Your blog comforted me greatly Being outside my country for so many years gave me a little fear to go back hoping it is almost like before; this is because almost all Bangladeshi(s) living here and living in Bangladesh scared me to death about the condition of Bangladesh and SERIOUSLY warned me "NOT TO GO THERE" .... but my soul cries so much that I had no choice to decide to go sometime in this year no matter what the condition is.
After reading your blog, it felt very very good - although I know you, being a foreigner, got a better reaction/reciprocation from the Bangladeshi(s) except for the rickshaw-wala(s) asking 10 times more from you --- but also you as a foreigner, saw it from your perspective .... gave it quite a color - but even then, I got ENCOURAGED and am now confirmed that I will go back to my country.
Thank you very much for this blog; I am a musician and used to play in Canadian High Commission, Dutch Club, etc. now my son is there and he is a lead guitarist also plays in those places and also played with foreign musicians in Dhaka. His name is Meiraj and I made a video out of one of his old music and put random pictures of him and hope you will like it, this is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-68_bL2VMgs
Best wishes,
Georgina
u hav opened our positive point of view Hi Claire, I am living in Dhaka. you have done a very good job, You made others to be here enjoy the things and places you been. Thanks to Sinderela, she also mentioned about a nice place. For your information next time when you guys visit Dhaka just stop by at Loiter D85 ( Address # Ground Floor,House # 85, Road # 8,Block#D,Banani,Dhaka) for American Cuisine ...Just have a taste of their Subs, Burgers, and Steaks...really awesome. One more information Loiter D85 doesn't serve "Shesha". But whole place sponsored by Benson & Hedges, so you can smoke :) .. Beside that for ice cream you can go to The Cream & Fudge Factory ( Address - its on Road 11). you can find both of them in facebook also. Here is the link for Loiter D85 : http://akhoni.com/dhaka/loiter-d85 ...for The Cream & Fudge Factory- http://www.creamandfudge.com/ ...
Interesting... It's good to read about what you like there. I stumbled across your writings here while searching for Ofeibea Quist-Arcton in Dakar, and of course you popped up near the top. Best wishes and good luck.
good approach thank you for your Top 25 list of Dhaka. It's good to read something positive. I'm since 6 month in this town and of course I could give a Bad 25 list of Dhaka immediately.
But I also like to see the good things here and I still like to be open minded. Thank you for blog!
This blog makes me smile! I just wanted to thank you for being a ray of sunshine from Bangladesh! My husband and I will move there in August to teach school for 2 years. It is not easy to find positive viewpoints about the area, so your optimism is greatly appreciated! ;)
now that's better.... Hi Claire. Thanks for this. I am considering doing some fieldwork in Bangladesh as part of my PhD on solar panels. I have travelled a lot and am not really prone to worrying about things, but in the meantime I have a 2 1/2 year old son and a few people I have spoken to have uttered comments about how safe and also how much fun Bangladesh might be for him. Reading advice on travelling with children in Bangladesh have only made things worse... but there was some hope in your blog. So I'm wondering what you think? Is taking a small (blonde of course....) child to Bangladesh a risky thing to do? Part of my research would be looking at rural electrification projects, and from reading some of the stuff online I just don't know what to think - I don't want to not go because of a reputation that isn't deserved, but on the other hand I don't want to take my son to a place where he is almost certain to catch malaria and typhoid.... in order to prove people wrong who say it shouldn't be done.....
Anyway, lovely blog, any advice would be greatly appreciated :-)
Britta
Change of perspective Hey! After reading your blog I can say there is much more to Bangladesh then I realise!
I've moved here (from Australia) about a year ago. Even though this is my original country,
I found it difficult to adjust to a culture so different from the western cultures.
I honestly can say I've begun to love living here since a few months ago. Now your blog has reminded
me and shown me all the fantastic things that come with this country! haha.
I'll never get sick of rickshaw rides~!
Sih
hello Ms Claire.... Hi I am Arman, Am a student, i have been in Bangladesh for first time.I quiet agree with you, 5 *, that better be 3, i found the place to be lot different than i expected. Quiet the same perspective i have, as you said
Quietly, not a good beach they advertise a lot... Glad at least you enjoyed something. I was like Am i really in the world longest beach?? Ride was smooth, both way and fro. No Greens only fries, that was really a point.
