Welcoming the Monsoon
samirah Bint zulfiqar
samirah Bint zulfiqar
Open up your windows to the pitter patter sounds coming from outside. Let the cool wind gush in with the drizzle, let it rain! Monsoons are really special to all of us they are just so perfectly timed. They are a breath of fresh air, a sigh of relief that we get to experience between the raging hot summers and spine chilling winters. We can all unanimously agree that the summer heat has afflicted us excruciatingly this year and all eyes were on the sky hoping for a rainy respite. So it must have come as a great relief to us all when suddenly after several days of scorching heat, we were treated to a few days of rain. On the day that the rain decided to pay us a visit, dark clouds were gathering since dawn while most of us were preparing to go to our daily workplaces.
The chilling winds welcomed the morning which glowed magnificently under the brooding sky. The first few raindrops were falling by the time people were closer to their destinations. I, for one, was just approaching my university, when the thunder roared and the falling droplets got heavier and gained pace. I looked around to take in the serene view it is an entirely different experience to look at the surroundings under a cloud cover. Look around to see striking colours everywhere, from large vibrant umbrellas to cool flip flops, even the most mundane looks brand new. The leaves look bright emerald green and the earth exudes fresh muddy aroma that fills up your senses. Bright sunlight may give out a clearer image but it is uncomfortable to the eyes and doesnt inspire you to pause and appreciate natures beauty.
The rainy season is not something experienced in every part of the world and we are fortunate the monsoon graces us every year with its treats. What is monsoon?, asked my 6 year old niece over the phone line from Sweden. My reply was simple -Its rain, lots and lots of rain. But honestly, for me, monsoon signifies the brightest hues, spellbinding aromas and memories. Traditionally, monsoon or rainy season, lasts from June to September. This season is dominated by the humid southwest summer monsoon, which slowly sweeps across the country beginning in late May or early June. Monsoon is the season for love and romance. There is something inherently beautiful and romantic about the rains. Whether you love getting wet in the rain or prefer staying in during a downpour, you can enjoy some of your most beautiful moments during the rainy season. You can fall in love with nature or even yourself during the rainy season.
Everyone has a few rituals associated with a rainy day, be it listening to soft music or having khichuri for meals, we all have a favorite thing to do on rainy days. One of the best times to binge out royally is during the rainy days in the middle of the Bangladeshi summer. There is much more to a rainy day than just staying in and having khichuri. Here are a few ways to enjoy the rainy season even more:
1) Go for a walk in the rain: There is nothing more wonderful than walking in the rain as long as it is not raining heavily and you are carrying an umbrella. It doesnt matter if you are alone or have company both can be equally enjoyable. If you are alone, the time you take out to walk in the calming atmosphere can help you rejuvenate and refresh your mind while walking in company can allow you to have a nice chat.
2) Go on a long drive: The monsoon is the best season to go on a long drive be it with friends or family. Although the traffic in Dhaka in rainy days is terribly bothersome, if you happen to get lucky and it rains on a weekend, just pack some refreshing tea and get out on a drive.
3) Have a candlelight dinner in the porch: If you just arent up for getting out of the comfort of your home or you want to avoid the traffic on a rainy weekday, you could cook some of your favorite dishes (khichuri), set up a small table with candles in the porch or the verandah, and enjoy an impromptu candlelight dinner. One of the easiest meals to stir up in a kitchen, even for the most amateur cooks - khichdi is the mother of all comfort foods that always tastes better during a rainy night. Along with the intoxicating smell of wet earth fresh from the falling raindrops, you can experience gourmet bliss when you savor a plate of khichuri. The soft pitter-patter of the rain and the occasional thunder and lightning will only serve to enhance the experience of having a meal.
4) Have some Cha and Pakora: Cups of steaming hot tea and pakoras are a staple during the monsoons. Grab a chair in your verandah and serve some refreshing tea and pakora to enjoy the rainy afternoon. The elixir that makes a rainy evening even more magical is a cup of strong, fragrant masala chai to wash down those pakodas with.
5) If you are stuck at home because of the continuous downpour clogging the streets, no need to get depressed. Curl up in a corner and finish that book you have been hoping to read for week but you just didnt have the time or watch a movie with your family.
Whether it is a slight drizzle or a torrential downpour, summer rains in Bangladesh is synonymous with some of the most scrumptiously delightful foods. If you crave Phuchka-Chotpoti, Kolijar Shingara or some other spicy food on rainy days, you are not alone. It does not matter if the waters are rising to dangerous levels - as long as the local street vendor keeps churning out crunchy, spicy pakora or phuchka by the dozen, all is well. The rainy season is a time to be enjoyed and each one has their own way of celebrating their little day of delight.
Monsoon isnt just a time to get out all your protective gear such as raincoats and umbrellas or munching your favourite fried spicy foods, it is a time of reminiscing. We all have emotional ties attached with the rainy season. Its when old bitter-sweet memories are revived and there is an abrupt surge of emotions. Some people even experience mild mood swings during colder, less sun-filled rainy days, which occurs due to more moderate variations in brain chemistry.
