Week 6: A Comilla trip, an Eid holiday, and a wedding

6^th-1st in Comilla 10/10

School is off for the next two days because Eid is coming up.

Shakil and I left early in the morning to head to Comilla, the nearest biggest town to Dhaka, 2 hours away to the east, near the border of India. From the bus station to Comilla, two hours. Bus station wasn’t as big or hectic as I thought it’d be. We hopped on one of the four chair coaches which head to Comilla, and for Tk 100 ($1.40) each, you get a good ride. No A/C, but comfy chairs. Ride can be bumpy, and both of us got a bit of motion sickness. (pictures below: crossing Meghna river the first time, crossing the Meghna river the second time...its that big, sights from the bus)

Arrival in Comilla involved searching for hotel. We denied some which were downtown, and headed south of the town. The only big hotel with A/C was relatively expensive at Tk 1500 a night. So we chose one across the street at Tk250/night. We got two wooden beds with thin pad mattresses, an attached squat toilet bathroom, a fan, and mosquito nets. It was in the back of a muddy alley, but suited our needs. We signed the hotel guest book, got the key, and put our bags away.
After going to the ruins and discovering they were closed for a public holiday, we headed to a WW2 graveyard. We explored the graveyard. They soldiers died in battling the Japanese. Soldiers from all over the British Empire were here to fight. Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Ghana, Gold Coast, Rhodesia, and other African nations. Their families have probably never seen their graves. Graveyard organized mainly by religion. Japanese soldiers separated from the rest.

Shakil wanted to nap for sometime before Iftar, as it’s easy to get worn out while fasting. We napped for 2 hours at hotel. Then got a rickshaw and went back to town. Got into town with only a short time til Iftar. Couldn’t find a place to eat. Settled for some briyani off the street, and ate it while sitting in a market with a bottle of 7up between us. Filled us up.
Walked around the town in the dark for 2 hours. Saw stadium, many shops, ponds, mosques. Nothing touristy. Just a town. Many streets very very dark, and had to dodge rickshaws that seemed to come out of nowhere. Thin streets. Except for the crazy crazy main road. That was packed and bright. (pic: our room, sitting by lake in Comilla at night while roaming streets.)

For dinner we went to a place that served typical Bangladeshi fare: rice, chicken on bone, some mix of cooked vegetables.
Back to hotel, and later went out and roamed the highway for a bit. Then back to go to bed.

6^th-2nd in Comilla 10/11

Shakil got up early for Sheri (the morning meal before sunrise and fasting starts), and asked if I wanted to come. Well, I wasn’t sleeping well anyway, but I decided to stay back. When he came back, he sat and drank lots of water, and when he finished, I fell asleep.

Woke up before him. Worked on reading Farewell to Arms til he woke. Also played soccer on my cell phone.

Took a rickshaw out to the ruins again in hoping they wouldn’t be closed. Had to bring our bags with us this time since we had checked out of hotel. Rickshaw got lost, had said he knew where to go, then didn’t. He went way around where he needed to go. Didn’t open til 10.
Shakil and I walked through the forest, then came upon a game board drawn on the ground. I asked if he knew how to play. Similar to checkers, just a very complex board. The playing pieces (15 each) were rocks for one team, and pieces of dirt with green moss for the other side. Our playing gathered a large crowd of guys. They started helping both me and Shakil. I ended up winning, but I think for both of us, it was all luck, little skill.
Talked a bit with the guys watching after. Wanted to know where I was from, etc.

