I spent the week before my birthday up in Northern Bangladesh. One day, my colleagues and I went out to one of the most remote areas of the country--river islands called chars that are highly vulnerable to river erosion and flooding. Many of the people who live there are very poor. At this time of year, many of the men from the area are off in Sylhet working to help harvest rice. Often they get paid in rice, instead of wages.
Getting out there is difficult. It's a long bumpy ride on a bad road, and then another hour on a boat.
I find myself thinking about "the river" in North Carolina. This river has similar ecology, and similarly makes me want to go water skiing.
 |
| On the boat with my colleague Paroma. |
 |
| Amanda and Alvina |
 |
| Could I ski behind this? Not sure it's built for speed. |
After a week of moving around in the field, it's nice to finally go home, take a nice, long shower to wash off the dust.
It doesn't hurt that there's a delicious chocolate birthday cake awaiting me! There are worse ways to celebrate the big "30."
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment