Rivers of blood - wearing a saree

The morning of Eid-ul-Azha was rainy. People were slaughtering cattle in heavy showers. The animals were screaming, blood was flooding, poor people were gathering in front of better-offs´ houses for pieces of meat.

The rain continued, so did the slaughtering. 

The sewage system in Dhaka is not functional and soon the streets were flooded with blood and water.

We were driving in rivers of blood. The sight was both unique and shocking. 

I felt awful for the rikshaw pullers who had to pedal in the bloody mess. 

Eid-ul-Azha is the second largest Muslim festival, a very important celebration for all Bangladeshis. It´s all about sacrifice and devotion.

Unfortunately, the slaughtering part is too tough for me.

This year I was, however, looking forward to Eid since I was invited as a spouse to official arrangements and would wear a saree for the first time ever.

First times are hard. And this was not an exception.

The outfit consists of 5-6 meters of fabric, a petticoat and a short top. 

The fabric is draped elegantly around the body, with the help of the petticoat and safety pins. 

It looks easy. 

I tried the draping myself and ended up as a mummy. Decided to get help on the day of the event.

The top required more filling than I am blessed with. I was advised to wash the top so that it would shrink. 

Well, it didn´t but it was torn - and in relatively strategic places.

I repaired the holes and "fixed" the size. Handicraft is not my specialty. Not a good start for my saree career.

Finally the Eid morning came. But not the lady who was supposed to drape the saree. She didn´t pick up the phone, time was flying.

Internet tutorials were not very helpful unless I wanted the mummy version.

Desperation was close until our wonderful driver solved everything quickly. He connected me with a lady who did a good job. I was wearing a saree!

It was hard to walk, difficult to breathe and impossible to use the bathroom. 

But well worth the sacrifice.