Bhubaneswar Blues & Mango Sticky Rice Dreams

okay, so. bhubaneswar. i didn’t plan to end up here. my flight to kolkata got…rerouted. thanks, monsoon season. but honestly? it’s been…something. i’m a botanist, right? so, naturally, i’m obsessed with the greenery. it’s not like a manicured park kind of green, it’s…wild. tenacious. like it’s fighting to exist alongside the concrete.

I just checked and it’s…a shimmering heat haze kind of day. thirty-four point something, feels like a bit cooler, thankfully. Humidity’s low, which is a win. I’m sweating less than I expected, which is a small miracle.

I’ve been wandering around *Nandankanan Zoological Park - it’s surprisingly good! - and just generally soaking up the atmosphere. It’s…intense. The smells, the sounds, the sheer life of the place. I’m trying to identify as many plant species as possible, which is proving both exhilarating and slightly overwhelming. I’m using this app, PlantNet, to help me out. It’s pretty decent, though sometimes it tells me a weed is a rare orchid. You know how it is.

Someone told me that the best place to get rasgulla is at Mahavir Sweets. Apparently, it’s a pilgrimage for locals. I haven’t made it there yet, but it’s on the list. I’m also hunting down mango sticky rice. I’m obsessed. I need it. It’s a serious craving.

“Don’t go near the old market after dark. They say…things happen.”

That’s what a guy selling chai told me. He looked pretty serious, too. I’m not entirely sure what “things” he was referring to, but it added a certain…spice to my evening stroll. I’m probably being paranoid, but hey, better safe than sorry, right? I did check out some reviews on TripAdvisor for the market, and it seems like it's a bit chaotic, but generally safe during the day. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g304282-d1177887-Reviews-Old_Town_Market-Bhubaneswar_Khordha_District_Odisha.html

I’m staying in a little guesthouse near Patia. It’s basic, but clean, and the owner, Mrs. Sharma, is an absolute sweetheart. She keeps trying to feed me things. I think she thinks I’m wasting away. Which, to be fair, I probably am. I’ve been living on instant noodles and anxiety for the past few weeks.

If you get bored, Puri and Konark are just a short drive away. I’m thinking of taking a day trip to see the Sun Temple. Apparently, it’s incredible. I found a few tour options on GetYourGuide. https://www.getyourguide.com/bhubaneswar-l1322/day-trips-tc113/

I’ve been sketching a lot. Trying to capture the…energy of the place. It’s hard to describe. It’s not peaceful, not exactly. It’s…vibrant, in a chaotic, overwhelming kind of way. I’m using a sketchbook and some watercolours. I’m not exactly a master artist, but it’s therapeutic. I’m thinking of posting some of my sketches on Instagram later. Maybe. If I can figure out the wifi situation.

“The auto drivers will rip you off. Haggle hard. Like, really* hard.”

Drunk advice from a guy at a roadside stall. He seemed to know what he was talking about. I’ve already been overcharged twice. Note to self: learn some basic Oriya phrases. Or just stick to walking.

I’m also trying to find some interesting botanical gardens. I found a few mentions of the Regional Botanical Garden, but the reviews on Yelp are…mixed. https://www.yelp.com/biz/regional-botanical-garden-bhubaneswar Apparently, it’s a bit overgrown and neglected. Still, it’s worth a look, right? I’m hoping to find some unique species. Maybe something I’ve never seen before. That’s the dream, anyway.

I’m starting to feel…settled here, in a weird way. Like I’m meant to be here, even if it was a complete accident. Maybe this rerouting was a blessing in disguise. Who knows? I’m just going to keep exploring, keep sketching, and keep searching for that perfect mango sticky rice. And maybe, just maybe, I’ll avoid the old market after dark.

Bhubaneswar Blues & Mango Sticky Rice Dreams

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About the author: Ethan Hunt

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