Holidays

Victory Day, Eid, Christmas, and New Year's.

All of the above fell in 2.5 weeks. Some were more enjoyable than others!
Victory Day was on December 16th. It was in 1971 that the Pakistan army surrendered ending the war of independence. All around Dhaka there were celebrations and flags everywhere.

The next holiday was Eid. This was is not so enjoyable. Families than can afford it buy cows or goats and sacrifice them. Let's just say we stayed in that day. They divide the meat into 3 sections. 1/3 they keep, 1/3 goes to their poor relatives, and 1/3 to the poor. For at least a week before animals were coming into the city from villages. Watching 3 men struggling with a massive cow was somewhat amusing... until I saw a cow hit by a truck because the men couldn't control it.


So in the car garages and on the streets the butcher comes and does away with your animal. That morning looking up our street was not pretty. Animal carcases and blood running everywhere. After Eid the streets are less than sanitary. The smell and sight of blood was disturbing.













YEAH FOR CHRISTMAS! After several attempts at the travel agent to get out of Dhaka for Christmas (as 99% of the people I know did)... we ended up at the Westin. It would have been pretty pathetic to stay home in our apt with no tree or carols with one, if not the best, hotel in Dhaka and only 2 mins up the road!!!




No gifts for Christmas this year... Sleeping on a pillow-top mattress with a duvet was a Christmas present in itself. Okay so I bought myself one present.. and wrapped it myself.. yeah I know.. how sad is that. Oh well.












New Years. Okay...so I am an old woman. When Bangladeshis say they are going to "dance the night away". They mean it. Literally it was 5 am and breakfast was being served and most people were still getting down on the dance floor. I do not have the energy (or the dance moves) to keep up. And apparently neither could Sean.




















FYI... I only have a month and a half left!

Humber comes to Bangladesh

Work... One of the first and probably the ONLY post about work. 2 Humber faculty came to Dhaka to do a 5 day Train the Trainer program. Sheryn came to train the group of 10-12 core trainers on techniques to better facilitate training sessions.
And Jennifer(my boss in Canada) came to oversee all the project activities that Humber has been doing with BWCCI.

It was probably the busiest week I've had since I've been here. Not only were we busy with the Training session, but every night we were busy showing Jennifer and Sheryn around. Although I did get to do some stuff that I wouldn't have had a chance if they didn't come.





We went to Gazipur to visit someone's village. Ha... I even made it to the National Museum. That only took 4 months to get to! (honestly I like museums.. but this on... yeah I could have waited 6 months and not gone at all)







We went to Tangail, which is a village, 2 hours outside of Dhaka to watch some training and talk to some local women. It was one of the best experiences I've had in Bangladesh.





Oh and then Karina left me for over 2 weeks while she went to India for a wedding. Probably the longest two weeks since I've been here.
FYI riding a rickshaw alone is lonely.










Yeah I think the parasite must have affected my memory because I can't remember anything else. I am getting really bad at this blogging stuff. I have become lazy and I think pictures are better than my crappy writing!

Alright I get it.. I haven't written in a while. Nepal update

Okay... So I have been a little busy and just haven't had time to write. Thanks to all of you who felt the need to point out that I was slacking. Thank you. *eyes roll*

ANYWAY!!!... Here is the condensed version. Since the end of October time has flown by. In the chaos that was November... I worked like crazy to get ready for Humber faculty, was passed over by the Bangladesh government for a visa, took a trip to Nepal, climbed Everest, helped with the Humber 5 day training program, went to visit two villages, took part in one seminar, fought off food poisoning, shopped and shopped and learned about fabrics, went to the National Museum, and finally got rid of my parasite!



Start with the most interesting... I went to Kathmandu, Nepal! So like I said before.. the Bangladesh government likes to take its time with things.. and my visa just wasn't on the priority list. Annoying as it was waiting for an extension... I should be happy that I didn't get it because I got an all expense paid trip to Nepal.




After literally causing a fist-fight between taxi drivers over who would get the fresh meat off the plane I made it to Thamel.. the tourist/backpackers hangout spot of town.

1st day spent getting my Bangladesh visa and playing(more like running away from) with the monkeys at the Monkey Temple.

