Some days, I can't help but wonder if I should drop the whole academic thing and join the circus. Today was one of those days. Not because the research part was too tedious, but because the circus part just seemed like SO MUCH FUN! OK, it's not a real circus. It's Rupantar, a group of young artists (singers, dancers, painters, and more) that work in teams to give performances on social topics like the environment, vaccinations, and such. So, their purpose is both to educate the public, maintain Bangla culture (they specialize in something called the pot song, I think), and train a generation of artists to tackle social issues. But, they sit around and sing and dance and paint all day. I can't help but think...what am I doing for a living again?? I think I am mostly kidding, but it was wonderful and I am so excited that we will be working with them for the study. I took some short video clips which I will try to post if my tech skills allow me (unlikely, but I will try). Interestingly, we met a British woman at Rupantar's office who said she had heard two Americans were in town.
We also visited another computer center run by Salim's friend David. While we were there, we learned that our visit to the village yesterday made two of the local papers. We first found out while Salim was reading the paper during our visit to the computer center and showed it to us. But then, Heather received a call from a woman named Poppy that she had met in the airport on her last visit. Poppy said she had read Heather was in town in the newspaper :) And I thought I was from a small town...
The bus ride back to Dhaka was LOOOONG. We left around 3:30, and didn't arrive to the Dhaka Club until around midnight. I am supposed to be sleeping right now, but... Probably the main reason I am not adjusting is the little naps I get in the day. For example, I slept for most of the bus ride back today. I had to explain to Salim that I always fall asleep on car rides, whether I am tired or not. He responded by saying that the happiest women are the ones that can sleep anywhere. I'm not sure what that means exactly, but I think it was supposed to be a compliment.
When we arrived to the Dhaka Club, Professor Haque had brought us dinner and a bottle of wine in honor of Heather's birthday. Then we had a little bit of chocolate ice cream. It was the first chocolate and wine I have had since I have been here. It tasted great. :)
Rupantar link: http://www.rupantar.org/
We also visited another computer center run by Salim's friend David. While we were there, we learned that our visit to the village yesterday made two of the local papers. We first found out while Salim was reading the paper during our visit to the computer center and showed it to us. But then, Heather received a call from a woman named Poppy that she had met in the airport on her last visit. Poppy said she had read Heather was in town in the newspaper :) And I thought I was from a small town...
The bus ride back to Dhaka was LOOOONG. We left around 3:30, and didn't arrive to the Dhaka Club until around midnight. I am supposed to be sleeping right now, but... Probably the main reason I am not adjusting is the little naps I get in the day. For example, I slept for most of the bus ride back today. I had to explain to Salim that I always fall asleep on car rides, whether I am tired or not. He responded by saying that the happiest women are the ones that can sleep anywhere. I'm not sure what that means exactly, but I think it was supposed to be a compliment.
When we arrived to the Dhaka Club, Professor Haque had brought us dinner and a bottle of wine in honor of Heather's birthday. Then we had a little bit of chocolate ice cream. It was the first chocolate and wine I have had since I have been here. It tasted great. :)
Rupantar link: http://www.rupantar.org/
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