Forest Feast

The literal translation for the word 'picnic' in Bengali is 'forest feast.' Our feast wasn't in the forest but we did gather on one of the lawns at the University for a feast given by and for the members of the singing group that John is part of there.

 Bengalis are able to cook the most amazing meal out on the lawn with a few sticks providing a fire for the pots.

The ingredients had been prepared ahead of time; lots of garlic, onions, chilies, tumeric and spices.




Meanwhile, because this was a singing group's forest feast, the singers sang...

on the ground,

and in the trees.

Finally, the great moment arrived: our meal of rice, lentils, fried eggplant, egg curry, goat curry, salad and topped of with sweet yogurt and a mishti. (There's no way to translate that one except to say that they're really sweet!)

A beggar lady and her child who had waited patiently was also fed lunch.

After the meal, there were some fairly non athletic games except for a running race in which Jan was, of course, selected to represent us. She came in third thanks to a a couple false starters who had headed that pack but got themselves disqualified.