Our journey began in Syhlet (one of the major cities in Bangladesh and the closest to my home village). First we stopped at Shah Jajal Mazaar - the mosque and burial place for Shah Jalal, the sufi saint of Syhlet.
Shortly after lunch we stopped off at a tea estate. Syhlet is famous for its tea gardens and much of the world's tea comes from this part of Bangladesh and the Indian region just across the border.
After short visits to several tea estates we went to Sunamganj. To refresh everyones memories, it goes Syhlet (city) --> Sunamganj (small town) --> Umed Nagar (village).
During the day we went to a Grameen Bank new branch opening. Interesting pictures were limited to the sound system power source and life just outside.
After a few days in Sunamganj, we attended a wedding in Syhlet. Actually, weddings here consist of several events over several weeks. This was the first event for the couple.
My cousin's kids:
My cousin's kids:
The family sings and teases the the bride. Video or audio link coming soon.
More henna:
The next day we went to a different wedding. This is actually the 2nd to last ceremony, the reception hosted by the bride's family. The last ceremony is the reception hosted by the groom's family.
Pre-reception get together:
Pre-reception get together:
On the way to the reception... There were about 15 cars caravaning in a slow moving procession for about 20 minutes. Why so slow? Because the video crew needed to videotape every moment - so they were walking backwards in front of the car.
Per tradition, before the groom's family is allowed entry they must pay. Negotiations take place. Here the bride's sisters are representing their side and my cousin Rupu is representing the groom's. Usually the negotiations are quick, fun and light-hearted (like this one) but sometimes they go on forever.
After paying, all hell breaks loose
My cousin Rupu - the negotiator
All the groom and bride's food was decorated as so:
The next day I was walking around Syhlet, doing some shopping. Check out the power/telecom infrastructure!
Towards the evening we made our way to the village. Yet another awesome boat ride.
Later that night, a bunch of us fellas enjoyed a midnight snack of fresh coconut while telling jokes and stories.
Some random pictures from around the village. Its amazing how green everything is.
(eek...bird flu!!!)
One of my cousins from London built a really nice house just across the river
All the kids returning home on the "school boat"
Scenes from the roof of the mosque
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