A cousin visiting Dhaka"

about trit years ago almost died of lx>re-dom. People here have just so much time.” she said. "It s as if life runs in slow motion .here.

"Hmm." I said, struck by this perception of my city How so?”

"Too. too much time." sh<-

continued. "Lazy afternoons gossip sessions, afternoon tea. What is this? Back home, we wash fences, paint our houses, slave away at the office.... we lead very busy lives, you know."

Now that I'm'an adult in Dhaka. I seek the lazy city, in vain. Where are those notorious lazy afternoons, family get togethers. gossip sessions?

No-one seems lo have enough time! •

The corporate people in Dhaka work till 6.7.8. even J > i>iii. Spouses call up at each

other's office. "Listen. I'm going lo be late. I don't know how late." Hmm. this smacks of my cousin's western life. Even hartals aren't excused at Dhaka's offices nowadays. Today's executives are pul up at various strategic hotels the night before, a walking distance from work.

But Dhakaites aren’t just

busy at work. Once I started to take .stock, I was astounded by how much a Dhakaite packs Into her life. Most chakurijibts (working people) lead double lives, if their day-time job is something straightlaced. the they're bound to color their evenings with a more exciting moonlighting job. You have your nocturnal journalists, actors, singing and art school teachers, private on-the-side income-earners (shady businesses). house tutors... the list goes on.

Then you take your aunt to the doctor, put up the guest from your village home, make a few dresses for your friend's two week old baby, and run over to another friend who badly needs to talk. There are jjeople all around you screaming out for favours. "Please ad mH my son in this school. I want you to choose a saree for me. Can you get me an inter-view with you company?"

And far from long gossip sessions, even finding some one to talk might prove diffi cull My first week In Dhaka. I needed to talk to someone But one friend had exams, another was busy with her baby, someone was at a computer class, and my cousin was working late at the hospital. I ended Up trunk calling the States!

Of course I wouldn't claim that we rival the west yet I used 10 know a professor in the States who made formal htiuh appointment with his wife. Sometimes he had to cancel on her. And than a friend and I Just couldn't seem lo meet, something always kept coming up. "Listen." she said at last. "D'you want me lo put you down in my calendar?

I could schedule you for next month."

No I think Dhaka s busy enough. Perhaps we don t spend 24 hour days developing

our careers, our houses, our self-ct niered lives. But were not wiihering away out of inactivity either. Our busy ness is

just of a more social kind, carefully structured to include eve'ry member of the family and friend circle. "Gotta visit my aunt in the hospital, admit my friend’s daughter in school, hang out al the Waterfront with friends, and oops, forgot my nanfs box of tissue!"