Arriving in Dhaka

Hey,

so today I arrived in Dhaka.

I arrived at 8 in the morning, after 2 hours of sleep. The guy who was supposed to pick me up from the airport didnt show up, which meant I had to go back into the airport, exchange money to call Grameen Bank and see if they know what to do. I didnt get a hold of anybody, so I decided to just take a taxi and drive into the city my own. And this time I saw someone with a sign saying "Nicolas Ritz - Grameen Bank". I smiled at him and said "Oh hello, I didnt see you the first time" He responded "Thank you"! While he was getting his car I had to wait in front of the airport and saw soo many people just standing around, yelling or starring at me.

The ride to the hotel was ... well an experience. I felt just like in the Jeep in Qatar. Most of the cars look like they were stolen after a crash-car-race, and this is exactly how they drive. They use their horn all the time but I think its just their just used to using it all the time. And because everybody uses it, no one listen to it any more. A couple times I though we might crash something or someone, but we didnt. All the people in the other cars starred at me and on the whole 45 min ride through the city to the hotel, I saw one white lady in another car.



This is the only picture I took today because I was too amazed by all the impressions. In the back you can see a usual bus. In the front you can see a very new car. The remarkable is that besides the licence plate you can see some feathers. So it seems like the guy just put his chicken in the trunk. hmm

The hotel room is nice but small. But I have a TV (just Bangladesh program) and a fridge.
After I rested for a couple minutes. I called the bank again and they said I should come over. Its just a 10 min walk and it was nice to be closer to the people.

The people at the bank are really nice. I met two other intern, both from Bangladesh. We watched a 2 hour movie about the bank and discussed some things (for example wasnt it a good idea to come with shorts, no one wears them although its hot).

I found out that the working times are very flexible. You work as much as you want and almost do whatever you want. I will have to find some things during the next days.

Tomorrow I will already go on a field trip. I dont really know what we will see. They told, but I didnt understand it that. I still have to get used to the language of the mixture between English and Bangladeshi. Although Im surpried how many people speak or at least understand English.
Back in the hotel I bought some bread, Oranges and Nutella. Of course I will try local food but not in the first days. At the hotel I met a french girl, who works for Grameen as well. She invited me on a tea and we talked a little bit. She told me about some plans for the weekend to go to the south to see the world longest sand beach. And I took her invitation to come with her and 4 other girls and one guy, all interns at Grameen. She was really nice and stays till the end of August as well, so I dont have to be afraid to be the only European around here.

Then I took a 3 hours nap. Although I know it would have been better to stay awake to get used to the time difference, but I was just soo tired.

After that I ate something and now Im here using the free Internet of my hotel. Although I think 10 $ is too much for the room here in Dhaka I think I will stay because a little bit luxury will be good and all other interns are here as well.

I will see how the trip tomorrow will be and of course I will hook you up with infos.

Take care...