Aav jo Gujrat - 'Fast & Furious 6' to 'Ek Villain'

Today is special for various reasons. I'm excited, nervous, doubtful, hopeful, bit sad and very happy.
It is last working day in Gujarat after being here for almost 1 Year and almost a quarter, just want to say 'Loved you Gujarat and specially Ahmedabad...'

Started Gujarat with 'Fast & Furious 6' and it has been a chase round the year for deadlines, engagement, wedding, increments, travelling, job search, packing and finally moving to new city.

Gandhinagar was calm, isolated; too peaceful for this Mumbai Girl.
Ahmedabad is rush (not as much as Mumbai though so chill !), really liked the city and specially the place where I stayed. One of the best thing about Ahmedabad is AMC (Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation). They go door - to - door for garbage collection almost every alternate day. You won't find garbage mounds dumped round the corner. They spread pesticides during rains to prevent Water-borne diseases. AMC will go to every house to check cleanliness of water storage. There had been hardly twice or thrice or say maximum 5 times, that too majorly due to some fault. I mean, that's incredible. I have not seen such extensive practices even in Mumbai.

Yeah, heat is killing here. I remember as a kid, I used to spend a month or two in my native town (UP), but then it never used to prick that much. But here , it is unbearable. Even 8 in the night, air is so hot and dry.

Here comes the food - so very specialty of Gujarat and specially 'Amdavad'.
Sev Khamni, Khaman, Dhokla (first time I realized Khaman and Dhokla are different dishes), all time favorite Bhaji Pav, Dabeli (from Karnavati), one of my favorite butter Pulav, Daal vada (though I'm not very font of it) and Dal Baati (after my Mom, here they make good one). Though one funny thing is people here are majorly vegetarian (not even egg-itarian), still you would find many Omlette - Paav on road side. At the end, Gola has been awesome heat reliever.

However, there were few downside as well, not of Gujarat as such but more of cultural adjustment. Lifestyle here is quite different from the one you experience in Mumbai. Sometimes it seems people here are bit cold and at times too poking, still helpful and caring. It's not intentional, just this is how they are.
This I can say is 'Ek Villain' to motivate me to move away.

Luckily I have had opportunity to see different 'in Ahmedabad' generations, overall they are nice people but don't get too close if you are not an Amdavadi. I did fine, since I usually take months / years to develop cordial relations. By nature, I keep safe distance ;).

Lastly, Gujarat has lot to explore if you have taste-buds for travel. I had blast on Navratri and Uttarayan, must visit festivals. And Ladies - Go Shopping !!! One of the Best in cheapest of prices. I have been to RatanPole for me and my Sis's shopping and it is more than you would ever want. And, learn Gujarati !
 
Thanks for all the Love and Lessons Ahmedabad and Gujarat. I'm going to miss you and will surely visit you again & again.

Aav Jo !!!