The security situation in Dhaka is still risky. Authority announcements and embassy alerts have become kind of weather reports telling which places and activities to avoid at any given day.
Walking in the streets is not recommended.
I'm still walking, not because I don't respect the warnings but rather to demonstrate that spreading fear is cowardly.
Thus, I'm probably one of the few foreigners wandering along Dhaka's streets.
The other day I was most certainly the only foreigner doing funny walks.
Because it's not easy to move graciously when you are caught by an acute diarrhea.
I will not share details but stomach flu is an essential part of the total Bangla experience.
I did the rest of that day's observations from the toilet seat.
Dhaka has definitely shown some of its dark (if not shitty) sides recently. In addition to the terror threat there are large student protests going on. Plus the evergreens: traffic chaos, crimes, corruption, poverty and political tension.
Instead of getting depressed I'm surprised how well the society works in the middle of all the problems. With all the handicaps Bangladesh should be on its knees but astonishingly enough the economy is growing fast, people are innovative and creative, working hard, smiling most of the time.
It's almost scary to think how well this nation would do without all these (self made) problems.
Most of the pictures here are from our visit to the national monument of Bangladesh called the National Martyrs' Memorial in Savar, some 40 kilometers from Dhaka. The 46 meters tall sculpture was erected for the memory of the people who lost their lives in the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971. The war separated Bangladesh from Pakistan.
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