First impression of Bangladesh and Dhaka

The time has passed by so fast and not until now have I really had the opportunity to update my blog. It will be impossible for me to come with a fulfilling update on my experience so far –that is simply something that has been so overwhelming, scary, exciting and impactful that only I will ever know. And as expected then I had not been able at all to imagine what was ahead of me. Already when flying over Dhaka for landing I knew that this country was very different from what I was used to…. Solely by seeing all the water which is everywhere here!!! But my next couple of hours in Dhaka are describing very well the impression I still have of the city….. full of very very friendly and helpful people who are stunned by seeing a blond girl… all the taxi drivers were all over the place to help me find my friend who was picking me up. And when I was then driving with my friend to my place I got the second mayor and main impression of Bangladesh –the absolute crazy traffic chaos!!! More than 12 million people trying to get forth and back by different busses, cars, rickshaws and small scouter taxis or walking…. Bicycles and rickshaws packed with al kind of things –from furnitures to pipes and comboy jeans… I was shocked! I was asking myself how I would ever be able to get around on my own…. Do stuff on my own…. On top of that it was extremely warm and then finally the absolutely biggest challenge but also excitement is the fact that I have absolutely no idea of how the “culture map” is in this country. Bangladesh is an approx 85% Islamic country and they are not used to foreigners…. It is so exiting… I am trying to dress properly which does not mean that I need to cover my hair but at least a t-shirt (no tanktops) and even better a long sleeved and loose blouse, long loose trousers and a scarf around my neck…. I know foreigners who take it more easy but I believe that I have “invaded” these people’s territory and I need to respect their culture and norms… even if it makes me sweat a bit more… I have realized that more questions are constantly popping up in my mind than I can find answers…. Questions about this society’s cutlture and norms, questions regarding the poverty I witness here and possible reactions and solutions to this and simply questions regarding my own values, beliefs, culture, norms and lifestyle.

Regarding the culture –I never know if I am doing something inappropriate… Or what the expectations are… And people are constantly starring at me no matter what so if I do something wrong then they will certainly notice it but at the same time I will not necessarily know…. I believe this is a good experience because I believe it makes me question my acts and behavior –if I don’t know what the norm is then I have to make sure that I can justify what I do…. If I can, then even if something is inappropriate according to this culture then I know I would not do it differently unless I realize that the behavior was not worth the insult. It is far from possible for me to do everything from a pure heart, but starting to think about our norms compared to what we actually believe is the best thing to do is a beginning….

The Grameen Basic Training Program that I am doing is showing me the effect microfinance has had in Bangladesh…. And when this finishes I will most probably continue with Grameen Trust which works on implementation of Grameen replications in other countries. I am excited to be here and be part of this world-famous organization… and I believe that social business has a huge potential… Simply because what I witness here is that poverty can be eradicted if people wants it to be….. but some people do not want that as things are now and to eradict poverty those people needs to want it…. I believe Social business is offering part of the solution….

Since I came here, I feel that the steady ground underneath me has disappeared….. before I came here I was going through a lot of emotions and I was afraid how I would feel when I was far away from my family who is going through such a tough time right now…. Now I am experiencing different turbulens of emotions on top… And I no-longer find any answers to my questions. I am completely open to new inputs in my life.

(this input was written the 20th of October)