2nd day was spent hunting for my Credit card that the Bank had decided to keep the day earlier.

3rd day I rented a car and driver (who doubled as my tour guide... like I was going to fork over another $40 for a tour guide!!! what a scam). He took me to Bhaktapur, an ancient Newari city and then up to Nagakort for a view of the Himalayans. Oh and early I almost got suckered into doing a fly by of Mount Everest for $130 US.
But come on.. Mt.Everest. Next time...

4th day - Spent at the airport as GMG is a SUCKY airline who have a horrible reputation for canceling fights as their aircrafts are not in "air worthy conditions" and inspectors are constantly taking them off scheduled flights. But do they tell you that noooooo.. They throw you in a hotel half an hour back into the city after you woke up early and got to the airport EXTRA early that morning! Original flight time. 12:15pm rescheduled flight time 7:00pm, re-rescheduled flight 9:30 pm, re-re-rescheduled flight time 11:45 pm, acutal flight time.... 11:49pm. Oh and by the way none of those were guaranteed to leave until 2 hours before the flight time as they weren't sure if an aircraft would reach the airport. FYI you might have to stay at HOTEL PRIME for the night .. compliments of GMG airline... FYI GMG.. Hotel Prime is waaaaaaay past its PRIME!.




That was a summed up version of Nepal. I really wish I had more time and money because after the craziness of Dhaka I really needed a vacation and the ZEN of Buddhists.


Hmmmm.. what else about Nepal?

Maybe after I read my journal I will find some more interesting stories... or maybe not.





Well I did get some Cool Photos!

I am Bujy

2nd Durga Pooja
Akter and his daughter – took us back to the small temple and the craziness unfolded. Dye and water and incense are everywhere. Dancing. Then they take the idols to the lake and take them around 7 times then sink them. But before that they dance like mad before the idols. Karina volunteered/got dragged into the circle to dance. She boogied down and when she had sweated off 5 pounds she was finished… APPARENTLY it became my turn… yeah right. I am sorry.. but 95% of white Canadians are bad bad bad dancers and I am one of them. ANYWHOOOO I get my groove on with these painted ladies with a couple hundred people gawking at my awkward attempt at dancing! It was a blast.. sweat, dye, dirt, incense and all. Then the two of us have to do a dual dance thingy.


Fighting the Indian embassy- Anyone who has been through developing countries visa processes will understand how you wait and wait and wait and very little gets done. Yeah well I learned that it is all about WHO you know and if you have to flirt it out with this old man to get what you want… you do it. Thank you British High Commission man for feeling sorry for a loser who needed a copy of her passport.

Cox’s Bazar
Alright so after the CNG ride of death – we end up at the Bus pick-up place… Yeah took an overnight bus from 9:30 pm to 6:15am to Cox’s Bazar. Now the thing that gets me is that the actually Km’s from Dhaka to Cox’s Bazar is only like 500… but the road condition, traffic situation, rickshaw, CNG, and animal traffic that you may encounter on the way is, to be kind, F- RIDICULOUS. Anywhoooo to say the least I made it there with only the help of 2 Gravol. Which is pretty good for me. FYI --- anytime in Bangladesh you are given the choice for Business class on a bus… TAKE IT. TAKE IT.

The resort we stayed at is owned by my boss and this is where the advocacy seminar we were holding took place. (The actual reason for the seminar… was to impress the donor (Centre for International Private Enterprise) who had a Program representative come from Washington and check on progress).

Having most of the day free we hit up the beach first thing. Now anyone who has been to DR, Cuba, Mexico… Cox’s Bazar is the same thing. But WAAAAAAAY crazier waves and less skin showing as women don’t wear bathing suits… and for that matter.. neither do men. Pants and T-shirts are the norm… and for women.. they go in in their everyday clothes… I have a “SINKING” feeling that this aids in the number of drowning that take place here. ( alright that was a bad pun). Seriously next time try swimming in pants and a t-shirt and see how far you get with a current that is dead set on taking you out to the Bay of Bengal.

We hit up the town next to try the Burmese market – As Cox’s Bazar is so close to Burma/Myanmar (for you older folks) there are many refuges and immigrants here.

