Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Sunlight


Sunlight is so important to us that we tend to get attracted to it like a sunflower. One of the reasons that we always look for a “well lit house” when hunting for a dwelling.

Imagine the joy of opening this door early in the morning and stepping out into the sun.


The early morning sunlight falling on the small steeple of this church


or on a dilapidated house is always a welcome sight.



If you think the above pictures have been clicked at some country side, you are wrong as this is in the heart of the city. On the busy Mumbai Pune highway at Khadki (formerly Kirkee) you get to see a part of the Military diary farm. All those who have cantonment areas in their cities are lucky to have small blessings like these.
But to get such glimpses one has to step out of the car. It is so unfortunate that in our daily grind we forget to look at such blessings all around us. Next time try traveling on a bicycle and you will discover new things which you miss out when traveling in a four wheeler. And if you are on foot so much the better.
I remember once at my bank, the lady at the counter was busy dispensing her work, when suddenly she looked up and said with a smile “sir last week I saw you at main street on a cycle” and as an after thought added “you were the only one on a cycle” I took it as a compliment and smiled back.

The famous Kirkee war cemetery is not far from this place.

Talking of cantonment area, the Main Street of Pune also comes under the cant, and if you saunter there early in the morning you get to see some eager roller skate enthusiasts.

You can see the eating joint Marz-O-Rin on the right - absolutely deserted.
Now compare the above picture with the one below. Both are scenes from main street. The one below was clicked at noon. And don’t miss the military vehicle which crept into my frame. Actually I was trying to click the hand cart guy who was going in the wrong direction (its a one way street)
Main street has a mixture of the old and the new, bustling with activity.



Coming back to the roller skaters, I spotted them while driving down one morning. I over took them, went much ahead, halted and took out the camera to click. But these kids were so fast that I had to click in hurry by which a part of the car got into the frame.

Well a little work on the Photoshop took care of the unwanted parts.

(all the pictures used in this post has been clicked in and around the Pune cant and Khadki cant.)

41 comments:

radha said...

Nice pictures. It is true, that we just do not pause and look at our surroundings. We are too busy!!! The sunlight at homes is what the 'vastu' factor is all about. And east facing homes are much in demand.

Priya said...

True..sunlight brings in cheer :) Lovely pics!

Indrani said...

Beautiful captures. Here in Bangalore it is hard to come across such sights. I was not knowing about the Kirkee war cemetery.

Atul said...

... then how come u always walk with eyes 'planted' on the road? ... :-)

Greener Bangalore said...

Amazing pics and as you said..its unbelievable! yes we fail to see many things within our own courtyards!....in fact its all about the angle at which you look at a thingy....Great post and lovely pics Haddock!

Stephanie said...

These are stunning pictures! There is so much of the world that I have not seen. :)

Jeannette said...

There is no sunlight on the Pacific coast this morning...that is to say in the bright yellow way your pictures are shining, but the light is still lovely. I took many pictures this morning and when they are up, I can return the favor of your sharing your lovely area.

Melissa B. said...

I must say that I worship the sun, too, but my fair skin, decidedly, does not.

Unknown said...

Another neat post with wonderfully nostalgic pics ! I was especially pleased to see Marz-O-Rin since I have many happy memories of the place in the days before they opened the 2nd floor, when the Manager/Owner was Sheriar, and I enjoyed many private, quiet dates in the afternoons when the place was deserted. This is one of the jewels in the crown of the Cantt. area that has grown into a landmark Bakery/Cafe worth visiting.

Rachna said...

love the pics. And, I love my sunshine too.

BK Chowla, said...

Very very nice pictures.No wonder they say one must have the house door opening to the east

Anuradha Shankar said...

Beautiful!!! so true.. we miss so much thanks to our hurry to get somewhere,.. and miss the journey altogether!

Neena Sharma said...

Very nice pictures. Thanks for sharing. It's really true that we miss out the simple beauty of our surrounding because we are constantly on the move.

Sovina said...

nice shots..and totally agree sunlight is essential and i also like airy, open houses

hamaarethoughts.com said...

nice pictures... specially the cemetery ..all organized way...beautiful !

R. Ramesh said...

ya, beautiful captures..and reg. sunlight..me too prefer open homes..love windows...cant think of closed doors and dark rooms.:)

Shalini said...

Ohhh...I love cycling. If you come to Delhi sometime, do go to the North Campus and you will find cycles on rent, its really amazing there.
And when I come to Pune, next year most probably, I'll take your advice on what all places to visit.
I love sunlight only when it is complemented with a cool breeze...sun usually means a bad-day here in Delhi.
Nice click btw. :)

Rachel Cotterill said...

You're right - they really don't look like photos taken a city!

