Everything is possible, nothing is normal.
This is Ashulia - one of the nicest and most romantic places nearby Dhaka. People love to go there with their friends and families. It's just extremely nice to sit on the bench by the water, observe fishermen in their activities, feel the breeze, which is pleasently cool, but still warm and just enjoy the wide view and open sky.
This is another traditional view to a streetlife in Old Dhaka. Rikshaws are the most common vehicles in Bangladesh. In villages, there are the only vehicles available for travelling around. In cities they are slowing down the traffic awfully. When I first came here, I felt bad when sitting on a rikshaw, cos it felt so unfair for the person pulling it. Now I find it extremely enjoyable to roam around with a friend on the quiet streets of Dhaka at night. Very relaxing and lovely.
This is a traditional view of the riverside in Old Dhaka taken from the riverboat. Boating is one of the most enjoyable activities in Bangladesh. No matter local or foreigners, people spend time on rivers with their friends and families. The concept is something like Sunday afternoon picnic in Estonia :) I must admit though, that the water is awfully dirty and polluted - therefor wouldn't really like to join the guys on the picture..
At some point I found out that after being lived in Bangladesh for 2,5 months I'm so used to the things and people around me that it's not interesting any more. And If I'm not excited, then I lose motivation to make full effort, be focused and have a good mood. So I decided I need an excitement in my life. What gives excitement -> new experiences.
So starting from last week I take Bangla language classes (Thanks Minni! I had thinking of this a lot before, but you inspired me). In the morning 8-10, five days per week. And I don't need to pay myself :P (well, the agreement is that I'd be fluent in speaking after 3 months! :) And it's so much fun!!! First, meeting new people. There are 8 people in our group, mostly volunteers, half of them from US, others from Europe. And it's good to share Bangladeshi happenings with each other. So many similar problems and similar thoughts. Second, the language itself. It's cool to spend regular hours every day practicing a new language. And then try new expressions out in the street, with collegues or friends. And it's exciting to think that at some point there will be a moment, when I can surprise people by actually fully understanding when they are making jokes about me in front of me :P (irw.. I have very amuzing collegues who love joking around with me, which I totally enjoy. But it would be even more fun if at some point I am able to pull their legs thoroughly) . Third, my teacher is a good source of information about Bangladesh, its people and culture. Although sometimes I am a bit doubtful about the accuracy of her information. For example, she was trying to convince us that no female here can have more than one male friend and no male can have more than one female friend. If there are people from opposite sex who you get along very well, then these are your classmates. But what if I have male friends who are not from my class and who are not my boy- or girlfriend??? Well, it's just not possible. Hmm.. the reality is not so obviously. At least not among students and other young people.
Another thing. Ramadan turns out to be a cool time. Cos I get many Iftar invitations from many people, which gives me an opportunity to see homes, families and a very important part of Bangladeshi culture. Iftar is a meal that breaks the fasting of the day. Iftar time starts with a small prayer exactly on sunset. There are some certain items of food that are always there on Iftar table. The first thing taken when Adjan (call for prayer) is heard, is a glass of water or juice followed by dates (certain fruit, in estonian: "dattel"). The other items depend on the family traditions and wishes. There are always puffed rice, eggplant, potatoe balls with meat, beef balls and mixture of peas and spices. There can be "halim" - kind of meat porridge, which is just delicious, vegetable rolls, different cakes and other sweets, fruits - apples, grapes, watermelon etc etc. A special and nice way of taking Iftar meal is that you make all the items (except sweets and fruits), into pieces and mix them all up in a big bowl. Then everybody take with their hand from the same bowl and eat. This is especially common in families not so well off. Sometimes Iftar party is organised, which means that many people gather and take their food together. And it was really fascinating to have Iftar together with 130 people! Often friends or relatives are invited for Iftar and then obviously the best food is on the table. Yesterday I was in a shopping mall during Iftar. The services were stopped for 15 minutes and shopassistants gathered in the cornes of the shop, sat down on the floor and had their food. But no matter how simple or fancy is the meal, it is definitely very special and long waited time for everybody.
Finally I decided to learn how to upload photos :P So this is my first photo that I took in Dhaka -> reminding my first experience with handling streetchildren :)
Tomorrow Ramadan starts. And with that the time of one month fasting.
For those who have had little experience with muslims: Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. It is during this month that Muslims observe the Fast of Ramadan. Lasting for the entire month, Muslims fast during the daylight hours and in the evening eat small meals and visit with friends and family. It is a time of worship and contemplation. A time to strengthen family and community ties.
I wonder how this month will look like for me. There is only one person in the office out of 35 who will not be fasting, cos he is Hindu. I cannot have meal in front of other people (fasting by the way means, that you cannot even drink water during the daytime). Many food stores will be closed and the windows of the restaurants covered. People will be having their first meal of the day (called Ifter) after sunset at around 6 pm, the second time for eating will be at 10-11 pm and final one at 3 am. Otherwise more or less normal rhytm of life is continued. There is noone cooking for me at home and I do tend to sleep at night, so such a small thing as eating is becoming an interesting question for me. Well, I have collected several invitations for Ifter already from my collegues, so I'm really looking forward to the experience of Ramadan.
Ramadan ends with a great festival called Eid-ul-Fitr (the Feast of Fast Breaking). Gifts are exchanged. Friends and family gather to pray in congregation and for large meals. I have spent two last days in the office trying to figure out when exactly Eid-ul-Fitr happens and actually nobody knows. Cos it depends on when the moon is seen. It will probably be Nov 3-5, but is sure only when the public announcement is done in TV or radio. The same with Ramadan - nobody knew last week, whether it starts on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, cos it also depends on when the moon is seen... Now appearantly it is sure, that the fasting starts from tomorrow. Coming from a culture where being exact is a norm, this all is a bit confusing. At the same time, it amuzes a lot and I can add another item to my things-can-be-different-list.
I am who I am. A girl, friend, sister, daughter, lover, team mate, employee, foreigner, Estonian, myself.
