Visit to Harun's- Wednesday

 Today we left after an early lunch, and honked, bumped, and lurched our way through what seemed to me must be the heart and soul of Bangladesh. Green lush rice fields, drying jute, colorfully dressed people, and dusty palm trees flood the countryside. Past brick factories, and schools and lots of market places. And into country where by the looks and stares and shouts, a person wonders if a white person has ever before traveled back here. We come to a stop alongside a cactus fence, and crawl out of the vehicle checking to make sure all limbs and body parts are still attached to us. Then down the narrow brick path into the yard of a dear brother and sister who are eagerly waiting for us. We take off our sandals and sit down on the mat under the awning of the porch. They have a little hut i will call it with two beds inside. Maybe some type of cupboard or dresser, and that is just about all. This porch hangs over the front side of the hut and provides sleeping shelter for the children. As far as i can tell, its made completely of dirt, built up off the ground about 18 inches or so. Just a step or two away, there is the open sided barn for a cow and her calf. The children very quickly spot the newborn goat kids and they join us for our service under the porch. Right next to the sleeping hut, is her kitchen hut. Once again an open air front porch holds a stove/ oven she has made by digging holes into the dirt for her fire and I suppose a couple of the holes are just to provide air and oxygen to the fire. Inside her kitchen is where she keeps her few dishes and her stockpile of "poo sticks". This is her firewood, which she has made by packing cow manure up and down the "spine" of a palm branch. She dries these in the sun, and she has her fire making material. All of these structures are very short and low ceilinged. The roofs have some kind of clay tile looking stuff on them and tin. All houses here are made of brick plastered over with cement?. I do see some very poor houses made of bamboo and roofed with some kind of thatch. maybe rice straw or palm leaves? Not exactly sure. 

Anyway, we sat and visited with this couple, and their children. Sang a few songs, Merv and Travis both shared a few thoughts... afterwards, we ladies strolled through the neighborhood i will call it. Looks to me like here there are groups of houses all over and they are built very close together with just foot paths between. Their animals live right there with them. We sat with one lady a bit.... heard thunder in the distance. This country is in the time of year when they are eagerly awaiting the rain. To wash off the dust and grime of the dry winter months. And to refill the ponds that everyone has and uses for washing and bathing. 

After another while of visiting, we pile back into the van and trek back toward Khulna and home. We make some stops for street food and cold cokes. To my chagrin, it gets dark before we get home and i have to bite my tongue and hold on for dear life while this van hurtles past and over and around the many many people and vehicles of all shapes sizes and speeds. Truly not for the faint of heart. But we arrive back home safe and sound. 

oh yes, the dress mode for the day is a full wrap around sari. I feel much like a Swartzentuber Amish lady as is dress this way. Except the end result is prettier. You put on a tight fitting little short shirt, and matching long skirt that ties around your waist. Then you start wrapping this 7 yard piece of fabric around and pleating it here and there and tucking it into that skirt that you hoped is tight enough to hold everything. Now these women are not concerned about getting every inch of skin covered. I prefer not to have my back and sides showing.... If you are old enough, you have earned the right toleave off the shirt underneath and wear the sari as you please, wrapped around modestly, or..... not. To be sure, it would be cooler!!! I was glad when i could change back to a three piece!!! I think that if i would get used to it and learn how to properly put it on and not constantly mess with it and check to make sure it was always in place, i wouldnt mind wearing one once in a while. They are pretty and the ladies who wear them nicely, look very regal in them i think.