First Impressions

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Hi, Everyone--

Well, I have arrived in Hyderabad and am slowly getting comfortable with life here. I have taken some pictures of my school, my dormitory, and the surrounding areas that I've posted here.

So far, the worst thing that has happened is that the mosquitoes are eating me alive. I have to go and get some repellent.

Yesterday marked the beginning of regularity here at HMI. My Persian teacher is trained in classical Persian. He last studied English in 1995, and so we have some difficulty understanding each other. Because he communicates better in Persian than in English, we mostly communicate in Persian. I have tutorials with him for three hours, Monday thru Friday.

The culture here is completely different from what I am used to. It seems there is a holiday almost every other day, and the whole world stops for tea every day at 11 am and 4 pm. Another disappointment is that I am only accessible to email between 9am and 5pm when the academic offices are open.

I haven't had a chance to see the city yet, but I am excited to do so soon--I just keep falling asleep at 7 pm! The noise from the city is full of car horns and songs from the local Hindu temples, and last night I heard my first adhan prayer from the local mosque. That was very cool.

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Photos

The Meditation Area
This structure is behind the dormitory and academic buildings, and is where morning devotion is held.

Courtyard
This courtyard runs throughout the center of the dormitory.

Meditation Area
I took these pictures at sunrise today

Comments

[Alireza]

salam!
It's great that you set up this blog. I'll be following up closely. I hope you take lots of pictures from the 'Ashura processions. You should also see if they have the kinds of things I brought back from Iran (esp. the pics).

[Shyam]

nice pics
Pics are very nice. Not sure if your trip covered other newer parts of city like hitech city. Wonder where is such a beautiful meditation place. Great work.