Overall it was ok to me. And your Blog was interesting as i came across...
Arman Jamil
Thanks Many thanks for this entertaining and informative post. I'll be in Bangladesh very soon and plan to visit this tea area - by bicycle. It's great to know what to expect.
Where is Sally-Ann!? Hi Clare,
Just recently moved to Dhaka and came across your blog! Freshly-made waffles sounds like a dream but I have been researching and can't find where Sally-Ann's is! Please help! Thanks! x
question about living expenses Hi, I read you article and it's a very helpful teaching experience. I'm planning to go to Dhaka to work and live there for a year.
I was wondering how expensive is to live there. Will you get along with U$400, U$500 or perhaps a little less?
I'd really appreciate your coments about this. Thanks a lot
Hand made leather shoes/sandals Hello. I was just wondering if you can tell me where to get leather shoes or sandals in Dhaka. Am here for 10 days longer and would really like to get some.... and randomly came over your post. Thanks!
Glimpse of Life Dear Claire,
I have read so many articles but through my entire life I have never read such a nice article.Thank you so much to put in such nice things about our country in this blog.I have never found anyone from my country telling about these things ever.I always wanted to work in a place where I will get the opportunity to roam around my country-Bangladesh under the supervision of any foreign country and can help those poor people.So if ever you need anyone then you can contact me in my mail id.I'll try my best to be there for you.Wish you all the best.
Moving to Dhaka Hi Claire
Was good to read your blog. I'm moving to Dhaka to work for an NGO in September 2010 for 1 year so its been good to read about your experiences as I'm a little nervous! Any advice gratefully appreciated.
Sarah
I am a Bangladeshi, but I never distinguished/realized things like you did. I think you are quite a positive mined person and so, you just overlooked the problems/shortcomings of the city. Thanks any ways!!!Great write up. Appreciate it.
posting in fb thank you for putting in simple words whats so great about dhaka. I don't know if you have done this already, but here's a few ideas,
* Go for morning walk on Dhanmondi lake at sunrise, during spring, the walkways are all covered with flowers from the huge trees that shadows the walkways, have tea/ coconut water or other drink from there, or go in the afternoon, try all the type of street food from snacks to fruits, enjoy the cultural shows going on in the open-air stage in the middle of the lake nearly every day
* go to a fancy gold-jewllery or sari shop, and be treated to cold drinks/ hot coffee and what not like an honored guest, whether you buy something or not!
Been there; done that Thanks for your candor. I have lived and travelled in Asia and know the accuracy of what you wrote. I don't interpret anything you wrote as elitist/patronizing/prejudiced; that is just the way things are. I found your article as I researched everything I could find about Bangladesh because I very much want to teach there. I realize that life will be tricky, but I relish the local enthusiasm of wanting to learn English, which is my expertise. Reading your piece has encouraged me in my search.
People ask me where I'm from..and I have to say 'everywhere'! I'm British born but I grew up in various places as well as the UK and continue to country-hop every chance I get. 6 different countries as a resident...I've travelled by plane, bus, train, taxi, ferry, speedboat, canoe, sedan chair, rickshaw, horse and elephant...my itchy feet and I are now in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, teaching at IST.... full info
Georgina
non-member comment
Your blog comforted me greatly
Being outside my country for so many years gave me a little fear to go back hoping it is almost like before; this is because almost all Bangladeshi(s) living here and living in Bangladesh scared me to death about the condition of Bangladesh and SERIOUSLY warned me "NOT TO GO THERE" .... but my soul cries so much that I had no choice to decide to go sometime in this year no matter what the condition is. After reading your blog, it felt very very good - although I know you, being a foreigner, got a better reaction/reciprocation from the Bangladeshi(s) except for the rickshaw-wala(s) asking 10 times more from you --- but also you as a foreigner, saw it from your perspective .... gave it quite a color - but even then, I got ENCOURAGED and am now confirmed that I will go back to my country. Thank you very much for this blog; I am a musician and used to play in Canadian High Commission, Dutch Club, etc. now my son is there and he is a lead guitarist also plays in those places and also played with foreign musicians in Dhaka. His name is Meiraj and I made a video out of one of his old music and put random pictures of him and hope you will like it, this is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-68_bL2VMgs Best wishes, Georgina