The site finally opened. The grounds were gorgeously landscaped, and many workers were there taking care of it. Tk 50 for me to get in as a foreigner, only Tk 5 for Shakil. The site was really large, about 3 football field lengths on all sides. At its front is a 2 story tall gate which has been refurbished. It is carved with pictures of animals. At the center, about 1.5 football fields on each side, is the monastery. 115 living cells make up the outer wall of the monastery. At the center is the large temple of this monastery, which was built in several phases. It takes two flights of stairs to get into the temple. Some of it has been rebuilt with new bricks. But you can see the old structure in most of it. There are several other building footprints around the inside of the monastery.
We also explore another temple outside the monastery. It’s much smaller than the temple inside the monastery. This one is colonnaded on the outside though.
I realize that these are the oldest man-made structures I’ve ever seen. They were built during the 7^th and 8^th century. (pics of smaller temple outside monastery, and pictures inside big monastery, big stone structure we are on and in its own shot is the central temple)

We went to the museum next. Another Tk50-5 deal. Inside were lots of Hindu/Buddhist archaeological findings. Pottery, sculptures, and daily activity pieces. Also some plan drawings of the bigger sites in the town, there are 22, with about 8-10 bigger ones.

We then took a rickshaw to a new Buddhist monastery. This one was actually for Buddhist orphans. The shrine was active, and the young boys were taking care of the place. We signed the guest book and made a donation. Neat to see an actual in-use monastery. It was across the street from the ancient one. (below: Buddhist orpahns at new monastery/orphanage, Buddhist shrine inside)

The rickshaw then took us to two more older sites. These were free and not maintained. They were just out in untamed fields, goats roaming around them with their owners resting on the steps of the monasteries. One of the sites had two monasteries side by side. Of those, one actually had a Buddha statue still in it. It was in a pit near the top of the structure, covered/protected by a metal grate so it could not be damaged. Really neat to see the statue in its original location. Grass covered most of the structures, and we had to traipse down a thin path through the grass to get to it. (pics of the structure, Shakil in field, top of structure with grate covering Buddha, Buddha in the grate)

The second site was up a hill, and grass cleared within the site only, pushing through grass to get there. This one actually had a brick stupa. Really neat to see one after reading about them for years in architecture class. (pic of stupa)

We took a better bus home, same price though. The driver was very fast. Shakil said the guy was a crazy driver. I couldn’t tell, looked standard to me. We made it back almost 45 minutes faster than on the way out. Pretty fast. I napped in and out and looked out the window

Got back, and we hopped onto a crowded city bus to go back home. I got off at South Ave (near Gulshan 1) Walked the 15 minutes to Pizza Hut. Megan had been waiting there. I promised to pay for her dinner because I was supposed to be the one sitting there, but we got back later than I thought. Tamzid came, but Nashad couldn’t make it. And Aaron as well. Thus we had two open seats. We let the restaurant fill them with random people. Pizza was great, and unlimited, along with the Pepsi for the Iftar special. Had 6-7 slices…delicious!!

When I got home, I was so excited to have Radiohead’s new album waiting in my inbox!!! I listened to it 6 times the first night. So great to hear their new stuff. Love it love it love it.

And today marks 5 months that I’ve had on the Dad Vail registration wristband!

6^th-3rd in Dhaka 10/12

I picked up my pants from the tailor. They called me to say it was ready. They fit nicely, in fact…perfectly. At first, I thought too tight, but then wait…no…they’re just right, and I’ve never had that.

While on the rickshaw ride home, 4 beggar kids chased after my rickshaw begging for me. My driver yelled at them to go away. They chased for a good 500m.

Read up on how Eid is decided to start. Read about the crescent moon and how in some places it is impossible to see it. Although this doesn’t stop everyone, Saudi Arabia for example said they “saw the moon” even though astronomically it would be impossible.

I just finished Farewell to Arms. I read it in about 3 weeks, reading almost half in the last 3 days. My first Hemingway book complete. I like how he writes. Sometimes in short quick sentences, sometimes in long drawn out ones. I like how trains of thought just flowed and you had to follow them. I also liked how he didn't describe how they talked...he only used the word "said"...thus you couldn't tell if it was sarcasm, or emotional, or anything. You had to give life to the words yourself. The book made me want to go Italy. He described the scenery so that I felt I was there. Also, all the cheese and pasta and bread. Every time he described them slicing a block of cheese, or eating the cheese, my mouth would water. He did it so well. I was reading the book since I had visited his home in Key West this summer, and felt I owed to him to read his books.

