Exploring Hyderabad

This weekend, orientation ended with a bang! 

On Friday, we had a "mock drill," and no one really knew what to expect. Basically, we were split into groups and raced to different locations across campus. When we got there, a volunteer gave us a card that said it was a code red in the city and on campus, which means we have to call our directors and tell them we are safe. But, the card also specified that two of the team members could not use their own or their group members' phones, just for an added twist. So these individuals had to run around trying to find land lines and asking people on campus to borrow their phones. Once we had all checked in, we had to race back to the Study in India Program building. Everyone got pretty competitive, but we definitely had a good time, and my team got second place! 

You see this everywhere.. "Andhra Pradesh" crossed out and replaced
with the state that the movement hopes to form, "Telegana."

The idea of the exercise was to have a fun and memorable lesson on the importance of calling the program and reporting our whereabouts during periods of high risk in the area. As some of you may or may not be aware, there is a good amount of political turmoil in Hyderabad, as a movement called Telagana fights for independence from the state of Andhra Pradesh. Sometimes, the whole city goes into strike-- public transportation stops, roads are blocked, stores close, etc. The University doesn't close during one of these lock downs, but our program discourages us from going off campus, and most professors aren't able to make it through the city to school. Based on my experiences, the Telegana movement is much more present than any political cause in the United States.  I had protestors interrupt my class, asking students to join their march through campus, and signs cover the city. It's very interesting living history, and I am excited to learn more about the movement while here!

So, back to my weekend. Saturday was the first day so far when we have had absolutely nothing scheduled. I had a GREAT run in the morning, and then decided to get off campus for the afternoon. So, a large group of CIEE students headed to a coffee shop and hookah lounge called Mocha. It took us a little while to find it, but when we got there, it was well worth the journey! They had dozens of different coffee brews, and an extensive offering of milkshakes, fruit smoothies, and homemade juices, not to mention all kinds of food! We were seated in this private-ish room on the second floor with huge windows, so it felt like we were in a treehouse overlooking the city. We immediately ordered drinks and some food and camped out for the afternoon! We had good eats, good company, great ascetics, and even brought our books-- what could be better!! 

Nom Nom Nom

While hanging out, the waiter came in with this amazing looking chocolate dessert and we all stared as he set it down a table where two young men were sitting. We couldn't help but subtly eye them as they devoured the incredible looking chocolate concoction. Eventually, one of my friends got up and asked them what they had ordered, and said it looked good, and maybe we'd have to get one ourselves. The boys left about ten minutes later, and after another ten had passed, the waiter came in with another "Chocolate Avalanche" and set it in front of us. Apparently, we hadn't been so subtle! The waiter reported that the men who just left had bought it for us! A second later, they called the restaurant to confirm that it had been delivered-- we took the phone to thank them ourselves, and they wished us a great stay in Hyderabad. Our group of nine girls consumed this dessert in approximately 30 seconds flat, but we felt simply over the moon with happiness all afternoon. The men had not spoken to us or asked for our numbers.. it was truly an 100% act of human kindness, from one sweet tooth to another! No strings attached, just chocolate!! One girl just couldn’t get over it, and kept spontaneously announcing, “This is the best day of my life!!” for the rest of the day. We stayed at Mocha for a while longer and kept ordering more snacks, soaking in this hip Indian hang-out. We got back to campus using the very crowded and intimidating public bus system, and I was so proud that we navigated the busiest part of the city without CIEE hovering around!

Sunday brought another adventure-- Khojo Hyderabad, meaning "Search Hyderabad."  CIEE outsourced to an organization called Travel and Trek that planned an all-day, amazing-race-esq scavenger hunt across the city.  They were really building up the competition, and some of us were starting to feel nervous and uncomfortable with the pressure and excessive cash prices. So, before the day began, we decided that no matter who won, we would split the prize money and just have a good time. While our coordinators would not be thrilled if they knew our scheme, we ended up having a very bonding day! 

My team was myself, Karen and Suzanne, and we had to bargain for rickshaws to get from location to location, gaining points for speed and haggling skills. At each location, we had a task that usually involved exploring the given tourist attraction and interacting with tour guides and locals. We went to a school where widows, historically ostracized in Indian society, are taught to weave and their children are sent to school. The fabric is so incredibly intricate that it takes an entire day to do just two inches! We also went to a school to learned Indian “tie and dye”, a train station to practice buying tickets, a Heritage House to see a beautiful 150 year old Indian home, and the giant Buddha statue in the middle of the lake.  It was an interesting and exhausting day.  

At the Heritage House. Note the excited expressions.

Unfortunately, we all had to wear matching tan polos and listen to a barking woman about the “game” and “rules” and “points,” so everyone was ready to quit when we finally made it back to campus before dinner. They announced winners (and the very strange scale used to calculate points), and we all secretly split the money to get 1,500 rupees each. That’s a free $34 in my pocket, and it will go very far in India. What’s up kupa/communal-living values all the way in India!?!

On one hand, I need a-whole-nother weekend to recover from this one! But on the other hand, I feel much more confident and comfortable in my new city, Hyderabad!