Would I like to flee to the luxury of air coolers in Dhaka to escape the heat of London? Well, that is something that has crossed my mind a couple of times this week, as the temperature rose to 36 degrees in London -- the highest in decades.
During the daytime, it is not even pleasant in or outside my home or office. It is just uncomfortable and sweaty, as there are only fans to cool me. Oh Dhaka air coolers, I am missing you.
I knew before coming to London that summer was getting worse here -- possibly thanks to climate change -- but I did not realise that it will only be up to the table-fans to cool me.
It is time to have air coolers in our homes and offices. In fact, many already do.
Since coming here in May, I had been enjoying the cool and sometimes very chilly weather. But, over the past weeks, temperatures have soared and I am starting to dislike London. For the heat only, of course.
My garden, which was just a lawn with overgrown grass, is now taking shape with roses and other flowers that I planted. The terrible heat is taking a toll on my garden and the greenery of London.
Unless profusely watered, everything turns yellow and the flowers start drooping. The colours fade.
The parks are filled with tourists ... this is the British summer. This is holiday season. For me, only the late evenings and nights are fun now, but not when the burning sun stares down at you.
I remember having tea in the lawn with British high commissioner to Peru, Anwar Choudhury, back in his official residence in Dhaka.
It was late November and a bit foggy. His Excellency told me that it was like the British summer, and I am sure he has to bow down to climate change now and admit the situation is far worse.
It is not the same. I wonder how the present high commissioner, HE Robert Gibson, is doing in the Dhaka heat with all the air coolers!
However, the coin has its other side. The heat has given me the chance to dump the regular formal dress for work or other appointments.
I have to mention the talented fashion designer Rina Latif here, whose panjabis are just awesome.
They may be a bit expensive, but very comfortable, so I always used to buy a few from her boutique.
I took out my panjabis and have been wearing them everywhere -- ignoring warnings that I could not be “informal” in my official duties.
I am happy to say that the high commissioner and my other colleagues said I looked great, as did my British friends. Ah great! Long live fashion! I have broken a taboo.
I must mention and give thanks to my friends Saifur Rahman and Kaniz Almas Khan, who did a story on me with the headline “The stylish newsman” some time back in their fashion magazine Canvas.
That story made me more fashion conscious.
Saifur has recently started a new venture of magazines, including Bangladesh’s first culinary one, called Roshuighar.
Many people asked me what the dress I was wearing was called, during my walkabouts or visits in London. They praised it (Rina Latif, that means you) and just took it as a matter of fact that it was our national dress.
When I said it wasn’t, they wanted to know what our national outfit was.
Well, I have written before that Bangladesh needs to establish a national dress. I hope we will have it sooner rather than later.
But for me, there is nothing better than these panjabis, which can be elegant as well as comfortable depending on how you wear it. Fashion wins, and I am glad. London heat, thank you for that.
Last but not the least, heat reduces food intake, and for those who want to slim down like me -- welcome to London!