Experiential Learning

Written: August 26, 2007

So Bangladesh is a wonderful place. But I will admit it has it's challenges. For over two days I had no power in my room because I blew a breaker and could not get an electrician because it was the weekend. The heat without a fan was challenging to bear. I was expected when I arrived to figure out my own breakfasts, and noone told me where to find clean water or where was a good place to buy breakfast or eat something. I asked and found a tube well, and found a good little restaurant near my house with good cha and chapati. At lunch I was in a house, after the first day without anyone who knew English. My bangla for eating, what I enjoy and talking about my family has improved quite rapidly out of necessity. Today, I went to the shopping district alone to buy sandals, cloth for new clothes and an umbrella, and my little Bangla served me quite well. I am now at the point where I feel confident in this country, after only a week. My Bangla learning from Ms. Naht is wonderful and important, as it is more complicated, proper Bangla. But my proficiency with getting around the country, is quite quickly coming from experience. The best way to learn a culture and learn a way of life is to get out and experience it, not to sit and study it. A lesson to all you aspiring cross-cultural adventure seekers.
In peace.
Steve.

Where is the Peace?

Written: August 23, 2007

Today in Dhaka the city was under curfew, no gatherings allowed and noone was allowed onto the streets or they were questioned by the military, and there have also been many arrests recently. I wonder; what does peace mean in this context? Accepting the status quoo or pushing for change? For one, peace requires dialogue. And if the part5ies are past dialogue? Two, peace requires other methods of resolution to problems. And if people are not willing to change from their established ways? How can beace be assured in this context?
In peace.
Steve.

PS See linked stories for details of Bangladeshi political situation and curfew details.

Mymensingh Thake (Living in Mymensingh)

Written: August 22, 2007

We arrived in Mymensingh and met our English teacher Ms. Naht. We had tea with her before I went to eat lunch with the pastor's family. The food in Bangladesh is spicy but not unbearable, unlike the humidity. Paper is damp in my room from the humidity. And in speaking of my room I will describe it for you. It is a squre room, fairly large, about 15 feet across. I have not yet furnished it so there is a metal bed with wooden slats for the mattress. On top is a small 1" thick padded mat and a sheet. There is a mosquito net above the bed. A small table has been moved inth the corner and my bathroom is just off my outer walkway. My bathroom is about 3 feet by 6 feet, with no sink or shower, only a bucket for showering and washing hands and a porcelain squatting toilet. I do have power in the room, 2 lights, a fan, and one outlet, which I haven't had working yet. ON the floor is a grass mat and a small carpet. I have 3 windows which I keep closed for privacy because otherwise I can see into other peopl's houses. Living here is very simple, which is a lesson I am excited to learn. Matt and I have Bangla lessons 6 days a week for 2 hours each day with Ms. Naht and a 1 hour tutoring session with Hilton starting in September. Soon I will have a less factual, more reflective post.
Peace.
Steve.

First Impressions

Written: August 20, 2007

Returning to Bangladesh is a wonderful feeling, I'm really excited to spend this year here. Today Matt and I explored Prokritee (The Source) gift shop and Aarong Dept. store to kill some time. Looking at things is very different when you know you have a year to get whatever you need. Matt and I slept through when we were supposed to get out cell phones and hopefully tonight we will sleep well. The intensity of the country comes flooding back. The heat and humidity is pretty intense, with temperatures around 34 degrees Celcius with fans running and nearly 100% humidity. Tonight has been relaxing, I have been going over some Bangla books we received and am preparing to move up to Mymensingh. Dinner tonight was the spiciest dish of soup and vegetables I've had in months; hopefully my stomach accustomizes quickly. So far I'm doing great and am excited for this adventure.
Peace.
Steve.

Safely in Bangladesh

After many hours in transit Matt and I arrived safely in Bangladesh at just before 7 this morning. It is a sunny day today and quite humid. Bangladesh is essentially as I remember it, crowded, intense and exciting. I'm thoroughly looking forward to this challenging year ahead. So starts the adventure. Tomorrow we leave for Mymensingh (August 21) to start language training and meet with the Taize Brothers. I am excited for all the new adventures coming my way.
Peace.
Steve.