Later that day we had an general meeting with the Board members and then more beach time with all the women and then a BBQ.



The 2nd day was the Advocacy seminar and was quite entertaining. Around 150 people attended – many women entrepreneurs from the community and many local bankers as well. The point of the meeting was to open dialogue between women entrepreneurs who need financing for their businesses and the banks. Karina and I did registration… and the token foreigner flower delivery to the Chief Guest.



After we hit the beach. Swimming with the men from BWCCI was the HIGHLIGHT of the trip. These men were hilarious! I was afraid we had lost some of them to the ocean a time or two. Swimming I don’t think is a sport practiced much here at all… BUT WAVE jumping… now there is something the Bengali’s would win an Olympic gold if it ever becomes an Olympic sport. These grown men turned into 5 year old boys as soon as they entered the water. The giggles and shrieks that came from them were KILLER!!!

Sunset watching and moonlight gazing on the beach are also events that the Bengali’s would win if they were Olympic sports.

Watching the sunset was the main event for some ladies. Almost like the New Year’s ball dropping ceremony.

The bus ride back to Dhaka was the WORST trip I have ever had. The first hour on the bus was wretched. I don't think I have ever had motion sickness that bad before in my life... and then... For those of you who have ever experienced a squatter toilet... this is directed at you. (LYNETTE… AUNT CHRIS… I am THINKING OF YOU 2)
Let’s just say…Ashley needs more practice and more baby wipes to clean her left foot when she is finished.

After arriving back in Dhaka we spent the day with CIPE donor. Took her shopping, and for icecream and lunch and then she treated us to the Westin-.. UM HELLO. Ashley is moving to the Westin permanently. This place was amazing. Although there was some SERIOUS OVERFLOW of American Marines in the pool… Seriously these guys are everywhere. I don’t think I have seen that many tattoos since … yeah don’t know when.

Holidays

Well my holidays are over... Back to work. Oh but wait we are going to the beach for work. Yipeeee. I'll let you know how that goes later this week.

Anyway yeah so Eid was fun. Everyone gets all dressed up and hits the streets to strut their stuff. Okay maybe no struts their stuff but they definitely go out to celebrate and eat and eat and eat. From what I understand people go from house to house and eat special Eid foods. Well we only went to two houses.. and I couldn't eat another thing. We went to Shamim's (my supervisor) and to Akhter's (a trainer from BWCCI). The next day we went to Ruba's house (a member and a board member). Too much food. Too much. The city was totally different from regular Dhaka. So much more quieter and no tension. It was nice.



There was also a Hindu holiday this week. Durga Pooja. Akhter and his girls took us to two temples, one at a small University and one at Dhaka University. The smaller of the two felt like a rural village in the middle of chaotic Dhaka. We also popped into a University Professor's house for some sweets. (photo)



I have been dying for a serious touristy day. The kind where someone takes you around and you don't have to struggle for rickshaws or CNGs and you can take all the cheesy touristy shots that you want. This was a pretty good tourist day. The two temples and New Market. New Market is this huge shopping market in Old Dhaka... and we were soooooo lucky that it was still Eid holidays and it wasn't crazy crazy busy as it is normally. Apparently you get shoved and it is so packed the only way to move is to be pushed.

The second temple on Dhaka University grounds was packed. Almost as busy as the Skydome when the Yanks come to town.

OOoooh... and I took local transit for the first time- A bus… yeah.. In the words of Larry Dawson- I took it TWICE... My 1st and my last. Actually it wasn’t that bad.. besides the man who got on after me stroked my shoulder 3 times on his 2 minute ride!!

WARNING-- For all you squeamish girls.... LOOK AWAY. LOOK FAR FAR AWAY!


I happened to come across this fellow in my bathroom at 3:30 in the AM.. Half a can of spray and 8 hours later.. he surrendered. Or maybe it was a She and her babies will learn a lesson and not come in my room. Largest thing I have seen! Shuddering now thinking about it.

No funny rickshaw stories to update you on... but something that has amused me lately. People here are extremely curious as to why you are in Bangladesh and where you come from. Typical question- “You’re country ma’am?” I have this thing of making them guess... here are the responses in order of the number of times they come up- JAPAN, UK, Australia, France, Sweden,Germany, Iran, and Saudi Arabia --- They usually get frustrated and I have to tell them. Canada just never gets enough credit. Oh and apparently I am also in the Peace Corps.



