Day 5 notes—Take 2!
I just finished posting all my thoughts for the day when the internet connection died. It is truly a Bangladeshi day. I have now learned my lesson about hitting “save” frequently. Anyway, I am still not tired (unfortunately), so I will try again, although it might be the short version.
We began the day by driving to a remote village called Sreefaltola. The drive through the rural country was truly beautiful. Instead of back roads lined with shantys, there were little shrimp ponds everywhere. People were bathing their cows in the ponds (using soap!) and goats and rickshaws cluttered the streets.
According to Salim, Heather was the first white woman to ever visit the village 5 years ago. When we arrived, they fed us a sweet that seemed to be a donut hole with veggie filling soaked (ok, drenched) in a simple sugar syrup along with hot nescafe. It must have been at least 100 degrees, humid, and I was wearing the salwar kameez (which is hot!), and I just couldn’t bring myself to take more than a bite. I was disappointed in myself because I think it hurt our hosts feelings. After that, women standing behind me started adjusting my kameez. Then, they twirled me around, took off my dupatta, and arranged it properly. That lasted about two minutes. I am so uncoordinated with the dupatta.
We met with about twelve women, which was so interesting. They were excited to take pictures with us (as you can see, I blended right in--ha!) and look at them on the digital camera. They kindly invited us to visit again soon. But, they hinted that next time, they would like it if we were wearing sari’s. I can’t image me in sari when I can’t even manage the dupatta. I would probably flash the whole village :/
Next, we loaded up in the car and drove to the town of Bagerhat where Salim has an IT center / breast problem screening center. As unlikely of a match as the two of those seem to be, apparently it works very well here. We had a lunch with the staff of fried whole fish and rice. I was razzed pretty hard for not eating my food correctly (apparently you use the whole hand, while I use just my fingers) and not eating enough ( this is quickly becoming a theme. Heather says it was the same with her in the beginning).
I fell asleep on the way back to Khulna, which Salim took as a sign that I need rest. So, he cancelled my afternoon meetings and I napped. They were supposed to call and wake me up, which they forgot to do, so I slept for hours. When I woke up around 9 pm, we had a dinner meeting with local docs who are helping with the trial. Now, everyone is in bed, but I’m not tired! I suppose I will go start on another book. I finished the kite runner in khulna, which I will send to maggie as soon as I return. You will love it. (BTW—did you finish Evening yet? I’m waiting to discuss!!).
Tomorrow we meet with Rupantar and then take the long bus ride back to Khulna. Other than that, I’m not sure what day it is or what are other plans are. I am sort of enjoying having someone else plan out my days... :) More tomorrow.
I just finished posting all my thoughts for the day when the internet connection died. It is truly a Bangladeshi day. I have now learned my lesson about hitting “save” frequently. Anyway, I am still not tired (unfortunately), so I will try again, although it might be the short version.
We began the day by driving to a remote village called Sreefaltola. The drive through the rural country was truly beautiful. Instead of back roads lined with shantys, there were little shrimp ponds everywhere. People were bathing their cows in the ponds (using soap!) and goats and rickshaws cluttered the streets.
According to Salim, Heather was the first white woman to ever visit the village 5 years ago. When we arrived, they fed us a sweet that seemed to be a donut hole with veggie filling soaked (ok, drenched) in a simple sugar syrup along with hot nescafe. It must have been at least 100 degrees, humid, and I was wearing the salwar kameez (which is hot!), and I just couldn’t bring myself to take more than a bite. I was disappointed in myself because I think it hurt our hosts feelings. After that, women standing behind me started adjusting my kameez. Then, they twirled me around, took off my dupatta, and arranged it properly. That lasted about two minutes. I am so uncoordinated with the dupatta.
We met with about twelve women, which was so interesting. They were excited to take pictures with us (as you can see, I blended right in--ha!) and look at them on the digital camera. They kindly invited us to visit again soon. But, they hinted that next time, they would like it if we were wearing sari’s. I can’t image me in sari when I can’t even manage the dupatta. I would probably flash the whole village :/
Next, we loaded up in the car and drove to the town of Bagerhat where Salim has an IT center / breast problem screening center. As unlikely of a match as the two of those seem to be, apparently it works very well here. We had a lunch with the staff of fried whole fish and rice. I was razzed pretty hard for not eating my food correctly (apparently you use the whole hand, while I use just my fingers) and not eating enough ( this is quickly becoming a theme. Heather says it was the same with her in the beginning).
I fell asleep on the way back to Khulna, which Salim took as a sign that I need rest. So, he cancelled my afternoon meetings and I napped. They were supposed to call and wake me up, which they forgot to do, so I slept for hours. When I woke up around 9 pm, we had a dinner meeting with local docs who are helping with the trial. Now, everyone is in bed, but I’m not tired! I suppose I will go start on another book. I finished the kite runner in khulna, which I will send to maggie as soon as I return. You will love it. (BTW—did you finish Evening yet? I’m waiting to discuss!!).
Tomorrow we meet with Rupantar and then take the long bus ride back to Khulna. Other than that, I’m not sure what day it is or what are other plans are. I am sort of enjoying having someone else plan out my days... :) More tomorrow.
1 comment:
Ack! I just responded and it deleted something or other I am not a member. But now I am!
I just got your blog address today and I am sitting here at sunset reading it. BACKWARDS! I have no idea what these things are you are wearing - I have to keep reading on, I guess. Eat more! ;) No, I didn't read Evening yet, I am AFRAID after what you told me, don't want to jinx my life. Betcha they have some very clean cows there!!! xo
Post a Comment