Tomorrow

I can't not believe that the students are going to start arriving.  It hasn't set in yet that all of this is real; I am living in Bangladesh and I am going to be a teacher.  It's complete and utter madness.  That said, I am really excited to get started, or maybe I am just excited to be done with orientation.  Either way I am excited and nervous.

  Last night we went to a surprise birthday party for the founder of the AUW.  It was really exciting to meet the person who had the insight to set into motion a project of this magnitude.  It makes you realize it is real people who make a difference, not some obscure entity that you only read about in the paper.  It was also nice to partake in the consumption of  bbq chicken and hotdogs and even, gasp, a beer.  

On a more serious note; cockroaches have been spotted in the building.  None have dared to enter our apartment, but I will keep everyone posted, because I know you are all as concerned as I am about the situation. 

Yay More Pictures!!!

Unknown Village

Today we had a break from the monotony of sessions.  Our group spent the morning walking through a village outside Chittagong.  However, I can not tell you the name of the village, because none of us remembered to ask.  Anywho... This was the first opportunity we have had to get out of Chittagong proper, and see how people live in less populated areas.  We walked down the main street, peering into the shops that decided to be open on a Monday.  At first a few of the villagers walked behind us out of curiosity, but the farther we walked the more people started to join our caravan.  By the time we reached the end of our walk there were about 45 people, mostly children, swarming around us.  Anytime I tried to take a picture ten children would try to jump in front of my camera.  I was amazed at how many children weren't in school.  It was rather disheartening.  We stopped to visit one of the village schools, which consisted of three corrugated tin building buildings.  Two of the buildings housed classrooms and the other looked to be a kitchen.  The woman taking us on our tour insisted that all the school children come out to the yard so that we could sing them a song.  The night before we had decided the Hokey Pokey would be fun to perform, and so we did.  The students just stared.  They could care less; they must have thought we were crazy.  Most didn't even want to try when we tried to it with them.  Apparently, the Hokey Pokey is not so big in Bangladesh.

We also got to visit a play building that our guide had built for the children of the village.  The building was three stories and included a library, computer lab, and playground.  They provide different classes for the children free of charge. One NGO even holds a school there in the morning.  It was amazing to see what this woman had given to the children of the community and how it inspired other people to give.  She told us of the many people who give their time and money to help sustain the heart.  It is encouraging to see projects that are well run and successful in a country that has its fair share of corruption and failures.  I am very excited with the idea of my students being able to do projects with the village children. 

Quick Update....Holy Shit

I just killed the biggest spider I have ever seen in my entire life.  I would have taken pictures if I hadn't been concentrating so hard on not urinating myself in fear.  It was easily the size of my palm, and I have eye witnesses for all you non-believers out there.  My heart is still beating 90mph.  The gianormous spider followed me into my room, it was so close to me I could have touched it.   I'm scared to sleep alone at night.  Tomorrow I am buying bug spray.  Good Night.  

This week was ugly

I planned on writing a long blog, but I figured a picture is worth a thousand words.  (Many sessions+Bangla lessons+writing assessment test+confusing grammar lesson) X (not enough sleep) = above picture

Second Picture Installment

Beggar Children

Today a few of us decided to spread our wings and walk from our new location to the grocery store.  We maneuvered through traffic with surprising success and I was feeling fairly confident about my new found independence when a six year old boy spotted our group and came up to beg.  Now, I have experienced beggars, some are very persistent, but I have never experienced anything like this.  I tried to be firm and say no, but the child kept pulling on my arm.  All the while more children spotted us and came up to us.  After a few minutes we have a swarm of six or seven children putting their hands in our faces, pulling on us, and touching our feet.  People on the street saw what was happening and would tell the children to leave us alone, but to no avail.  They did not stop until we entered the grocery store and they couldn't follow us.  It was so overwhelming and I think we all were a bit shook up from the experience.  It is so difficult because there is not right thing to do in a situation like that.  My only hope is, that next time, I will know exactly where I am going and not be so overwhelmed.  I do not think that it will ever get easier for me to see children begging.  I thought my heart was going to break.  I wanted to give them all my money, but what would it really solve?

...And The Story Continues

I don't know why I wait so long between each blog, because then there is so much to write about that I don't know where to start.  On Thursday night we had a small adventure.  We had tickets to attend a local high school musical.  We left the guest house around 6:20 and went directly to the schoool, but we found out the the production was somewhere else.  We then drove to another building.  I walked into an auditorium of Bangladeshis, and there were people on the stage talking in Bangla.  People in the back were staring at us like "who the hell invited them?".  We were totally at the wrong place.  Luckily we found the correct auditorium just in time.

