Out on a Dhaka adventure...kinda.

So, yesterday was a pretty big day. John and I ventured beyond our little confines of Road 50 and into the world of Gulshan. We headed out in the morning in search of running shoes for John. Who knew that Bata shoes may be one of Canada's greatest exports. I was kinda disappointed to know that I have big feet by Bangladeshi standards and couldn't find any sandals. But John got two new pairs of shoes. We then went to pick up gym stuff from the hotel and then headed out on our first Rickshaw adventure to the Canadian Club. We have had this guy bugging us every time we leave the hotel or work, asking us if we want a rickshaw, following us if we walk anywhere, so finally he got his dream and we got a ride. His name is Rickshaw Wallah Ali. His rickshaw is in desperate need of repair. It was an interesting experience. John and I were nicely jammed in there, but felt that every turn or stop, one of us would go tumbling out. I wish I had had my camera with me, but I forgot. Anyways, we finally got our memberships sorted out with Jalal, who may be one of the nicest people I have met. The gym facility is pretty awesome. Pretty much all new machines, free weights galore, just needs some more stretching mats. I had a good work out and then we hung out by the pool, read and had some lunch. It is nice to be in a place where I can wear a tank top without being stared at, or even worse. We then headed back to Aarong, the store that I got my clothes. I picked up two more Salwaar Kameez, but with the wide leg this time. Have to laugh cause they are like Hammer Pants.....da na na na, na na Can't touch this. Anyways, they make me laugh, but they are comfy - I know Stacy and Clinton say that is not excuse to dress badly, but what if everyone has them on?

So back to the hotel for a little rest time, and then Kim (head of the Asia Foundation in Bangladesh) and his wife Muna picked us up to head to Russell's house (another colleague).  We had a drink there, met one of Russell's sons, whose prom it was last night and chatted for a bit. There were three other people with us. The head of USAID in Bangladesh, a Bengali-Canadian woman whose husband is a hot shot business man here, and Forest, the man who knows everything and everyone in the development community in South and South-East Asia. Anyways, we then headed to the Shilpakala Academy which is apparently like their national performing arts center. We were at a Korean dance performance hosted by the Korean embassy. It was funny, we were ushered in as very important people, and were sitting in amongst all the people from the Bengali government and all the ambassadors. It was strange. 

Ok, so then they start announcing all these people. There are tv camera's everywhere, which is apparently a very Bengladeshi thing. There lights are on you all the time. Very annoying. Then everybody does their speeches...Ali is getting bored. Finally the dancing starts, and I realise the tv camera's are still going, as well there are now print photographers up at the edge of the stage taking pictures. There are people in the audience with video cameras. This country is crazy. Then between each dance, we had this man tell us what each dance was about and what we should feel about it....this exquisite demonstration of ability should evoke feelings of love....it was ridiculous. Plus he didn't speak English very well, so it took forever. The Bengali-Canadian woman was sitting next to me, and we both got the giggles. Apparently this is not a normal thing to have happen at the theatre here, but it was just so funny. Then, the other thing, nobody turned off their cell phones. The guy behind us, actually answered his, and then accidently pressed speaker phone and all you can here is "Hello? Hello? Hello?" which made me laugh a little more. The performance was actually quite impressive, especially the drumming. But with all the other stuff going on around, it was hard to concentrate. 

Anyways, we then headed for a Korean restaurant, which was fitting. It was really good. Lots of conversation and laughs. Anyways, it was a great day, very entertaining in general. Who knows what today will bring.