Preparing to Depart

Greetings,
Now that my passport is back in my possession and I have my flight itinerary and tickets all seems ready to go. With the IVEPers off to their host families throughout Canada and the US the orientation group feels very small and different. People seem to be getting really excited for their flights tomorrow. An apology for my previous entry, the plan was for it to be much longer and more involved and to talk about the stresses around waiting and being unsure of whether or not I would be travelling when, as if in answer to prayer, our passports arrived and I had to deal with the rest of my passport stuff. This will be my last post before I leave the continent and therefore I am unsure of when my next post will be. Keep updated.
Peace.
Steve.

Lesson in Patience

I am learning a lesson today in patience. Matt and my passports have not returned from the Bangladeshi embassy to get our visas stamped. We are supposed to leave tomorrow evening for London. And as I write this the passports have arrived. What a joy.

Community of Service

It is such a unique opportunity to be in such a large group of people committed to service and growth in the name of peace and faith. Discussions abound in this orientation and the real learning comes not from the sessions but from discussions between SALTers and IVEPers and within our groups. Discussions of faith, of fears, of challenges, of joys; this is an opportunity to join together with other young people who love to give, who love to serve. It was a wonderful discussion I had with my table this evening at dinner surrounding expectations of our years, and what it is we hope to accomplish and how our lives need to be testaments of our faith. It is wonderful to develop relationships even prior to getting to our assignment, and to know that there are others who are going to face the same joys and challenges as I will in this coming year.
In Peace.
Steve.

The Journey Begins

Greetings,
Our time in Akron has begun. I am beginning to meet and talk with many of my fellow IVEPers (coming to NA from countries around the world) and other fellow SALTers (going to many of the same countries). As this week progresses I feel many wonderful discussion will take place. I met the other Bangladesh SALTer named Matt who will be working in Dhaka and I will probably be doing some travelling with. Each day we have hours to sing, talk, play, and grow as a multicultural, multifaceted group. This is a wonderful exposure to the world around us in a very open, and inviting setting. As we continue through this week I see many opportunities for growth and learning to take place between IVEPers and SALTers, what an experience!
Peace.
Steve.

Mohamadpur Flooding

This is my last post before Akron,
I was looking online and found this image of Mohamadpur, Dhaka. This is the area in which the MCC offices are located. This was as of a few days ago when ricksha's were the only mode of transportation in the area. Looking forward to this physical challenge to start off my term.
Peace.
Steve.

One day left before Orientation and the situation in Bangladesh remains challenging at best. I discovered today that Mohamadpur, Dhaka, is a few feet underwater. This is the area in which MCC has its offices and guest house in Dhaka. I imagine the flooding at the moment is only going to make life more challenging for many Bangladeshis this coming year. Disease and homelessness is rampant (over 9 million people have been displaced to date), and moving around the country is dangerous and very difficult. I think Wading Through Water may be a very apt description of the beginning of this adventure. I pray for safety and learning.
In Peace.
Steve.

Flight Itinerary

I will be leaving Philedelphia, PA at 8:55 PM on August 18 and arriving at Heathrow, London at 9:15 AM, August 19 (London time). I will then have a layover in London. I depart Heathrow at 3:25 PM on August 19 and will arrive in Dhaka at 6:10 AM local time on August 20. All my flights are British Airways. And that's my travel itinerary.
Peace.
Steve.

One Week

Well, there is less than a week before I leave for Akron, PA for orientation and suddenly Bangladesh is regularly in the news. Looks like a challenging time to be entering such a densely populated country. Since the flooding started a week or so ago, there have been estimates of between 5 and 7 million people losing their homes and around 150 dead. Food and clean drinking water are hard to come by and people are all moving to higher ground. This will probably make for an interesting and somewhat overwhelming start to my term in Bangladesh when I arrive in the middle of Monsoon season on August 20. Who knows how this uncommon and extreme flooding will affect my position in Bangladesh but it will definitely provide a new and challenging dynamic to the beginning of this exciting assignment.
Peace.
Steve.

My Other Blog

Greetings Everyone,
This first post is to let everyone know that I have another MCC blog on the MCC site which is linked on the side bar. Please check back regularly to hear about my adventures.
Peace.
Steve.