Reddy, Reddi, Reddy

It's been a few days, but we're in the throes of getting the apartment where it is almost home-like. As Deb and I have started to explore the MLA Colony on foot, there are a few things that stand out. First, there are far more Reddy's and Reddi's than Patels or any other names for that matter in our neighborhood. We know this because virtually every home has a placard posted on the gate with the family name and, in some cases, what the primary head of household does or did. Most of the doctors have this on their gate. The former police commissioner of Hyderabad proudly posts this on his gate. We generally walk early in the morning, so the maids, servants, gardeners, and drivers are out and about preparing for another day. The driveways and cars get a daily wash. Many of the homes have a servant draw a Rangoli on the driveway in chalk.
One of the most noticeable features virtually anywhere you go in Hyderabad are the feral dogs. A few homes have domesticated pets, but the dogs are ubiquitous in every neighborhood. And when you use the term "mangy lot" in describing a group of animals or people, the dogs of Hyderabad should be your paradigm. If you've seen the animated movie "Ratatouille", the brother of the rat-hero Remy, Emile gives you an image of how discerning these dogs are when it comes to just about any aspect of life on the streets. Disney's "Lady and the Tramp" would need to be titled VERY differently, cause these female dogs ain't no ladies. However, to give you another visual, maybe Dog and his wife are a good example of the look of many of these street creatures. One of the many nursing females uses the dumpster down the hill from us for her buffet meals and while I don't have a shot of it, this is not a pretty sight.

We'll be in Chennai on Thursday, so I'll have some things of interest to write about shortly. Have a great day.