For those of you who have been asking for the next instalment – thank you for reassuring me that I am not boring you all to snores (and if that’s you Adrian that I hear saying ‘they need to get a life’, remember in the words of the illustrious Governor of California, The Terminator big Arnie “I’ll be back’). In about 25 weeks actually – not that I’m counting but I am counting the weeks until Jordan visits me for Christmas – the best Christmas pressie a Mum could wish for.
Last time I left you I had just arrived back from a very much appreciated break in Kuala Lumpur where I met up with Carol for a week. She was fantabulous company and I will be forever grateful that she suffered five days (and nights) straight of my verbal blogging – I think she has almost completed the therapy sessions she had to take as a result. We had a great time, indulging in some girlie pampering, great eating and some fascinating sight–seeing – the first photo is of one of the many temples/mosques we visited where we purchased a variety of “artefacts”. KL is an interesting city with a myriad of cultures from the bronzed singleted and boardies-wearing Aussies (I’m sure I saw you Andy) to the conservative fully-chadored Islamic women. Even though it is a busy city (about 1.6 million people) it is very orderly (no traffic challenges here for ‘Arraine or Lesley) albeit not so safe when it comes to robbery apparently - there are warnings everywhere about bag snatching, which we fortunately avoided. Carol had booked an extremely comfortable hotel in an ideal location – within walking distance of anywhere we wanted to go – especially those temples and mosques. We had sensational service everywhere (Terima Kasih Perfect Peter for great advice). After some perfect R&R, it was very difficult leaving Carol at the airport to return to the Desh, however, the rest and leisure had rejuvenated me. And you might be relieved to know that all my paperwork was in order with my visa to re-enter the country this time. Nevertheless, I still managed to make them laugh and attract amused attention with my attempts to impress the immigration officers by speaking Bangla – what’s wrong with saying ‘Amar kothay home khub kushi’ - I am very glad to come back home - nothing at all if that was what I had said but apparently I said I am very happy to be going to stay at your home – not too smart a proposal from an Aussie girl (who already has a reputation at the airport) but harmless and humorous light entertainment for these guys who rarely get the opportunity to laugh.…………I have the solution though - next time I come through the airport - with all due respect to our Muslim sisters, I’m going to wear a full chador, then I won’t be expected to say anything - OK, OK, I hear you say (too many of you to mention by name, Gwen, Margaret, Dawnie, Fabbie, Lorraine to name but a few), “the chador she can do, but the silence…….she’ll never pull it off”.
Apparently the winter is here and the worst of the rains have passed – well even though it has bucketed down some days, I’ve actually seen heavier rains in Aus and the photo of the fabulous smiling rickshaw driver is about the worst I’ve seen the flooding so far although I know it’s been more serious in other parts of the country (geez, I hope I’m not jinxing us). And if this is winter, considering the temperature has been about 43 degrees over the last few days, I’m glad summer has passed!!!!!
I know you have all been rugged up and so are my awesome buddies, Colin – the quintessential gentleman, Yvonne - the party girl, and Beth - the other party girl - who have all (sadly, for me anyway) finished their placements and returned home to the UK – but don’t worry my friends, the Aussies are coming, so you keep practicing Waltzing Matilda. I really shouldn’t be banging on about Aussies and winning - I owe James (another buddy from the UK) dinner at our finest restaurant because the Poms did us over in the gold medal count at the Olympics – I know you personally had ankle problems at the time Waltergator but surely you could have sent some substitutes that could have taken care of business on the track – they could have even worn those running shoes of Adrian’s that haven’t been used since I left. I’ll never live the gold medal factor down and it’s going to cost me around $AUS5 to treat James to the delicacies served at our fave eatery called System – among other tasty morsels, they cook the best spicy frog in the universe (and it’s also a private distillery for that ‘rocket fuel’ I mentioned in an earlier edition). Another great night is ahead of us so it will be worth having lost the bet. And I actually pay my bets – a certain Inspector Steve owes me 2,956 scratchies – you know I could be a millionaire by now and totally unaware of it.
