SubscribeDhaka Construction
Building site watching is a hobby for some of the expats here in Dhaka. So many strange and interesting ways to get things done. Rarely do they use machines to do any of the actual building because there is such an abundance of cheap man power. Although, here they are riding up and down on the machine that lays the concrete pylons. There used to be a three story building across the street but the entire structure was dismantled by hand and sledge hammer. Now we have the rare noisy treat of watching the new building go up. We figure it is a private residence because they did not dig out enough space for an apartment, (this is good). What they did dig out filled quickly with the muddy soil that they are building on. The machine in the video is set up multiple times. It might suck out the mud first as it smashes the metal cylinder into the ground but not likely. After the cylinder is buried they fill it with concrete. Next comes all the rebar that is bent and laid by hand.
More to come . . .
Eid al-Adha
8"The Festival of Sacrifice" Eid ... Eid Mubarak! For the first time in 7 years we stayed in our host country during the Eid al-Adha festivities and sacrifices. We'd always heard about the sheep in Syria and blood running red in the streets but always fled in order to get our vacation time. Not this time. In Bangladesh the families that can afford sacrifice cows (100USD) ... and boy there were a lot. 5 million slaughtered ... I'm sure there are crazy numbers like that all over the world but here it's all on in the streets. I've been told that in other more developed countries this is all done by the butcher behind closed doors but here the butcher travels down the street visiting the houses. In all it's a very festive and giving time. The actual slaughtering of the cows had a very serious and religious tone and is done quickly, humanely, and cleanly. It was interesting to see the animals paraded around, some even decorated mildly. Since Indian Hindu's revere cows, we often joke that they should have run for the border but apparently there used to be big trade in cows during this time and since ties have suffered between the two countries there was a ban on Indian cows ... These are supposedly all Bangladeshi cows ... from where I do not know.
The sacrifice is to commemorate the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ishmal as an act of obedience to God. At the time of sacrifice, God's name is recited along with the offering statement and a supplication as Muhammad said. According to the Quran, the meat is divided into three shares, one share for the poor, one share for the relatives and neighbors and the last to keep to oneself. A large portion of the meat must be given towards the poor and hungry people so they can all join in the feast which is held on Eid al-Adha. The remainder is cooked for the family celebration meal in which relatives and friends are invited to share. There are strict rules on the animal, which must meet age and quality standards. The sacrifice is conducted on the day after the pilgrims on the Hajj (annual pilgrimage to Mecca) descend from Mount Arafat. Please check wikipedia.com for all facts and figures.
The sacrifice is to commemorate the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ishmal as an act of obedience to God. At the time of sacrifice, God's name is recited along with the offering statement and a supplication as Muhammad said. According to the Quran, the meat is divided into three shares, one share for the poor, one share for the relatives and neighbors and the last to keep to oneself. A large portion of the meat must be given towards the poor and hungry people so they can all join in the feast which is held on Eid al-Adha. The remainder is cooked for the family celebration meal in which relatives and friends are invited to share. There are strict rules on the animal, which must meet age and quality standards. The sacrifice is conducted on the day after the pilgrims on the Hajj (annual pilgrimage to Mecca) descend from Mount Arafat. Please check wikipedia.com for all facts and figures.
Thanksgiving Traffic
So Thanksgiving was a while day affair here in Dhaka. I got to play flag football in the "turkey bowl" (yeah me and flag football??! and I was a lineman for the most part). There were 4 teams playing and I got a cool jersey with my name on it. And I was blocking a 400 pound Samoan man.
Also that Thursday ,one of the two main political parties (the BNP) was selecting their MPs candidates which made traffic horrendous. People were being bused in, streets were closed, and it was general chaos in the small diplomatic zone we live in. The mentality of Bangli drivers, rickwash wallas, people on bikes, walkers, cow carts, and what ever else is fit to roam the streets is this: if there is a gap then fill it regardless of the fact it's the other lane or that it might causes gridlock. Get there ... and get there fast and before the guy in front of you. It took hours to travel a couple kilometers. At one point I found my van on a street with barracades blocking the way (bamboo poles and lots of armed gaurds) cars were still streaming in behind and the guards were telling people to turn around. Within seconds there were cars pointed in every direction and no one was going anywhere. I rolled down my window and gestured the international sign for "what the hell do i do?" the gaurd smacked a car in front of my and made him back up and waved me through the barricade. I was the only car driving down road 86 where the BNP headquarters are and went through 3 more barricades. TV crews, mobs of people, lots of guns and gaurds and rapid action battalion (RAB) troops. Luckily there was more traffic on the other side and I made it to the first game just a little late.
