Blogs from Dhaka, Bangladesh, Asia - page 17

After feeling considerably overwhelmed yesterday, several hours emailing, blogging, and messenging made me feel much more up to it.... I got dinner here in the hotel (I guess they serve food 24 hours, insane!!) -- I had chicken tandoori and garlic naan (yum!) all for 250 tk which equals, um, just over $3!!! A huge bottle of water is 30 tk (less than 50 cents). I showered, watched the tour de france (!) and slept for many hours, though woke up several times due to heat (I turned the a/c off silly girl), bizarre dreams, and lots and lots of honking as soon as the sun rose. Jon has arrived, we're off to the institution we're working with, locally nicknamed the cholera hospital. (several hours later...) We had a really great day today, we met with ... read more

Kjære gode venner Da var jeg med et brak tilbake I Bangladesh etter 5 år. Jeg sitter på mitt beskjedne gjestehus værelse i Banani, Dhaka. Det er rart å være tilbake. Mange ting er akkurat det samme som for 5 år siden. For eksempel gatebildet er det samme, med et surrende liv av rikshaw-wallaer som roper etter passasjerer, gateselgere som fallbyr hverandre, fattige tiggere med store øyne og utstrakte hender som henger seg i skjørtene dine, fargerike sarier og vuggende hofter og ikke minst alle de svulmende luktene… de er de samme. Den grå, tykke røyk og eksos skyen som ligger over byen er nok konstant, og trafikken er like tettpakket, men bilparken er nyere og der er innslag av mer eksklusive bil merker enn før, blant de utallige fattigslige ricshaw-syklene. Men det som er ulikt ... read more

I arrived back home in China last night, so may I first say xin nian kuai le, which is 'Happy New Year'. Today is the first day of the Chinese New Year, the year of the pig! Anyway, onto the subject of my blog....Bangladesh! 3 days before I left for China myself, back in August 2006, my parents left for Dhaka, Bangladesh, their new home for 3 years plus. I haven't had a chance to visit them and the country itself so my 5 week holiday was my chance! To get to Dhaka it's surprisingly easy from this side of China anyway. There are daily flights from Kunming-Dhaka (2 hours) and the flight from my home in Chengdu to Kunming only takes 1 hour, and there's only a 2 hour time difference, so all in all, ... read more

Political situation just suddenly in tight today. My colleagues have arrived but we were not suggested to go outside since violence and protest may go on... I am just like a prisoner stuck in the hotel room now...seeing the city from my cage...hearing all the police alarm and annoying beeping.... My mission of searching Robert Jai failed. ... read more

Hi all! So it's been a while between blogs but I have good excuses all round! For about the last 2 weeks of my stay in Banlgadesh I got sick with a fever of about 38 to 41 degrees that lasted almost 2 weeks. Needless to say I felt CRAP, but am finally better, Hooray! Biggest thanks to Cam and Nic who looked after me and came with me for my blood test (didn't even hurt!). No Typhoid (Yay!) and just need to re-check the Dengue test back in Oz. Those things aside, I've said goodbye to my Banlga family and workplace and headed over the border to India. Kent and El, Nic's brother and his wife and also friends of mine from Australia joined us for the adventure which was great! You will be pleased ... read more