Don is Welcome!

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DonQuixote has left a new comment on your post "Don's Fantasy":

Dear Sir,

On my next visit home, summer 2012 , I intend to experience that charm! Some Biryani, auto-ride with a 'knowledgeable' driver and may be even a visit to Chinthal Basti!

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Wonderful!

But summer is cruel in Hyderabad. It is hot and dry and tiresome.

The best time to visit Hyderabad is the last week of Ramzan. The city is a different place then. Much like Calcutta on Saptami Day of DP.

Ramzan is in the air then. The New City called Cyberabad, shabbily, has no character. It is just like any one of your US cities, other than NYC and Boston as my son tells me.

The Old City preserves its muslim character; and the best part of it comes through during Ramzan. The all-night shopping around the brilliantly lit Charminar, I am told, is a sight to watch.

There is Peace in the soul of the city, and the simplicity of the Hyderabadi Muslim then is so different than everything else.

And the new city adds its cosmopolitan charm.

This evening I was holding my li'l Ishani and strolling around our upcoming Nile Valley Township. An obviously Telugu 'domestic help' tried to chat up Ishani and asked her a few questions like; "What is your name? Have you had khana? What did you eat?.."

And Ishani being the dot product of an IITian countered her with: "What is your name?"...etc in her own Telugu.

The maid was so charmed and blurted out:

"All kids here are Hindi-speaking, damn them!"


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