I wish I was the man in the boat. So chill.

Eid Mubarak

I GUESSSSSSS... I'll do another entry. I just haven't found any motivation to write one. You have to be in a writing mood.. and I am a sucky writer.. so that mood never happens.

Things are going well. Work started to pick up and THEN we went on HOLIDAYS! Ha. Figures. We get a week off for Eid vacation. Humber is planning to send 2 faculty members here in November so that is what I am working on.. getting everything in order so that we can do some training and hopefully the Business Support Centre stuff.

Other than that I have been working on getting my Visa extended. Not sure if it would be easier to go to India and get it done.. or risk Bengali bureaucracy. Either way.. I hope it works.. or I will deported at the end of November. The other day at the passport office we were trying to decide when, who, and how much we should bribe them. I am sure Rupen would be proud.

Got another rickshaw story. The other day Karina and I hop on to head home. The guy peddles two feet the jumps of and disappears behind us. Confused to say the least.. I turn around searching for him.. and find him peeing against the wall. Although this is normal to see...it is EXTREMELY FUNNY.. when it is your rickshaw driver. Karina was not impressed and wanted to peddle away with his rickshaw to see what he would do.. I just sat there and laughed for 5 minutes!

Hmmm... what else? Had a "Thanksgiving" dinner at my boss' house. Although my bet is it was a chicken and not a turkey, it was still a nice gesture. We also went for Iftar at someone's house and because of the torrential rain got stuck on the other side of the city with no options of going home that night.Roads flooded no taxis, no CNG's, barely even rickshaws. Thankfully we were able to stay at a BWCCI member's house. Nothing like wearing someone else's (although it was new) nightgown and bunking up with Karina for the night!!!


Well I guess that is it. I have no idea what else to write. I think I need to write things down as they happen.. because I am forgetting a TON of extremely funny events.







Oh I've been in the postcard writing mood so if you want one.. or would like me to attempt to send you one... I haven't experimented with the mail yet... Send me your address.

Rickshaw Drivers Revenge

Soooooo.. I've been a little bit slow on the Blogs. Blame that on Bangladesh Bacteria Round #2. Cipro.. you are my hero.

Alright. Funny story #1 - actually I don't know if it will be followed by another one.. but either way.
A couple of mornings ago while going to work in the bumper to bumper rickshaw traffic, which happens alot, our rickshaw dude bumped the back of one ahead of us. NORMALLY this doesn't do anything but startle the pooooor unaware passenger ie. ME! Anyway.. Rickshaw guy #2 either broke his flip-flop or hurt his toe.. not sure which. He hops off his rickshaw and starts yelling at our dude. Karina hops off like the 'shaw is on fire.. I sit there like an idiot hoping it'll blow over. Next thing I know Guy# 2 picks up his flip-flip and starts beating our dude with it!!! Yeah...totally hilarious and scary at the same time. Only when ten other rickshaw guys stop and surround us trying to calm the little spat down.. THEN I realize maybe it is time to run. Karina drops our 10taka and we run like we didn't pay.

Ramadan is still going on and this changes the whole city. Women are popping up everywhere. Normally on the street during the day you see very few women. Around 6'oclock at night the city shuts down for Iftar (breaking of the fast). And all stores close up and everyone sits down and eats. Then around 7 it is PACKED again as everyone is out shopping for Eid- The week after Ramadan where people eat and eat and celebrate and eat. I got a snazzzzzzy new Sari! Bling Bling Ashley! Pics to eventually follow!

So work.. yeah work.. Ramadan seems to be the excuse why things aren't happening. I semi-understand seeing as you aren't eating and it is a holy time and all but at the same time you still have deadlines and projects to do. Still slowly working on the website stuff.. but the lady went to Russia for 2 weeks. Suppose to be doing the annual report... Suppose to.. hmmm.. Training in the rural village got canceled because of Ramadan. So I still haven't really gotten to see what BWCCI does and how they do their training. Just attened a Media CIRCUS or two.. and handed flowers over to important people.




