heureusement

Charminar and Mecca Masjid

Laad Bazar aka Bangle Street intersects with Charminar. There are rows and rows of stores with the walls covered in sparkly bangles. As you walk down the street multiple men shout and “psssss” at you, gesticulating wildly for you to see their wares. One guy asked to take pictures of me wearing his bridal necklace selection for promotional uses. I obliged only because I didn’t really have anything else to do - the bangles were all so tacky! (I eventually bought some - too many - out of touristic obligation) He also wanted my US contact information because he’s going to Alabama; I refused that request. He dutifully emailed me the pictures. Ha.

As for Mecca Masjid, we were required to take off our shoes (oh no, Mom!) and cover our heads. On the way through the gates a man hit us on the head with a bunch of peacock feathers and rubbed some sort of powder on our heads. He was not a religious official in conjunction with the mosque, just someone looking to make a few rupees. The mosque was closed, but it wouldn’t have mattered for me anyway since women are not permitted inside. There was a dinky building off to the side where the females are allowed to pray.

Old city is where the the Muslim population of the city is concentrated. It was surprising to see how many women wear the full burqa there. It’s also amazing to see signs in English, Hindi, Telugu and Arabic. I don’t know how people keep things straight!