Of rains, old Hyderabad and chatty cab drivers

I landed in Hyderabad on a sleepy Monday morning for an interesting work assignment. Was cranky as I had to get up at 4 a.m. Without trying to act too smart I settled for a prepaid taxi to my hotel in Banjara Hills. I was slowly sinking into my cushy seat and planning to take a quick power nap when my cabbie pointed out a bridge which had broken and caused a massive accident few months back. He made the story interesting by putting the element of how he had crossed the same bridge just ten minutes before the accident. After that he became my self-appointed guide and introduced me to different buildings, roads and even the malls that we crossed. Told me that when I have to go back to the airport, he will give me a discount of nothing less than Rs 100.

Green Park Hotel was where I was stationed for a day and a night. Had one hour before my first meeting, grabbed a quick bite and then off to work. Was free and exhausted at 6.30 pm. One of my very good friends tried to make few plans for where I could go. I was torn between exploring the city a bit or lazing around and watching TV in my room!

I first chose the latter. Spent half an hour in the room while it had started raining outside. Then felt really guilty of being so lazy. I asked my hotel to book a cab for me to nearby places including Birla Temple and Necklace road. It was raining incessantly when I reached the temple. Being impatient is another great virtue I possess. So I decided to explore the temple while it was raining. Beautiful marble temple with steps leading to its various subsections featuring various deities. Was drenched when I reached the top-most section (Apparently it had rained in Hyderabad after three four months and I felt like a rain goddess ;)). The view outside was spectacular. Seemed like I could see the whole of beautifully lit Hyderabad. While coming down, I saw the beautiful carvings on the marble wall which featured each scene from the Hanuman Chalisa. Nicely done.

Back in the hotel, the night involved cribbing to my friends in Mumbai about how I am staying ALL ALONE in a hotel room for the first time and weird few second power cuts to add to my misery.

Next half day was full of work. The people at my last meeting were extremely kind to have arranged a trip for me to the old Hyderabad for few hours before I had to catch my flight. Ashraf was my driver and travel guide for the old Hyderabad tour. He pointed out various interesting monuments, narrated their little stories, and trivia. We went past a palace built on a mountain, numerous mosques (some pretty dilapidated yet breathtaking beautiful), some white colour pretty building which was a museum. We then entered the narrow, teeming with people market, Pathargatti. Ashraf pointed out the carvings on each wall. It was all made of stone, thus the name Pathargatti, he said. It was a pretty colourful market, reminded me of Chandni Chowk. We then went past through the three building which lead to the fourth one- Charminar. Ashraf parked the car and helped me wade through the Lad Bazar (famous for its bangles, yes I did buy some), market located next to Charminar.

We headed back to the car and then to the swanky new Hyderabad airport whizzing past some more dilapidated structures on our way.