Sweet as Sugar

This little group of children gathered to greet us when we stopped to look at straw horses the families nearby make and set up along the roadside.  We travel this road everyday.  This little girl was shy at first and let the boys take over the impromptu picture taking session.  The boys were very excited about being in front of the camera.  The little girl warmed up eventually, as you can see by the sweetness on her face.

Afternoon in India

Taramati Baradari

Playful Pup

Golconda Fort Masjid

Golconda Fort Outer Wall

A Portion of Golconda Fort

Today a friend and I went to Taramati Baradari and over to Golconda Fort to walk around and take a few pictures.  The architecture is always breathtaking.  We had a semi-clear day and it was warm enough to only want to spend a couple hours outside.  We had a playful pup that followed us around at Taramati but that was the only crowd today.  A quiet day in Hyderabad is unusual.  There are Telungana Bunds (local strikes) happening at this time which is affecting several labor industries such as coal power plants, transportation, and schools. 

Taramati Baradari- Hyderabadplanet.com

This historical monument, built by Abdullah Qutb Shah, VII Sultan of Golconda Fort, as an ode to his favorite courtesan Taramati.

Abdullah Qutb Shah is believed to have enjoyed Taramati’s song and dance from Golconda fort. Her melodious voice would be carried by the breeze, reaching the prince’s ear at the Golconda fort, because of the acoustics model, in the structure as well as that of the Golconda fort. The baradari with 12 doorways were to allow cross ventilation, considered to be the most ingenious technique at the time.

Taramati is said to have seen her heydays as a royal mistress during the reign of Abdullah Qutb Shah and the last King of Golconda, Abul Hasan Tana Shah, roughly from 1626 to 1687.

A+ Student

Today, I met so many bright children.  We started our teaching session by asking the students to make their own name tag.  We made one of our own to share as an example.  For instance, I colored some bright blue flowers on my name tag and showed it to the class.  Similarly, the students all chose to draw flowers on theirs too.  Except for M. Shiva Kumar.  He proudly shared his with a picture of the Indian flag and some Telugu written underneath.  I have a feeling each student will hold a special place in my heart as we progress through the school year.

Girlfriends

Started teaching at Telugu speaking school today.  Two friends and I were assigned 2nd and 4th grade classes.  Total class size was around 50 very eager and happy students.  I took a few pictures and the idea caught on quickly.  We go every Wednesday morning and I look forward to helping them build their English reading, writing and comprehension skills.

  

Epic Nerf Battle

Grant and Garrett warmed to the neighborhood and all their friends as they gathered to battle it out...Nerf style.  It turns out that Nerf guns are international along with running, chasing, hiding, yelling, dodging and recapping the events after they have transpired.  Forts and barricades were formed and innocent bystanders beware!

Id Mubarak

We celebrated the end of Ramzam with delicious food and games with the children.

Decorated hands with Henna.

It was an afternoon full of giggles and smiles.  Along with a homemade meal of chicken curry and rice, beef, roti, and a sweet warm milk with dried fruit and nuts which I will have to research the name.  We sat on the floor and ate traditional India style, with our right hand.  The kids played with their scarves as a blindfold, danced, jumped around and wrestled Grant to the floor.  My hands were decorated with henna and then we were on our way.