Temple's Name Hi, just bumped into this site so thought off adding the temple's name . It is temple of lord venkateshwara. The Birlas (industrialists who have also built several temples in India ) built this temple and this temple is called Birla Mandir by most of the people
Surprise?!! More like shock! Lucky for you, your dad is in Phoenix so I had a chance to warn him - of course his reaction was "huh, I kinda like that!" He has yet to see the photo. It certainly took me by surprise but I gotta say, its kinda cute. Just don't get a cold now - having to blow your nose could hurt! Love you.
Mom
YAY Oh, i've read your whole blog and i think it's awesome, keep up the good work. You look like your having a great time and using what you've learned. We all miss you, please keep this updated for the people stuck in the US. Loves hon.
Priya - love your blog Yes, it's another aunt reading your deepest thoughts... It's SO much fun to read your blog and so timely for me. I was in India with my sister (sans kids!) in December also, and we had so many of the same thoughts you've mentioned... We too hit FabIndia, went to hip restaurants, and pondered how much India has changed in the last few years. I wish I had done what you are doing now when I was in college. From Talkeetna to Hyderabad, quite a shift in culture! I can't wait to hear more, especially about what they teach in your classes on politics and the USA (don't get me started...). Take care and enjoy every minute!
love,
Una
the camera challenges continue... Hi Priya - thanks for posting those photos of your visit with Nana and Nani; they're great to see. And what would photos be with Nana and Nani be without all the camera fun and fiddling. :)
Love to you and to the g.parents!
food, food, food...and chocolate! Tollywood - the South Indian/Telugu equivalent of the Bollywood entertainment industry
Kathak - a form of Indian classical dance
Nana/Naniji - maternal grandparents
:) Just thought I'd add a few words of explanation...love you!
Italian Food HAHA i have to admit, that is the last place i would expect to find good italian food. But then again some of the best mexican food in the country exists in Indiana (or so i've heard)....
nostalgia... Hi Priya:
I'm sitting in my office listening to ghazals by Jagjit Singh and looking at your blogs and photos and feeling very nostalgic - for you and for wanting to experience India like you are getting to. And heck, I'm not even PMS-ing! Love you.
So glad you're in one piece! Really hilarious from this side of the world but understandably taking your life into Tom's hands. you're very brave to ride any form of transporation at all it seems. Got to do what a girl's got to do to get around.....Be safe, love ya, AD
Ugh! Cringe...sigh at the foolishness of youth Well, that was quite an exciting entry...yikes, I guess as your parent I should be more panicked but then again your dad has broken me in with interesting driving experiences. Like when he decided on his first ever trip to India (you were two; I was pregnant with your bro) to take up my cousin's offer to let Paul ride his motorcycle from masiji's house to a friend's home for a visit...in BOMBAY!!! So here we are, all three of us packed on to the tiny motorcylce - your dad driving, you tucked safely (I think) in the middle and then me hanging off the end, precariously close to rear wheel, weaving in and out of Bombay traffic and narrow roads which even back in 1989 was insane. But at least he didn't try to pop any wheelies...love you...stay safe! Keep the stories coming!
Love reading this! It really reminds me of my first few days when I studied abroad; it seems like a vacation until you're still there in a few weeks and you realize "what the hell am I doing here?" but that feeling passes and then it's even greater that you get to stay longer than a vacation. You can take vacations any time in your life but when will you get an experience like this again? Sounds like you're doing everything right though- seeing what you can see, learning all you can, and keeping realistic expectations. Be proud of yourself! -Ellen
I read all your entries! Only a few questions: How was that pizza you ate? Do you ever feel like you want to adopt some of the stray dogs that are on campus? The billboard advertisements look really interesting that you see in the city...send more pictures! Love you lots, what a fantastic experience, sorry it took me so long to read all your entries and add a comment. Love, Kim P.S. Don't they have coffee? :0)
The women and men are seggregated on the buses because usually the buses get very crowded and in the rush hour with the crowds surging in and men pushing hard, the women would hardly bag a seat in the bus. This is no culture thing, just some space reserved for women in a brutal man's world.
glad you have clean underwear Maybe you should switch to idli and dosas for a change. But I guess those are also rice-based! Surely there's got to be some good Moghul food around there in Hyderabad - lamb curries and tandoori roti and all that yummy stuff. Anyway, glad to hear you have clean clothes and underwear - always a mother's worry that her kid is going around in dirty clothing!! :) Love you. Mom
Hey! Just caught up with your blog - small world - ever smaller with the email thang! Glad to hear that your arrived safely and fun to see the grey shots of a cold wet London! It was sunny today! Good fun to read that you enjoyed the trudge around London - it was lovely tyo catch up with you! Mum, dad - a good one here! Keep us informed!
Hugs The Aulakhs
Epiphany! Hi Priya - that really is a pretty amazing epiphany! Every now and then your dad and I look at each other and say "our daughter's in India?!!"..."all by herself!" What's with that? By the time I get out to India to visit you in May, you're going be showing me around and helping me get around India! And I like that idea. Love you and keep the epiphanies coming.
Hi from Philly Hi Priya,
I'm really enjoying your thoughts and impressions. It's quite an adventure you are on. Right now I am in Philadelphia spending time with my family here. I'll be back in Talkeetna early in February. Julia is back there, holding down the fort. Maybe we will see you back there this summer? Take care.
Tony C.
Great blog Hi Priya,
I am really enjoying reading your blog and looking forward to reading more.
What an adventure. Keep taking pictures. Love ya, lisa
Hey Girl: Thanks for the info. What a way to see the world. We all
enjoy hearing. Talked to your Dad a bit ago and he's having the usual
weekend at home. Looking forward to a visit from him in about a month
to do the tax thing. Thanx for including us all. Love you lots, GMom
what an experience! Hi Priya - love all the blogs and photos. Hyderabad looks like a beautiful city with lots of Moghul history. What's the romantic story behind it - would love to hear it. I'm sure things will settle down by the time classes get rolling. Its also interesting to hear about your perceptions of "being Indian or not Indian enough" - I can certainly relate. No matter what, you just have to get used to being stared at; mostly its just curiosity. Love you and keep journaling!
Sophomore at Indiana University Bloomington, studying abroad in Hyderabad, India, Spring 2007
I like to paint
I like to travel
I like ice cream... full info
Praveen Amancharla
non-member comment
Temple's Name
Hi, just bumped into this site so thought off adding the temple's name . It is temple of lord venkateshwara. The Birlas (industrialists who have also built several temples in India ) built this temple and this temple is called Birla Mandir by most of the people