#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...

Ahoi!

I like farewells. They mark the end of something existing and the beginning of something new.

Company Iftar Cruise. Goodbye Jamil, welcome Cathrin!

It is always a good opportunity to go out and have lunch the buffet style...

Linna's farewell at Verbanella's

Christine's lunch invitation at Heritage - Yam!

And most importantly just go and hang out with lovely friends at places like The Cream & Fudge Factory in Banani.


Aylin's farewell in July



As you might assume, I am heading back to Germany. If you still wanna keep reading what I post every now and then, make sure to stop by once in a while. I have to follow-up on soooo many things I did, saw and experienced here in Bangladesh and will post a lot of pictures, once I am back. There is our trip to Sonargaon, stuff about mosquitoes, food, markets, signboards...

Coming up:

This is how we do it

Representin' to the fullest: The German, the Bangladeshi and the Europian

When things go downhill

Picard since 1928

Before coming to Bangladesh, I didn't know the brand Picard from Germany. Apparently, my interests were in other fields than leather bags, which cost up to 200 Euros. As Picard is a member of the chamber I intern at, I decided to go on a trip and visit them.

Taking along my fellow intern Matteo and our counterparts from the German Embassy, we went on to see, how those high quality (and high valued) bags were manufactured in a factory about an hour drive north of Dhaka.

As I was told, about 70% of all Picard items are manufactured in Savar. Walking around the premises, we were able to see how little wallets to large executive bags were made. Skilled workers sit in groups at workstations and are headed by a group leader. From coloring cutting edges to the quality control of ladies purses, we got an insight on what different stages a bag needs to go through until it is ready for shipment.
Besides the regular training the employees get, the company has a medical station and provides day care for babies and young children for free.

Too bad though, that there wasn’t a company sale going on, since all items were shipped to Germany for the next Christmas season...




A couple of hundred Euros?

 




exclusively made for the Japanese market

 




Can I have all of these, please?

 

This is how I roll!

The opposition called for a national strike today. This is the second time after my arrival, that I had to face "Hartal". Basically most people stay home and only go out, if they really have to. Running errands in your neighbourhood is not a problem but one should prevent from going long distances on major routes. The party protesting easily accuses innocent people of not supporting the strike. If you are in a vehicle, they might smash your glasses. I even heard that they forced people, who were on their way to work, to take off their pants.

This morning we did not drive by car to work, we took a Rickshaw. I arrived at work with my pants on. This is how I roll:

Rickshaw fare from Chowdhury Para to Gulshan-1: 50 Taka.