Hyderabad - Ancient and Modern

Hyderabad....I have always had great memories connected with this lovely city...so expect to make some more memories while I am here.

Got here in time for Vasant's birthday. The airport is new and very modern looking and seems better than any other airport I have ever visited...and that is because it is sooo new and there are hardly any people using it. Atleast when I came, there seemed to be no other flights. The cabbies seemed honest, and I was told to get a "prepaid" cab...so when they quoted me Rs550....I thought I should bargain a bit just to prove I was kind of local. He agreed to Rs 500 (One Rs. is = to .23 cents Canadian). It was certainly worth it...although I told him his cab was dirty and he shouldn't charge so much....well, let's just say it was tolerable...I think there are worse cabs in Vancouver. The drive to my cousin's place was very pleasant, as the airport has a lovely flower and shrub lined road leading into the city.

My cousin Daya from Bangalore/UK and her brother Jaswant from Pune or Poona as we still call it, my cousin Nilu (Vasant's sister) were all there, and I quickly taken to the apartment next to Vasant and Oudesh's. The landlord is letting them use it as the owners or renters haven't been seen or heard from in years and perhaps they also still owe rent. In anycase, some of the belongings were still in the apartment and our beds had also been set up there. Daya and Nilu had some interesting stories to tell about cleaning out the place before they settled in. By the time I arrived...my bed was ready and because the party was the same evening, we had to work together quickly to get some things arranged. Three of us went off to pick up the sweets etc. the cakes (two of them....one from the Landlord who lives in S. Africa...had a lengthy note printed on it...remined me of that Walmart cake that was circulated on the internet). We couldn't find any place that made good pakoras....they were determined not to make them at home, as it was too warm etc. ....finally, one of the boys who looks after Oudesh's brother (who also lives with them)suggested a samll place near his home...so off we went.

While waiting for the pakoras to get ready...we spotted a woman selling Green coconuts, so of course I had to ask for some ....the water is all one usually drinks..and sometimes the creamy sweet meat inside is available as well. I paid for a round of coconuts for everyone including the driver Asif and Rakesh the caretaker. Took some nice photos of things and people around me and then headed to the party. We had about 20-25 people come that evening...and we only cut one of the cakes. The next day we went to a church service in a church Venita and Serena will remember....except now it is even in worse shape, so that the main part of the church has been closed and services are conducted in what used to be the parsonage. I took lots of photos, as I have never been been to such a run down yet quite an active little church. The language was Hindi/English/Urdu and the minister preached barefoot...this I was told is not that uncommon in south Indian churches....just part of the culture. They do not enter their temples or homes with their shoes on....so why would they enter a church in that manner. Made good sense. Although, the minister must have been wondering why I was taking photos of her feet.

We also made a trip the next day to check out the building where their (Vasant's and the one he is giving to his sister Nilu) apartments are being built. My first feeling was of sadness....because not a trace remained of their mother's lovely home and garden where I had spent many holidays. Venita and Serena would feel the same way...since they were there only five years ago. Nilu and Oudesh (Vasant's wife) took great pains in describing the partially completed apartments and pointing out the view etc. On a clear day (are there any of those?) one can see the Golconda fort area from the apartment. Hope it gets done soon. Vasant and Oudesh would love to move in ....as a lot of their stuff is in boxes. Also visited a friend of Vasant's who was in the Indian Admin. Service and later with Unesco.....she has a fabulous apartment with gorgeous artwork and everything is just so. Today, a friend of Nilu's took us to see his home in Secunderabad (the Army area of Hyderabad)....wow! what a change in the traffic and the roads etc. and the houses and gardens are so meticulous. Beautiful boulevards and so clean !!. There was even a house there called the Retreat, which was supposedly occupied by Winston Churchill when he was in Hyderabad.

Had a great lunch at the Secunderabad Club, which the girls Venita and Serena will remember from their last visit. The food wasn't quite as hot as the time we were there.....the Lassi (buttermilk drink)was very cool and refreshing....did we get that last time? didn't have time to explore the grounds this time, as we had to get Nilu to the airport. Also there was a crash from the airshow that was taking place somewhere...two pilots killed.(sad)...and Oudesh phoned the club and warned us to take a different route.

The other exciting thing we did was a bit of shopping for Nilu at the Jewellery store....she bought a gold chain.

Will write more again....Lesson for today ie Pearls of Wisdom: Carry your plastic cutlery with you ......never know when you'll need it in India (ha ha)