glimpses of Bangladesh – Mr Baker

At the weekend I ventured out to some local food shops.  There are several eating places in my hotel but I like to visit the local shops and to have some snacks in my room.

Near my hotel is a smart looking baker.

They had savoury rolls and pies (far right in counter) and I bought a chicken roll and a samosa.

They have many decorated cakes (far left in counter and there is another full counter of them) which Bangladeshi would buy for desert for guests or a special family dinner.

In the middle are various small biscuits – you can see my half kilo of them in the bottom right photo.  These are served every time you are given a cup of coffee or tea.  I will take some of these into the office.

The men in the shop (there was a fifth one and a security guard on the door) laughed when I asked to take their photo. 

Bangladeshi laugh a lot which is one of the reasons I find it comfortable being here.  One of the doormen at the hotel said I was ‘a lady of humour’ when I was joking with them on my return to the hotel last week.  I’m fine with that.

Those little things

Inspired by Amy’s list and an online chat I was having with a friend about being in Bangladesh and the small things that make a big difference to it being comfortable or frustrating.

Bracket shapes from Ali Edwards.  Font Tahoma.

glimpses of Bangladesh – people at work

This is the scene outside my hotel – a very people intensive building site with people loading and carrying all that gravel inside.  The two ‘supervisors’ sitting on their chairs make me laugh.

Many of the sights around town look like over staffing to my western eyes. But there are lots of people in Dhaka – over 16 million – and immense population density – Wikipedea says over 19 400 per square kilometer.  I’m guessing people are much cheaper than machines.

There are also lots of examples of people running small businesses on the street – sewing machines (photo bottom right), snacks such as doughnuts and fruit, and water or tea (top right).

Unfortunately the hygiene in these stalls mean it would not be sensible for me to try the wares. Yesterday from the car I saw a stall where they were selling prepared fruit and cucumber which looked very appealing on a hot day and the other intriguing looking snack is a cup full of rice sprinkled with various spices.  I will continue to use only my sense of sight to enjoy these aspects of Bangladesh life.

glimpses of Bangladesh - rickshaws

The roads in Dhaka are madly busy and if there are any road rules I don’t understand them.  As far as I can tell, if you are ahead then you have right of way.  Horns sound all the time and there are often jams.

I’m being driven around in a nice big fourwheel drive and don’t have to contend with the traffic.  But walking around is a different matter, especially crossing side streets when you need 360 degree vision!

Alongside the cars the roads are filled with old battered and very over crowded buses; with small 3 wheel motorised taxis (I’ll get a photo and post later) and lots of bicycle rickshaws.

My hotel room looks down onto a main road which rickshaws are allowed to use.  The rickshaws are all painted in bright colours and decorated on the backs, mostly with flower designs. 

I did take a rickshaw ride the last time I was here and found them very uncomfortable – perched on a hard seat with little suspension over all the potholes and bumps.  I was amazed at the skill of the drivers as they weave around other road users.