A first of many roadblocks posed by the unpredictable rural areas on our way to Sri Sailam. These water buffalo are a major source of milk to these villages.

Locals look on as we pass through.

A pic in the middle of nowhere. Our driver thought it was a perfect opportunity. Cmon, have you ever seen such a beautiful picture of desolate desert.

Regina and Lauren contributing to the local economy.

Our second roadblock along the way. This bus was blown up by a terrorist group known as the Naxalites. I believe they are a Maoist insurgent group located in Indian and Asia.

Shopping at a roadside stand. Left to right: Des, me, Sara, Regina, and Jay

It was destroyed at 9:30 PM the night before. 12 hours before we came through. 17 people were aboard when the bomb was detonated. The road is considered very unsafe to travel on by night.

A dam!

Matt, Sara, Des, Jay, Regina, Lauren, Me, & Julie at the dam.

Boats...we didn't go on them.

Shrines to each of the many Hindu Gods.

More shrines.

Another part of the temple.

The entrance and exit to the temple.

HIIIIIIIIIIiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

Roadblock #5: People everywhere. This was a local caste known as the Lambari.

The women walked separately from the men.

Been a little while

Hi Everyone,

I know it has been well over a month since I posted last. Sorry about that. So, this post is going to be rather lengthy. So, lets get started with the fact that I have finally started doing a fairly good job of seeing the city and surrounding areas.

About a month ago I went and visited a fairly famous museum located in the heart of the city close to the Charminar. The Charminar is one of the Muslim holy centers of the city. It is quite common to see women clad in all black full birkas. Despite the heat, they go about their normal lives wearing what must be an unbearably hot piece of clothing. The Salar Jung Museum is a massive all white building with many rooms for various exhibits. The crowning achievement is the Rebecca Statue. The piece, carved by the Italian sculptor Benzoni, depicts the biblical Rebecca shrouded with an all white head to toe veil. The statue looks as though a perfectly beautiful woman was created, at which point, Benzoni then draped it with a white veil. It is almost impossible to tell that the veil is actually part of the statue itself.

The center of the city is faily old school. It is common to see rows of shoe stores followed by rows of sewing machine repair shops. Below you will see quite a lot of photos of people going about their daily lives. You will notice that people are working with little to no tools. Almost everything is handmade, including the office buildings that we work it. In fact, our building was built with no tool bigger than a hammer.

Mangos are everywhere in this city.

Family on a motorcycle

Sewing machine repair/sales shop

Shoe stores near the Charminar

At the Salar Jung Museum

Salar Jung Museum in Hyderabad