Bangladesh

Technology is amazing even here in Bangladesh! I am sitting in our room watching "American Idol" on the TV and our laptop is online via a cell phone. We purchased 3 Internet cell phones for the CCTB library so that we could be on the Internet. Tonight we took one home and it is wonderful to sitting here with a good connection - even though slower than the US. I will not complain - cuz' it works!!!!!

The rains have started early this year. It has not hindered us because it has been raining either while we are at work or during the night. This has made for very comfortable days and nights the last few days. The rice paddies are beautifully green, the flowers are gorgeous and there are lots of different fruits available this time of year. We have been eating lots of bananas, apples, pears, melons, grapes, paw paw etc. I have been looking for custard apples but haven't found any yet. There are also pomegranates, guava etc. - yum.

The library at CCTB has improved since Ray arrived on the scene and did some moving around of things, given classes on the Internet, etc. to the students and talked to a lot of staff. He will have the faculty in the library next week for orientation. I also did some library consulting one day for CRWRC - to help Melissa Bos catch up since they returned from furlough in November. With two small children it has been hard for her to accomplish much.

We have been sick with colds and congestion. Some of it is what is going around and part from all of the pollution. I have been taking allergy meds every day just to get through the day - especially when in the CCTB library with all the dirt and dust. However, we are starting to feel a bit better - it was one of those viruses that really wipe you out.

We are getting used to this culture once again. You just have to get used to feeling dirty all the time. Also getting used to the local dress again although I still don't like to wear the layers. However, it does make you feel dressed up and not stick out. If I do wear regular clothes, I make sure the tops are very long and I always wear the orna (long scarf).

We have been eating our breakfasts at the guesthouse since that is included in our room and board. We pack a lunch to eat where ever we are at lunch time - mostly CCTB. At night we have been trying the local restaurants in our area since sometime there are just too many people in the guestroom dining room and after a day out with the teeming millions we just don't feel like being surrounded by more people. The food has been pretty good and we have not gotten sick yet. We also have opportunity to go to the American Club and eat - that is always a treat.

We have our laundry done by the housekeeping staff at the guesthouse. The soap here is very strong and things are quickly fading or bleeding because of it. That's why we don't take too many clothes along that we worry about losing or ruining. There are no dryers so clothes tend to "grow" as time goes by.

Most evening we are pretty tired as we get up early. The call to worship (Muslim) comes early each morning just as it is beginning to get light - most morning we wake up to it. We do run the a/c at night because otherwise it is too noisy with dogs, cats, calls to worship, horns peeping, guard whistles blowing etc. We are living behind barred windows, slide locks on the doors, gated communities/houses and guards. We have a Bangladeshi man who is our driver. He takes us to Savar each day (about 45-60 minutes away), waits for us until we come home again which is around 4:30p or so. Then it is another 45-60 minute ride home through horrendous traffic and traffic jams to say nothing of the rickshaws, taxis, motorcycle type taxis, people, etc. It has only grown worse since we were here 2 years ago.

Friday morning we are taking a boat cruise again down to the Sundarbans. This is a local boat - pretty primitive (metal bunks, shared toilets and showers, no screens etc.). Last time Ray's feet stuck out the window into the hall and his head was out over the side of the boat over the water. However, we had such a great time 3 years ago that we decided it was worth it to go for a long weekend with Jeff, Missy, Isaac and Sophia Bos. The Sundarbans are where the Bengal tigers are - we hope we see some this time.

Well, that should be it for now - this got longer than I intended. Blessings to all of you.