I first came to Bangladesh back in early 2012, I could still vividly remember that it was around February or end January and Chinese New Year was just around the corner, and of course I didn't want to miss that. I was just fresh out of college and naïve. The beliefs in work life balance, not missing out on big events was still the kind of hymn that I had believe in.
Hazrat Shajalal International Airport, despite the financial aid and investment income the airport has yet to earn its spot for renovations.
But lucky enough, I was also.. let's just say desperate enough for money, to not disobey the order from my boss but to carry on with the assignment despite my discontent.
At the main street in Dhaka, crowd gathers along the main street to do marketing, and trishaw rickshaw wallahs waiting for potential customers.
Is not an uncommon sight to see building half completed and go into business due to lack of funds in Bangladesh.
I remember that I had to fly alone, it was a late night flight and I was the odd one within that plane, the remainder were mostly Bangladeshi accept for the flight crew. And even they find it weird why I was going there. I recalled the stewardess asking me, why was I heading to Bangladesh for, do I need to catch the next flight from there.. I just politely smile stating I am going there for work, and with a big gasp.. she said oh my... you must have done something wrong to be sent there, and I just laugh awkwardly and nodded while saying probably. That was my first reality check on my career path. I don't blame them thou, the flight crew probably felt they get the stick everytime Bangladesh is on the roster. It can be extremely tiring as the passenger are often rude or illiterate, that the stewardess had to put in additional effort to overcome.
Poorly maintain tool booth, pity the teller who has to brave the cold and the summer heat. The toll price are significantly high too if compare to Malaysia or even Singapore.
Morning market scene, is about 6:30am in the morning. Nobody gives a shit about incoming traffic.
Patiently waiting in cold, looking for takers for their sheep's milk, filled in reused soda bottles.
Fast forward to 2022, I'm still working for the same company, my reality check back then had in contrast turn into a Shit Show of reality check after having to pay for mortgages and having unnecessary materialistic items to purchase and with the weakening of Ringgits and rising inflation... I have now come to terms with myself, and how I see every trip to Bangladesh as a chance for me to attain spiritual enlightenment, my own version of Journey to the West. It is those moment when I had a really bad diarrhea at the middle of the night due to the questionable Dhal and the conspicuous Bangladeshi rendition of nasi goreng which were way too yellowish and oily, and you sit on the toilet bowl.. wondering ' What the Rock.. is Cooking', during those unholy and undignified moment I found my inner peace.
Accident on the main road, that means a couple of hours in the car, witnessing first hand how inefficient it can be for the traffic to clear off and the injured to be helped.
My driver was super cross when someone caught the side mirror, he stopped the car, came down and started yelling.
When the lorry decided that it can also use the smaller roads, it came to a stalemate, nobody wants to reverse.. we spent the next half an hour freezing inside the car.
I have also learn to remove Fear from Death, as mentioned on chopra.com and I quote 'A wise teacher, Barry (Bears) Kaufman, once said that all fear is really a fear of death. All fear decreases generally as an individual becomes more awakened. This might be due to the lack of attachment. Your own demise seems less tragic when you focus on living in the present and stop worrying so much about the future or regretting the past. When consciousness is seen as transcending a physical body, the loss of this body feels less tragic. Seeing death as inevitable, as part of your process, allows for peace and removes fear.' It was a self-repeating process every day when you take the car and drive to work, it started with shitting your pants and screaming Ohhh My 'fuxkinnggg God' to... your life is not yours.. don't worry be happy.
Four ducks on each hand... breezing through the street like a boss. I wonder what is going through the mind of the duck at that very moment.
But the most important lesson of all is Gratitude... It's about focusing on what's good in our lives and being thankful for the things we have.
The picture reminded me of the movie 3 Idiots.
Over time I had seen multiple mega projects completed in Bangladesh, the growth was impressive, there are more household that received electricity, more jobs now for the people. Although there're still many deep rooted problems within the country, but at least the country is moving forward. Bangladeshis are hard working, and risk taking individuals, they fight for their own survival, their government had left them fend for themselves for many years. I'm not sure if I could do the same if I'm in their shoes and they have my respect.
Sirajganj town, the closest town to where I work. I was trying to look for an ATM as I ran out of cash.
A makeshift stall selling garments, socks etc...
Buyers trying out 2nd hand clothing on the street.
At their local pharmacy, looking for charcoal pill, salt water pack and throat lozenge.
The question would then be what's next for Bangladesh? Will they be more successful than India and Pakistan or they will derailed half way through the trajectory, as the country continue to be plague by corruption and political instability. I am excited to see what happens.
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