Day VI in Bhubaneswar - India trip 2022

 Just completed one week of my stay and couldn't ignore a noticeable difference and positive development this summer here in Bhubaneswar - the absence of perpetual load sheddings and ubiquitous power cuts. Barring a few power fluctuations and loss of electricity for few minutes, the power runs steady - being the savior from the ongoing stifling heat and humidity.

I should have touched wood while writing this. Not long after I wrote this Electricity went poof. It wasn't for too long, but it felt like eternity. For 2 hour there was no power. No toilet, no shower. The inverter which backs up power for emergency use kept the ceiling fan running which kept churning out hot and humid air. 

Felt like a fish out of water, lying supine on hot bed a la horizontal version of Sri Chaitnanya Mahapranhu getting barbecued. An hour gone, still no sign of electricity. Sprinkle some salt and pepper over me I am a great grill. Another couple of hours I could have become a SUKHUA or dried fish, an Odia delicacy. Thankfully electricity came back at the knick of the moment, rescuing us from further torment.

Another positive outcome of this hot and muggy weather is it has kept mosquitoes at bay. The tiny blood suckers haven't vanished, rather been in hibernation to escape from the heat. Whatever few I encounter in our room I mercilessly clap them to death. Mosquitoes are known to have amazing resilience. Non of these mosquito repellants are effective against them. The best option is mosquito net, but I feel terribly claustrophobic inside it. Preventing them from entering your room and their manual extermination of those present is the optimal solution.

The ongoing separation drama between a couple of celebrities or a celebrity couple of Odisha is grabbing headlines of local media. The popular cine couple of Anubhav and Barsha made a perfect glamorous lover duo, ideally made for each other couple on screen. Alas, their fairy tale marriage has apparently gone wrong with the couple doing mudslinging in the public. When they got married they were expected to repeat their onscreen romance and chemistry in their married life. But Real world is different from reel world, something they are learning the hard way.

The stifling heat and humidity forces me to drink plenty of water to keep myself hydrated. I am drinking twice the amount of water I normally do to pee the same. Took a walk inside the Forest Park one late evening. Didn't turn exactly into a walk in the park. I was told each round on the walking trail measures 900m (1/2 mile). The heat and humidity, even after the dark is so energy sapping that after 4-5 rounds I was completely exhausted and felt rejuvenating only after drinking a full 2 liter bottle of water. The key is to stay hydrated. Also the diary products here, especially the Yogurts get spoiled after couple of days even if you keep them inside the refrigerator - so bad is the current mugginess.

During lunch I try all kinds of Saaga of local varieties - Kosala, Leutia and Sajana which we don't get in USA, especially the later which is my favorite. They are simply packed with all essential vitamins and other nutrients. We eat our lunch at noon, unlike most here who don't eat lunch until 2 PM. Similarly 9.30 PM is the dinner time at our home, it has been the same since my childhood days. That's still early for many. 

A lot of households here in Bhubaneswar eat dinner no earlier than 10 PM. In US where the dinner time in 7 PM, is the snacking time in here when street food and fast food restaurants make brisk business. Food and culture may vary across the globe but are great unifiers. More later...