It was a road to hell before I reached heaven. Heaven, for me, is Mahabaleshwar, cloaked in a soothing bright green, a month after the monsoon. Getting there was hell. This year's rains have pummelled the erstwhile NH17 Mumbai-Goa highway (now NH66). There are potholes as large as craters. It also suddenly morphs from a three-lane highway to a single lane of broken tarmac, often becoming a dirt track.
My weapon of choice to survive the drive is the Mercedes G-class. This boxy, old-fashioned SUV has stood against the winds of change for decades. The exposed door hinges and push-button door handles are still all there, as is the central locking system that makes a clak-clak sound (like an AK-47 being cocked and loaded) as you press the key fob.
This story is from the November 25, 2023 edition of Brunch.
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This story is from the November 25, 2023 edition of Brunch.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
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