I keep playing soccer on my cell phone. When I get free moments it's what I like to do. It’s been addicting. I’m stuck on medium. I can’t seem to score a goal in the hard level.

I wanted to mention a thing or two about Bata (a shoe store company.) It’s kind of a joke in the US to say Starbucks is everywhere. How you can walk out of one and it seems like there’s another across the street (I guess literally somewhere.) Well, Bata is this many times over here. This store is everywhere. There was a point in Comilla when Shakil and I could see three at once from where we standing. Some are big, some are small. Some are fancy, and some look very worn down. Sometimes the sign is in English, sometimes in Bengali, but always the same font and with white letters on red background. Mr. Bata must be very very very rich.

6^th-4th in Dhaka 10/13

So Eid is tomorrow.

Today I went to Megan’s, as I would’ve sat at home today otherwise. We watched How I Met Your Mother and just hung out. We had Iftar together. Just leftover pasta, because the Iftar food we bought at the market was sub-par.

Then went with Altaf to a hookah lounge with his friends. After awhile, a combo of hookah smoke and greasy food was making my head hurt and I felt sick. So one of his friends and I went outside to just talk, away from the smoke.

Oh, and saw a cow getting slaughtered in the street today.

And met a guy who is involved with garments here. He makes clothes for Perry Ellis, H&M, Wal Mart, Target, and many other European companies.

6^th-5th in Dhaka 10/14

Traffic on the days leading up to Eid, and for a few days after has died down a lot. It’s because so many people leave the city to go home to their villages to be with their families. I’ve heard two figures: that 2 million people leave the city during this time, and that 40% leave the city…both are huge amounts! The buses and trains in the days prior many times need to be booked a week ahead of time. Crowds swarm stations as the mass exodus occurs. Thus, in the city, the streets seem almost empty since so many people are gone. On Eid day especially, the road is empty since many people stay home and celebrate with family.

The stores, prior to Eid, are also swarmed. People are looking to buy a new panjabi or sharee before the festivities start. Thus, at night, after Iftar, people head to the stores to get the new gear. Streets are swarmed at this time.

In the morning I celebrated Eid by doing homework.

Then Nafisa’s aunt and cousins picked me up. We went to Nafisa’s place. There I had lunch. Got to meet her whole family on her mom’s side. Her mom is in from Ohio for a month. This is the first Eid in 26 years that all of her and 5 siblings are together! That was really cool. We all took pictures. After lunch, and talking for a bit I left. I really like her uncles, they are fun to talk to, and love to ask questions and tell me about their jobs. Her cousins are real fun too. They love to talk about sports and music. (pics: Nafisa/me; Nafisa's aunt, uncles, mom, and grandma; her and cousins Ishfaq and Ishraq; and with cousin Ridwan)

After that, I took a CNG to Tamzid and Nashad’s place. Tamzid and I took a drive out along the Turag River north of Uttara. Drove to the three way intersection along the river where you can then go to Savar or Mirpur.

Stopped at CNG station. Saw that CNG is pumped directly into engine.
Apparently, it’s cheaper than gas here. It’s cleaner too! But it goes pretty fast, and it’s hard to put a bigger tank in a standard size car. His parents got out of the car when filling up. I asked why, and he said, “Oh, because sometimes the tank could blow up. I’m just too lazy to get out…” I laughed nervously, and um….I got out!

Everyone was in such good spirits. It’s a fun holiday. I was in a good mood all day. I also seemed to get less stares in my panjabi, since I’m wearing what others wear. I got several compliments all day about my panjabi. I was told I looked like a prince from Nafisa’s aunt, the gas station attendant told me I looked great.

We ate dinner at Numayer’s Watched a bit of LOST with Numayer and Tamzid. Then had dinner. And dessert. Embarrassed myself when I asked his sister if she had two brothers. She said no, and asked why, and I pointed at the photos on the wall. And she said that was her and Numayer at her wedding. Ooops I said, thought that was your older sister!! Numayer looked so young and different, I figured it was a brother. And due to another photo in which I thought I saw another sibling, I didn’t think it was her wedding photo.

