First off let me give you a piece of important advice for the next time you find yourself in Bangladesh: Do not, I repeat, do not give your phone number out to Bangladeshi men. I now have three semi-stalkers and have around 10 missed calls per day. The one that keeps calling me the most doesnt even speak English so I’m not too sure where this relationship is headed.
The people here are really sweet though… in an intense, in your face kind of way. I’d heard about the staring and the celebrity status things and didn’t really buy it, but it’s true. I went for a walk through the market and by the end had accumulated an entourage of about 20 people. Nearly everyone who passes by us, especially children, ask what I think are the only questions they know in English: “What is your name? What is your country?” It’s cute the first few times but then gets a bit annoying. I think I’m going to start telling them my name is Shaneequa and I’m from Antarctica.
I went out to snap some photos yesterday with my big ass camera and bigger ass lens which attracted a crowd everywhere I went. I got chatting to a guy who works for a local newspaper and he invited me to his home where his wife force fed me fish with heads still on it and this black paste stuff that was like nothing I’ve ever tasted before. I have to say that I’m getting a lot braver with my food choices which is great but I’m not sure my stomach likes me anymore.
The community seems really lovely, I feel totally safe, the people are friendly and the scenery is beautiful. I’m not sure I have a good idea of how much devastation the cyclone caused. There are plenty of people living under tarps and plenty more building new houses where their old ones used to stand but I haven’t really explored the area too much just yet so I’m sure things are a lot worse than Ive seen.
I’m anxious to get my hands dirty and get out to see more of the community. So far I’m really happy to be involved with Hands On. The house we’re in is great, the people are all really friendly and the disaster response program seems really well organised.
I’m going to be annoying again and hassle you for money so beware. If you’d like to donate to the project, head to their sponsors page. Thanks!
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