a city like Dubai to a small town like Daund, in rural India? We did, and we are enjoying everyday of it. From the green farms and fresh smell of manure, to the daily power cuts from 7am to 3pm. No more friggin desert sand and artificially watered trees. This is natural living at its best!
No air-conditioners, no malls, no cinemas, no restaurants of note, no unhealthy fast food like McDonald’s or Burger Kings, just acres and acres of farms, and an industrial area sitting next to our Project office spewing out funny smelling gas.
Work-wise, I am good, leaving the house daily at 6.30am and returning back by 9pm, 6 days a week and half a day on alternate Sundays. But it’s construction, and timing is somewhat flexible. Sometimes I may put in a little less, sometimes work a little later to show support at night or in the wee hours of the morning, but most of the time, as with most exploitive industries like construction, working less is out of the question.
Family-wise, we’re good here as well. Our little monster is growing up mighty fast and running all over the place. Wife has her hands full with the little critter, since the husband is most of the time not around to be with the family or to see his little monster grow up. It may be a matter of time before the kid forgets who his father is. And the wife forgets who the husband is.
Best decision ever made, moving from Dubai to Daund. Just wondering when this fiasco in the Middle East will end... It better be fast or it’ll be the end of our happy family life.
Anu and Amrita with our car at our apartment in Daund, Pune District, Maharashtra
The neighbourhood kids
Our living room
House of the Buddha's Palm, there're red palms and swastika prints all over the house. There're on every wall. Local custom.
Typical scenery from the area, Daund to Patas road
Viaduct across the Bhima River, the river flanking Daund
Our little monster in a petrol station on the Shirdi Road. Shirdi is the abode of the first (original) Sai Baba and is a major pilgrimage point in India. It's about 160km away from Daund
