Scott's parents arrived a few days ago for a 2 week long visit. We're so happy to have them here and are quickly finding ways to show them around during their 3rd trip to Bangladesh (wow, we really have been here too long). There will certainly be photos from the weeks events in the upcoming days. Perhaps you'll all understand the power of the fact that Dada and Gigi dragged with them a basketball hoop and gave it to Henry the first day. Yeah, they know how to win him over. Of course, the big book on dinosaurs, one of his favs, also helped to garner the love. Well, the presents and just how fun they are to be around.
In Henry news, I think he made is first "joke" today! For background, he's really into Singing Time videos and lured Gigi into watching one with him. Now Gigi knows some animals signs and parts of the theme song. After dinner tonight she goofed off with him by sort of signing part of the theme song and then signing a cat and a dog, not really expecting much in return. Henry then smiled huge and signed a monkey! It was so fun to watch because there were no words said but they were cracking each other up.
More photos to come soon....
November 17, 2011
(Belated) Eid Mubarak!
It's been about a week since Eid Al'Azah (or Kurbani Eid as many Bangladeshis call it) when over 8 million, as estimated in a national newspaper, animals (mainly cows and goats) were slaughtered across the country from ~9am to 1pm. A joyous and entertaining holiday by just about all Bangladeshi standards while a time to stay locked in doors for many of those not naturally inclined to celebrate the event.
The holiday warms up about 2 days before the celebration when the talk of cattle cost reaches top priority and we start to see people walking their new prized possession home from the big market. The animals are kept on display outside of houses and are often garland up. They are certainly pampered once brought home with a guard assigned to just about every animal. On our street there were at least 6 cows and 5 goats tied up the night before Eid. Henry loved to point them all out. This puts going Christmas tree hunting to shame - although I still prefer Christmas light decorations lighting up the night.
Then there's Eid. Luckily Henry was quite oblivious to the gore but he was so sad to not see his hairy friends out and about and calling at him the next day. Here we go on our walk to the Club around 10:30am. Block your eyes if you don't want to see blood and guts.
The remains in the entry level parking lot as we got off the elevator: Yes, a cow has just been cut up in our buildings entry way parking lot.
As we turn onto the street...
From another angle - because that's just what you're asking for:
As we walk down the street notice the women and children cleaning out the intestines up on the left and then another cow that we'll get up close and personal with up on the right.
Then that cow that was up on the right.
Right outside the club - literally across the entrance gate. So much for trying to avoid the excitement.
Then we enjoyed a morning at the Club
And then he passed out on the way home, missing what is in the following photo
The men who walk around and perform the sacrifices, with their long sharp knives and often blood spattered panjabis begin to walk back out of the neighborhood.
Just think of all the leather produced. We can put it in perspective because by about 2pm we see many rickshaws with piles of fresh hides stacked up. Lovely. And on that note....
The holiday warms up about 2 days before the celebration when the talk of cattle cost reaches top priority and we start to see people walking their new prized possession home from the big market. The animals are kept on display outside of houses and are often garland up. They are certainly pampered once brought home with a guard assigned to just about every animal. On our street there were at least 6 cows and 5 goats tied up the night before Eid. Henry loved to point them all out. This puts going Christmas tree hunting to shame - although I still prefer Christmas light decorations lighting up the night.Then there's Eid. Luckily Henry was quite oblivious to the gore but he was so sad to not see his hairy friends out and about and calling at him the next day. Here we go on our walk to the Club around 10:30am. Block your eyes if you don't want to see blood and guts.
The remains in the entry level parking lot as we got off the elevator: Yes, a cow has just been cut up in our buildings entry way parking lot.
Just think of all the leather produced. We can put it in perspective because by about 2pm we see many rickshaws with piles of fresh hides stacked up. Lovely. And on that note....
November 6, 2011
Playing dress up
The other day Shobita and Henry had a great time using a new orna (~2 yard scarf that women wear everyday with their Bangladeshi outfit) as a dress up outfi.
First it was sari time. Henry loved all the giggles that came with him dressing up as a lady. You'll see Shobita is very serious about her sari wrapping. She once had to dress me up for a wedding we went to and it was all business.
Then it was lungi (the ~skirt men wear here as a casual outfit) time
I would have to agree with Henry that it's much easier to party in a lungi.
