Bhopal & the Humid Haze: A Photographer's Almost-Rant
okay, so bhopal. it’s…a lot. i wasn’t really planning on ending up here, honestly. it was supposed to be goa, then maybe jaipur, but a busted train connection and a seriously persuasive chai wallah later, and here i am.
first impressions? *dust. and heat. i just checked and it’s…sticking to everything right now, like a second skin. the weather report said twenty-eight point something, but it feels like you’re walking into a hairdryer. the humidity is low, fifteen percent they say, but my camera bag disagrees. it’s all fogged up.
spent most of yesterday wandering around the old city, trying to capture some of the…texture. the light is incredible, especially in the early morning. the buildings are crumbling in the most beautiful way, layers of paint peeling off to reveal older layers underneath. it’s a photographer’s dream, if you can handle the constant honking and the sheer number of people. i found a really cool little tea shop near the moti masjid - seriously, the cardamom chai is life-changing. Check out reviews on TripAdvisor.
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someone told me that the best biryani in bhopal is only available after midnight, from a guy who sets up a stall near the railway station. apparently, it’s worth the risk of getting food poisoning.
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my neighbors are…loud. not in a bad way, just…present. there’s always someone playing music, or chatting, or bargaining. if you get bored, Indore and Sanchi are just a quick bus ride away, which is good to know. i’m thinking of heading to Sanchi tomorrow to check out the stupas. i’ve been reading about them, and they sound amazing. Here's a link to a local travel guide.
gear-wise, i’m basically living out of my backpack. essentials include:
my trusty sony a7iii (obviously)
a 35mm and a 50mm prime lens - trying to keep things minimal
a ridiculous amount of memory cards
a portable hard drive for backups (learned that lesson the hard way)
a water filter bottle - seriously, stay hydrated
hand sanitizer. lots and lots of hand sanitizer.
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i overheard a couple of guys arguing about the best place to get street food. one swore by the poha at a stall near hamidia hospital, the other insisted that the bhutte ki kees* (corn dish) was superior. it was a very serious debate.
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I heard that the Upper Lake is beautiful at sunset, but also incredibly crowded. someone warned me about pickpockets, so i’m probably going to skip it. i’m more interested in finding hidden alleyways and capturing the everyday life of the city. You can find more info on Bhopal's attractions on Yelp.
honestly, bhopal is growing on me. it’s chaotic, it’s dusty, it’s hot, but it’s also incredibly vibrant and full of life. it’s not the goa i planned for, but it’s an adventure nonetheless. and sometimes, the best adventures are the ones you don’t expect. Here's a blog with more local tips.
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