June 2012

We had to welcome Gretel to India at one of our favorite restaurants Via Milano with an original Indian Beer: Kingfisher :)

These boulders you see in the background are all over Hyderabad!!! This rockscape is older than the Grand Canyon and the Himalayas! During the course of the earths rotation millions of years ago, the hot molten crust below, spiraled out on the surface and cooled down taking unusual shapes. Gradually these craggy unbalanced rock formations weathered and settled into a picturesque harmony. Precariously perched but perfectly balanced, these silent contorted layers of rock, reveal a fascinating geological profile of the earth.

We went to Shilparamam arts and crafts village. Gretel founds some good things!!!

After Shilparamam, we had to go do some pearl shopping since Hyderabad is the city of pearls!! Gretel found herself a gorgeous 40th birthday present :)

They have people on the spot making your pearl necklace exactly the way you want

Outside the pearl store, Gretel found these amazing white fruits. So when she asked our driver Venkat what they are, the store owner sent one of his employees to get one for her. They cut it into little pieces, put some cayenne pepper on it and served it on a daily newspaper. Gretel was so excited to find out this wonderful white fruit was...... CUCUMBER!!!!! Ha ha ha!!!!!

 The next day Anne, Gretel and I went to Charminar en Lad Bazaar

Venkat was Gretel's bodyguard :) It was a little overwhelming to be exposed to a busy market with everyone checking you out and trying to lure you into their stores

Hyderabad is also know for bangles...

Gretel had to try some sugar water

I can't believe she didn't get sick!!!

A typical way of transport here :)

Another fun day: Gretel and I checked out the Qutub Shahi tombs. They are dedicated to the seven Qutub Shahi Kings who ruled Hyderabad/Golconda for nearly 170 years. The style of the tombs are varied, displaying Hindu, Persian and Pathan forms-Indo-Persian architecture that are influenced by Deccani structural ideas. As a result, a distinct Qutub Shari school of architecture marked by liberal use of minarets, arches, domes and columns was born.

The larger tombs are two storied. In the centre of each tomb is a sarcophagus which overlies the actual burial vault in a crypt below. The domes were originally overlaid with blue and green tiles, of which only a few pieces now remain.

Laxmi and her oldest daughter