The holidays!!
Since we are resigned to and accepted that we are spending the first Christmas at home (in Dhaka) in seven years of being overseas. We are actually looking at it as a blessing. Plane tickets are still outrageous (750 to fly to Bangkok ... 2 hours away), packing, airports, hotels, beaches, blue water, fancy cocktails with little umbrellas, rest and relaxation....wait ... shake it off! We are staying put and are excited about it. We think E's first X-mas should be home affair and we are doing something we have not done in 7 years ... getting a Christmas tree! So we went to nursery road and strolled the mosquito infested lanes to look for a suitable replacement for the traditional tree. 
Here we decide on a what we are calling a Charlie Brown tree which they 'cleaned and washed' for us for no extra charge. The tree cost 1200 taka (about 17 bucks ).
We thought that we'd be able to jump out and pick one up quickly but we nevertheless walked from nursery to nursery asking them to pull out their trees and spin them so we could get a better look. We completely baffled them sellers: " this is a good tree" , "nice tree nice tree" and "what price you pay". We tried to explain what the tree was for but that was completely lost in translation. After as much shuffling from tree to tree we decided on the one pictured. So it's Christmas in Dhaka for the new McEwen family trio. We are decorating it and enjoying beginning family traditions. We looking forward to almost 4 weeks of baby time, video editing, recording music, quilting, lounging, not working, catching up on DVDs, sleeping in, and Bangladeshi elections. Merry holidays .. more to come.
Here we decide on a what we are calling a Charlie Brown tree which they 'cleaned and washed' for us for no extra charge. The tree cost 1200 taka (about 17 bucks ).
We thought that we'd be able to jump out and pick one up quickly but we nevertheless walked from nursery to nursery asking them to pull out their trees and spin them so we could get a better look. We completely baffled them sellers: " this is a good tree" , "nice tree nice tree" and "what price you pay". We tried to explain what the tree was for but that was completely lost in translation. After as much shuffling from tree to tree we decided on the one pictured. So it's Christmas in Dhaka for the new McEwen family trio. We are decorating it and enjoying beginning family traditions. We looking forward to almost 4 weeks of baby time, video editing, recording music, quilting, lounging, not working, catching up on DVDs, sleeping in, and Bangladeshi elections. Merry holidays .. more to come.
Breakies in Dhaka
I thought for future reference it would be interesting to look back a typical Saturday morning breakfast at the American Club. Sometime after taking the picture I realized how stupid it sounded but thought I'd share any ways. As you can see we are partial to the 'home fries' and a Gilbert's is a kick ass version of an egg McMuffin. Not bad for prices for a leisurely Saturday morning breakfast.
Power in Dhaka
Tonight the power went off, which is normally not a bad thing with the UPS to keep an Uninterrupted Power Supply (acronyms!) and a generator that kicks in about 30 seconds later. No resetting the DVD or other minor inconveniences like that. But lately there's been a problem with the generator in which it either fails to start up at all or it revs up and the whole apartment flickers. Even though the generator is two floors below us, it makes an extremely loud noise. Tonight it revved over and over with the lights fading to black and then returning to full brightness at least 20 times. My fear is that it's going to send a lethal set of voltage through the sub par wiring in the apartment and blow or fry everything electronic. After I sat staring at the computer screen and watching the lights fade on and off for a few moments, I finally decided to move to a safe distance to see what would happened. Luckily nothing exploded and the power return shortly but it does stand to remind me that we live in Dhaka. (I guess some Californians could relate with the rolling brownouts)
Fish markets?
This morning when I walked down into the parking garage, I noticed a smell that I connected to walking through a fish market. Not entirely a horrible smell but one that was odd to find in the garage (or car park as they refer to it here). You know that wet icy slightly rotting fishy smell? Coming down our street after school today we not only got a huge concentrated whiff of something much more sinister and truly gaggable (?) through the AC. Appearantly they are sorting a HUGE pile of garbage on the corner. Rotting leaves and other trash in a big pile with people digging in it.
