Blogs from Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India, Asia

JYOTIRLINGA TOUR OF AN OLD COUPLE (3) 6-7-2009 -- MONDAY. We reached the Resort by 2 p.m. We have finished our lunch brought from the Guest House on the way. Took rest till 4-00 p.m. The Resort is located at a very beautiful surroundings with a lake adjacent to the Resort. There was also a Helipad for the benefit of VIPs coming by Helicopter. Near the Helipad, a small mandir wth the Icon of Lord Shiva was built for the benefit of visitors. It consisted of many cottages, two or three Suites and Rooms with attached bath. A beautiful park was developed for the benefit of children visiting the place. On enquiry at Reception, I have been informed that Abhishekam to the Deity is performed every morning at 5-00 a.m., and nija rupa darshanam would be ... read more

JYOTIRLINGA TOUR OF AN OLD COUPLE (2) At each and every Punya Kshetra petty business men, touts, brokers and agents to the Pujaris are a nuisance to the tourists and piligrims. They make a living by cheating and extracting more money from the innocent piligrims and also from old-aged piligrims taking advantage of their inability to stand in queus for a longer time, etc. Of course, sometimes they are very helpful. Tuljapur is not an exception to this general condition. Seeing from a distance that there are Lodges facing the temple entry gate, I wished to stay in a nearby Hotel so that it would be convenient to visit the temple and can avoid the trouble of walking a long distance and finding a parking place to the car, etc. But somebody put road-blocking gates on ... read more

India ain't so bad actually. I mean it is a different life here. The city is not that wild and exciting, then again 7 million people live here, so there must be something alright with this place. Actually everything a man could ever need in his life is closeby. We got KFC and McD, Cinemas, a Sports bar, Cricket, Malls, Cars and Curry and Biryani places everywhere. If you got those, who needs water and electricity all day anyway. Unfortunately the week further wasn't that eventful, I needed 3 trips to the foreign registration office, and still not get registered... and of course there is a lot of social bonding going on. Some of the people over I actually have a great connection with already, something I feel will help me tremendously the next few months, ... read more

As I left Mumbai I saw a sign reading "Silent city - better city / Say no to honking". Mumbai is, in fact, relatively quiet as far as "honking" in Indian cities goes. Hyderabad is a whole lot worse. I noticed a shop here called Paradise Horns which adveritsed itself as selling and repairing horns for four, three and two wheelers. I'm sure it must do a lot of business. I am beginning to think that the length of time that a horn is sounded for is important. Indian drivers seem to be able to detect the positions of multiple other vehicles by the sounds of their horns and, if the sound is continuous, the Doppler effect may enable them to gain a good idea of the vehicles vector and velocity as well as of its ... read more

So the first week is done with, and up until now I haven't been in too many places. I've seen Hyderabad quite a bit, and actually found some unpolluted areas. The parks are really nice here, it is a real refuge out of the busy city. This is also the best place to get a run in for me, but then again it is just too much fun running through the Indians on the street. I don't think they have ever seen a person going for a run before. The other day while walking on the street we noticed a bunch of firework coming from one place. Especially some of the female interns got so curious that a picture just had to be made. When coming closer we found out it was a party after a ... read more