My Trip To Hyderabad

Dear Friends!

Did I need an excuse to go to my city of birth? Not really.

The simple joy of being in a place we know so well, in which we were born and grew up cannot be described in words but try I will anyway :D

Secunderabad station. Nothing much has changed. The same paan spits on the walls and on the road right under your feet. Some drain water running along the by-lanes. Beggars delving deeper into an already over-flowing garbage bins. Dogs competing with the beggars for leftovers! Some bark at the beggars while some simply wag their tails while they wait their turns out.

The moment we step out of the autorickshaw at my dear cousin's house, a maid servant with a record of 28 years of service smiles and grabs our luggage in a show of sincere welcome. Once inside the house another servant maid comes and gives us a warm hug! This has never happened in all my earlier trips so I am totally at sea how to react to such welcome!! Later I will know as my cousin will narrate something in this connection eventually in the 1.5 days we (Mother and I) are planning to stay. Yes before I forgot she mentioned it was asserting territories that each was out-doing the other in welcoming us both!!

Well the first one offered to give me an oil massage because I looked very tired and worn out after a tiring journey. After a hot coffee I was led into a side room to be given the best spa treatment I have ever had in my life! She pressed oil and massaged with her strong palms. I always had a swelling nerve near my right side of the neck and the pain became worse whenever I travelled - having to lift weights often. The oil used was the Dhanvantri Thailam. Then the heater of 15 litres capacity was switched on. Whether it was the massage, the oil or the hot water, it sure felt so royal. Unfortunately I could not rest as we had to leave soon after on some urgent jobs and shopping due to paucity of time the next day.

My cousin suggested I hire the 'green taxi' this time. There is an 'orange taxi' too. I called one and gave the operator the address to pick us up from. The phones began ringing immediately after - confirming my booking for local travel for 4 hours and a taxi driven by one Mr.Salaam would reach in half hour as scheduled! I was so impressed with the speed and promptness from these taxi services. Then I got organized with lists, money, etc for the local tour of Hyderabad and later when sat down to chat until the fellow arrived. My cousin was all praise for my not forgetting my Urdu-Hindi after so many years. I was brushing up my language with Salaam Saab, you see! Well after an hour, he had not arrived! I doubted whether he was anywhere near our address. He said yes so we went down to wait for him at the entrance. This was another half hour of high drama.
I just called up the operator to cancel the services as it was too late and I could not wait anymore. Some 'alvida' to Salaam Saab, this!!

It was an auto this time for the round trip. Since I knew what needed to be done and where to go, it was so easy planning the route ahead.

We passed through the old Gandhi Hospital lane where the famed Pancha Mukhi Anjaneyar or Hanuman temple still stands. We did our salutations from across the road while catching a fleeing glimpse of the deity.
Then it was Tank Bund or Hussain Sagar. The Bengali seva Ashram brought back memories of my dear aunt whom we used to call 'Baby Athai'. Some other time I shall dedicate a piece on her and this ashram in particular. Then the secretariat. Then Naubat Pahad with the Balaji Mandir atop. Then Nizam College, The Fateh Maidan, the new flyovers, new multi storied buildings, Gunfoundry, All Saints High School, Meena Bazar, G.Pulla Reddy Sweets, Mozamjahi Market, Karachi Bakery, the Lasa Lamsa tea leaves outlet where I picked some chocolate tea powder and some orange tea powder too, stained glass showrooms on the opposite road brought so much joy to the heart.

Had to cut short the trip enroute to Jaambaug to buy those special spread of a variety of fruits, especially mangoes. But managed to pick some jamuns which were jewel voiletish-black. Wow were they tasty with the salt masala that the fellow added. Nothing to beat that taste ever. Also missed going to a music centre called 'Bharat Music' somewhere near Dilhad or Royal talkies to select some DVDs and CDs of Hindi songs and pictures.

On the way back the auto driver took yet another route, Troop Bazar, Koti, Sultan Bazar, Badi Chawdi, Narayanguda, chikkadpalli, Musheerabad, Chilkalguda, Keyes Girls' High School, Sangeet which is no more now, then on to good old East Marredpally to my cousin's nest of an appartment.

Later at night again went shopping at Shefali, near the Secunderbad Clock Tower,

In those 4.5 hours I did all the shopping quickly and these were golden hours as I savoured all the old places we used to visit when were this high.

Well what did I shop for in Hyderabad? Very quickly I will reel it all off! Some special sherwani and kurta pajamas from Meena Bazar, a Timex watch for my dear mom, an assortment of sweets and savories from Pulla Reddy like the jaggery-cashews, peda, bombay halwa, ajmeri kalakand, samosas, savories. Then headed off to buy those famed fruit biscuits, namkeen biscoots, plain puffs (all three were buttery and such melt in the mouths), some orange candies. Those chocolate and orange flavoured Tea leaves from Lasa Lamsa shop. Ordered for some real nice stained glass art pieces from a deco glass shop across, then kaftans from Shefali and some CDs from a shop opposite to the old Paradise talkies.

I am glad I had a day to visit the city as too many days would end up just sitting at home and watching the same old TV serials but in Telugu!
A short trip is a sweet trip for everyone, the guest as well as the host :D

Cheers!
Mahalakshmi