First it was sari time. Henry loved all the giggles that came with him dressing up as a lady. You'll see Shobita is very serious about her sari wrapping. She once had to dress me up for a wedding we went to and it was all business.
Then it was lungi (the ~skirt men wear here as a casual outfit) time
November 5, 2011
Halloween in Dhaka
We just completed our second Halloween in Dhaka. We joined the same crowd as last year but this time around there many many more kids/parents in the mix and less houses (apartments) on the schedule. We still ended the adventure with a pinata, this time a spider pinata. We were amazed how calm and organized the hosts kept the pinata bashing allowing all the kids at least one hit. Don't judge us...only 3 of the parents got dressed up; we follow the crowd. Here are the photos:
Heading to the second house
This host was smart and brought the distribution down to the entry level rather than waiting for ~35 people to climb the stairs and try to organize finding space to get the kids in the front out of the way and back down the stairs to make room for the folks in line. Phew.
Off to the pinata party which warranted a rickshaw ride
Henry bashing away
Alas, we walked away with no candy. We decided to skip the candy at the houses to avoid the crowd in the stairwells and then couldn't convince Henry to dive into the rush to get pinata candy. He did get a Hersey kiss from a friend but otherwise we'll just hope for better luck next year (because it's definitely pillow cases full of candy that one hopes for!).
Heading to the second house
Henry and his buddy, Mr T. Henry hangs out with this boy just about every morning for a play group.
Walking to the third house. We're so confused - where's the mob??? I guess walking actually gets you there faster than managing a rickshaw amidst all the "foreigners dressed up in crazy costumes" madness.
Finally....
I blame it on a whirlwind trip to the US, adjusting back to life in Dhaka, and celebrating the fun of Halloween. At least we have tons of fun photos to make up for the hiatus.
The trip to the US was fantastic. Like every time we go, we wish the trip had been longer. Family and friends are spread out in all corners of the country resulting in us completing 12 flights within 2.5 weeks. Phew. Granted 8 of those flights were taken just to get us from Dhaka to Houston, but still, I think we'd like to spend a little less time in airports. Enough complaining though...We had fun!
Right after we got to Houston my best friend from high school and her family came to stay with us for the weekend. We utilized the pool next door to get in some swimming and also enjoyed watching their 7 month old son and Henry start bonding, over none other than a few games of roll and catch the ball.
The next week was filled with lazing around the house, exploring Houston, and, of course, dining on great food. Unfortunately Scott's dad, "Dada", had to go on a business trip the first week we were in Houston. This meant that Henry and Scott's mom, "Gigi", had ample time to hang out. Henry quickly took to requesting piano lessons letting only Gigi be the one to teach him. Eventually, if Gigi wasn't around, Henry would reluctantly let Scott or me play with him.
Other indoor favorites included refining his stacking skills with a new set of blocks. His set in Bangladesh has only 9 blocks and I think he enjoyed the added challenge of adding pieces to the stack that grew taller than him. I'll admit I helped - but just a little. Without doubt he eventually found various balls to kick, roll, throw, bounce, catch, put in a bucket, pour out of a bucket, and...stick on his fingers.
He also managed to find some plates:
And discover the absolute goodness of Dada's famous oatmeal chocolate chip cookies
Despite all the fun indoors, I think Henry's favorite activity, and one that we grew to love - and continue to do here in Dhaka, became hunting for acorns. My oh my, from sun up to sun down if we sat idle for more than 7 minutes Henry would point to the door and say "acorn?". Although he loved to pick up as many acorns as possible to bring back to the house, it was easy to add to the adventure by counting how many pumpkins (and ghosts) we could find. It always amazes me how many times kids can do the same thing over and over and still feel that the activity is fun. We must have counted the ~13 pumpkins in the cul-de-sac perhaps 77 times, each time just as new and surprising as the last.
Spoiler alert - Dada and Gigi are bringing a basketball hoop toy for Henry when they visit in a few weeks. Support for the present from when we hung out at Scott's friend's house:
We also had a morning at the zoo. Henry planned the trip well. He fell asleep in the car to the zoo, stayed asleep while Scott and I walked through all of the exhibits and woke up right in time to feed a giraffe 3 lettuce leaves. The first leaf was easily consumed. The second leaf made for a great photo op. By the third leaf the giraffe chose to include Henry's hand in the tongue wrap; Henry was shocked to find out the giraffe's tongue was a little more intense then Guinness's tongue. After the feeding Henry got a tour of all the best spots that Scott and I had scouted earlier in the morning, including the elephants, monkeys and birds.
