• Contemplation

    Pandemic pondering

      There is a strange rage in the air A strange kind of discomfort Silence, panic and breathing low The sun shines a little less today The wind blows little slow. The world is standing still, as if hanging by a moment. When I was very young, I once came across to an essay subject: Write on a fictitious scenario, “A silent world”. I had to imagine a world that is standing still, there is no hustle or bustle, no children are playing out in the field, no factories working. How would that be? The only planet in the universe…

  • Tête-à-tête with tea

    A different kind of a sunrise

    [ A different kind of a sunrise ] After long break, and since Tea-Man will be traveling again, we have decided to do a tea story first time in a year or more. Mishael chose Saffron Kahwa Green Tea a delicacy from Tea Trunk. The tea comes in a tin box, very well packaged. The box looks like old time tobacco boxes, that you would like to keep after the tea is over, to keep your precious things, namely needles, threads or bobby pins with no collateral required. The tea is a blend of spices with green tea collected from…

  • Inspirations

    The inheritance of loss

    [ The inheritance of loss ] BANG!! I lost 25 kilograms in nine months, and I am proud of it. Finally, I have come close to my goal and I can write about my journey of losing my most precious possession, my weight. The weight that I have very happily gained, eating pizzas and bowl full of rice with endless jars of pickles, café lattes, trying out pasta recipes, drowning me in a tub of ice-cream and complaining of looking like a lopsided dead pig as my sister puts it. Twelve years back, I was just this weight I am…

  • Inspirations

    Overhauling of the mind

    [ Overhauling of the mind ] Few mornings back, I got up from sleep feeling dizzy. My eyes hurt, mouth was super dry, as if I didn’t drink water for a month and most of all, I felt I didn’t sleep for an entire week. I tried to think back, I remembered, I slept for well 7 hours, drank enough water the day before and well did the usual things. This fatigued brain and body was beyond my comprehension. In office I couldn’t concentrate on my work. I got myself a good steak and some vegetable for lunch. Instead I…

  • Earth through lenses

    A week in the land of the thunder dragon

    [ A week in the land of the thunder dragon ] If you have read the previous blog on basics of going to Bhutan, you already should know the practical details of the preparation. As you fly, make sure your driver is ready at the airport, if not, you can hire a car from the airport like any other country, do not fret. Our trip was a week long leisure trip, that prioritized only on, how I want things to be. The trip had wild adventures, leisure cafe hangout and people watching, visiting the important places and above all lots…

  • Earth through lenses

    Guide to Bhutan

    [ Guide to Bhutan ] I have been planning to travel to Bhutan at least for past 4 years. Somehow, as time doesn’t match I kept on postponing it. This year I was adamant, and went on without my husband and with my son. Bangladeshis have visa on arrival system in Bhutan, hence no need to apply for a visa. But take a print out of hotel reservation, passport size photo and a xerox of your passport just in case. They didnt ask for any information at the immigration for me and my son. Though, as per the standard law,…

  • Recipe notebook

    Beat the heat

    [ Beat the heat ] I called my friends over for a dinner before Ramzan (Ramadan). Due to the heat everyone wanted easy cool food. I made some salads, which will be featured in Bangla Hues pretty soon. But today, I will give you the Strawberry ice-cream recipe, I did for them. Well, you can call it fro-yo, ice-cream or even a cooler. It has essentially 3 main ingredients. However you can always improvise. I added two magic ingredients to make it more textured and balanced. All you need is some frozen strawberries, rich creamy Greek yogurt and condense milk.…

  • DIY - Mirror mirror

    Energy steam

    [ Energy steam ] After the longest interval I am back. I was busy with many personal and professional projects. Moreover wasn’t motivated enough for the blog. However, I feel as the summer has officially set in, I have many ideas, DIYs, recipes and fun things to share. So here I am, back to where I belong. This year is supposed to be one of the hottest years in the history of the world. It is crazy hot in Dhaka right now, the air contains 96% humidity. Hair, skin and overall health has gone all bonkers. We need to be…

  • Recipe notebook

    Steaming goodness

    [ Steaming goodness ] Two years back, during my sons’s activity project I had to learn making Bhapa Pitha. For a strange reason I always thought making Pitha (Bangladeshi desserts) is tough. Now that I can make an entire cake and decorate it too, I know making pitha can be tiresome but never impossible. Hence these days I make pitha at home, and don’t drive my mother in law crazy to make pithas for me. Bhapa Pitha is perhaps the most famous pitha. It is essentially a rice cake filled with molsasses and coconut. But I don’t like coconut in…

  • Earth through lenses

    Gems of Old Dhaka

    [ Gems of Old Dhaka ] Old Dhaka is always the best part of Dhaka. That part of the city is 400 years old. Historic sites, scrumptious food, antique stores and diverse culture makes this part of Dhaka unique. Mesmerizing old Mughal and British era architecture, heritage food corners and busy narrow roads melt my heart. If you have only few hours to spare I suggest set out for a walking adventure in the narrow streets of old Dhaka. The hustle and bustle, the untidy roads will at first make you uncomfortable, but once you get the hang of it,…