Yesterday was great, because I had my first day off since arriving.  I was able to sit around all morning.  In the afternoon we went on an outing to the Chittagong Club.  The one place in town that serves alcohol.  Nicole and I were able to enjoy a birthday beer, and let me tell you, beer has never tasted so good.  After lunch we went to a couple different markets to do some shopping and then returned home exhausted.

Today we went to look at rickshaw art with a local art teacher.   The colors on the rickshaws are so bright.  All the artwork is done by hand.  The guys can sew so fast its amazing.  I was totally in awe.  If it was me would totally stitch my finger to the plastic.  We were all standing in a group looking into a shop and listening to the teacher when I look behind me.  There must have been at least 15 men congregating around us just watching.  The teacher had to try to shoo them away and once they were gone more just kept coming to replace them.  It was hilarious.  One guy took a picture of us with his camera phone.

  I am very pleased to state that although my presence always draws attention, I never feel unsafe in the city.  No one seems threatening.  They just look because they are curious and I feel as if most are too scared to approach us.  I feel so much safer than I thought I would and I hope it stays that way.

  Well off to another session.   

Family Coaster

Just in case you wanted to experience the family coaster first hand Amy posted a video of our wild ride on youtube.com

http://youtube.com/watch?v=rzDWquWGs8

Enjoy

My Address

So if you would like to send me a letter or even better a care package my address is:

Augustina Delaney

C/O Omar Shareef

Asian University for Women

House No.7, Road No. 2

Khulshi Hills, Chittagong

Bangladesh

If you write me I will write you.

First Picture Installment

Thus far.....

It has only been a couple days, but I still feel like I have so much to write about.  Weird, maybe thats cause I am in a totally new country.  Hmmm... where to start?  I guess with the city.  Chittagong is big and crowded.  The air pollution is insane.  My poor pink Montana lungs are slowly getting acclimated, but sometimes I sound like I have been smoking since I came out of the womb.  I always think my pictures are blurry, but really its just smog.  There are almost no westerners in the city so our group of 11 is quite the spectacle.  Every time you turn around there are 5 sets of eyes staring back at you.  People have even asked if they can take pictures of us or with us.  As soon as the car pulls up people are knocking on the windows, and putting their hands in your face asking for money.  It is difficult to ignore.  

On the lighter side, we have started to go out into the city more.  There isn't a lot for us to do entertainment wise.  We did go to the local amusement park, Foy's Lake.  The amusement park consisted of an old ferris wheel, two water slides, a caterpillar roller coaster, some swings, and a stagnant man-made pond.  The actual lake was on the other side of the amusement park and was quite beautiful.  Amy was feeling adventurous so we decided to splurge and ride the caterpillar coaster for 4o taka (about 50 cents).  The "family coaster" is similar to the kids coasters at the fair.  It was great, because we were definitely not the oldest people on the ride.  I have never seen adults genuinely having fun on a kids ride before.  It was awesome... so worth the money.

Yesterday was shopping day.  We went to a couple places before taking a break at Sugar Bun/Baskin Robbins.  I order a milkshake, and that is exactly what I got.  Milk blended with ice and I think there may have been a little bit of ice cream in the mixture also, but its hard to say....yummy.  The afternoon was the best, because we were able to buy fabric for our shalwar-kamiz (the local outfit).  I was really excited till I got to the shop and saw all the different colors and fabrics and prints.  I'm so indecisive.  It took forever to pick out what I wanted.  I was so relieved when I was done, until today when the tailor came and I had so many more choices to make.  What neckline do I want, how long do I want my kamiz, how fitted, do I want ribbon, do I want embroidery, how do I want my pants shaped, how long do I want my sleeves and on, and on, and on.   I can't believe how patient the tailor was with all the girls trying to decide what they wanted.  If I was him I would have ran the other direction.  I can't wait until my shalwar-kamizes are done.  Although, I am a little worried that they will be ugly and not what I thought I was asking for. 

Phew I think I am done for now.  Byee

I have arrived

After packing and repacking, an eighteen hour plane ride, a seven hour layover in Bangkok, a two hour plane ride, and a 5o min drive I have finally arrived.... well sorta.  We are currently staying at a guest house in Chittagong until our permanent residence is finished.  Its crazy, I can't believe that I am actually here.  

So far all I have seen of Chittagong has been on the drive from the airport here.  There are a lot of people.  Traffic is insane.  I can't believe that the city can run.  All I saw was one traffic light and no one even heeded it.  Somehow it works, because I didn't see a single accident.  I did however notice that most of the buses were pretty scraped up on the sides.  Hmmm...I wonder why that is?  

I met a couple of the people involved with the development and implementation of the Asian University for Women and I am now more motivated then before.  The women are coming from Pakistan, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and one from Myanmar.

Ok, I have to go brush my teeth.  I promise there will be more later.