Dhaka, Bangladesh

Even though my visit to Dhaka was brief, it will leave an impression with me for a very long time. When I first decided to come here I thought it was a great idea for an "off the beaten path" place to visit. After talking with folks throughout India who have either visited or are currently living here, and hearing their thoughts and impressions, I was becoming very nervous and intimidated. This country has a real reputation of being the classic "basket case of a disaster" as Henry Kissinger once described. Tropical storms, floods, starvation, massive slums and intense poverty are all synonymous with Bangladesh.

It's a city full of stark contrasts. On one side there are slums and poverty but on the other you have a country that is trying to lead the world when it comes to climate change. Most of the vehicles in the city run on either natural gas or a small percentage are electric, as petrol and diesel fuel have almost been completely eliminated in the city. Plastic bags have been banned throughout the country and Dhaka was a lot cleaner than I expected. Bangladesh will be one of the countries most greatly affected by climate change and it's trying to do its part to change and lead by example.

I'm finding it truly difficult to describe my brief scratch at the surface of this city. My hotel was located in the Gulshan area which is where the embassies and expats are located. So it was a soft landing and a good way to get my feet wet. I walked over to a fantastic coffee shop/cafe which was recommended and started my day with a fantastic latte and one of the best fudge brownies I think I have ever had. After charging up with caffeine and sugar I dove into Old Dhaka, the southernmost part of the city along the banks of the oily Buriganga River, which is the lifeblood of both the city and nation. Standing at the Sadarghat boat terminal, life pulses both on and off the water and I think people were as fascinated with me as I was with them. There were lots and lots of curious stares in my direction which gave me the feeling that not too many foreigners venture here. After experiencing life on the river I moved into the streets of Old Dhaka and to see this sea of humanity moving through the narrow streets is something to behold. I have never experienced so many people, rickshaws, horse carriages, bicycles, and the odd taxi crammed into such narrow streets competing for space. To add a bit of extra ambiance to the afternoon the skies let loose and I had my first rain on the trip.

Tomorrow I am off to Bhutan and the Land of the Thunder Dragon where I hope to explore this hidden Himalayan Kingdom.

A few photos from today...