The only tourists in Bhopal
After breakfast we ventured out to explore Bhopal on our own. Amazingly, we spent the whole day together as a group of 13 — we didn’t lose anyone, no one got run over, and we didn’t even have to stall to wait for others.
We started the morning at the Taj ul Masajid (the crown of mosques), which is the largest in India. Construction was initiated in the 1800s by the local ruler Nawab Shah Jahan Begum and continued by her daughter. Did you know Bhopal was ruled by 4 different muslim women in succession?






We had to wear headscarves, and walk barefoot in the puddles. When we were leaving, I asked my colleagues for the best way to wipe off our feet. They suggested with our socks, even though we had toilet paper in our bags, because, as Ernesto pointed out — “Toilet paper here is Gold.”
Next we wandered through the market, crisscrossing the streets and alleys through streams of motorcycles — just like the locals. As the only tourists in town, I was surprised that we didn’t get very much attention. Also, turns out none of us are big shoppers. We only stopped at one stall to pick up some beautiful scarves, and being such a big group we had a tough time bargaining.
WARNING — many photos ahead. This time I had my camera.














We also visited the old now abandoned palace — Gohar Mahal. No one was visiting — the guard unlocked the door for us. In minimal broken English, he was very happy to explain to us that the palace architecture combines Hindu, Muslim, and French influences, and that there once was an elaborate garden leading to the lake — before the road and bridge were built outside. He wouldn’t let us take pictures, but he then wanted to sneak one in of us.

Overall a fascinating day.