How to de-stress in Hyderabad

Life in a big city can be very hectic and I am sure it is the same in Hyderabad too. Cities offer various means for us to unwind. On my recent visit to Hyderabad, I discovered a completely new and unconventional therapy to de-stress. I am graciously sharing my knowledge with the world!

Materials needed: A car and time on your hand. Start driving from NH7/Salar Jung Road junction, head South on Pathergatti Road, go around Char Minar, take a right turn into Laad Bazaar Road and drive till the junction of Khilwath Road. This drive is barely 1.5km. Refer to this map:

For added effectiveness:

• Choose a busy time of the day, especially around long weekends/holidays/festivals.
• Drive a brand-new car with no dents on it.
• My car wasn't of ideal size for this. For great effect, choose a big car with a big turning radius (like Tata Safari, Honda Accord)
• People from outside Hyderabad/Andhra will benefit more from this therapy. Especially if you don't know any Telugu and your Hindi/Urdu isn't great.

As you drive down this road, try not to bump (at least not too hard) into pedestrians. At the same time, ignore the pedestrians bumping into your car. Notice that some of the hawkers on the road have actually put their body parts (like hands, head) inside your car itself! Avoid running over the vendor who is sitting on the road (not by it's side). Notice that the pedestrians have forcibly folded your rear-view-mirrors to make room for their movement! Let the mirrors be so for now. Enjoy the excellent traffic jam that has built up at the entrance of Laad Bazaar road. When the traffic police says "Go", you just go, even if it involves "pushing" hordes of pedestrians crossing the road with your car. If you don't push through, you will never make progress, then the policeman will be very unhappy and give you choicest of scoldings. Once you enter Laad Bazaar road, observe that the only way to make across this road involves breaking a few laws of physics. At least that's what I thought, considering the amount of traffic and people moving in both directions on that narrow road. Somehow (I don't really know how), it all still works out and you get across this stretch after some time.

When you arrive at your destination, you will feel a great sense of achievement, satisfaction and relaxation. You will feel less attached to worldly things and recognize that you don't control all aspects of your life. You would have learnt to accept things as they come and move on. What better way to relax your nerves and de-stress?

PS1: I am sure there are such areas in Bangalore too. But in our defense, we don't have the city's most recognized tourist attraction in such an area.

PS2: I must add that the rest of the city seemed to be a bit more organized than Bangalore.