Monday, July 30, 2001: Saved by toast in the big city. Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India

Namaste, that’s Hindi for Hello!!

Penny here,

We’ve arrived safe and sound in Hyderabad. And, thankfully, our bikes were fully intact, and our luggage all there. In fact, the only time when we’ve had trouble with people getting into our bags was a lady at the train station who seemed a little too curious. She didn’t get too far though before Tad saw her, so it’s all good. We just happened to get lucky on a place to eat that was very close to the bus station and had yummy food. Actually, I was looking for something that wouldn’t be too harsh on my stomach since it takes me a while to get into the hardcore Indian food. Toast saved the day once again. This time in Hyderabad went by in somewhat of a blur. I was not

familiar with the city and that meant I followed Tad through wave after wave of traffic and people.

I found myself uncomfortable every time we stopped because I would watch the bikes while Tad got directions, and then people would enclose around the bikes and me and just stare. I think I wasn’t looking too happy because not many asked questions until Tad came back. This was smart on their part as I wasn’t in the mood for questions. I really began to have an appreciation for what Tad does every day. It seems as though the combination of two white people and two fully loaded bikes is about the most interesting thing in town. At first it was hard for me to understand this because I kept thinking, if two Indian people rode down a street in Portland, Oregon, USA on their bikes, they would hardly get a second glance from the locals. Tad reminded me that it would probably be more like if an Indian farmer with his bullocks and cart came strolling down Main Street. I have to admit something like that would attract some attention.

So, after some advice from my family over an internet chat connection, I just keep telling myself that the intentions are good and they are just curious. It’s not really a mob of people that seems to be surrounding me from all sides, it just feels like that at times. When I would get frustrated, there was Tad, smiling away, whipping out business cards and making friends. It has been an honor observing his patience and caring to everyone he meets.

Penny

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