Blogs from Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India, Asia

The Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka are located about 45 km south east of Bhopal on the road to Hoshangabad. Situated along the Bhopal-Hoshangabad highway, these caves bear proximity to the Bhiyapura village in Raisen district. The site spread over 10 km in length and about 3 km in width has more than 700 rock shelters, of which over 400 have paintings. The earliest human activities are known from the numerous stone tools including handaxes, cleavers and also the pebble tools. The northern fringes of the ancient Vindhyachal ranges are home to the extraordinary rock shelters and paintings, its awesome rocks fortifying the ancient treasure within. Ensconced amidst lush greenery in dense forests, and rocky terrain and craggy cliffs, with the lofty rocks guarding the ancient premises, the caves of Bhimbetka present a breathtaking view even from ... read more

I have got a bit slack at the old blogging, particularly considering I was at a computer all day everyday in Bhopal. The Indian internet, which claims to be broadband at the clinic- presumably when its not too busy sipping Chai and swatting the endless onslaught of mosquitos was not what held me back from writing this time. It was infact fear. Not of living within 400 metres of a highly toxic factory which is still claiming the lives of thousands. Not of worrying about what I may do next time the headband wearing, goatee sporting, peculiarly limping middle aged hippy wakes me from my slumber with his tympanic-bursting snoring. And not from another bloody stoning (I jest, there was no blood) as the children were won round in the end. But from something else. Namely ... read more

So after the highs of Varanasi we did it again - we went on a pointless journey to perhaps the most rotten town in all of India - Bhopal. Bhopal is a "supposedly" beautiful town set around 2 lakes where the wealthy Indians come out to play in their speedboats. Either we badly misinterpreted our guide book, or the town has dramatically changed since the authors visited there last. What we found was a town full of revolting, sexist young men, who whistled, leered and hassled us at every turn. We couldn't walk 5 meters down the street without someone saying something sleazy to us, or feeling like we were walking naked through a blokey construction site. To enter the street required nerves of steel and a bravery never before known to us. Unfortunately we were ... read more