We have now entered a new country. Bangladesh has a common history with India, all the way up until the partition in 1947. Still it feels different in many ways. In Bangladesh there are no tourists – at least not at this time of the year. It feels like a relief, coming from Dharamsala and Delhi, which are crowded with tourists, even during the winter low season.
Here in Dhaka, the capitol of Bangladesh, with its 12 million inhabitants, it is something special that a group of 23 young Europeans have arrived. People notice us. They stare more than in India. But the attention is a friendly one. When you look back and smile, you almost always get a big smile and often a friendly comment.
I feel very welcome here in Bangladesh. Little things. A poor couple, having their lunch on the pavement call for me to come over and share the little they have. The shop keeper runs over to his home for a laptop and mobile, to set it up for me when he realizes I need internet and the netcafé is not yet open. A group of teenage boys shout across the street “Welcome to Bangladesh”. When I ask for the way, people walk with me long distances only to make sure I have arrived well and then they say thank you and goodbye.
Already after 3 days here, I have so many examples like these. Little gestures of hospitality – not because they want something from me, but just out of interest and helpfulness. The people of Bangladesh make me feel very welcome and I must say I love it here!