Oh, and my new favorite commercial! On at every commercial break it seems.

6^th-6th in Dhaka 10/15

Altaf and I cancelled our Comilla trip, so I called Jayita, Anwar’s sister-in-law, to see if she wanted to get lunch which she suggested if I wasn’t going. I took a rickshaw almost the entire way to Pizza Hut. No traffic meant they could go through Gulshan 1 and 2. The guy was new to Dhaka, and didn’t know his way around, so I had to give specific directions.

We ate, chatted. She invited me to her niece’s birthday party that night. So I went home and just worked during the day, before heading back over to her house. I got to her street, and she met me in a rickshaw to bring me the rest of the way to her house. I met some family. She showed me the balcony where we could see all of Dhaka from her apartment building.
We then watched her cousins dancing in the next room over, in preparation for wedding tomorrow.

Also at their house was Dr. Ashraf Ali. Anwar’s brother-in-law, who had helped me arrange my Fulbright here. We talked civil engineering. Discussed the different academic ways of countries we’ve both been in. He went to Carnegie Mellon for MS/PhD. It was great to finally meet him. It was also his daughter whose first birthday it was. Everyone was celebrating (day between Eid and wedding, a lot of family there) and many pictures were taken.

Talked to some of the younger guys my age there too. Just chatted about sports/music.

6^th-7th in Dhaka 10/16

Class, I was exhausted. Sick a bit from not sleeping well. Rain and wind all last night.

I went to the wedding tonight that Jayita had invited me to. I left on the bus, had to ask around for which one to take, as my usual one wasn’t running today. I hopped on, sweating, and a bit wet from the rain, in the nicest clothing, my panjabi, I’ve bought since my suit two years ago. The bus didn’t go exactly where I planned. It went past the turn I wanted, so I hopped off at the next intersection. Grabbed a rickshaw to take me to Baily Rd, near Jayita’s place. I was supposed to be there at 6:30, but even with bus out of the way and rickshaw, showed up early.

Waited around while family was getting ready. As soon as her sister and she were, we headed to the wedding hall. It was brightly decorated by her friends. Jayita, by the way, is the one who introduced the wedding couple so thus she knows both sides and a lot of friends were there. (pics: her eldest sister, mom, and Jayita; Jayita/me)

It was my first Bangladeshi wedding. Neat to be part of. She and I just talked while we waited for others to arrive. She also was helping prepare, so many times I was talking to the few others there. Soon, the entire bride’s side had arrived.

The wedding has four days. First day, is a party for the bride, where her family hosts the groom’s family (he’s not there.) Before she arrives, dancing and singing by her side, entertainment. Then she comes in. She sits on stage. Then one by one people go up to her through the evening and feed her a bite of food, and put turmeric on her face. The second day of the wedding is the same thing for the groom’s family. Third day is the wedding ceremony. Fourth day reception. Don’t know about the other 3 just yet, since I haven’t been.

So we were there 2.5 hours til the groom’s family arrived. Whether this is typical or not, can’t tell. I inquired, and got the idea that it’s usual. They sometimes go to 2 in the morning. In this time, I talked with her family, mostly those closer to my age, but also some younger cousins too, who were very interested about the US.

