Tuesday, August 23, 2005

I can write my name! Sort of

I've been learning how to write the Bangla language this past week. It is so difficult! I really enjoy it though. It's almost like math really. The vowels are written differently depending on if they come before or after consonants. Like almost everything else I've encountered, it's overwhelming, but I like it.
I haven't even tried to turn on my laptop yet, since I don't yet have a super duper surge protector, so I haven't been able to upload any photos. Patience! I wear a shalwar kameez everyday normally. It's a long tunic/dress. Then baggy clown pants underneath. Next time I get something made, I'm getting straight leg pants for sure! Another essential part of the outfit is the orna. Oh the orna. It's a scarf that is used to hide the fact that I am a woman. It is so HOT! This is the hottest weather I've ever experienced, and I have to wear a scarf! Even when it is raining outside, you have to wear the orna outside of your raincoat! Maybe I'll get used to it, but for now.. grr...
I do own one sari now. Last Friday I went to a wedding with a friend (American) here and got a sari for the occasion. It's so beautiful, but it's just so much fabric that it's even hotter than the shalwar kameez. Maybe after monsoon season ends and the humidity goes down it will be better and I'll buy some more. Even if I don't wear them, I'm definitely going to have to buy a few more just for the fabric. It is so beautiful! The quality of the fabric may not be the best, but the colors and patterns and not to forget the price are great.
It's nice to hear from all of you, thank you so much for the comments. It's wonderful to know I have so much support. Thank you!

Sunday, August 21, 2005

Found an internet cafe!

Hey everyone! I found out there is actually an internet cafe just down the street from where I am living in Bangladesh. I'm trying to write very quickly because the electricity cuts out 4 or 5 times a day and I just know it's going to go soon!
The first two weeks here in Bangladesh have been amazing. The first week was very difficult. Absolutely everything is different here from what I am used to - how to eat, how to use the bathroom (oh yes, you know what I mean), the language. Can you believe I have been learning Bangla for ten days and already am having conversations? It's insane how fast we are going. I'm trying not to get too overwhelmed by it all.
It's VERY hot and humid right now. It is monsoon season. That doesn't mean that it rains all the time, but a few times a day really hard. I actually like when it rains because it cools off a little. My alarm clock tells me it is 86 degrees inside at night. And HUMID! I take two or three showers a day.
I'm not sure if everyone heard about the bombing around Bangladesh a few days ago, but if you did, don't worry, everyone is ok. It was just a religious group trying to get attention and wasn't actually as bad as the press made it seem. Everyone was very calm here and PC reacted wonderfully.
The village I am living in has a ton of people, obviously, but it's very nice and peaceful. It's beautiful really. There are coconut and palm trees, plus a ton of others that I don't know yet. I've been eating mango and pineapple everyday and loving it. The food is pretty dang spicy, but my host family tells me that they haven't made it spicy at all. I'm glad they are toning it down for me! I don't want to tell too much about them out of respect and privacy. I have a host mother and brother though, and I really really like them. They've been so patient and helpful with my Bangla.
Anyway, I feel like I've gambled with the electricity too long already, so I'm going to go now. Thank you so much for those of you who have emailed. I'm sorry I haven't responded personally. The internet is just SO slow. Think ten years ago - that slow. I'm thinking of you all and I miss you!!

Friday, August 12, 2005

Safe and sound in Bangladesh

I have arrived in Bangladesh! I've had two night to sleep and try to get over the incredible jetlag, so I am in incredibly high spirits right now. Our two day journey from San Francisco, through Tokyo, through Bangkok, actually went a whole lot quicker and easier than I imagined. I loved the overnight we had in Bangkok, and I'll definitely have to try and get back to Thailand sometime. I think Peace Corps was trying to shock us as much as possible, because they put us up in these complete luxury hotels in both San Fran and Bangkok. Anyway, we arrived safely in Dhaka and were met by some Peace Corps staff. I was so grateful they were there.
The past two days we have basically been cooped up in a pretty nice hotel in Dhaka, learning about cultural, health, language, etc. We started our language training on the first full day we were here! I'm happy though, the sooner the better. Today we check out of the hotel and move to Gazipur, which is where we will have our training for the next three months. I'll meet my host family tonight! There are apparently three people in the family, but that is all I know really.
I can't say much about what Bangladesh is like yet, since we seriously have not been allowed to leave the hotel. In a couple of weeks I should be able to say more. (I don't think I'll have very regular internet access after today.) We got our Bangladeshi clothes yesterday: shalwar kameezes. They are beautiful!
Anyway, gotta go. Hope you are all well!

Sunday, August 07, 2005

Staging in San Francisco

So I am in San Francisco right now for our staging, aka orientation, before we actually get on the plane. It was really difficult saying goodbye to everyone in Manhattan when I left. I've lived abroad before, so you'd think I would be used to this sort of thing, but somehow this time it just seemed really different. Maybe it's because I'll be truly halfway around the world this time, or because I've never been to Asia, or I know that Bangladesh is going to be a lot more difficult and maybe even more dangerous then what I've gone through before. I'm ok now though. It's been so great meeting everyone in my group. It sounds like we do have a full group of 60 people going to Bangladesh. What an awesome group of people! It sounds like we all have so much in common.
Today we had about 6 hours of orientations, and tomorrow I think we have about 8 more hours. It's been pretty general stuff though; I don't think we'll actually get the answers we want until we get to Bangladesh. I think we'll be in the capital city of Dhaka for a few days, then we'll move to our host families. I still don't know anything about my host family, but I'm really excited. This whole orientation has been a roller coaster of ups and downs - expressing our concerns and worries about some things, and sharing our hopes and excitement about others. I can't believe this is finally happening.