Abrupt Change in Weather

When I first got to Bangladesh on 17 October, it was still hot and muggy–easily 93, 94 degrees in the daytime, with high humidity.  It was hard on me for those first few days as I struggled to get used to the weather.  Each day when I went out I found myself dehydrated and craving water.  Every day I came back to K’s house, I was exhausted and hot, desperate for the coolness of the fan or a cold shower.

Then suddenly, it began to rain. And it hasn’t stopped.  It’s a cold rain, and the temperature dropped 20 to 30 degrees.  At first, I was super excited, because it was cloudy and nice outside.  But then yesterday (Saturday) I was supposed to go to Char Fassion by ferry.  M, N, and I got to the boat, settled in, and then… the boat didn’t leave.  I’m not sure how bad it is actually ’storming’ outside Dhaka, but I’m glad that they make decisions like that, not to go if it seems like the weather is bad.  So we caught a CNG back to Dhanmondi, and I ate dinner with K and E at Kozmo’s Lounge.

Today (Sunday) I decided not to put to much on my agenda besides going to buy food and change some large bills for smaller ones (a necessary thing in a place where rickshaw-wallas would laugh if you offered a tk 100 note).   Because I haven’t been walking much, I decided to walk to Meena Bazar on Satash road.  Not a long walk, but then I, silly bideshi, forgot my umbrella on the table, so I ended up walking in the rain.  At Meena I bought bread, peanut butter, chocolate milk, cereal, and a diet Pepsi.  I figured I should stock up a bit before I head to the island!

We’ll see about the weather in the next few days.  I hope I can go to Char Fassion by Tuesday or Wednesday.

kartik in the desh

Friday was cooler here in Dhaka, and it reminded me that we are now in the month of Kartik. Kartik, the month of Kali pujo and cyclones.  But also perhaps a time when the weather begins to fade into sheet kal (winter).  I had a dawat (invitation) for lunch, and then I walked with M and N to New Market to buy a few things.  I enjoy New Market, especially in the afternoon, before it gets too crowded.  I bought some cricket bats for the orphanage and a camisole to wear during hot nights.  M and N bargained for a calculator, but decided against buying because they felt it was too expensive.   Then we ate faluda, putchka, and chicken roll for nasta (snack, really, although it also means breakfast) before going back to Karen’s flat.

Now I sit watching the rain, not sure if I’ll be able to go to the orphanage tonight because of light storms rolling through the country.  I’ve been told that there was a mass wedding in Char Fassion a few days ago, which I would have loved to have observed.  But should I stay in Dhaka for a few more days, it would not be a big deal.  I still have a lot I could do.