One of the amazing contrasts of our lives in India, is the way we live 'inside' the gates of our community and how others live just beyond the wall. I used to love going for walks outside the gated community in Bangalore and I hope to do the same here in Hyderabad. It is obviously very different to the hiking I have been used to in Hong Kong but it is still quite the workout even without the hills.
This morning the boys and I had our first walking adventure around the village near our community, Kokapet. As you leave the gates of our community all senses are hit with a resounding punch !!
Our sense of sight: Of course the sights outside are such a contrast to the palm trees, manicured lawns and white villas within Open Skies. We saw cows and goats roaming along the main roads, garbage strewn along the roadside everywhere and the sheets of tin and tarps used as housing for the local workers. Not to mention the cows, pigs and goats wandering around eating said garbage.
Our sense of touch: As there are few, if any, footpaths in the local area we were walking on the actual road and there are holes to jump over, broken bottles to dodge and the sandy edges make for an interesting walk. The weather is still quite hot, so we were sweating and trying to shade ourselves from the sun, as well.
Our sense of hearing: The sounds of India are so unique. You may think that a horn is just a horn but not in India. The use of a horn in India is not really a choice you make but is mandatory. They make the truck horns a symphony and when they all start going at the same time, you are definitely covering your ears and hoping it will end soon. It is not only the trucks, cars, and tuk tuks beeping but the many loud conversations being had on the roadside chai stalls, either with a fellow workmate or on one of their many mobile phones.
Our sense of taste: You wouldn't think that you would be tasting anything while walking along the roadside but the dust created is amazing and you really cannot do anything but eat it. There is also the 'taste' of the chilli being cooked on an open flame and then there is always the option to grab a cup of chai along the way. However, you better be ready for the sugar hit of all sugar hits when ordering Indian Chai !!
Our sense of smell: Last but not least are the many smells of India. The roadside garbage is of proportions like you have never seen and the smell from the rotting food and waste is ghastly. This morning we even came across a dead goat - it was reasonably fresh, so we may hold off going back that way for a few days while it 'disappears'. Then there are the many piles of burning garbage, creating smoke that you just can't escape getting caught in and you have to cover your mouth, nose and eyes just to get by. By far the worst, are the many steaming piles of excrement from all manner of animals, including humans. And, of course, the roadside is the best possible place for all men to relieve themselves as they go about their business.
So, as we ventured back to the peace and tranquility of the Open Skies gates, we appreciated how lucky we are and hope that we can help provide some benefit to the local community around us with work and trying to buy local produce when we can. We definitely kept the locals amused today with lots of stares and callouts as we wandered along.
Some photos from our walk.
 |
| what a comfortable place to rest - only 10 towers 15 stories high being constructed |
 |
| We do love a tuk tuk or two |
 |
I am not sure how busy these guys are around here
- they are on the corner of the road leading to our community |
 |
| It's just a tent on the side of the road that you enter for a 'check up' |
 |
| The signs........ |
 |
| Watch out for the speed bump mate ! |
 |
| No words..... |
 |
| Oh dear...... |
 |
| Locals live in this area under sheets of iron and tarps. |
 |
| Max was considering jumping on and going for a spin |
 |
| Samosa anyone ? |
 |
| These goats just came flying out of the opposite walkway and the owner was on this side of the road. They were returning to him, when the owner dropped his chai and yelled at them to 'go back' - and they did, through the traffic.... |
 |
| no footpath...... |
 |
| An Indian footpath |
Comments
Post a Comment