Quietly confident

Today began with trip along National Highway 9 (planned with a few photographer friends from office), and ended with it.

Initially, I was a bit disappointed with our late, though inevitable start. Then as we sped along the NH 9, we were in no position to stop. SD hit the accelerator to her heart's content and all we could do was watch loads of photographs pass us by. The sky was a magnificent blue, with "puffy" clouds strung across it. The greens after the recent spurt of rain were sparkling, and mostly things were picture perfect. For no apparent reason, I was reminded of "Don't speak" (a very long time since I heard it) and funny as it may sound, it changed things. Seeing the wonderful scenery passing us by, and not stopping aggravated me no end. On top of it, our original plan of random shooting along the highway got altered and we decided to head for Bidar, a small remote town with an old dilapidated fort and a Madrasa. Of course, SD was spared no flak. But contrary to all expectations, it turned out to be a really good decision!

Bidar is this small town know for its intricately carved silver artifacts. It has a fort, which though ruined, is rather interesting, and the people above all are most friendly. If the latter were not true, the charm of the place would have diminished considerably. In the same way, if the light wasn't good, the fort would have meant very little too to a photographer.

We watched a silver jewellery box being carved in intricate detail, with much passion and industry. The artisans explained the details their craft generously.

We also got a tyre punctured in the town where every repair shop had closed down on a Sunday afternoon. We were helped by a couple of philanthropic strangers (perhaps that's only my opinion) whom we paid a lesser than they deserved. There is a long discussion here, which I'm sure I'll expand another time.

In the end we had no time to revisit and stop at all the places we had been marking on the way, but it was an enjoyable day indeed. I am sure we will return.

I haven't looked at most of the shots, will upload them sometime. But here are a close 2nd and 3rd choices for today's blip.