Tuesday, August 19, 2003
You're listening to the streets...
I've seen some interesting stuff in the last 24 hours. On the way home from work (at around 6:45am), we came upon an autorickshaw/scooter wreck. It didn't seem like anyone was hurt, but the scooter was pretty badly damaged. I couldn't figure out what had caused the accident, because traffic is pretty light at that time. Then I realized that one side of the road was shut. The road has a divider between the opposite directions, and only our side of the road was open. So both directions of traffic were using the same side of the road. We continued on around the corner, and I discovered why one side was shut. The Indian army was doing something on the other side of the road. There were two or three tanks, several other big vehicles, and personnel all over. It didn't look serious, so they were probably just doing some kind of standard manouver. I found it interesting that the two servicemen diverting traffic were using tree branches to flag the traffic.
I went shopping this afternoon, and in the oncoming traffic, there was a huge motorcade with flags, banners, drums, and waving people. There were lots of cars and many big trucks (lorries) stuffed full of people. Apparently it was a parade of the communist party. The banners were all in Hindi or Telegu (whatever it was, I couldn't read it), so I couldn't read any of the slogans. But I'm pretty sure my driver said "Communist Party."
On the way home, traffic was stopped for a long time because the Chief Minister was out and about. Due to the Indian proclivity for assassinating leaders, the government takes great caution when officials are on the move. There are usually several cars in the motorcade which have shades drawn, and the minister is in one of those cars. Traffic is always stopped until the motorcade goes by. I have experienced this several times (Hyderabad is the capital of Andhra Pradesh, so there are lots of government folks around). The same thing occurred in the spring when the Dalai Lama visited.
Not to change the subject or anything, but I bought a super cute jean skirt today. Now, I need another jean skirt like I need a hole in the head. My friends once decided that if there was a Mandy action figure, it would be wearing a jean skirt.
I've seen some interesting stuff in the last 24 hours. On the way home from work (at around 6:45am), we came upon an autorickshaw/scooter wreck. It didn't seem like anyone was hurt, but the scooter was pretty badly damaged. I couldn't figure out what had caused the accident, because traffic is pretty light at that time. Then I realized that one side of the road was shut. The road has a divider between the opposite directions, and only our side of the road was open. So both directions of traffic were using the same side of the road. We continued on around the corner, and I discovered why one side was shut. The Indian army was doing something on the other side of the road. There were two or three tanks, several other big vehicles, and personnel all over. It didn't look serious, so they were probably just doing some kind of standard manouver. I found it interesting that the two servicemen diverting traffic were using tree branches to flag the traffic.
I went shopping this afternoon, and in the oncoming traffic, there was a huge motorcade with flags, banners, drums, and waving people. There were lots of cars and many big trucks (lorries) stuffed full of people. Apparently it was a parade of the communist party. The banners were all in Hindi or Telegu (whatever it was, I couldn't read it), so I couldn't read any of the slogans. But I'm pretty sure my driver said "Communist Party."
On the way home, traffic was stopped for a long time because the Chief Minister was out and about. Due to the Indian proclivity for assassinating leaders, the government takes great caution when officials are on the move. There are usually several cars in the motorcade which have shades drawn, and the minister is in one of those cars. Traffic is always stopped until the motorcade goes by. I have experienced this several times (Hyderabad is the capital of Andhra Pradesh, so there are lots of government folks around). The same thing occurred in the spring when the Dalai Lama visited.
Not to change the subject or anything, but I bought a super cute jean skirt today. Now, I need another jean skirt like I need a hole in the head. My friends once decided that if there was a Mandy action figure, it would be wearing a jean skirt.
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