Vacation Snacks
Another plus of living overseas is getting to taste all the sweet potato chip flavors. You think blue cheese and salsa Doritos are funky ... how about Nori Seaweed and Salmon Teriyaki Lay's.
or just plain old chicken with 25% lower saturated fat (they still use trans fats here). They really do "taste like chicken" ... Carrie couldn't stomach them but a little BBQ sauce and mmmm.
or just plain old chicken with 25% lower saturated fat (they still use trans fats here). They really do "taste like chicken" ... Carrie couldn't stomach them but a little BBQ sauce and mmmm.
Mum's the Word
We fill the ice cubes with bottled water. I could boil water but that puts another step between me and my cold frosty drinks. The preferred water of choice is MUM's and we are not even a 100% sure that is clean.
Apartment Decorations
An engagement party for Jason meant that the apartment was decorated with Christmas lights. They hung down the stair well and littered the apartment. It was a nice touch in many ways but since we have not been home for Christmas in the last 6 years and we miss out on all the lights, it brought a strong nostalgia. We definitely have to get a tree this year.
mmmm halloween
Last night I took my daughter trick or treating for the very first time, I ate a miniature Reese's cup with the brown paper still on it. I only realized this after I had popped it in my my mouth and had gotten in a few good chews. Dilemma? Not at all. But I could have sworn that I unwrapped the foil and brown paper (with tasks like that you are practically an automaton) and felt I was being punished for breaking the diet I'd started after Bali (fried calamari). But when I told Evan he admitted that the one he'd just opened had had two brown papers too. So I guess I can fall on the either side of this one. Whether there were two layers or I my mind was just so intent on getting the chocolate fix that it skipped a crucial step in the unwrapping process, I may never know. In all the mix of peanut butter, chocolate, and waxy brown paper was still appetizing. At least my brain remembered to remove the foil ..... zzzzap! (cheesy onomatopoeia courtesy of 3rd grade writing instructor)
Bali
Bali for the October break helped to remind us of some of the benefits of teaching in Bangladesh. It's the only island in Indonesia where a majority of the inhabitants are Hindu and is shows from the very first taxi ride. People are overly friendly ... well that might be because tourism is the main income for most the population but it's still nice to see smiling faces everywhere you look. There are little offerings everywhere ... this drivers was for prosperity and health.
The hotel (timeshare) was a nice three story building in the Balinese style. We were on the ground floor and were going to try and move up to get a balcony but decided with Elizabeth the ground floor was easier to negotiate.
Even though the place was full it never seemed crowded. Other hotels on the beach had crowded beaches with chairs right next to each other. Ours was spaced out nicely. It was hot but the shade was perfect with nice breezes and pool and beach side food and drink service.
For Elizabeth's first beach vacation it was a winner. Although she slept most of the time when were were outside she did play in the sand and pool a bit.
We also hung out with Kelly and Justin, they were down the beach at another posh resort, that had more of the young jet set crowd. We contemplated the things that make a good beach, resort, and pool. We decided we are kind of beach resort snobs ... swim up bar? nice sandy bottom? clear or blue waters? lagoon pool? it seems we are still looking for the perfect resort but we decided we've got extremely close at times.
After having everyone go bananas at the sight of E (this woman literally snatched her from my hands and had someone taking video of it ... after a minute I asked if the crazy lady would please give the baby back and it took a few more) and touching and grabbing for her. Carrie started putting her in the Baby Bjorn to baby block them. It was especially annoying when she was asleep. Though I will note that eating out with Elizabeth has become a new game of trade the baby. You eat, I entertain, I eat, you entertain. Additional thanks to Justin and Kelly for the extra hands ... you cut the holding time to a fourth. At one point early in the trip a waitress asked Carrie to hold her and she said no ... at the end of the trip a second waitress asked and was given Elizabeth after an affirming nod from myself.
100% FAN!
Coming soon: the visit to the monkey forest!
For Elizabeth's first beach vacation it was a winner. Although she slept most of the time when were were outside she did play in the sand and pool a bit.
We also hung out with Kelly and Justin, they were down the beach at another posh resort, that had more of the young jet set crowd. We contemplated the things that make a good beach, resort, and pool. We decided we are kind of beach resort snobs ... swim up bar? nice sandy bottom? clear or blue waters? lagoon pool? it seems we are still looking for the perfect resort but we decided we've got extremely close at times.
After having everyone go bananas at the sight of E (this woman literally snatched her from my hands and had someone taking video of it ... after a minute I asked if the crazy lady would please give the baby back and it took a few more) and touching and grabbing for her. Carrie started putting her in the Baby Bjorn to baby block them. It was especially annoying when she was asleep. Though I will note that eating out with Elizabeth has become a new game of trade the baby. You eat, I entertain, I eat, you entertain. Additional thanks to Justin and Kelly for the extra hands ... you cut the holding time to a fourth. At one point early in the trip a waitress asked Carrie to hold her and she said no ... at the end of the trip a second waitress asked and was given Elizabeth after an affirming nod from myself.
