Sunday, July 27, 2008
In case you've been reading the news...
...we are all safe and sound in Hyderabad, in light of recent bombings to the south and west in Bangalore and Ahmedabad. There is a red alert on in Hyderabad for now, until further notice, but on campus and in the surrounding areas there is not a lot of people or draw for terrorism. We have been staying away from the main temples and mosques downtown, however, just to be on the safe side.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Welcome to University of Hyderabad (HCU) !
As previously alluded with the announcement that my roommate is green and about five inches long, I am officially moved in to the student hostel and attending classes at the University of Hyderabad.
1. To Bucket, or not to Bucket. Upon my arrival, I was gifted with a gecko, a mosquito net, a blanket, a pillow, a towel and...a bucket. My own personal bucket, for bathing, for laundry, or any other bucket-ish needs. Seems odd that I would feel the need to mention this. However, as the bathrooms are BYOTP (bring your own toilet paper), the bucket is a vital item. Although eating with my hands has been refined to a childlike dexterity, I have yet to master the Bucket. For that I should use the buckets readily provided, along with spigots, inside the toilet stalls; despite several explanations by veterans as to how this should be done I still BMOTP. My wallet and environmental consciousness, however, thinks that perhaps rest of the world has something on us Americans...
2. The internet. Never before have I been so painfully aware of my dependency not only on email, but the internet, to which I have no access in my dorm room. Not only am I used to checking my email hourly, but my music, studying capabilities, and news all come from the web, not to mention my communication with you all, via blog/Skype. So I camp out at the Study India Program guest house with my computer. In India the whole system can't function like we do in the States, where an email an hour before a meeting can be sufficient communication on the grounds that we are all attached to our computers. The internet goes down all the time, and we are without power for about 3 hours a day--3:03 pm to 6:30. While rolling blackouts cause huge upsets in California, Indians are used to going with the flow, lighting up candles and waiting to send that email for another few hours.
3. Aforementioned power crisis, in part to the late monsoon season which drives the hydro-power dams in Andhra Pradesh. Rain=power.
4. I have a bike! As provided on loan from SIP, for a small deposit of 1000 rps (about $25) that I will get back when I return the bike at the end of the semester. Pictures to come, but think basket on the front, bell on the handle, no gears and heavy as all get out. But there's something to be said for riding a bike for the sheer pleasure of it, attempting to carry your friends on the back.
5. While on the subject of transportation--autorickshaws. Hyderabad traffic puts both LA and Boston to shame, and autorickshaw drivers could hold their own in Nascar. Add Indian music to the equation and the result is brilliant. Just don't act too scared or your driver will start driving with his knees just to get a reaction.
6. Classes. After much ado, I signed up for Urdu, Indian Philosophy, Philosophical Foundations of Human Rights, and Religion, Society and Culture in Medieval India. All scheduled for the afternoon, except for Friday and Saturday (yes, Saturday. For Human Rights with this professor, it's worth it.) Half lecture classes, with almost private tutoring in Urdu and a discussion for Indian Philosophy. Shoot questions my way if you have them, but I'm truly excited about all of it.
1. To Bucket, or not to Bucket. Upon my arrival, I was gifted with a gecko, a mosquito net, a blanket, a pillow, a towel and...a bucket. My own personal bucket, for bathing, for laundry, or any other bucket-ish needs. Seems odd that I would feel the need to mention this. However, as the bathrooms are BYOTP (bring your own toilet paper), the bucket is a vital item. Although eating with my hands has been refined to a childlike dexterity, I have yet to master the Bucket. For that I should use the buckets readily provided, along with spigots, inside the toilet stalls; despite several explanations by veterans as to how this should be done I still BMOTP. My wallet and environmental consciousness, however, thinks that perhaps rest of the world has something on us Americans...
2. The internet. Never before have I been so painfully aware of my dependency not only on email, but the internet, to which I have no access in my dorm room. Not only am I used to checking my email hourly, but my music, studying capabilities, and news all come from the web, not to mention my communication with you all, via blog/Skype. So I camp out at the Study India Program guest house with my computer. In India the whole system can't function like we do in the States, where an email an hour before a meeting can be sufficient communication on the grounds that we are all attached to our computers. The internet goes down all the time, and we are without power for about 3 hours a day--3:03 pm to 6:30. While rolling blackouts cause huge upsets in California, Indians are used to going with the flow, lighting up candles and waiting to send that email for another few hours.
3. Aforementioned power crisis, in part to the late monsoon season which drives the hydro-power dams in Andhra Pradesh. Rain=power.
4. I have a bike! As provided on loan from SIP, for a small deposit of 1000 rps (about $25) that I will get back when I return the bike at the end of the semester. Pictures to come, but think basket on the front, bell on the handle, no gears and heavy as all get out. But there's something to be said for riding a bike for the sheer pleasure of it, attempting to carry your friends on the back.
5. While on the subject of transportation--autorickshaws. Hyderabad traffic puts both LA and Boston to shame, and autorickshaw drivers could hold their own in Nascar. Add Indian music to the equation and the result is brilliant. Just don't act too scared or your driver will start driving with his knees just to get a reaction.
6. Classes. After much ado, I signed up for Urdu, Indian Philosophy, Philosophical Foundations of Human Rights, and Religion, Society and Culture in Medieval India. All scheduled for the afternoon, except for Friday and Saturday (yes, Saturday. For Human Rights with this professor, it's worth it.) Half lecture classes, with almost private tutoring in Urdu and a discussion for Indian Philosophy. Shoot questions my way if you have them, but I'm truly excited about all of it.
Hyderabad, Part One
At long last, photos. Here I give you the tourist's view of Hyderabad, largely because we did it all in one day, and also largely because these were the only places at which I didn't feel awkward taking pictures. We stand out enough on the streets of India, being oddly dressed and of odd ethnic variety, that taking pictures never seems quite appropriate.
Chowmahalla Palace, home to the Asif Jahi dynasty.
Outside. . . Inside. . .
The famous Charminar--just one beautiful result of Hyderabadi kings showing off.
Qutab Shahi tombs: Second attempt of Hyderabadi kings to show off
Vain attempt of the Indian government to get people to wear helmets on their motorcycles.This tickled me (and Tess, pictured here) because my daddy wears a helmet. . . on his mountain bike. . .
Golconda Fort, stronghold of the Nizam rulers of Hyderabad
Mosque inside the Golconda FortMore photos to come, of course. I'm doing my best, half-witted photographer that I am. Lucky for me Hyderabad is highly photogenic, so I don't have to try very hard. All a matter of remembering to get out the camera.
Monday, July 21, 2008
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