Ringing in Christmas

Going to the Cooper's bakery early morning, one found the first Christmas tree. “One has to work even on Christmas ma'am,” the serving girl complained.

All the malls looked spruced up with winking lights this Christmas. The city was bathed with the sweeps of winking fairy lights. At all large hotels one could see garlands of bright and shiny winking lights as if the city had worn a festive look for the occasion.

Ruposhi Bangla hotel getting a facelift looked forlorn, although we had Shawn papri and peanuts for good measure. As we proceeded on to Sonargaon, things brightened up with the notes of “Silent night holy night” greeting us as we entered the hotel lobby. Father Christmas appeared later with his rotund belly and red cap with people jostling around him to be photographed. They too donned Christmas caps, whether they were wearing the festive gown or the sari to go with it. Earlier, we had munched some yummy beef tacos to fill our rumbling tummies. Sure there was not eggnog for the occasion. But the fridge at home had some lemon flavoured iced cakes for guests that would come by in the evening. There were nut-filled chocolate cakes too for the occasion. A guest had brought huge 'rui' fish which were filleted, and put away for future meals. The girl had been intelligent enough to stir up some yummy chicken with thick gravy and pilau with peas and slices of carrots. One felt that the meal at night was from “Pillars of Wisdom” with the table laden with stuffed peacock and a sumptuous pig with apple in its mouth.

There were snow-capped trees of Christmas for the main decoration. There was a reindeer flying atop Christmas tree tops. There were golden coloured balls, a snowman with a red cap, muffler, and a red stick with a golden star. There were fake, enormous green, red and mauve gift packages tied with ribbons. The golden balls went hand in hand with the blue ones. The Christmas tree was lit up. Father Christmas was there flying in black with his collection of reindeer and sleigh in black. There was a small kiosk with embroidered Muslin table cloth with brow and white motifs on the edge. There was moreover a penguin and its young one in the decoration.  Nearby were people sitting, selling tickets for the merriment on New Year's Day. Couples and children were busy dressed in their Christmas best, having their pictures taken by camera and mobile phones. At the poolside was the party for the children for Christmas -- but one had to be wearing finery to be allowed in.

The day was filled with more adventures for me, including the teaching of German to an old friend of mine, while the cakes and sandwiches were being packed to take home for guests for Christmas.