Those brilliant people I work with continue to teach me so much about so much. I am going to be very familiar with life in the Chittagong Hill Tracts when I return to Aus, so I hope your prepared for some ‘global education’. I am finally starting to feel as though I am making a small contribution. I would dearly love to spend more time in the field but the complication is that I need a police escort (what are you and your troops doing for the next five months Inspector Neil) each time I do a field trip (and no not because I cause trouble Sir Geoffrey). There really isn’t any danger, however, a couple of times (and please don’t any of you be worrying because this isn’t going to happen) foreigners have been ‘napped’ for ransom – never hurt, just for money. Considering I have no money they would just throw me back in the jeep anyway. I still have the opportunity to spend time with the street kids at informal lessons on the footpath when I go to Dhaka – and I enjoy that special time so much. One of the piccies is of some of my kids – glorious!!!!
Last month we had a conference for all the volunteers and staff working for Volunteering Services Overseas (VSO) – Bangladesh Country Office (which is the sponsor organisation that brings us here to work with various partner organisations ie mine being Zabarang). The conference was held in Sylhet in the north-east of Bangladesh and was an extraordinary experience – sensationally talented people with minds of exemplary brilliance ‘sharing skills – changing lives’ which is the motto of VSO. Guess who scored the role of facilitator of the last session after four days of fairly intense topics. So I taught them to line-dance – (just kidding Jordan so don’t be embarrassed). But they can do an impressive “G’day mate” now. And incidentally the session – focussed on addressing volunteer issues - went very well. Apart from the sharing and learning, the highlight was a visit to nearby Madhabkunda waterfall – so picturesque and another ‘adventure’. In the past, there have been a few ‘mishaps’ at the falls, but by following the instructions of the guide and with a bit of intestinal fortitude you can cross the swirling waters from the bank on the opposite side to stand under the mist – a minor challenge too attractive to resist for adrenalin junkies. The piccies probably don’t do the occasion justice but it was worth the effort and so much fun (that’s Chris, a volunteer from Uganda with me).
A couple of weeks ago we celebrated World Indigenous Day with a cultural show and concert. It was a great day with many talented people demonstrating traditional dances and local singers performing their favourite songs. I mean no disrespect to Bangladeshi music, but John and Jane, you are needed here desperately………even if you only stay long enough to teach ‘the stars’ some voice control and variation of the fave Bangladeshi tunes I will be forever grateful. (I know I will have to settle for you singing happy birthday for me when I get home – absolute bliss). Oh and just one other thing about the concert – I was dragged (no, honestly literally dragged) up on to the stage, and danced through several “one more” requests from the crowd. Super fun and again evidence of how these amazing people know how to enjoy themselves despite their hardships.
Now about the mould…….it is so humid at the moment that I swear while I sleep a film of green fuzz grows over me – (who ever that was that said it’s my age, not the humidity – Adrian – I’m onto you). Seriously though nothing is spared : bedding, clothes, shoes, bags, photos, the walls in the shower and even the geckos, if they stayed still long enough, have a daily layer of green fur, it’s such a damn nuisance. Carol, among a humungus bag of other goodies, kindly brought some plastic storage bags with her for me to try to rescue my clothes so they will last to the end of my placement. So far so good. Perhaps I should sleep in one!!!!!!!! With a bit of effort, it scrubs off most things but it’s a little tricky scrubbing cameras, computers etc. I’m sure we’ll survive but the first person to comment on my green fur when I get home will suffer serious consequences – most of you know I have contacts - remember the ‘chicken-run’ man, I still have his number (and for those of you who don’t know about him – happy to share whenever you have the time).
Well my luvvies, I hope you are all very well, not too busy and taking some time to ‘smell the roses’ which I know will just about be in bloom. I luv hearing all your news and as always my chapter in the hills of the Desh is enhanced by your TLC. Stay in touch and before too long my GOW girls I’ll be asking you to organise a coffee meeting.
Abar dEkha hObe
Hugs from the Desh
Marguerite
PS Photos are 'in the mail'
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