Hit the Road

4/30-5/1

These two days ran together with all the traveling on buses. I even ventured to take a bus in Dhaka city to the bus station (couldn't leave feeling the city had beaten my adventurous spirit). The 30th was left to meeting people from the window. It was particularly interesting when I tried to order food. Since the local bus to Sylhet makes frequent stops, there were numerous people always running onto the bus trying to sell you something. There were also shops outside doing their own thing. I tried ordering from one of these. Lots of laughter and confusing hand signals later, I got a rice cake. Truthfully, I wasn't sure what I was ordering but at least it was fresh off the griddle. I even met a Bangladesh Pom on the last leg of the journey. Martin and his friend helped me find my hotel in a jiffy.

The first was a more jammed packed day. I woke up to lots of shouting outside. The first thing that came to mind was a riot, or hartal, since it would be easier to gather members on a holiday. Later I realized that they were just demonstrations in celebration of International Worker's Day, compliments of those way back in Chicago. It was quite fun taking pictures of this since the audience cheers you on and this journalist for "New Nation" newspaper, Jamal, dragged me along with him. Boy did I gain a whole new respect for journalists!

 Morning in Sylhet was followed by a bus ride to Srimangal, city of beauty (Sri-) and peace (-mangal). It definitely had both of those elements if you head out towards the Nilkantha Tea Barn. This shop, across the street from the Finlay Tea Estate, has the famed seven-layered tea. Highly over-rated though pretty. If we all think about it, to make the distinct layers, you'll need differing densities. What do you add to tea to make it more dense? Sugar. By the time I reached the last three layers, it was over. All I could care for was some water. I was in good company as we all laughed about the sugar water. This family decided to invite me to their house so I told them I would go if time permitted. On my walk back, I caught a ride on a motorcycle and passed a sign that said Green Leaf Guesthouse and Eco-tours. My best decision yet to walk back and check it out. It turned out to be run by the highly recommended tour guide in Lonely Planet, Tapas (Ta-peoosh) Dash. I discussed some options with him and even got an antiseptic cream recommendation, Savlon, for all my growing number of bites that now look more like chicken pox. A kid, Jahid, started chatting with me and even walked out with me. I asked him what's a good restaurant and he walked with me to it to continue practicing his English. When I asked if he wanted to join me for dinner, it turns outs it means an offer to pay as well. Not much, but irked that it was possibly the most expensive place I've been to in Bangladesh so far. I've got to be careful of what I say to sly kids behind a beaming smile.

By the time I got back to my dingy room, a storm had started. I took some pictures with some of the kids working in the hotel cheering me on. Fun times until I had to take a candle-lit shower with a non-working shower head. No electricity for the night so no fan, which means more mosquitoes and no sleep. Glorious.