Before the groom’s side arrived, we lined up to greet them as they come in. It’s only a representation coming, maybe 50 folks or so. Groom wasn’t there, but don’t know about immediate family. As they walk in, the girls, all dressed in red sharees, gave out candy and gifts to them. Once they sit, the festivities start. (pic: lined up for groom's family's arrival)

First, there was dancing performances. Jayita was part of the second. Her cousin had organized the several minute dance sequence, and over the last two days, 4 girls and 4 guys had practiced for it. It was pretty cool to see. They all did great, and I was very impressed. I told the guys afterwards, nice job, as many had said they were nervous beforehand. They really did well. (pic: the dance sequence)

After that, the girls sung a song they had written (about 20 of them)…apparently, since I couldn’t understand, it nicely teases the groom’s family. For example, in this case, the groom had two brothers who were twins, and they were on the larger side, so this was poked fun at…

After all this, the bride came in, escorted by some of the guys in the family, and she sat on stage. The band, next to stage started playing music, and things died down. It remains quieter the rest of the evening. Photos are taken of the bride on stage, and then one by one, people go up to put turmeric on her face, and feed her, mostly sweets. Meanwhile people start to get food, groom’s side first. I couldn’t tell if both sides go up to her on stage, since after the groom’s side got food, there were so many people milling around, I could no longer distinguish who was on that side or not. (pic: arrival of the bride)

I went up with Jayita, on stage to see the bride. I was nervous, my first time, and I’ve never even spoken to the bride before. But Jayita showed me what to do, and I did as told. If you’re already married, you touch it to your forehead first, to spread the luck you’ve had to her. (pics: Ashraf, Jayita's sister, and niece on stage; Jayita/me on stage )

The bride isn’t supposed to smile (at least not a lot) while on stage this whole time. But still, she started laughing at some points, especially when a relative tried to tease her and serve more than several mouthfuls of a food item all at once.

The night was good. Glad to go to my first. Her cousins and friends were great to hang out with. Some were real interested to hear about my studies, and asked a lot of questions about their chances of getting to go to American universities for grad school. Glad to answer questions best I could. (pics: All the women in the bride's family, Jayita's uncle, Jayita, me with turmeric on my forehead thanks to her cousin)

Week 5: Village dinner and buying stuff for Eid

5^th-1st in Dhaka 10/3

Class was a mix of emotions. I got very frustrated at some point because I wasn’t understanding the grammar. Boredom followed. Then apathy. I explained to Shakil how hard it is to be “on” all the time, what essentially both of us always have to be. We are always vividly discussing grammar or correcting me.

Went to the office at the university to pay my housing bill. Went to wrong office, and left emptyhanded. “Magically” some man came by later to drop off the bill. Went to bank to pull out money to pay for housing, it’ll require 3 trips since I can’t take out that much money at once.

Went to dinner at Megan’s. Her table’s glass top broke in half. She’s renting from a NCSU professor who comes only in summer. The table had been cracked, but it expanded quickly during dinner. We got stuff off it on time. When it finally cracked all the way through we had to remove the big half so it wouldn’t crash to the ground. Her table is now useless.

5^th-2nd in Dhaka 10/4

Today went to the village of my teacher Farah’s husband’s. This was after a good day in class. Shakil did some new things today that kept me engaged. It was a good time. For our conversation class we took a walk along the lake and talked there.

After lunch, Erin and I went with Farah, her husband, son, and another teacher Nadia west of Dhaka about 30km to her husband’s village. This is where his father grew up, and his uncle still lives. It’s a small compound with several structures, some concrete, some corrugated metal. All around the compound, on all sides, is water. The compound floods to waist level in monsoon season. The road to the village from the highway, was about 1 km, and was one lane wide. Sometimes the road is real thin, parts have fallen into the water due to flood erosion.

Farah’s husband took us to a sweet shop he always went to as a young boy. He told us these sweets are made of more natural ingredients than what we’ll find in the city. Thus better. I couldn’t tell, I haven’t eaten them my whole life. (Below, picture of one structure in compund and the Bangladeshi sweets at the sweet shop.)

The water around the compound and along both sides of the highway apparently won’t be there in 2 months. It’ll all mostly dry up, and this is where they will grow rice. But for now, it’s flooded, and boatmen fish.

From the village you can see about ½ km in all directions over the flooded fields. In front of the compound is the village mosque. At the end of the road, after where the pavement stops, is the village school. (Below: Shot of highway bridge from village, small temple in the village, school at end of road, village mosque and those attending.)

