Wing it in Bangladesh!

[Benji77]

Just thought I should share some shots and my overall experience while in Dhaka / Sylhet Division, Bangladesh last week.
This was a random solo 8-Day trip I need to do to get away from Singapore. It was an awesome experience.
Save for a minor blimp in the sleepy town of Srimongol, I had great food, excellent interactions with the locals, and an experience of Bengali culture you will never find in another Asian country.

Their culture is amazing. They are extremely welcoming of you, even treating you to tea and offering to be show you around the neighbourhood.
If you have been considering visiting, please do so. If its for photography, please ensure that you treat them not as photo subjects, but as your hosts.

With a general plan for this visit, I set about to visit Dhaka Division, Sylhet Division and Srimongol before ending back at Dhaka.
Internal travels would be via their inter-city trains. I will try to mark out the film type and lens used for each shot....
Gears were the M2 + 25ZM + 35 VC + 50 ZM Sonnar + GRD4.
Film = Provia 100F, Ektar 100, Ektarchrome 100, Acros 100, Delta 400.

#1 Gulshan Lake, Dhaka City, ZM25/2.8

#2 Korail Slum, Dhaka City, ZM25/2.8 or 35

#3 Korail Slum, Dhaka City, ZM25

#4 Street snacks, Dhaka City, Sonnar / Ektar 100

This was excellent. The base is similar to our local muruku, added fresh tomato and onion slices, fresh green chili. Superb!

#5 Fresh coconut, Dhaka City, Sonnar / Ektar 100

 

[raytoei]

**clap clap** well done sir....

 

[Benji77]

#6 Srimongol, 35 or 50, Delta 400.

#7 Srimongol

#8 GRD4

#9

#10 GRD4

I had tea, tried their 'pan' (betel nut wrapped in leaf), their sweet snacks, and wonderful food like naan and roti.
Most importantly, I had the opportunity to engage them in their culture. It is truly an amazing country where you experience their people, and not their monuments and structures.

 

[Benji77]

There was an evening I really 'winged' it by arriving back at Dhaka 0015hr via inter-city train, Srimongol. I had no room planned for the night, and intended to search. Bad move.
Looking back, these shots make up for it , plus the experience of course.

#11 Sonnar / Acros

#12 Sylhet, Sonnar / Acros

#13 Sylhet, Sonnar / Acros

#14 Sylhet, 25 / Acros

He was on duty for the premises (Govinda Fort), where entry to public is actually not permitted. But he agreed to show me around, and with a guided tour at that!

 

[Benji77]

#15 Mechanic at work, Dhaka City, 25ZM Ektar 100

#16 Wholesale centre, Sylhet, 25ZM Ektar 100

#17 Mr Mustafiz, Assistant Professor, Department of English, Sylhet International University, Sonnar
Met Mr Mustafiz along the street of Sylhet as he was out doing his marketing. He spoke about Singapore's NUS, working opportunities in Singapore, as well as the reknowned Mount Elizabeth Hospital.
Its amazing how they regard Singapore. He invited me to his home (huge), made me tea and cooked me prata with a fresh egg on the side. Thats hospitality for you!

#18 Mr Muhiul Islam Chowdhury, Sylhet. 25ZM, Acros
He was on his Yamaha, and his companion was travelling from Dhaka. Extremely friendly, we hit it off immediately with me saying how lucky I was to meet a 'Chowdhury'.

 

[newghost]

Love those sonnar shots bro! :lovegrin: Nice series, keep 'em coming!

 

[Benji77]

#19

#20 Street Hawker selling cigerattes and 'Pan', Sonnar / Ektar 100

#21 Street Hawker, selling...lamb! 25 or 35, Ektar 100

 

[rosewood1969]

Bro...nice series...could you share your itinerary?your pictures really show the life there...keep it up!

 

[Benji77]

Love those sonnar shots bro! :lovegrin: Nice series, keep 'em coming!

Thank you newghost!

Bro...nice series...could you share your itinerary?your pictures really show the life there...keep it up!

Sure thing bro. Will send you a PM and thank you for the compliments!

 

[Cactus jACK]

#2 Korail Slum, Dhaka City, ZM25/2.8 or 35

#3 Korail Slum, Dhaka City, ZM25

great stuff benji77!! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

 

[Benji77]

Thank you CJ!

 

[aomoon]

Ben, nice series and awesome trip!

 

[Benji77]

He was manning a stall most probably owned by his family selling 'Cha' and snacks in Korail Slum. Check out his grin.

He was using a stone to knock a nail into the ground. I had no idea what he was searching for or doing, but he was extremely engrossed in it.
Simple things they do that we have lost in our world of computers and television.

Do we still climb walls or is that a thing of the past for our 'modern' kids now?

 

[Benji77]

Ben, nice series and awesome trip!

Thanks Bro!