I guess all this procrastinating at the office is rubbing off on me.. Karina and I seem to be spending too much time shopping. And my CIDA budgeted butt can't afford it. Although on the plus side.. the ridiculous good Canadian Dollar is totally helping.

Hmmmmm.. what else? OH RIGHT.... Ha.. went to the Dutch Club for a "WHITE PARTY" the other night. You know the ones that involve getting dressed up all in white and acting civilized for 10 minutes before you hit the bar and booze up like you are 16. Then you have one tequila shot and in the 130 degree temperature that is enough to send you to the dance floor thinking you can get jiggy with it when really you are just the fool trying to break out the "shopping cart and the sprinkler". Yeah one of those parties! I think 99% of the people there were severely dehydrated because we were surrounded by wet t-shirt contest contestants that didn't have water.. just their own sweat! Pretty good party.


Here is a video of the view from our rooftop. We live in a pretty residential
neighbourhood.

Okay.. I've rambled enough. Adios.

I am out of witty titles . YEAH

This is the Canadian Club. My little getaway.





I have been busy this week… sort of… We have been desperately searching for an apartment. We are in an expensive area to begin with here and once they see me… yeah the price doubles or triples.

Incase you all haven’t noticed.. Ashley Dawson is a walking wallet. You know in cartoons when someone’s eyes bug out and they are dollar signs.. yeah that’s what people do when they see me…







IF ONLY they knew how broke I really am. It is super frustrating. I feel like I get ripped off EVERYWHERE I go!

We thought we had a lead on apartments when this local agent started showing us places… then we finally realized why… He was going to rent it at Bengali price… then charge us Bideshi price! ANYWAY… We think we have settled on a place. It is a little farther than we would like but it has everything we want and everything is brand new.

We’ve been hitting up the foreigner places lately- Pizza Hut, Coffee World (Starbucks), the Canadian Club, and the Beauty salon. At least in these places we pay foreigner prices but we know we are getting quality… more so than other places.

Work.. yeah.. I’ll get back to that some day. Actually I’ve helping with the website. They created a year or two ago and it hasn’t been working in a while so I am trying to edit the content and then help create or suggest other things that they should have on it. Once it is working I’ll post the link. Also there was or is suppose to be training soon in a small town/village but I think we will only go for the day. Because Karina and I have both been to the Dr. I think our coordinator is afraid we will get sick if we stay longer!

I am a little more comfortable out on the streets now. It is always easier when you have someone.
Random thought... Kids are hard to read here. Some of them are just curious and just want to be near you and are interested and then others just assume you will give them money. The ones that chase the cars down on the road are dangerous. Karina actually got slapped across the face last night by some street kid who was maybe 7. We were stopped at a light and we got swarmed. Getting stuck at traffic lights.. or just in traffic in general is always a nervous moment. In a rickshaw people can plainly see me and I am often swarmed by people asking for money.. in a CNG (tuk tuk) I can try to hide my pale pale arms and feet and the swarming is less. Also some people think Karina is a local and it often helps as they won’t bother us as much or prices are regular not Bideshi price.

The weather has been unbearable the past few days, even for Bengalis. It is 34 and with humidity it feels like 45. You hit a wall when you walk out of A/Ced buildings. Although on the plus side… LESS RAIN lately!! I hope I didn’t just jinx it. I can’t wait until winter. They tell me it is coming in October or November … I am desperate for 20-25 degree weather!! Maybe I won’t have to shower 3 times a day!

UPDATE : After re-writing this 10 times and not posting... I finally just gave up.
WE HAVE MOVED!!! I HAVE A HOME!!!!

The place is brand new and has or is getting everything we want right down to the washing machine! The owner is the brother of the hotel manager so we shouldn’t have any shady landlord problems. It is so nice to have something that is as close to home as you are going to get.



The weather is getting cooler...YEAH.

Oh yeah and we are going to Cox's Bazar in October! for "work". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cox's_Bazar
Hahahaha... I think the office just wants a break after Ramadan! Either way I am excited. It is the longest natural sandy beach in the world. Something like 120 kmx. Yeah to wearing boarder shorts and a t-shirt instead of a bathing suit!