The 13th February is an auspicious date in anyone's calendar - especially men! It is the day before Valentine's day. The realisation that irrespective of what their beloved says like - 'don't get caught up in the commercialism darling' or 'we will do something later' or even 'look darling, you don't need to get me anything', is in fact a warning shot. It is 'gentle' reminder to (a) don't forget (b) don't believe anything they have just told you! and (c) don't forget!!!!
Now your TS has prepared for this occasion - oh yes! I mean I need an easy life, and if that means planning ahead - well so be it. Mind you there is no point buying any flowers - we have no vases! But what I do find odd slightly, is the amount of stuff advertising Valentines Day . I just didn't realise that they went in for that kind of thing here in Dhaka. Maybe it is just a ruse to get all expats to spend more cash.
In Bangladeshi terms, the 13th February is also an auspicious day - the start of spring! Now I know the 'proper' start of spring in the northern hemisphere is the vernal equinox (20 March 2013), but here in Bangladesh they have six seasons: Grisha (summer), Barsha (rainy), Sarat (early autumn), Hemonto(autumn), Shhet (winter), Boshonto (spring) and each season appears with it's own beauty, color, sign and sound.
Boshonto utshab is a traditional festival to welcome the spring with allegedly each year thousands of people coming to Dhaka to enjoy a big, colorful celebration with folk dances, music, rallies etc. That is of course there are no hartals or they are stuck in traffic for the next day or so.
So when Madam came home last night in a fashion panic attack I was confused to say the least. Her driver had informed her that the 13th was the start of spring and women should wear something yellow or green. Now this is where Madam was fretting - not because she didn't have anything to wear. Trust me she does - I emptied all the boxes that came out of storage and filled a number of wardrobes.
No, traditionally Bangladeshi people celebrate this occasion wearing yellow color dresses, called "bashoti rang",caring flower on their hands, wearing Marygold flower ornaments, as well as singing spring songs - all very happy if you ask me. Some people even paint their faces to make the celebration more interesting. So in relation to Madam, she was more worried about how awful she looks in yellow and could she get away with never mind the face painting. The things I endure as a TS!
So readers when the 13th February comes about, it isn't purely a late reminder to do what you should have done for the following day. It is also the start of spring in Bangladesh!