100% FAN!
Coming soon: the visit to the monkey forest!
GlitterBall
Glitter ball was last weekend and the group went with the "Under the Sea" theme. I really wanted to perform and do a spoof of the Little Mermaid song with bits like "The ice caps are truly melting .. in Dhaka we are getting wet .. they say it's cause "global warming" but Bush says that is a mistake". Well it was all voted down and in a way it was nice not to have all the pressure of the performance ... everyone was much more relaxed. I will say that the costumes were kickin' and people went out of control ... we should have won best dressed but didn't ... it's all a political game anyhow.
I made Carrie a shell hat that looked more like ice cream and I was supposed to be a fly 70's Neptune or Poseidon (couldn't quite figure out my motivation) with a denim leisure suit.
Sanne's wire framed seahorse and Kelly as sea "weed"
Justin's fly sail fish (we have the same tailor) and Leon and Elaine as shark boy and starfish girl
Ian's insane puffer fish and Stella's sea hag
Jason as the hammerhead ... and Tina's Clown fish
Lauren as a shipwreck and Stephanie as "waves"
I guess this stuff is pretty self-explanatory ...........
Lee Ann as a jelly fish and a shy oyster (Tracy)
(the 3 interns) Amorous dolphins on Beckly and tuna on Jimmy
I pretty sure that's NOT Hitler dancing with Superwoman but anything is possible at the GlitterBall ... the Hashers did a shameless country song act about boobs and dongs (anything less and they would not be hashers)
"we are two wild and crazy guys"
Alice in wonderland
Dave and Carol's group recreated the Sargent Pepper's album cover.
Rick and Heidi danced to the chicken dance and one by one they all expired from bird flu ... very simple and clever.
Last Years Steve Irwin Perfomance
Support starving writers and read a real review for Lulu:
http://landolulu.blogspot.com/2008/10/glitterati.html
More photos of the Ball:
Sarah's Photos
Lee Ann's Photos
http://picasaweb.google.com/lamilagra/GlitterBall2008#
A motley crew of underwater animals ..
I made Carrie a shell hat that looked more like ice cream and I was supposed to be a fly 70's Neptune or Poseidon (couldn't quite figure out my motivation) with a denim leisure suit.
Sanne's wire framed seahorse and Kelly as sea "weed"
Justin's fly sail fish (we have the same tailor) and Leon and Elaine as shark boy and starfish girl
Ian's insane puffer fish and Stella's sea hag
Sara's turtle and Issac's narwhal
Jason as the hammerhead ... and Tina's Clown fish
Lauren as a shipwreck and Stephanie as "waves"
I guess this stuff is pretty self-explanatory ...........
Lee Ann as a jelly fish and a shy oyster (Tracy)
(the 3 interns) Amorous dolphins on Beckly and tuna on Jimmy
I pretty sure that's NOT Hitler dancing with Superwoman but anything is possible at the GlitterBall ... the Hashers did a shameless country song act about boobs and dongs (anything less and they would not be hashers)
"we are two wild and crazy guys"
Alice in wonderland
Dave and Carol's group recreated the Sargent Pepper's album cover.
Rick and Heidi danced to the chicken dance and one by one they all expired from bird flu ... very simple and clever.
Support starving writers and read a real review for Lulu:
http://landolulu.blogspot.com/2008/10/glitterati.html
More photos of the Ball:
Sarah's Photos
Lee Ann's Photos
http://picasaweb.google.com/lamilagra/GlitterBall2008#
Cock-a-Doodle-shutup!
I don't know if it was for Eid or Durga Puja but there's another celebratory gift rooster next door, just like last year, causing all kinds o' ruckus every morning. It seemed like I remember it being in the two week range before it suddenly and mysteriously silenced. I sometimes wonder where that rooster went (to live with friends out in the country?) ... maybe this its the same one coming back to visit. We'll we are leaving for Bali soon, so I expect the rooster to start packing for greener pastures so I can sleep in when I get back.
Follow That Rickshaw!
Looking out the window,
watching all the people go,
feeling the congestion flow,
why can't that rickshaw go ...
glad I'm not driving.
watching all the people go,
feeling the congestion flow,
why can't that rickshaw go ...
glad I'm not driving.
