Friday, February 29, 2008

Hyderabad



Just to ensure you know exactly where we are.

Andhra Pradesh, often simply called "Andhra" by the people here, is a nice state. Telugu is the language, although many/most Muslims in Hyderabad do not speak it. Our driver Akbar does not speak Telugu, my Hindi teacher Abdul does not speak Telugu. Our servants speak only Telugu. So, it gets interesting....

InHyderabad, the people speak a special version of Hindi that is very informal (even base) and infused with Urdu. Hyderabadi Hindi is unique in India and, honestly, a bit of a source of amusement to speakers of pure Hindi. There have even been movies about Hyderabadi Hindi, often comedies.

Andhra is rocky and much of it, including where we live, is on the Deccan Plateau.

It is extremely hot here, often going above 100, and even 110, in April and May - the hottest months here in Andhra.

There is a segment of the state that is moving for independence, it is called the Telangana.

We like our adopted home state.