The New Nation - Internet Edition

Irene Bhuiyan

When I was only 8 yrs old went to visit Bangladesh. I would like to share my experiences with others.

I was in the plane which was taking me and family to our homeland. My dad pointed towards the window and then I saw the lush green trees and land, the sky was clear blue. As the plane wheel began to touch the ground my heart started to pump. Thud I At last we all had arrived, oh such thrill and it seem that the excitement was buzzing. Everyone got up as quick as they could and started grafting the bags. Everyone pushed along, some even shoved through the line! My heart still hadn't stopped pumping. I just couldn't wait to see all my cousins, uncles, aunties, grandma and grandpa. My suitcase trolled along beside me. We all stepped out of the airport and there they were, my relatives, they had come to collect us. As I walked over to them I realized mosquitoes on my hand. They were everywhere! I really hate them. We sat in the minibus with all our relatives. I showed my new watch to my cousin brothers Mithun and Tushar bai as I set it to the correct time. We were in the busy Dhaka roads. There was so much traffic, mostly because of the rickshaws. Rickshaw is the type of tricycle transport, it has three wheels and two cosy seats at the back with a pull out roof (for sun shed and protect from rain) the rickshaw puller sits at the front and cycles the rickshaw. But I really enjoyed travelling rickshaw because you can have some fresh air and watch the scenery goes by.

I went to Bangladesh on the occasion of Eid - ul azha. I had always celebrated Eid but their is such a difference between the way we do it over in Bangladesh and the way we do it in Belfast. The sun rose up and so did 1. I just couldn't wait till I wore my dress. This was the most thrilling part of Eid to me. It was a nice dress given by my parents. I had got. nine dresses altogether from my uncles, aunties, grandma and grandpa. So every two ours I changed my dresses. My mum did my hair with a diamond barrette clip. As I rushed outside I saw my little cousin sister Moon and Mouri wearing the violet gowns that I had given as a present. I looked at them both and they seemed so cute. In the morning all the male people go to Eid gah (Eid prayer's field) for the Eid prayers. When they had returned, all the children including me gave salam (take blessings) to their parents and elders and the children receive money in return.

It's call Salami. I noticed all children were very happy to receive that. My grandma cooked lots of deliciou dishes like, polau, corma, and special mouth watering sweet dishes like kheer, pudding, shemai, etc. I spent that day to visit our relatives' house with my cousins in the village and shared Eid bliss to each other. The most son-awful part to me was when people slaughtered the animals (call Qurbani). I felt very sympathetic for the animals but later on I understood that as a Muslim, we have to do it for religious purpose.

However, the memories of Eid will always remain to me special. Whenever I visit to Bangladesh I always miss two people a lot, they are my Boro Amma and my Granny (I called her Diamond). They had passed away of us but they will always remain in my heart. May Allah be peace upon them.

I have just come to the end of my story and this is the most painful moment to me. When I had to leave my relatives especially my Grandma. As I sat on the minibus, my grandma was holding my hands and her eyes were filled with tears. As minibus was leaving, my hands were being separated from my grandma's and my heart was filled with sorrow.