Iftar was standard Iftar fare. Dinner was briyani (fried rice and beef mix.) Lights when off at 7 because of loadsharing its called. For example, within a district, the engineers rotate who has electricity off during the peak hours 6pm-10pm. So for an hour, ¼ of the people don’t have power. Sometimes this is done at the local level. But it needs to be done to conserve power usage. It’s part of life for those who live here.

The road there and back was a 4 lane divided highway. National martyrs’ monument is on the way there. As well as a few factories and a college. Once you cross the river west of Dhaka, scenery changes to much more rural. Way home was very dark, passing rickshaws in headbeams.

5^th-3rd in Dhaka 10/5

Went to bank to get more money to pay for rent. Roamed through the market on the way there.

Then called Tamzid, and he picked me up after dinner. His friend, him, and I went shopping for panjabis. The first place we went was very expensive. I was looking for a colorful one, so I can wear it for other occasions beyond Eid.

The next place we went to was Shopper’s World. It had decent prices, and according to the guys I was with, would price things based on how well made they are. So I could find cheaper ones if I desired. While they were searching for white panjabis, I stayed in the color section. I found some decent ones, but all still out of my price range. Tamzid finally came over and suggested some, and those were cheap and looked good. We chose one that was olive green, and after the employee sized me up, I tried it on. First one too small, didn’t go past my knees enough. Second just right.

I then paid the Tk 5000 for it (about $80.) While I was waiting for the other guys to find their panjabis, another store employee who had overheard me speaking Bengali came over to talk with me. He wanted to know why I understood Bengali, where I learned it, where I’m from, etc. Several other employees, upon learning I could speak the language, had the same conversation with me. It was neat that they wanted to hear me speak.

As we were leaving I received a phone call from Farhanaz. I picked up and she asked if I was in Shopper’s World. I told her yes, and she exclaimed, she was here too and had just seen me on the stairs. We met on the stairs, hugged, and then she brought me into the shopping area to meet her husband. We both remarked, “heard so much about you.” And then we all talked for a few minutes. She told me about how she’s expecting a baby, and I told them congratulations. It was just great to see her. She was a huge part of why I got here since she wrote my language recommendation letter. Plus, she taught me the majority of what I knew coming here. Spending 3 days a week with her was a big part of my senior year in college.

After leaving, Tamzid and I went to Numayer’s (Tamzid’s sister Nashad’s fiancée) home, where his family was having dinner. Nashad was there as well (who said what I wrote on her facebook wall in Bengali was 90% correct.) Dinner was good. Had ice cream. Then Tamzid dropped me back off at my home. Made plans with him and Nashad to have dinner at Pizza Hut on Wednesday.

5^th-4th in Dhaka 10/6

Saifullah, who I met on facebook in an effort to find an apartment to share, picked me up early in the morning. We just browsed some shops, he ran some errands, for most of the morning. Just chatting, getting to know each other.

His best friends are all the guys he went to high school with. They all went to Cadet College, military school. There are 10 cadet colleges in the country, and they went to the one in Rangpur in the northwest. It is with some of these friends he was looking to set me up with.

He finally got in contact with his friends. We stopped by Shahbag. We bought some DVDs. Then to a café where we met his first friend, a med student in the north part of the country and in Dhaka for a few days. So we sat in the café for a bit, I got two cold drinks on their nudging. We then went upstairs to the apartments above the mall. There we met Saifullah’s friend’s brother and friends. They are all mostly doctors or medical students living “bachelor style.” In this case it meant about 4 of them sharing a no-frills room, some sleeping on the floor. Books of medicine and the body are all along the walls on the floor. Clothes hang on most surfaces drying. The guys are living minimally while preparing for their exams and work. We sat and talked for a bit. They told me how staying here is an option for me, and that rooms/beds will open up, but they are snatched up quickly by med students/engineering students looking to get an apartment near campuses and hospitals.

