Visit to the Zoo

**Video Update - see left **

Well it's been a very exciting day here in Dhaka but before I get into that let me briefly update you about the past few days.

So, nothing much to say about Wednesday, apart from another yummy team lunch. However, yesterday was a sort of "interesting day", where we really developed a love-hate relationship with the city. When we left language at about 10.15 and hopped in a CNG to go to the office for our usual 30 min trip across the city, little did we know that this 30 min trip would turn into a 2 hour trip!!!! And why I hear you cry? All because a political leader, Sheikh Hasina (female), formerly arrested for corruption charges, had returned from the UK a free woman, having received much needed medical attention.

There were people all out on the street welcoming her back and whenever political leaders move round the city they tend to close the roads that they're going to be travelling on. So, as our main road to Mirpur is also the road with the parliament buildings on that was inevitably closed whilst Sheikh Hasina arrived and therefore caused us to be stuck in a massive jam for the majority of our journey - not ideal! Oh well, we made it in the end.

There's a quick route from language to the office, through the Cantonement (army and government officials' area) but we're not allowed to go that way cause we're Bodeshi's. Only Bangladeshis can travel through - very frustrating!

Anyway, after such an ordeal we decided to reward ourself with a drink and snacks at the womens' restaurant round the corner on the way back from work, which was really nice.

So, today we went to the Dhaka zoo (zoo = Chiriyakana) with one of the lads from the workshop, who was dying to take us. It wasn't quite like a British zoo, not least because we were more of an attraction than the animals. Unfortuately many of the animals weren't very well kept and the environment wasn't as good as in the UK but it was a great experience going with our colleague and I think he enjoyed taking the Bodeshi's round, particularly since so many people came up to him and asked about us. A really good opportunity for us to practice our Bangla as well.

After that we went to church and managed to catch the end of the Bible Study, which was useful given that Andy has to give one next Friday. Then we shared lunch with them and stayed for the memorial service, after which we escaped to the Bagha (ex pat) club to meet some friends.

At church there were 2 older Australian couples, who are returning home on Wednesday. One of the men was speaking, which was great cause we could actually follow the service for a change. There was also a couple of younger Australian girls, one of whom had just got engaged to an young Bengali chap from the church, which meant Mishti (Indian sweet) all round - yum!

We always feel encouraged going to the church just to see the passion they all have for the scriptures and how warm and loving they all are. Many of them have invited us round for meals and have been so so welcoming. In fact living over here has really given us a greater understanding of the scriptures cause the culture is a lot more akin to the culture of the bible. Obviously we have a lot more to understand but we feel that even though we've only been here a month we've learnt so much about the people and the culture - it's great!

I'm pleased to say that Bangla's going reasonably well and even better the teacher seems to have stopped giving us homework (although I probably shouldn't speak too soon!). Andy's dropping Bangla now cause he's pretty busy at work, so can't really spare the time to be at lessons but I'm going to continue for another 2 weeks.

We've started sharing lifts to Bangla with another couple and the other day since we couldn't get a taxi we ended up getting a CNG, which normally only holds 3 people max but as there were 4 of us Andy got to ride up front with the driver - quite an experience; the driver thought it was hilarious! Unfortunately no video evidence but next time it happens we'll have the camera at the ready. Travelling in this form is not unusual for Bangladeshis. We've seen 4 adults on 1 motorbike, hoards of people packed into 1 CNG and similar with the taxis. As you can imagine health and safety means a lot less over here than in the UK.

I know I've waffled on for long enough but I must just share this before I go. At the start of Bangla every morning they have a short devotional, during which we sing a hymn in Bangla - normally a pretty cringeworthy experience give that the Bangladeshi's are not particularly known for their singing, particularly unaccompanied. Anyway, the other morning we sang "As the Deer Pants by the Water"! - who'd have thought (for those of you who aren't familiar with this song, it's a bit of a classic back home).

So, I think that about ends the entry for today. Just to let you know that we're both fighting fit and Andy's currently strumming away on his guitar next door, so he's a happy bunny at the moment.

Hope all's well over there and the Bonfire Night events went well.

Lots of love

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