S. Susan Deborah said...

Hello Joe:

I often joke that the sun is my better-half as my name is Susan (now the spelling does not matter). I am at a loss of words to say whether the pictures lent themselves to the camera or the camera captured them well. Either way, the pictures are a lovely treat.

Joe, thanks for coming by my place and leaving your imprint. Do come by whenever you have the time and inclination.

Joy and peace,
Susan

""°o.O Nancy O.o°"" said...

Thanks for all this pictures ! it's really interesting !

Dana Newman said...

Riding a bike is always great :) Cool insight into Pune life with your photos. Thank you!

Anonymous said...

yes i must say that seeing the world from above was absolutely incredible... dreams i have are quite vivid. i question, though, how you found my blog?
oh, and i love your pictures.
:)

Kiran said...

Thanks for visiting my blog Joe. I love the clicks around your blog :) Nice work.

hi-d said...

Great photos and I like your observations. I find it fascinating to stop and really notice the simple things that so many people don't see in their busy lives.

Thanks for stopping by my blog.
hi-d

Anonymous said...

hi... nice snaps..
click on this..http://picasaweb.google.co.in/sunayna.navani/KatrajPanchginiJuly15To182010#
i too have clicked snaps in panchgini and katraj which is between mum nd pune

hope u like them

Urmi said...

I appreciate for your wonderful post with lovely and spectacular shots.

Wendy Ramer, Author said...

That first picture of the house with shutters is just my style. If I ever visit Mumbai, I'll be sure to ask you for a local tour since you certainly know how to present the place in a sparkling "light".

Haddock said...

@ Wendy.
Just tell me when you will be here and I will certainly guide you around :-)
@ Babli
Thanks for the appreciation
@ Sunayna
Yes, saw your snaps and commented too.
@ hi-d
I wish more people would stop and appreciate the nature.
@ Kiran
Thanks
@ Reily Smiley
Its up there for anyone to see right?
I actually browse and read posts.
@ Wanted adventure
Yep nothing like a bike.
@ Nancy - Thanks
@ Susan Deborah
Thanks for the appreciation about the photographs. Lets put it this way, about 7 years ago I got a good camera and I just click about anything.
I noticed that you added my name in the followers list.
@ Rachel -Thanks
@ Shalini
Thats good, when you come down to Pune just drop in a line.
@ Ramesh
Very true
@ Harman
This is my second set of the pics at the cemetry
@ Sovina
Airy houses are the best.
@ Neena
Very true
@ Anu
Yes, no fun if you don't actually enjoy the journey.
@ Chowla
Yes many believe in Vastu Shastra
@ Rachna
Good to know that.
@ Virtual Poona Blogger
Yes after the fire, they renovated and added a floor on top. I think now the son sits at the counter. (not sure)
@ Mellisa
Fair skin ? Then you can get a nice tan with it.
@ Jeanette
Waiting to see your pics when you upload them
@ ModernMom
Yep, we all discover new things daily.
@ Greener Bangalore
Thanks buddy.
@ Atul
Next time when we meet its going to be eye ball to eyeball
@ Indrani
Its a sad fact that many in Pune too are not aware of the War Cemetery
@ Priya
Thanks
@ Radha
Yes that east facing house.... but I wonder they want it just for the sunlight.

Summer Ross said...

These are wonderful photos, I really like the graveyard one and the story of the skating. :)

Momma Bear said...

Very nice!

Srishti said...

Oohhhhh, nice place man, really. Very hard to find something like this in the heart of city. Yeah, people usually equate sunshine for happiness amd lightness and stuff. Hence the song, Ain't no sunshine when she's gone... :)
Nice blog =]

walk2write said...

You've provided us with a very interesting and beautiful perspective on your city. There's a town called Cantonment near Pensacola and close to where our home is. I had never thought about its possible connection to the military. Now you've got me curious about it.

Room 209 said...

I love your photographs! When looking for a house, I too, am always searching for great lighting. It makes me happy.

Thanks for stopping by my blog! :)

Unknown said...

Wow, great pictures!!! Thanks for swinging by my blog. :)

tapirgal said...

Another great theme. Thanks for inviting me to your blog.

Lowell said...

A nice series of well-lit photos! :-)

The roller-blading shot reminds me I've got to get back on mine.

We face east so get the early morning sun, also, which is nice. But it does get hot quickly on that side of the house.

JacobV said...

Wow, things sure have changed from what I remember. I remember me and my brother riding the bike, up and down the road alongside a military barracks, at the home of a cousin I was visiting in Kirkee :)

JacobV said...

BTW: love the pics and the memories!

Anonymous said...

Arrnica here ..wow its such an amazing post .. like u rightly said .. one needs to stop every once in a while to be able to appreciate the simple joys that god sends our way in every moment of our life :)

LisaDay said...

I like when the sun pokes through the clouds.It's beautiful.

LisaDay

Anonymous said...

Love the light in the morning. Fantastic photos!