Subtitles
Watching bootleg movies is a two-tiered enjoyment as you never know the quality or hidden surprises half way through a movie: strangers talking in the seats in front, laughing that is delayed because of it takes Asian audiences time to read the subtitles, sudden scrolling of messages of warning (for awards purposes only) , or cuts to black and white, but the real fun is the subtitles which can range from bad translations to having absolutely nothing to do with the action. U-571 subtitles began at the titles with a conversation someone was having on the phone
"hey!" "how's it going?" "Yeah, I'm going out tonight" "where's everyone at?" ... I left it on as long as I could stand it but always wondered where it went. I just became too distracting. Another of my favorites is The Four Feathers where "whore house" was subtitled as "waffle house". Tonight we watched the Forbidden Kingdom and I jotted a few down for amusement purposes ... I'll have to bring some home this summer to enjoy.
Jackie Chan and Jet Li are fighting and one of them busts out the praying mantis
"Praying mantis? Good for killing bugs but not tigers."
subtitles say:
"Religious blankets? Good bugs of hunting. nontigers"
After taking a beating the kid states:
"I've had enough"
subtitles:
"I'm already full up"
Sometimes there is meaning making in the words:
"she was assassinated by an arrow from the warlords bow"
becomes:
"mother that assassinated by the shoots with the arrow of the arc of the general"
Sometimes I think they just can't figure it out:
"kill them"
becomes
"mjtenlios"
"hey!" "how's it going?" "Yeah, I'm going out tonight" "where's everyone at?" ... I left it on as long as I could stand it but always wondered where it went. I just became too distracting. Another of my favorites is The Four Feathers where "whore house" was subtitled as "waffle house". Tonight we watched the Forbidden Kingdom and I jotted a few down for amusement purposes ... I'll have to bring some home this summer to enjoy.
Jackie Chan and Jet Li are fighting and one of them busts out the praying mantis
"Praying mantis? Good for killing bugs but not tigers."
subtitles say:
"Religious blankets? Good bugs of hunting. nontigers"
After taking a beating the kid states:
"I've had enough"
subtitles:
"I'm already full up"
Sometimes there is meaning making in the words:
"she was assassinated by an arrow from the warlords bow"
becomes:
"mother that assassinated by the shoots with the arrow of the arc of the general"
Sometimes I think they just can't figure it out:
"kill them"
becomes
"mjtenlios"
Wow ... wow ... wow
I just learned something from Lauren (an amazingly interesting high school English teacher from Chicago) that absolutely blows my mind. Literally I'm wordless.
The author of the ACB? In Dhaka? Teaching me educational strategies?
Read more here ... and Lauren, as a real licensed writer, gives a fabulous account and another perspective of living in the big B. When you get to Wikipedia be sure to click on his name to get more information. PASSION!!!!!
http://landolulu.blogspot.com/2008/09/passion.html
The author of the ACB? In Dhaka? Teaching me educational strategies?
Read more here ... and Lauren, as a real licensed writer, gives a fabulous account and another perspective of living in the big B. When you get to Wikipedia be sure to click on his name to get more information. PASSION!!!!!
http://landolulu.blogspot.com/2008/09/passion.html
Night Ultimate in Dhaka
Ultimate is now a night activity on the AISD artificial grass field (one of the only of it's kind in the city) and is a nice outlet for the crazier expats. It's still very hot and humid at night here and there's quite a lot of running around. Europeans that normally play soccer are usually breathing heavily in a short time. These sweaty blurry pictures are a first attempt at night action shots.
SMART Boards
4 Day Weekend!!!
Normally our weekend is Friday and Saturday and this coming Thursday we had off for the Eid holiday. But there was a chance that Eid would fall on Wednesday depending on the sighting of the moon on Tuesday night. The buzz at school is that we might have a 4 day weekend but would have to wait to get that sms or email on Tuesday night. The overseas staff remained positive while the Muslims at the school told us it would never happen. Imagine working Christmas Eve and waiting until the evening to see if you are going to celebrate Christmas the next day. Walter Plotkin, our wise leader, has seen fit to preemptively give us Wednesday off. There was literally dancing and shouts of joy heard throughout the halls as the news filtered around. My kids screamed and spontaneously broke into song and dance. I was a good day! Especially for all the support staff that have to shop and travel long distances to celebrate Eid with their families in their villages.
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