Bangladesh

[Khondker_Islam]

Planning to visit Bangladesh next year.Any suggestions, any precautions?

[Aqaiyum]

I would.nt consider visiting in Mid June -Aug
Its the monsoon period. Its mostly chucking in down. But the most problems are in the rural areas, huh where all the mud and also dirt is..i went over for three months during my university break to be frank i did not like it. and now i would'nt consider to go to bangladesh, well until i get bored of here. Also the traffic is hectic. My touchdown at sylhet airport was bad enough as it was boiling, and then to travel 16 miles it took almost 2.5 hours. i was not impressed..transports were clogging everywhere and the drivers know little about drive sense or even the road language. They basically do what you want on the roads. Another factor to consider is the population is increasing far too rapidly, in fact its overcrowded anywhere you go, also this is adding to all the travelling choas. The road are not so safe. We were involved in an accident, our hired Babi taxi toppled over coz the back tyre got stuck in the mud at the edge of the road. i was sent flying through the window, luckily i recieved minor injuries to my head and arm and my cousins escaped unhurt. From then i was always scared even on a rickshaw. Im happy to be back in Uk after all.

c ya

------------------
Abs

[Khondker_Islam]

Thanks Aqaiyum. I really appreciate your input.

[galib]

Although I agree with a lot of what Aqaiyum had to say, don't let that stop you from going whether it's in the summer or the winter.

In spite of all the problems in BD, the love and affection you'll experience from friends, relatives, and often just people you meet will be well worth the trip.

If you're in a cold climate now, winter in BD will seem mild and pleasant. However, if you have allergy problems, that's the time the pollens and the dust will get you. Otherwise, I personally prefer the winter time to visit BD because the summer/monsoon is too hot and humid for me.

If you've been away from BD a long time, then take some medicines with you, things like aspirins, stomach ache or diarrhea medicine, medicines for allergies, etc. A flu shot would help a lot as well. While in BD, take precautions in what you eat. Avoid normal water; drink boiled water. Avoid the street side "chatpati" and such. Talk to your doctor before you go.

Most of all, have an open mind. You'll appreciate the simplicity of life. You'll find people don't have much but you can't say that they are any less happy than anyone else. And if nothing else, if you're living in the UK, USA, or any other affluent Western country, you'll come back with a sense of how lucky you are. It will alleviate some of the frustrations of a material world.

Bon Voyage!

[Khondker_Islam]

Thanks Galib.

[Naj]

Hi there

*Take sunglasses- Make you look cool(er) and stops dirt flying into the eyes when you're travelling.

* A good pair of comfy shoe-sandles cos they'll become a part of ya

*Savlon- good for mosquito bites

*Shampoo and conditioner in one, cos I didn't like Bangladeshi stuff cos I think it was watered down or something.

*Don't let shop keepers skank you cos thay can spot a Londony from miles away- stick to ya guns and you'll learn how to barter well.

Basically just go over there and have a ball, I did.

Enjoy

Naj

[habagoba]

While visiting Bangladesh, speak ONLY English at the Airport and other places if you want to be treated nice. It's sad but worked like a charm when I went to Dhaka airport to claim a delayed baggage. It was amusing to see how they treat ppl when they knew I was born in the US (which is not true). I didn't need to pay any bribe however, I found couple items missing in the bag thru the tempered zipper.

I also noticed the difference in their treatment when I spoke only English at Aarong.

Unfortunately, we belong to the most ignorant breed of people as most muslims are!

Eat, drink, and be merry! Have fun!