Mosque blast near Charminar

At least 13 people have been killed in a bomb explosion at a historic mosque and subsequent rioting in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad, police said. At least nine people were killed and dozens more hurt in the blast during Friday prayers at the Mecca Masjid, one of India's biggest mosques.

While in Goa, I had a moment of pause at breakfast Saturday morning. We had all just sat down and it was a beautiful morning. Then I opened the paper and the picture and story above stared me in the face. Instantly I felt sad - very sad. It felt more personal than all the blasts, bombs, fighting etc. that I continuously read about or hear about in the news.... that always seems to be happening far, far away to people I don't know. It didn't feel that way to me this time.

While in Hyderabad on our first trip to India, I spent my one free day touring (while John worked - poor guy) and seeing the sites including the Charminar (pictured above). I climbed the ancient winding steps, I took several pictures from the top while trying to take in the view and "all things India" for the first time - e.g. motor rickshaws packed in the square, giant baskets of homemade somosas piled high on heads, many Muslim woman (woman veiled in black) intermingled with colorfully dressed Hindu woman, beautiful mosques from every side of the Charminar - including the one bombed on Friday.

I've stood in that spot like millions before me, I bought "precious stones" from a small boy to bring back to my boys (paying way more than I should have just to see the smile on his face). I didn't feel fear at all - surprisingly - only a profound sadness that a few radicals could feel justified in killing people during their Friday prayers...

Whenever I think of Goa, I know I'll also think of my short stay in Hyderabad and my visit here - they are now linked.

Here is Charminar through my lens along with the people, rickshaws, and lovely mosques surrounding it.