"We're so Happy You've Come"

"I've Given You Much Trouble".  It's how you thank your host for their hospitality.   The word thank you is rarely used.  And the response: "No, no,  What trouble?  We are very happy you came."


Westerners who come to Bangladesh are always amazed by the gracious hospitality of this country's people. We've eaten in many homes over our years here--both in upper class extravagance and in simple village homes.    Rich and poor alike, they generously give of their best.


In this post I want to give you a glimpse of one of the dinners we were invited to.  It was a special feast,  a celebration.  


We were led down the path by this uncle and one of his grandchildren.

 We followed the smell of the food to this kitchen shack where our  bhabi ('sister-in'law') was looking,
I admire these women and wonder---how do they do it?  No kitchen sink or counters.  It all happens on the mud floor over a clay stove heated with wood. I wondered what the temperature was near that stove, as I was already drenched with sweat just standing there.

When we saw this pile of hot green chilis, we knew we were in for a spicy meal!  

 No need to count to see if there are enough chairs or places at the table.  Beds and floors make space for all. It's not as hard as it sounds as there are no soft springy mattresses or fancy bedspreads---just a thin sheet or piece of plastic.  A jug of water is passed around to wash hands over a basin.  That's a very important part since eating is done with hands rather than utensils  - the right hand.

 In spite of all the chilis, the meal was exceptionally delicious--rice with a fragrant meat curry, spicy dal (lentils), fried eggplant---and at the end,  mishti doi  (a sweet yogurt---VERY sweet!).  Having filled our stomachs, we get up to begin the process of leaving  (visiting is done before the meal.  After eating it's appropriate to leave.)    "We've given you much trouble", we say.   "Not at all,' she says, "We're so happy you came."   And her smile confirmed it.