My very first check in

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Photo of My very first check in by Indrajeet Milind More

I was in Pune exactly a year ago. Sceptical... Worried... Doubtful... I had missed my train back to Mumbai.

I went backpacking solo (as I usually prefer) to Wai, Pachgani, Satara and then to Pune. It was kind of a short, unplanned trip just near to Mumbai. I hitchhiked a lot, stayed in local homes, made a hell lot of new friends. I did a major part of my 'first times' in this journey. Checking into a hotel/hostel all by myself was one of those.

It was the last day of my trip and I had missed my train. Although I had a bunch of other option to travel back to Mumbai, I was tired, and did not wish to travel again in anymore discomfert. I choosed to stay back. This wasn't in the plan at all. In fact, there wasn't even any plan as such. It was evening. I remembered a post I saved few weeks ago on my social media. It was about a hostel in Pune. I decided to give it a try and book myself a bunk. I made a call to Backpacker Panda Hostels.

"Hello, It's Backpacker Panda."

"Ummm hie, do you guys have any bunk bed available? For a night?"

"Yea, we do. Crash in."

"Cool."

I was all exited, nervous too. I know I'll be laughing thinking about this ahed in my life, but it indeed was somthing special for an 18 year old.

Google led me to a lane where I spoted a Panda face flashing with a lot of graffities on the wall.

"Yes. That's it."

I stepped in and after doing all those formalities, a guy led me to my room with, their property pamphlet and a map of Pune. Graffities of iconic marathi culture were all over the walls. The rooms were named after the forts in Maharashtra. Mine was Rajgad. I felt like an adult, going live on Instagram was another wannabe cringe I did there. I shared the room with two engineers from Banglore and a German fellow.

The common area was full fun. It had ludo, chess, jenga, various books and some interesting people too. Joshua, a 17 year old climber from America was one of them. He was even better at chess. I lost two rounds from him. He was too tall for a 17 year old. He showed me his girlfriend's photo too... She was pretty. Complex hit me for a while. Joshua's mother was Japanese. She was into research in plants and soil. I've never seen a 40 year old as cheerful as Josh's mom. I still remember her complement on my smile. I also marked some good travel spots in and around Pune on the map for her.

After hanging out in the foyer, I hit my bunk and slept. That was the best sleep I got in last few days. Even the AC was perfect. All good.

Next day early in the morning I checked out and the same guy from the reception got me a cab.

"I was very nice staying here. By the way why is this place named as Backpacker panda? It sounds cute though" I giggled.

"Yea well all working here call ourselves Pandas... Indeed It sounds cute." He giggled.

Well that was strange. I left with all those epic memories and beautiful graffities to cherish.

Check out this property at www.backpackerpanda.com

Photo of Backpacker Panda, Lane Number 4, Suyojana Society, Kavadewadi, Koregaon Park, Pune, Maharashtra, India by Indrajeet Milind More
Photo of Backpacker Panda, Lane Number 4, Suyojana Society, Kavadewadi, Koregaon Park, Pune, Maharashtra, India by Indrajeet Milind More
Photo of Backpacker Panda, Lane Number 4, Suyojana Society, Kavadewadi, Koregaon Park, Pune, Maharashtra, India by Indrajeet Milind More
Photo of Backpacker Panda, Lane Number 4, Suyojana Society, Kavadewadi, Koregaon Park, Pune, Maharashtra, India by Indrajeet Milind More
Photo of Backpacker Panda, Lane Number 4, Suyojana Society, Kavadewadi, Koregaon Park, Pune, Maharashtra, India by Indrajeet Milind More