When I visited the villages in the summer, the loud noise of cicadas was continuous, mostly during the heat of the day. Close to them, the sound is more than 100 decibels. It is the mating call of the male cicadas. The sounds are made to attract the partners and for territoriality. The sound is not produced by vocal cords, but rather by the buckling of the ribs, the vibration of a membrane and amplification in the cavities of the cicada’s abdomen.

For some time in the afternoons, I often try to sleep - as the summer heat sucks the energy and makes one drowsy, especially after a heavy lunch. In those days there were no fans, the hot winds blew through the main door and moved up from the central courtyard, which is surrounded by the rooms.

In the summers the house flies were also many, especially during the daytime. They made a sound by flapping their wings, well heard, as they flew close to the ears. When we tried to sleep, they land on the face and they try to enter the nostrils and ears. Their tiny legs make a tickling sensation, so we rarely slept in peace.

In the afternoons, to sell, some women were bringing mangoes, Nalla Jeedi fruits and other local fruits in the baskets. In exchange for grains, they used to give the fruits. Also, from the Peddavagu stream, people caught small fishes called Jellelu and other varieties and sold in the village.

The swings were tied to the Doolam (the wooden roof frame). It was very nice swinging in the house on a hot day. Sometimes climbed onto the Thottela (a small-bed-swing used for small babies) and enjoyed the swing.

Late afternoon, played the Oman-guntala-peeta with dried tamarind seeds, or Ashta-chemma and Paila-pachisu with shells as dice and pawns. Girls and boys, young and old would play these games. I also often went to play marbles with some children underneath a Neem tree.

While playing marbles, jumping like a monkey in a squatted position was a good exercise, and the contact with the soil improved the immunity towards the potential allergies.