Dhaka
This place feels tropical - the trees, the humidity, even some of the buildings. Being driven around town and seeing all the construction in the midst of (palm?) trees, you can see the city as it hopes to be - more developed, less dusty, proud. If I do get to come back here in a couple years, I will be interested to see how the city has changed.
3 for 3 - wonderful colleagues here, too. Didn't pay for a single meal I had with any of them (I've spent the equivalent of $10 total since I arrived Saturday evening, since I've been able to walk around the corner to the office rather than take a taxi), was accompanied on a shopping trip, and went to the American Club with a colleague who used to work with me in DC (where I ate my first salad in two weeks!). Work days were more laid back, too - fewer meetings, more time for independent work. Wandered on foot for the first time today, to a cafe with wifi for some chill reading time. Feeling pretty relaxed as I prepare for the long journey home.
And a journey it will be. I land in Doha at 3am local time, which is 6am Dhaka time, and 8pm DC time. My next flight doesn't take off until 8:45am Doha time. Assuming the restaurant and duty free are open during those hours, I plan to wander the main terminal and stay awake if possible, hoping to be entirely exhausted and sleep for a good chunk of the leg to DC. Otherwise, I'll pay for the lounge again, and probably doze. Best case scenario, the 24 hours will pass quickly. Looking forward to sleeping in my own bed tomorrow night (which will feel like 3am by the time I reach it at 5pm).
The few pictures I took in Dhaka are here.
3 for 3 - wonderful colleagues here, too. Didn't pay for a single meal I had with any of them (I've spent the equivalent of $10 total since I arrived Saturday evening, since I've been able to walk around the corner to the office rather than take a taxi), was accompanied on a shopping trip, and went to the American Club with a colleague who used to work with me in DC (where I ate my first salad in two weeks!). Work days were more laid back, too - fewer meetings, more time for independent work. Wandered on foot for the first time today, to a cafe with wifi for some chill reading time. Feeling pretty relaxed as I prepare for the long journey home.
And a journey it will be. I land in Doha at 3am local time, which is 6am Dhaka time, and 8pm DC time. My next flight doesn't take off until 8:45am Doha time. Assuming the restaurant and duty free are open during those hours, I plan to wander the main terminal and stay awake if possible, hoping to be entirely exhausted and sleep for a good chunk of the leg to DC. Otherwise, I'll pay for the lounge again, and probably doze. Best case scenario, the 24 hours will pass quickly. Looking forward to sleeping in my own bed tomorrow night (which will feel like 3am by the time I reach it at 5pm).
The few pictures I took in Dhaka are here.
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