5 WAYS OF MAKING YOUR VILLAGE-HOME MORE EXCITING

The ancestral home provides a lot of fun and fascination for children. When you are an adult – say in your mid-twenties – that fervour is often lost. Perhaps it's because the cousins you've had so much fun with have now spread into different countries or simply can't make time to go to the village. Or perhaps, it's just the sheer responsibility of adult life that bogs down your passion. 

Then again, perhaps, you should try new things! The enthralment of a child is unmatched, and there are many activities that you loved doing as a kid but have grown out of now. That doesn't mean the village has become boring; it just reflects that you need some other fun activities to do. 

Here're five of them – things you've probably not tried that could make your village-home more exciting: 

Become a stargazer: With so much light and air pollution, Dhaka is a poor place for star gazing. But look up at the night sky when you are in a village, and you will be amused at how crowded it is! 

Become an amateur astronomer. Start with binoculars. With a greater field-of-view and easier maintenance when compared to telescopes, a powerful pair of binoculars can keep you busy for hours. You can buy telescopes and binoculars from New Market and Bangabandhu National Stadium Market. There are also helpful apps you can download for free that will come handy when you are stargazing.
 
Get a toy speedboat: You are not a child anymore, but that's not an excuse when it comes to some super-cool toys, like remote-controlled speedboats. Rather impressive in terms of size and design, buying a toy speedboat may cause an outflow from your wallet of few or several thousands. But it's a good deal given the fun you will have. 

Get a boat, for real! Boat-riding is not only fun; it is good exercise too. And, it's not difficult to learn. The simple 'kosha' or 'dingi' should be ample to serve your need. Borrow one from your neighbours or relatives at the village. You may even consider buying one. Prices of these boats vary, but to give you a rough idea, you can get one for around Tk12,000. Embark with a fishing rod, a book or the toy speedboat.
 
Grow an orchard
Start with a single plant. Gardening is an extremely satisfying hobby. Turn your home's courtyard, backyard or front yard into an orchard. Choose a fruit which you love to eat and which grows well in your village. Watch your plants grow. This activity requires a lot of commitment, and, sooner or later, you will require someone to take care of the garden when you're not around.  

Go for long walks
Have you ever really explored your village? Other than your house and a couple of others and perhaps the canal, the rest of it is probably rather unknown to you. Take a hike. Go wherever your eyes take you. Lose yourself in nature. Relish in its beauty. The rustic experience is an invigorating one. 

All of these ideas, more or less, require adult supervision and hence you weren't able to do them freely when you were a child. So, what's stopping you now?