Then Saifullah’s second friend came so we could head over to his place, the apartment Saifullah thought I’d be most likely to take. Rickshaw ride over. On the way over, Saifullah asked me about Bush, and I briefed him on what is happening right now in regards to next year’s elections. We talked a bit about his country’s politics too. Lots of traffic jams on way over, so time to talk.

We finally arrived at this new apartment. It has one bedroom, where I would share with Saifullah’s friend. Bathroom has squat toilet, and shower head is in center of bathroom, so showering is meant to get the whole room wet. Kitchen small, and they have a cook. I asked about installing AC. It’s in a real neat area, close to Dhamondi fun, and the street was neat and looked safe. Its only $50/month too, very cheap!

We then went to Boomer’s café for Iftar. It had pictures of American rock artists all over the walls and ceilings. Pretty good Iftar spread. Met two more of his friends there. Afterwards we walked to Dhanmondi lake, right next door, got some tea from a street vendor, and some of them had a cigarette. The lake was gorgeous at night, and there was lightening striking in the distance. There’s a huge mansion on the lake as well, which was built to look like a boat; it grabbed my attention.

5^th-5th in Dhaka 10/7

Went and got the rest of my rent money. Talked to Altaf on phone about Comilla. It was raining hard on walk home, and I couldn’t find a rickshaw.

5^th-6th in Dhaka 10/8

Went to office to pay my bill for my house. Walked in with 103 Tk 500 bills, almost an inch thick. But that’s the biggest bill there is, and I had to pay a large amount for my house. Besides a wait, it was flawless. Then Shakil showed up. I waited while he received his check. He asked where I was going, and he said he’d go with me.

I was merely going to go to Bata, the shoe store chain to buy nice sandals for Eid, since my panjabi but my Timberland sandals are not.. After trying on several pairs, I finally settled on a pair of Hush Puppies (so very Bangladeshi.) Prices there did not differ much from what you find in the US for all kinds of sandals.

Since it had just started to pour rain, we decided to walk through some stores for fun. We looked at electronics and household appliances and cameras (he’s looking for a second one.) We meandered into another mall. I inquired about the prices of flash drives (similar price to US) and computer speakers (very very cheap, probably not authentic.) Then we found our way into a tailor. I decided to finally buy some pants. I chose my fabric, and then after measuring 8 measurements of my lower body (waist, stomach, hips, crotch front to back, upper thigh, lower thigh, ankle, length) they asked how many pleats I wanted, how I want my pockets shaped, how many back pockets, and whether I wanted cuffs or straight leg. I bargained the price down from Tk900 for one (650 for fabric, 250 for preparation) to Tk1600 for two. One dark, one light. They are thin, so hopefully I won’t sweat. A little over $20 for two pairs of custom trousers. And they’ll be exact size for me…that’s kinda neat.

We had trouble finding a rickshaw in the now heavier rain…he had to go home though. So under our umbrellas we roamed the streets, but no rickshaws wanted to go to where we wanted in the rain. Finally, one agreed. Prices are usually bumped up in the rain since the rickshawwallah gets soaked. Also, since its getting close to Eid, prices are high for that too.

Went to Megan’s for dinner. We decided to take out from Margherita Pizza: a burger, a shwarma, and some pasta. The plan was also to watch How I Met Your Mother, but downloading didn’t go so well. Ate and watched some snippets of HIMYM before the internet cut out. On walk home the streets had flooded from rain, about 3” deep and fast flowing.

Spent the rest of the night getting a lot of homework done.

5^th-7th in Dhaka 10/9

Spent day after class at home. About to go traveling, and its raining today a bit. No desire to go out in rain.

Watched Pursuit of Happyness. Enjoyed it. I teared, cuz I’m sucker for all movies that want to make you cry, and even those that don’t. I’m the target audience.

Gonna pack for tomorrow. Shakil and I bumped our trip to Comilla up one day to avoid the Eid crazy traffic by at least one day extra. Had to push back Pizza Hut with Megan, Tamzid, and Nashad.