I woke this morning and wondered "Do the children of Bangladesh wake up screaming this celebration in their households?" Alison and I had no idea what today was going to be like but we were both super excited. Two of Rick's Bengali friends through his meditation group were going to be coming with us downtown to the park and Dhaka university area where the biggest buzz of festivities were going to be happening. Traditionally, this holiday was when all the people had to come into the main city of Dhaka to pay their taxes. This of course meant a huge population and so it became one big PARTY!!!!
After breakfast, we squeezed into the car and had the most smooth drive anybody could ever imagine getting downtown. When our car was at a stand still from traffic and the numbers of people walking into the main area, we all got out of the car and began walking too. Our new Bengali friends used our "tourist" status to get to the front of the line that gained you entrance to the main area. Soon, we were engulfed in a sea of red and white sarees dressed by girls and women of all ages. On the park side (similar to that of Central Park in NYC) families were gathered in picnic style, kids playing, concert stages set up. People were selling everything you could imagine from jewelry, toys, crafts, pin wheels, shoes, drinks, musical instruments, flowers and more.
There was even a SWAT team just for the celebrations (same name used as the USA's force as well!). We walked to where the traditional song and dance performed by women were and also their native tree where everybody takes a photo at. Rick had told us before we left that we were going to be just as amusing to the local people as the festivities were to us. Of course there was lots of staring as we walked through the streets and park (thankfully guided by our Bengali friends too), but at the tree, we really felt how much the people wanted to simply take photos with us! It was hilarious and to be honest, quite flattering to be wanted to be photographed with so many people. Alison (being a Caucasian female) was the superstar since I was already Asian looking...hahaha!
Anyway, we headed down to the University side of the celebrations and definitely saw a change in the crowd being younger. Many of the university students were in happy spirits. The art students made giant floats of art displaying their work. Here, we also chose to paint our faces with the flag and Bengali script wishing everybody a Happy New Year. After walking pretty much for two hours straight (apart from stopping for photos), we called our driver and headed home happy and exhausted. We were so lucky as it was overcast all morning with a nice gentle breeze felt throughout the day too!
We headed to The American Club for lunch with our friends and returned home at around 2pm ready for some rest. At around 4:30pm, Alison and I decided to head to the local supermarket to buy things for a gift basket that we were going to bring Milan and his family to the village on Sunday. We will be visiting Rick's monastery tomorrow morning and then headed to Old Dhaka with his other Bengali friend to see some more sights - it should be another busy and fun filled day.
I've been in Bangladesh one week now but feel like I've been here so much longer knowing the neighborhood and routine of life:) For now, the winds and rain have finally opened up to come greet us and maybe cool things down a little. The lightning is spectacular outside of Rick's living room window. Here in Bangladesh, the true meaning of "When it Rains...it Pours" comes alive.....
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