Jeni as a Bangladeshi

During these past few days, I began each morning by reviewing my list of pre-departure to-dos. As that list gradually shrinks, it is counterbalanced by a slight but growing sense of anxiety. I think the reality of how my life will be for the next few months is starting to settle in as the final countdown begins. Although, as from past experience, I don’t expect it to fully hit me until I take that first step out of Zia International Airport, Dhaka.

Some of you are already quite aware of my semi-neurotic addiction to task-lists, schedules, and spreadsheets.  Similarly, for this trip I’ve created a rather extensive checklist and found it to be quite helpful during my preparation. While some are the usual dos and don’ts, others are great suggestions from travel-guru friends. Let me know if you’d like me to send you a copy, as some of you may be preparing for similar trips.

So, in between doing research on my project, finalizing logistics, and nursing a low-grade form of Hep-A, B, or Typhoid (your pick), I am grateful for having great friends to help keep everything sane. Thanks for the send-off dinners, gifts, calls, and extra-strong celebratory shots. Oh yes, and thanks for serenading me with that pleasantly off-key rendition of KC & the Sunshine Band’s Please Don’t Go at the karaoke bar.

Friends and colleagues have also helped me connect with others who have either lived in BD, or are currently there. I’ve been prepped on the local customs, cultural differences, summer monsoons, transportation options, and most importantly - locations of great food. I’m pretty sure that by now I’ve accumulated enough useful information to take on Lonely Planet. Any day. 

Next week, I’m looking forward to a 2-day ADP Pre-Departure Training course with several other ADP folks before I head out on my flight Wednesday morning. But for now, I’m contently sipping on what may be one of my last cups of Starbucks Americanos for a long while. Oh Starbucks, your stocks are breaking my heart.