it’s warped
Friday is becoming my favorite day of the week, mostly because there are [relatively] fewer people on the streets. This may seem unbelievable, but it’s the difference between Times Square (x 10^n) and say, the Financial District after 7pm (x 10^n). I hopped on a ride this Friday and went an hour or so south of the city, to visit the "old Dhaka" area. Here, the residents see even fewer foreigners, so everywhere we went, within 2-3 minutes we would be circled by a mob of people.
It was hard to take pictures without having everyone crowd up to your camera, as witnessed above, when we attempted to pause briefly to try some local street food.
Despite the post-rainstorm mud, the narrow streets of "old" Dhaka is characteristic by being mostly ignored by current urban development efforts. It’s great because it’s different, not so great because, although we can argue about the details, development is ultimately a good thing.
- Other Thoughts -
"It’s warped" - that’s how someone described Bangladesh after being here for a few months. Although approaching only my first month, I can begin to relate to her description. By ‘warped’ I’m referring to the initially odd encounters and experiences that no longer seemed peculiar or astounding as they gradually become ingrained as part of the idiosyncratic routine of life here. Like for example, the rainstorms that come and go several times a day. At first I thought it absurd that during these sky-breaking outpours, although some run indoors, most continue on with their leisurely stroll; and still others lounge around comfortably in place. But by now, I too barely notice the rainstorms anymore. Except, I still make a mad dash for cover when I’m walking outside and caught completely off-guard, which usually has been the case.
Another is the electricity. In an effort to conserve energy, there are designated times of the day when each district or area takes turns shutting off its power for a few minutes. Brilliant idea, made even more exciting given that the power outages are conducted unannounced and at precisely random times of the day. At first this struck me as incredulous - forget individuals and families, how can businesses operate with multiple, random outages on a daily basis without incurring outrageous costs? But apparently, like dealing with most work issues, the solution here is usually a cup of tea and a plate of mangos until the power comes back up.
One other - it’s the side-by-side (literally) coexistence of extreme economic classes. On one end are the manual laborers, the rickshaw drivers, etc. Immediately on the other end are those with chauffeurs, cooks, and/or servants. People are either at one end or the other, with not much in the middle save the expats, aid workers, and miscellaneous oddities like myself.
Lastly, I opened up this thing yesterday evening and left a few pieces in my room; by this morning its odor completely permeated every piece of clothing owned. Any guesses on what the heck this is?
- Dhaka Life | Time: 9:55 am (UTC+8)
durian! why qian, WHY?
Comment by nina — June 17, 2007 @ 10:43 am
you’re close, but actually, it’s not!
Comment by jeni — June 17, 2007 @ 11:42 am
that looks like a dirty, oversized monkey brain (things that fell off trees and we’d throw around as kids and once sprayed with spray paint and tried to ignite =X). i’m assuming it’s some kind of fruit?
are back-up batteries restricted, do businesses not use generators over there? i guess a few minutes isn’t that long of a break from work, but then that makes me wonder how much power really gets saved when a lot of appliances use more power to turn themselves on/startup than when they are at rest…not to mention this could cause power surges and create a fire hazard! i’d be paranoid if i had my power turning on/off all the time. but i assume the people in charge must know what they are doing.
oh yea, and i don’t get your NYC references, well i guess i do, but i can’t attest to it. maybe if you said like walking around campus on a Saturday night versus the night of Christmas Eve. =P
does being a “miscellaneous oddity” make you feel special in a good way or a bad way; like are you riding in a limo or a shortbus? =X
why can’t i be anonymous? have u been getting too many flamers?
omg now i can’t read the numbers!
Comment by endless, nameless — June 17, 2007 @ 2:05 pm
Qian,
That is a bo1 luo2 mi4. It must be very sweet. Enjoy it.
Dad
Comment by Dad — June 18, 2007 @ 1:51 am
Oh man! Haven’t had one of those in ages. Ofcourse I know what fruit that is, but I’ll keep other readers guessing
So did you like it?? People either LOVE it or hate it.
Comment by Zeenat — June 18, 2007 @ 6:04 am
Get your backpack ready … j/k … still a while away.
Comment by Charlotte — June 19, 2007 @ 9:09 am
Yay, I finally remembered to come check your blog! I am so behind. I still haven’t watched the video. Glad to hear you are doing well, as crazy as it all sounds… And as crazy as it appears the fruits are there… Haha. It sounds like you ate meat! How is your tummy handling it? Also mmm mangos. I wish I had random mango breaks throughout the day. I miss you but I love hearing about Bangladesh and I can’t wait for dispatches from other places! 1 hr to Nepal, that’s nuts. Ok, have fun, I
Comment by Kate — June 20, 2007 @ 12:02 am
I want to go back to Bangladesh now!
A great blog, Jeni ! 
Comment by Simika — June 20, 2007 @ 3:46 am