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.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
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.
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.
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.
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.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
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.
Peace.
Steve.
Friday, August 17, 2007
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.
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.
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