It has been a week!

Hello from Dhaka!

I have now been in Bangladesh for a week, it is amazing how time flies! I have really been enjoying my time with Habitat for Humanity Bangladesh. This week has focused on learning about what other habitat offices around the world do in terms of advocacy as well as trying to gain a better understanding of the issues in Bangladesh. I was able to accompany my supervisor on two wonderful interviews concerning organizations working on advocacy here in Bangladesh, and even though one was entirely in Bengali, it was still a great experience.  Next week I will go with my supervisor on a trip to some offices in northern Bangladesh. It will be great to see outside of the big city and better understand how habitat works within communities. 

I'm still staying at the hotel right around the corner of the habitat offices, but on Sunday I will move into my apartment. I thought the hotel was close, but the apartment is in the building directly beside habitat, from the living room I can even see the habitat office. The habitat staff have been incredibly helpful in arranging the apartment and although it is far more space than I need, the location could not be more ideal. This city is so incredibly busy and having the ability to not deal with a long, hectic, and at times difficult to traverse commute is wonderful. 

At the moment I don't have very many pictures, other than of the bird that greets me outside my window each morning at 7am, but then again throughout the day.  I wish I could type the noise that comes out of this little thing but, caaa, caa, caa doesn't really express it in the proper way. 

I hope to be able to take a lot of pictures this coming week, its just that while zooming through the city, with being on the move and being in places where taking pictures would be appropriate. 

During this past week I have primarily spent my time at the habitat office or at the hotel, but I have still learned some rather interesting tid bits about Bangladesh. First, the work week goes from Sunday-Thursday here, I am enjoying this right now! Second, Bangladesh is the size of the state of Iowa but has a population larger than Russia (this one blew my mind). Third, the exchange rate is 80 taka for each US dollar. At the hotel my meals have averaged around 500 taka each night. Fourth, the time difference between Indianapolis and Dhaka is 10 hours. 

I hope to update the blog while I'm up north next week, but that all depends on internet access. 

Keep making those memories!