Just over a month ago I was invited to Bangladesh as a part of the IREX international exchange I applied for over a year ago. I did not make the "first" cut and had originally applied for Azerbaijan. After a phone call in January, some frantic planning, added pages in my passport, flight arranging and visa applications I was making plans to head to a school outside of Dhaka. If trying to contact my contact in Bangladesh was any indication of what is yet to come I am anticipating the need to be flexible, but that is one of the "fun" things of travel. He keeps telling me "yes, yes no problem, you worry when you get here." Not sure when I should worry, but there is nothing I can do now.
So here I am waiting for my flight to Dhaka in the Hong Kong airport. I am taking advantage of the free Wi-Fi internet because I am pretty sure internet access will be limited in Bangladesh. Who knows, I am waiting to be surprised. I managed to sleep much of the flight across the Pacific, not sure if I was exhausted, but I was out a good chunk of the way. Considering the flight left at noon US time, I am surprised I was able to pretend it was the time to sleep.
I am off into the unknown and unsure what to expect. I am expecting the unexpected and looking forward to the experience. It is significantly different than traveling for fun or the Japan experience where I was a "guest" of the Japanese government and told what to do, what to wear and where to go at every second of the trip. This is more like: here is your ticket, here is your contact, write a report when you get back. Sounds like fun.
I feel like I over-packed simply because I have no ideas what to expect, in terms of weather, dress for school, what to wear, what not to wear. Flexibility apparently means bring everything. Oh well. I am ready for anything. I am anxious about Bangladesh. There are a few places on the planet I know little about, at least the basics, Bangladesh is one of them. I've been reading up and preparing myself for a place unaccustomed to tourists. It sounds like it can be overwhelming and unbelievable at the same time.
Ok I am off to catch the flight to Dhaka and into the unknown.
What an adventure.
