Spring is here

All of a sudden, spring arrived in Dhaka. And yes,, we’ve been surprised by the change in temperatures. We did not feel it last year, but Bangladesh does have season changes.

The Winter (November thru February) is pleasant for a polar bear like myself. However, it is the most polluted time of year. No rain to dilute the dust and smog. And because of the “cold temperature” (50s at the lowest), people burn anything they can to stay warm. It does not matter what it is, as long as it burns. Anything from leaves to garbage is fair game. Add the exhaust from the traffic congestion and you have a smog blanket of smog that embraces the city. And don't forget the brick factories. They have been underwater during the monsoon and now have to make up for the lost time.

All that pollution comes from the air stay and it settles on any surface. Everything gets filthy. From outside to inside, from flowers and trees to floors and countertops. That's why having a maid here is not a luxury, but a necessity. That's why my lungs feel like I went back to smoking at least a pack a day.

When we landed in Singapore last December, Cristina did not care about the buildings or the gardens. All she would marvel at was the absence of dust. Here is some trees that weathered the winter and are coated in filth.