Apparently we’re on hiatus around here, although I’m not sure if it’s still a hiatus after months of inactivity. Anyways – not that it’s a great excuse – but working has gotten in the way of blogging, and especially interferes with making excursions to find interesting photos for the blog. Maybe when I’ve built up a collection of pictures again I can start posting them, til then … apologies for the break.
The National Martyrs’ Monument in Savar, just outside of Dhaka, honors those who were killed in the Liberation War. The Monument was constructed between 1972 and 1988. Around the main monument are 10 graves of unknown soldiers from the Liberation War.
A tiny little tea stall on the side of the road near or house. Note that this is actually built on stilts, suspended over the drainage ditch. Once again, they manage to make use of every possible open space in the crowded city.
I pass this outdoor barber stand on my way to work each day. It looks like the barber does a brisk business, offering both haircuts and shaves. I think he charges between a dollar and two.
Rickshaw Rest Stop
Published October 13, 2008 Dhaka , Food , People , Transportation , Urban Scenes 1 Comment
This is a roadside restaurant for rickshaw drivers and others who are looking for the basics – bananas, bread, and a cigarette. (Others nearby offered slightly more filling options, including eggs and noodles.) Because of the food price increases, rice has become unaffordable for people at the lowest income levels – like rickshaw drivers. They might only eat bananas and biscuits after pedaling their rickshaw around all day in the sun.
Gulshan Circle
Published October 12, 2008 Dhaka , People , Transportation , Urban Scenes Leave a Comment
We had lunch in a restaurant overlooking Gulshan Circle 2 today, so I could take some semi-aerial pictures of the circle. Only half of the actual circle in shown here, to give a little bit more detail. This was lunchtime on a Sunday, the first day of the workweek here. (We were off for Columbus Day. Thanks Columbus!) Anyways, you can see tons of people waiting for the bus, and get a general idea of the traffic flow.
This is Apollo Hospital in Dhaka. One of the newest and nicest hospitals in Bangladesh, it is a branch of an Indian-based chain. The treatment and facilities are quite good, including advanced technologies such as an MRI machine and CT scanner.
The most amazing part of the panjals constructed for Durga Puja is that they were put up right over the existing roadways. The area of Old Dhaka where most of the festivities took place is a crowded maze of tiny roads, and for this week it was pedestrian-only. The temples were built on bamboo scaffolding right over the walkways, making full use of all available space in the already crowded city.
This week was Durga Puja, one of the main Hindu holidays. Although Bangladesh is only about 14% Hindu, these communities tend to group together in specific towns or areas creating vibrant cultural centers. The festival goes on for about a week and includes numerous traditional rituals; some background and description is available here. Today we went to see some of the pandals, or temporary temples, that have been constructed in a Hindu part of Dhaka. The Hindu community celebrates with new clothes, and everyone was out in their finest to give offerings to the gods. Interestingly, even the Muslims come out to observe the festivities. Above is a picture of Durga in one of the pandals.
A frequent sight around here: the Gulshan Goatherd. Gulshan is our neighborhood, one of the upscale suburbs of Dhaka. These goats call it home too.
The Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho in Bangkok is 46 meters long and 15 meters high. The reclining position of the Buddha is quite unique and depicts the Buddha just before passing into nirvana.
A mythical guardian outside one of the temples we visited in Bangkok.
OK, so I’m back in Dhaka, but I can’t resist sharing a few more pictures from Thailand. They’re just so … pretty.
A fill-up spot for scooters. Scooters and motorcycles are a main form of transport in Phuket, Thailand’s largest island.
