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