I reminisce

There is a smell of fried egg in the air. It is morning and the fog has disappeared. I pass a street food vendor on the way to the corner, where my rickshaw leaves. He is making breakfast - paratha with egg, daal and bhaji. And cha - one cannot forget the traditional milk tea in Bangladesh.

My rickshaw ride from Banani to Gulshan-2 is 30 Taka. I think it has rained last night as the street is partially wet. Dhaka is warm and dusty. The cold is gone. It is very sunny in the morning but I leave my sunglasses off.
It is supposed to be 28 degree Celsius today - in February. The rays of light shimmer through the trees and lots of little particles flow in the air. The fog has disappeared, Dhaka is dusty.

Here and there people are sweeping the streets. Someone is burning leaves, as the smoke surrounds me as I pass through. The green of the trees is obvious, all year long.

Today I decide not to put any headphones on - no Drake, Bastille, Imagine Dragons or Aloe Blacc. Dhaka is noisy. I don't pay any attention and my rickshaw driver goes straight although he is supposed to take a right, as I told him to drop me off in front of the Police Barrack at Gulshan-2. I give him 30 Taka and get off.

I cross the street and go up the elevator: Floor 11 with a view over the whole circle. Just a few weeks ago people used to march, protest, threw crude bombs and got into fights with the police. Now it seems like nothing has happened.

I arrive at work, switch on my computer but cannot focus; as I am thinking of my trip to Kuakata... I reminisce, I reminisce.

#morningstories

 

The last weeks I experienced the "Bangladeshi winter" in Dhaka. It had been about 10 degree celcius in the mornings in between. Dhaka was freezing cold and foggy. In the mornings we sometimes were covered in clouds, as we live on floor 15.
Flights supposed to arrive and depart at Dhaka airport were being delayed due to the heavy fog. But it's getting better. We are enyoing 22 degree celcius plus during the day ;).

It was so cold, that even the goats weren't asking for grass but for gloves. I met this guy a couple of times on my way to work taking his goats for a walk. And I could see in their eyes their complaint about the weather.

I used to sleep with five blankets in between, some thin and others thinner. But I was okay over night. Our security guards apparently weren't. They wrapped their shawls around neck, head and ears when I left in the mornings.

I can't blame them. The other day on the rickshaw on my way to work, I was wearing vest, shirt, sweater and jacket. I rode along the neighbourhood towards Gulshan-2, when I heard a splash right beside me. While riding under a huge tree, a bird decided to share it's last night meal with me. Too good he missed me!

Once I arrive at work, I have a bowl of German Müsli. It takes me an hour to finish, as I complete e-mails on the side and start the work day. And that is how my morning ends...

Aufgetischt

At Istanbul Airport

Business Class Lounge

Office lunch

Jhaal Muri

Veggie lunch

Breakfast at Star Kabab

Shahpur Bazaar

Shahpur is still “Amar Shahpur“. I was fortunate enough, to spend the Eid Holidays in the most relaxing and peaceful environment with my aunts, uncles and my cousin brother Jarrar.

What fascinated me is that people pretty much lead their daily life according to sunrise and sunset on the countryside. They get up very early and once it is dark outside, they gather in their homes, watch TV, have dinner and go to bed early as well.

Somehow, I adapted to that schedule immediately. I got up before 7 a.m. and before breakfast I was off to visit the local bazaar. It was a lot of fun, taking a walk in the mornings and then sitting down at one spot of Shahpur bazaar and watching the people come and go; bringing items to sell or going back home with fresh milk, vegetables and fish. So after basically spotting people and the vivid market life, I went off to take a look around myself. This intrigued me to buy fresh vegetables, sweets, toys and drinks during a couple of morning visits. My bazaar spotting contained lots of conversations with local people, such as the development of the milk prices the previous few days. And from time to time, people came up to me, had a quick chat, because they knew who I was: the grandson of Hiron Doctor.

Milk prices went down to 70 Taka

I bought him candy. Trust me, he can smile!

Paan Wallah

Little fish

Tea/chai - very important in Bangladesh