Out and About (#4)

Garage and car

Out and About

Out and about

The days are running one into another, so I'll just say "recently" Lisa, Sam and I went to two local markets in the afternoon.  It was arranged that the driver would take us to each market, park and wait.  The first shop was more Western than most.  I tried on a number of Shalwar Kameez and learned that in the US, I wear sz small.  Here, I need a large!  I did find one top that I love.  It is a silk blend that looks black purple.  It has beads down the front and around the sleeves.  We also bought a cute little outfit for Sami.  Here, the baby boys wear a triangle looking scarf that ties like a diaper, over the diaper.  Lisa did not find any pants for newborns.

The second market was for food.  We shopped for items we could make, like pasta.  This store was very much like the ones in France when I lived in Avignon.  The prices were fixed and therefore, higher than at the open markets where everything is negotiable.  The fixed prices made it possible for Lisa and I to simply decide if the asking price worked for us or not without knowing the going local rates.  At home, we would have paid slightly less for the foods we chose.

A taste of America

Bilquis knew that I paid more for my new top than I would have with her along in the open markets.  I told her I'd love to go with her if she has time.  She made time tonight!  We walked about 2 blocks to an open space off the congested, fast moving street.  We stepped inside and there I saw a labyrinth of pathways with (mostly) closet sized shops wall to wall.  The first items stuffed in there were furniture!  We're talking big bed frames, tables and mattresses.  Next, was a tiny shop in which 3 of us standing in there needed to move in order to make room for someone to reach into their wallet!  Here, she bought crackers, chips and Coke.  They put it all aside and held it for her while we continued on.

We saw gold jewelry from Dubai.  I tried on a beautiful bracelet in the shop where   buys some of her items.  The price was 95,000 taka/$1,200.  Ah... maybe in another life.

We looked at some fabrics.  I want to have a top or Shalwar Kameez made for me.  Because their prices were higher than we can find elsewhere, Bilquis told me she will take me to another market another day.  Lisa hopes to come too.  It all depends on Sam's schedule.  He is eating every 2 hours or so.

Family Visit
Abu's father, Wahid, has family in a nearby part of town.  We all were invited to dinner at the home of one of his brothers, Shansul, and his wife, Bilquis.  Another sister, Roshenara, and brother-in-law, Dr. Amirul, visiting from London, were also there.  I wore a beautiful Shalwar Kameez that my co-worker, Tambra loaned me.  I fit right in!

Bilquis, me, Roshenara  and Sara

The food and hospitality were excellent!  The table was filled with plate after plate of  tasty items.  Auntie Bilquis had taken my need for "not too spicy" into consideration (Roshenera said she liked it that way too).  There were beef, chicken and shrimp curry dishes, boiled eggs in a sort of coconut sauce (I loved it), biriyani, kabob, and aloo'r chop (deep fried mashed potato).  I swear I ate more in this one meal than the rest of the time I've been here.  Then, there was dessert!  She served a rice pudding and a sort of caramel custard with chopped fruit on top.  Fabulous!  I was worried I'd lose weight while here, but clearly, it is going to be the other way around.

Bilquis, Sara's Dadi (Paternal Grandmother)

Sara dancing for us

Miss performer!

Before leaving, the family members gathered at the door as we were saying good-bye.  They told me that in their culture when a couple gets married, it is not just the two people who are wed, the families become one.  Then one of the aunts said, "Lisa belongs to us now, and so do you."  I am invited to visit in London and they mean it.  They want to know when I can come!  I let them know how much I appreciate hearing and knowing that they embrace Lisa, especially.  It is hard for me to think of her here without family.  Now I know she is in loving hands.  I joked then and said, "Well then, where is my room?"  At once, 3 people began talking and pointing down the hall, saying, "We have several empty rooms now, you can pick!"