The mosque and tower is packed with school students and very few tourists, Michael and I are the only white people which is very amusing to the school kids who all want to shake our hands and have photos with us or sneak pictures of us.
The Qutb-Minar, constructed in the 12th century is towering above us and into the misty sky. This is the tallest Minar in India at 72.5 meters with a base diameter of 14.32m and top diameter of 2.75m. There are 379 steps to the top (unfortunately we couldn't climb it). The patterns on the walls of the Minar are beautiful and make for a great picture.
Qutb-Minar is located in the crumbling courtyard of Quwwatul-Islam Masjid (mosque). It is also known as the Might of Islam. Construction began in 1193 and is covered in arabesque designs. It is in partial ruin but still beautiful with colums and archways still intact. It is the first mosque built in southern India.
We unfortunately only had a short time here to look around. Ebrahim took over as the tour guide/time keeper and dragged Vu and I away from chatting to the students. No $$ tip for Ebrihem as tour guide, too bossy. Haha
 |
| Michael & Ebrihem. |
 |
| The school boys wanted me to take their picture, little did I know that behind me the rest of their school friends were taking photos of my butt...of course my friends all helped by taking photos of that. Travelling with a really helpful group...haha |
Catch up with the rest of the group at our first hospital visit. It is a private hospital that has a lot of specialist doctors and medicines. This hospital mainly caters for international residents and wealthy Indians. They do however offer 10% of their beds and services to the poor. This is great but unfortunately the poor would probably not know about this and they would be too intimidated to enquire. The nurses do venture out regularly to visit areas to assist and the hospital also funds a school for educating the poor.
We toured through the wards and private rooms (which I rush in and out of - I'll never make a nurse). They let us see the presidential suite which was amazing, they have had a president stay there, but they wouldn't say who.
It was an interesting visit but I would now like to see a government hospital for the poor to compare. #Sidenote: I read the paper the following day and there was a fire in a similar private hospital in Calcutta (north east India) and 89 patients died from toxic fumes. The guards had locked the gates to keep families out from trying to help with the fire but that of course then stopped the fire service from entering. Management issues and emergency planning is not always done well here as they seek the lowest bidders for jobs not the most suitable. The hospital we visited did say they had excellent emergency management but it has not yet been tested.
Back to New Delhi airport and a flight in Indigo jet to Hyderabad (apparently Hyderrabad is the number 1 airport in the world - we shall soon see).
One hour and a half flight and we arrive in Hyderabad at 7pm. It is a very clean and organized airport but I think it os number one because of what is out the front. We exit the airportnand walk down the ramps to wait for our our bus. I immediately spy a Zorba ball. Our bus is late so Charlene and I buy a ticket ($2 for both of us). I've wanted to try this since seeing it on the amazing race and it did not dissappoint. Charlene and I laughed the entire way, so much fun. This ball has Velcro straps so you don't roll onto each other and you are strapped to an internal side. Charlene was wearing a dress with a petticoat (she quickly put pants on underneath for privacy) and each time we rolled over her dress flew up, made it even funnier.
New bus and off to a new hotel. This hotel is really nice. Into the room and first thing to do is to order room service. Capriosca for me, Pina Colada for Chantal, Chimmy Changs (mexican deep fried spring rolls - made famous in Meet my Parents) and of course a serving of my new favorite dessert Gulab Jamun.
 |
| Checked into a nice hotel, first thing to do is to order a Capriosca, Chimmy Changs and Gulab Jarem. Yummmmm. |
Off to sleep.
Shubh raatri
No comments:
Post a Comment