Mental Strength!

On Tuesday morning , feeling revitalised  after my morning walk with Pete, followed by an hour of yoga  I felt mentally strong enough to undertake a visit to Charminar, the down town, old city, part of Hyderabad.  A quick phone call to my friend Tara got me a fellow shopper and off we set.  Charminar is about 45 minutes from where we live.  We timed it so that we should arrive as most shops open at about 11 am.  Watching the workforce within India is like watching a colony of ants.  It is really busy and lots of people around but it never seems like anything is being accomplished, then you take a second look and everything is set up!

The Charminar shopping experience is made up of wandering down little alley ways which are packed with locals going about their daily business, hawkers touting their wares up and down the place, snack vendors and their 'delights', beggars, motor bikes galore manoeuvring their way through the chaos and the odd car beeping it's way through the crowds as they negotiate the tiny streets, meanwhile the police men put in place as traffic calming influences do little to alleviate the grid locks that arise.  

On previous occasions when I have visited Charminar, the weather has been too hot and has contributed to the experience being an over the top sensory overload.  This time of year the daytime temperatures are a cool 26 - 30 degrees and helps make the trip a more pleasant experience.

The main purpose of the expedition was to buy a few trinkets in preparation of our Christmas travels, mainly adornments for the female friends.  Our first stop was Bangle Alley and as seen in the photos below is mainly made up of shops selling the traditional Indian bangles, worn by virtually every Indian female, young and old, that you will meet.  I love the way they are displayed.