Week Eleven
My final week in Bangladesh proved to be one of the busiest of my summer. I spent the weekend searching for items to pair with my saree and for a gift for my supervisor’s son. Monday evening, after a two and half hour Uber ride, I attended the birthday party, gift in hand. Another coworker who was supposed to attend did not make an appearance, but that ensured I spent my time speaking to my supervisor’s family members, which was a great experience.
Later in the week, with the help of Rezwana’s careful and skilled pinning, I donned my saree. Then, careful not to pull any safety pins, I loaded into the car with the others, and we set out for the women judges meeting. Gathering most of the women judges throughout Bangladesh, including a female judge from the highest court in the country, the conference recognized World Day Against Trafficking-In-Persons.
Presentations demonstrated current issues, speakers addressed needs in the judicial and support systems, and group discussions sought input and ideas from attendees. Sitting quietly in the back of the room, I relished the tenacity of these women judges and appreciated their passion for justice in their country. After the presentations and discussions, it was picture time – well, technically dinner time, but many pictures were taken while others were moving through the line for food. Rezwana and I asked someone to take a picture of us, which quickly led to more and more people jumping in and requesting photographs with me. Most did not know who I was, but they were delighted that I dressed in a traditional saree and attended their event and so they wanted pictures with me to show their friends and family. Pictures continued for about ten minutes before I was finally tugged away (really, rescued from the endless line of pictures – ha!) by my coworkers and sent to get my dinner. Rezwana and I made plans to attend dinner and a play with a friend from work the next day, but he fell ill, and we canceled our plans. However, this worked to my advantage as it provided me much-needed time to pack (I had hardly started my packing, and my last day was entirely booked).
The next day, my last day of work, my coworkers surprised me with lunch, a cake, and gifts. Lunch was traditional biriyani, and a mint and yogurt drink usually had on specials occasions. The cake was beautiful, and though I could not eat it, I enjoyed sharing in the moment with my new friends. After the cake, they presented me with gifts – a gorgeous pink saree, a beautiful hand-embroidered silk scarf, a hand-embroidered blanket in traditional Bangladeshi colors, and a backpack, shirt, and hat with the project's logo. I left overcome with gratitude for the kind souls I had the privilege to call my coworkers.
From work, I joined Zinat, my friend and coworker, in an Uber to her house. Zinat invited me to her house for dinner, and what the spread of food it was! She served a pre-dinner snack of mangoes (my favorite!) and a sweet treat made of chickpeas (I need to find this recipe), it was tasty! Dinner consisted of duck, beef, mutton, fish, eggplant, boiled eggs, and vegetables. Later, somehow finding room for dessert, we had frozen yogurt and fruit. After dinner, we visited, and I mentioned leaving, but as it was late and we were thoroughly enjoying our visit, she invited me to stay and have breakfast in the morning. So, of course, I stayed.
The next morning, Friday, was my last day in Bangladesh. Zinat and I continued our visit over tea and breakfast. She presented multiple options for breakfast, including soup, fruit, vegetables, fried eggs, and some left-overs from dinner, including my sweet chickpea treat. After a while, I ordered my Uber and said a heartfelt goodbye.
Arriving at my flat mid-morning, I spent the next six hours packing and unpacking my bags in an attempt to fit everything without paying extra fees. In the end, I abandoned the fight and conceded to paying the costs so I could bring home all the delightful items from my summer adventures. Eventually, around 9:45 PM, the driver from our office arrived to take me to the airport.
When flying in and out of Dhaka (and a few other places I have traveled), I have had people approach me and offer to help with my bags or offer to get me to the front of the queue faster. However, I usually stand in the line, patiently awaiting my turn. I do not mind waiting, and it avoids bartering over an amount at the end. However, while unloading my bags at the airport, my driver flagged down a man with a cart and asked him to accompany me through the mad-house that is the Dhaka airport.
I sat in the airport anxiously awaiting the long trip home. Thinking about reuniting with my husband and my dogs, I wanted to be home but was not necessarily ready to leave my friends or for the journey to end. So, I left Bangladesh feeling appreciative and loved. Now, reflecting on my travels, experiences, and the people I met over my summer, I am overwhelmed with gratitude. I continue to keep in touch with a few of my friends from the summer. And, I will forever remember the remarkably gracious and generous people of Bangladesh, how they opened their lives to me, and how they made time to show me their country.
I hope you found my attempts to share my journey with you successful. Thank you for the support and encouragement along the way.
-Alicen
