This week’s photos of Food & People were taken by Samantha Solis in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Below is what Samantha has to say about the photos and her experience of Khada, Bangladesh.

I attended pre-wedding ceremonies. The photos show a ritual of feeding the soon to be bride sweets and putting some turmeric on her forehead to give her your blessings. The bride also puts turmeric on ones forehead.

The photos are of the Shaheed Minar monument that commemorates the protesters that were killed for wanting equal recognition for Bangla which is now known as the Language Movement.

There are also photos of the Buddhist Monastery that I thought was so beautiful! It was the best surprise I got during the whole summer at Bangladesh. My friend and her family planned this trip because I was about to be leaving that very weekend. They did warn me a week ahead that they would be taking me somewhere. So I packed my things and got ready for the 10 hours drive. I’m so glad they didn’t tell me exactly where. It made it much more beautiful the experience.

Thank you Samantha for your contribution. Keep up the good work!

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Just got back from a couple of days back home and can’t tell you how excited I was to see it was crayfish season. Mudwalkers, kräftor, crawfish…whatever you call them, they’re great and a true reason to celebrate.

Crayfish festival is the most fun celebration in Sweden. I couldn’t think of a better way to introduce someone to Swedish culture than inviting them to your backyard crayfish party.

Fact is, you can get crayfish any time of year except late August is when you can legally fish for freshwater crayfish.

The proper way to serve crayfish is by boiling them in some salted water and serving them with hard cheese, bread, mushrooms like chantarelles and plenty of beer and shots of aquavit. You spend the duration of the meal getting your hands dirty, chowing down on really fresh crayfish and singing fun songs.

How do you celebrate crayfish season?

I had a great time on Monday at CBS cooking lobster rolls with Chris Wagge.
Check it out!