When Dada got back there was no delay in Henry showing how much he had missed him
For the second weekend we went to Chico to spend time with my mom's family and to meet my sister's 4 month old daughter. Spending time with everyone was so special and completely enjoyable. We loved singing along at a concert my cousin gave for my grandma and her friends, relaxed breakfasts with mickey mouse pancakes, perusing the books at my cousin's book store on the Square (Lyon Books if you're ever in the area), bonding with cousins, first cousins once removed, and second cousins, and...
The chickens, many varieties of them, at my cousins (they also had a cage of finches that was fun):
Kaylin and Henry devised a very efficient system of gathering rocks, divvying them up once they were back on the bridge, and taking turns throwing them in to watch the splash.
Of course, playing with balls
Playing with babies
Exploring the farmers market - especially the pumpkins
And, dining on a wonderful meal at the Sierra Nevada Brewery where Scott enjoyed the Sampler composed of 16 2oz beers
For the final weekend Scott and I went to Pittsburgh for a friends wedding and left Henry with Dada and Gigi. They had an amazing time together made all the better because they went to a 1 year birthday party for the son of my best friend from college during which there happened to be an air show based out of a nearby airport. Although kids love to dress up, they were all the more inspired since this was a Halloween themed party.
Last but not least, Scott's favorite accomplishment of the trip....Teaching Henry to not only say "Touchdown" but to also associate the celebration with a dance. This new found skill won Henry, and us, brownie points during our layovers on our trip back to Dhaka when we tried to catch a few games in the airport lounges.
The trip to the US was fantastic. Like every time we go, we wish the trip had been longer. Family and friends are spread out in all corners of the country resulting in us completing 12 flights within 2.5 weeks. Phew. Granted 8 of those flights were taken just to get us from Dhaka to Houston, but still, I think we'd like to spend a little less time in airports. Enough complaining though...We had fun!
Right after we got to Houston my best friend from high school and her family came to stay with us for the weekend. We utilized the pool next door to get in some swimming and also enjoyed watching their 7 month old son and Henry start bonding, over none other than a few games of roll and catch the ball.
Other indoor favorites included refining his stacking skills with a new set of blocks. His set in Bangladesh has only 9 blocks and I think he enjoyed the added challenge of adding pieces to the stack that grew taller than him. I'll admit I helped - but just a little. Without doubt he eventually found various balls to kick, roll, throw, bounce, catch, put in a bucket, pour out of a bucket, and...stick on his fingers.
Despite all the fun indoors, I think Henry's favorite activity, and one that we grew to love - and continue to do here in Dhaka, became hunting for acorns. My oh my, from sun up to sun down if we sat idle for more than 7 minutes Henry would point to the door and say "acorn?". Although he loved to pick up as many acorns as possible to bring back to the house, it was easy to add to the adventure by counting how many pumpkins (and ghosts) we could find. It always amazes me how many times kids can do the same thing over and over and still feel that the activity is fun. We must have counted the ~13 pumpkins in the cul-de-sac perhaps 77 times, each time just as new and surprising as the last.
When Dada got back there was no delay in Henry showing how much he had missed him
For the second weekend we went to Chico to spend time with my mom's family and to meet my sister's 4 month old daughter. Spending time with everyone was so special and completely enjoyable. We loved singing along at a concert my cousin gave for my grandma and her friends, relaxed breakfasts with mickey mouse pancakes, perusing the books at my cousin's book store on the Square (Lyon Books if you're ever in the area), bonding with cousins, first cousins once removed, and second cousins, and...
The chickens, many varieties of them, at my cousins (they also had a cage of finches that was fun):
Hours by the waterfall and stream my aunt and uncle landscaped into their backyard. I suggest everyone put one of these in!
Last but not least, Scott's favorite accomplishment of the trip....Teaching Henry to not only say "Touchdown" but to also associate the celebration with a dance. This new found skill won Henry, and us, brownie points during our layovers on our trip back to Dhaka when we tried to catch a few games in the airport lounges.
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