So, Bhopal. The capital of Madhya Pradesh. A city with tons of history and significant recent growth. A city divide into two parts, the old city and the new city…which is really a PC way to say the Muslim city and the Hindu city.

You would think that, being a capital and all, Bhopal would have a good deal of things to do, restaurants to eat and, and so forth. Yeah, no. Rumor has it that there is a movie theatre somewhere here…I’ll believe it when I see it.

Nonetheless, Bhopal isn’t all that bad of a city. Sure, there isn’t really anything to do, but the people here seem to be a shade kinder than people in Pune, who seemingly take every possible opportunity to yell at non-Maharashtrans but really anyone stupid enough to ask a question or show even the slightest hint of hesitance or inconvenience. Thank goodness Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena party is winning more votes to change all of that…right?

Whoops.

There are a few other advantages with Bhopal, too… Okay, one other advantage. Being a city with a 40% Muslim population, Bhopal has something that Pune does not (or is not easy to come by, at least): BEEF. That’s right, beef. My brethren here don’t seem to have the reservations as they do in Pune. Which means that I’ve gorged myself on seekh kebabs, shami kebabs, nihari, dho-pyas, buna, kadai, and various other beef-based tantalizers. My fellow meeties also had some kalegi (liver) and brain saalans (gravies), which was well-beyond my limit. Props to them for that carnivorous accomplishment.

And it’s CHEAP! I think three of us probably ate about 6 plates of beef-based foods with tandoori roti for Rs. 113…which is about $2.50. sanitation be damned! Cockroaches aside, it was a great experience.

And now, an ode:

Ode to Beef

Oh, beef!
You are simply succulent,
You don’t render my stomach turbulent,
You taste exquisite.

Oh, beef!
Thank God for the cow,
And also, the plow,
Homer was Mr. Plow.

Oh, beef!
You taste great on a leaf,
and I hear better on the reef,
but I wouldn’t know cuz of my beliefs

…frowny face…

Oh beef!
Too bad for your methane,
Which makes the sky rain,
From climate pollutan(ts)

Beef, I heart you so.
And will miss you when I go
Back to Pune. =(