New Old Dhaka

On a very spontaneous decision, my friend Ute and I decided to go to Old Dhaka, taking off from Gulshan-2 circle at about 3 pm.
I did not really know where to get off, so I just told the driver to let us out at Shodorghat, the famous harbour in Old Dhaka, where all the launches leave to almost everywhere in Bangladesh. The various rivers with their arms run through the whole country; from north and west to the coastal area in the south.

The CNG ride cost us 350 Taka due to the heavy traffic. We arrived at around 4:30 pm and immediately started to explore a "different" part of Dhaka.
Roaming around Shodorghat, there was lots to see. With a 4 Taka pass you can access the platform and see all the people coming and going, with their lugguage and lunchboxes, on a journey to or from Dhaka - maybe even overnight, as we were, when we went to Kuakata.

On the way from Shodorghat to Shankharia Bazaar/Hindu Street was Ahsan Manzil, also known as "the Pink Palace". As it was after five already, it was closed. But we were able to get some snaps and headed on to Hindu Street.
This part of Old Dhaka was "new" to me, as I have missed out on it around two and a half years ago. Street vendors roam the tiny streets and sell everything from spiritual books to paintings, jewellery and wedding gounds to food and the famous "Old Dhaka kites" for 6 Taka a piece.

On our tour Ute and I stopped and discussed in German what to do next. All of a sudden a man stood beside us, just listening. I asked if I could help him, but he apparently just wanted two people to talk in a foreign language. When I told him that it was German, he said "Oh German! I have heard people talk in German lots of time...".

We headed on. It became dark quickly and my camera wasn't performing as I wanted to. So there are no impressions of our visits to Tara Masjid/Star Mosque, Armenian Churcch and Hussaini Dalan.

But more impressions from Old Dhaka can be found on my blog post from August 2011.

#morningstories

 

The last weeks I experienced the "Bangladeshi winter" in Dhaka. It had been about 10 degree celcius in the mornings in between. Dhaka was freezing cold and foggy. In the mornings we sometimes were covered in clouds, as we live on floor 15.
Flights supposed to arrive and depart at Dhaka airport were being delayed due to the heavy fog. But it's getting better. We are enyoing 22 degree celcius plus during the day ;).

It was so cold, that even the goats weren't asking for grass but for gloves. I met this guy a couple of times on my way to work taking his goats for a walk. And I could see in their eyes their complaint about the weather.

I used to sleep with five blankets in between, some thin and others thinner. But I was okay over night. Our security guards apparently weren't. They wrapped their shawls around neck, head and ears when I left in the mornings.

I can't blame them. The other day on the rickshaw on my way to work, I was wearing vest, shirt, sweater and jacket. I rode along the neighbourhood towards Gulshan-2, when I heard a splash right beside me. While riding under a huge tree, a bird decided to share it's last night meal with me. Too good he missed me!

Once I arrive at work, I have a bowl of German Müsli. It takes me an hour to finish, as I complete e-mails on the side and start the work day. And that is how my morning ends...

Aufgetischt

At Istanbul Airport

Business Class Lounge

Office lunch

Jhaal Muri

Veggie lunch

Breakfast at Star Kabab