But also I have really learnt about myself. Bangladesh could have been my only reality. I can't write about all the things that have infused my mind. The short story is that I feel so fortunate to be in a part of this world where I am able to become something and to be able to do things that I like and things that matter to me. I am happy to raise a son here where I know he will have a future on the same premises.
Bangladesh needs so much. Imagine Sweden having 150 million more people and cut the landsize in about 5 and have a goverment who gives a damn about you or anyone else but their own wealth. Just imagine. The people of Bangladesh are in extreme hardship and misery. Who cares about this country and it's people? These questions are hard to answer. To see women and children in such struggle everywhere you go makes you almost go mad. You shut off all your senses but is scarred forever anyway.
The infrastructure of the country is of course in awful shape, in no shape. I am thinking; If the country could get a government who cares and like to supply it's people with some functions to make life easier, the country is small enough and it would actually be possible to actually do this! Of course the number of people is the hardest part but I am also thinking that will decline. We met a few families who said they will not have more than two children. They realize it is too expensive and too difficult. So, awareness is coming and might spread quickly if they got some help. Today your children is your retirement plan. They will take care of you and support you when you get older. But two is still enough even for this purpose. So let's say families go from having 9-10 children to only 2 good things are coming! We did see a lot of building construction in the city which felt like a good sign. It means there is some economic wave going on. Hopefully it keeps growing and they will actually complete the buildings and build more.
The religion is always present with the Minarets praying over the city several times a day. Many mosques everywhere, Children mainly attends Muslim schools where they study religion.
You rarely see women. Men, men, men everywhere. Women are home and when out they are very covered up. If women work they are usually maids which means they are "home" as well. I never interacted with a woman accept in a home (Sabbi's maid or at someone's house, someone's wife or aunt etc). This is of course very odd and a gives a very uneasy feeling. Bangladesh is a very conservative country in this sense. Not many Christians or Hindu exists and the few that do have their own communities and are not really "accepted".
During our trip we were able to get such a close up and to come in deep. It was amazing. It would have been impossible to even travel to Bangladesh on our own. To be able to come into regular people's homes as we did was incredible. They were so warm, kind and generous. They smile but with a sadness behind the smiles. They know they are far from our "good life". They want better for their children and try in every way. They ask you to bring their children with you to Sweden. The meeting that takes place between us is so filled with uneven circumstances that it is hard for me to only enjoy. One father asked us what we do for a living. We said we are architects. He tells his 16 year old son "See, in Sweden you can work hard and become something. Here- you work hard but for nothing"...
Tourism is pretty much non existing in Bangaldesh. They do not have much influence from outside at all. They do not know what "service" is very well. They do not know how to show something or display it whether it is an object or a site. They do not have things for tourists to purchase. I shopped more in two hours in Istanbul than I did during my two weeks in Bangladesh. This is too bad as many countries are very economically dependant on their tourism. It is also a way for a country to be connected to the outer world. But here... no such connection of course. It is impossible to just "go for a walk" through the city as there are no sidewalks, no parks, no squares, no cafes or restaurants to really go to. Nohting invites you to "just go for a walk". And traffic is horrendus! It is not only inefficient it is also lethal. People go whatever direction they want anywhere and there is no law enforcement in any sense. It seems completely lawless. You need a driver or to be able to drive with the right kind of attitude here and the attitude is more like "Hunk the crap out of everyone. Drive, or you will be driven over".
I could go on writing forever as my thoughts are on and will go on... But I have to stop right now and just let everything sink in on its own. I am forever grateful for my parents who enabled this trip. I am forever grateful to Steven who shared this with me. I am forever grateful for Alvar. I am forever grateful for Sabbi and Martin who gave us this experience with such warm heart and care. I am forever grateful to Dhaka and Bangladesh who greeted me in its sheer stripped down and honest way.
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