Strange Eid

Eid is supposed to be a special day. But today was strange.

Got up at 4:30, could not go back to sleep. After Eid prayers, got rained on while walking home. In the afternoon, I was working with my son on his studies (big exam coming up so no break for Eid). I was sitting on his bed, and suddenly the post stuck at a corner for the mosquito net lurched and fell on my hand. I know this, I thought, I used to live in the Bay Area! So... what's shaking, Bangladesh :-)

There are scary statistics about how many people would die from a severe earthquake in Dhaka. But, truth be told, I worry more about adulterated food than any other issue facing Bd. We need to institute capital punishment for that. I mean, isn't it slow-motion murder after all? As a friend said, "Dui ektarey loktaia diley shob thik hoia jaibo" (After one or two adulterers are hanged, it will be alright.)

Oh well, Eid is almost over. A precious, special day turned strange. Eid mubarak everyone!

Eid Mubarak!

Enjoy the food :-)

Acacias in Bloom

Acacia flowers are in full-bloom. Here are some acacia trees in the Sylhet-Fenchuganj road.

Bringing Home the Iftar

Here we are well into another Ramadan, the Muslim fasting month. At day's close, people go to the local markets to buy food with which to break their fast. They select their Iftar and pay the vendors who pack it up. Then they bring the Iftar home.

Some vendors have the packets ready, looking for customers...



...while other vendors get mobbed.



"What!? You want just one tiny fried thingy in this here packet?"



Nonetheless, the packets get filled...



... money changes hands...



... and soon we are good to go.



But wait... not everyone wants that fried stuff. Some like bananas...



... others are happy with their melon...



... yet others admire their Iftar pineapple...



...and the occasional jambura is lugged along.



Cold water is a must, carried sometimes from a place with a fridge...



...while others wish the pesky phone would stop ringing so they can get home!



As the hour draws closer, people hurry along one way...



...or another.



Some pack a variety of Iftar goodies...



but others, such as these Tokais (scavenger kids) have to scavenge for leftovers...



...luckily most vendors are generous to Tokais.



However, for the most part, kids end up having their Iftar...



...and eating it too!

A Nice Set of Photos

Couple of friends sent me this link to an amazing series of Ramadan photos around the world.

From Bd it takes a while to load, but the pictures are well worth the wait.

Bd's own Pavel Rahman is represented with a photo of the Chawk Iftar Market.

Thanks Pial and Alvis for sending me the pointer!