PC Wanderlust

Site announcement coming up!

Teaching at model school has been going very well. I’ve only taught by myself twice so far, but each time has been pretty good. A few days ago when I finished my lesson, I told the students the lesson was finished and that we would see them again tomorrow. They all looked up with these looks of horror on their faces and were like, “But madam, the lesson cannot be done! You must teach us more!” I walked out of there on Cloud 9. I’ve never liked public speaking – I actually used to feel sick before having to make speeches. But I have not been nervous here at all! The girls I am teaching are so wonderful. It’s like this oasis as soon as I walk into the school. I love it.
During our three months of training, Peace Corps allows everyone one day (literally 24 hours) to travel by themselves. This past Thursday, I took advantage of that and went to Dhaka with two other trainees, Mike and Adrienne. Wow, I didn’t realize how much I really needed a break until I got there! We went to the rich part of Dhaka first – where the PC office and all the foreign embassies are. PC has a hotel that they always put us up in when we are in Dhaka which is in that area of the city. Our hotel had air conditioning and hot water!! I actually needed a blanket at night – heavenly. Thursday evening we went out to eat at “Dominous Pizza” – yes, spelled with a u. It wasn’t the best pizza by American standards, but SO good! The three of us just sat in shock eating it. Then we went and found a small grocery store. How strange it was to walk down the rows of the grocery store and see all these foods I’ve been craving, and so many choices! It was all extremely overwhelming though. We just bought some orange juice and left. (Although later I got some peanut butter, pasta, tomato sauce, and oats at another grocery store.) It’s really difficult to describe what a strange feeling it was to have all these little amenities. I hadn’t realized how much I had gotten used to living in a more rural, smaller, “Third World” city until we went back to Dhaka. We were walking down the streets and suddenly it occurred to us, “where are all the goats, cows, and chickens on the streets?”
The next morning, we ventured away from the rich part of town and into Old Dhaka. My favorite part there was Hindu St. It was a tiny narrow street with very tall buildings, and just packed with shops and people. Mike commented that it felt like New York City. It definitely had a cool vibe to it. There were shops were people were carving gravestones, making musical instruments, making conch shell bracelets, and selling Hindu art.
After Hindu St, we found another cute little street where all they were selling was fabric for clothes. All the women’s clothing was in tiny shops on the right side, and all the men’s on the left side. I think everyone there was surprised to see a group of three wide eyed Americans. After that, we tried to find Bicycle St. where supposedly they make and sell rickshaw art. I think we found the right street, but either all the rickshaw art places were closed, or they are somewhere else, because we couldn’t find any art. Ah well, next time!
Just so you all know, I will be finding out what city I will be living in for the next two years this Friday!! I am not entirely sure what I want, but cross your fingers for me anyway that it’s nice!!

posted by Kathryn @ 9/29/2005 12:34:00 AM