Here are a few notes about the past few days:
- Aaron and I showed our shameless American dependency on processed foods when we joyfully discovered a supermarket in Kulna a few days ago. We went back to Kulna to take out more taka from an ATM and so that Aaron could visit a bike shop and buy some Bangladeshi bike parts. At the grocery store we loaded up on peanut butter, salty crackers, bread and even dry pasta and tomatoe sauce to cook for everyone at the Tala center. We left feeling great and holding ice cream bars. (ps I was convinced that no such supermarket existed in the area but Aaron persisted and he was proven correct. my bad)
- A food words about filming a documentary in a foregin coutry. It's hard. It's a challenge despite having total support and insider connections from the organization, a dedicated driver and every day pre-planned for us. Everywhere we go to do interviews of just landscape shots we find ourselves encircled by 20, 30, 2000 bangaldeshi villagers interested in what the weirdo white people are doing. Therefore, not much can be 'spontaneous, natural' behavior. Sometimes, on days like today when we went to an area of landless people, the scene is really chaotic. We try to interview one person but at least 4 start talking as well, cell phones go off, a guy hacks a lugee every 15 minutes, a cow or goat starts moaning, babies cry, kids get restless and start fighting each other...... it gets stressful, but just have to go with it and keep smiling.
- I went for a walk alone the other day and got a taste of how much harder this would be if I didn
t have men around me at all times. Walking along the road, every person on a bicyle or van (a bike with a platform on the back to take more people in) stared at me so long i thought they;d crash. A hoard of young boys came at me and threw all 6 words of english they knew over and over. Every other man I passed yelled out to me, women either looked at me and started giggled or gave me stony looks. Still, it;s all from from a distance. In India, it would be more likely for men to come over and grab at me.
- Aaron will post his debut blog soon so check back soon. He.ll also post a strong of video clips he put together for fun.
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Wow, that description of you walking alone was totally eye-opening. What a completely different world. I'm impressed with your determination to create the piece of art the people deserve, despite these obstacles. I love reading your updates and wish you both lots of luck!
ReplyDeleteTherese
Hack a lugee?
ReplyDeleteWhen you start doing the same, let us know. We'll send you TB meds.
Your nailbiting parents
Are you still taking the doxycycline? If so, it could be causing your nausea. (Not suggesting you stop it, just a thought).
ReplyDeleteQuite a journey, both personal and professional!
XXXOOO - Sheryl
Just want to thank you for the insider's view of the work and struggles that Uttaran endures to help the disenfranchised of Bangledesh, as well as Banglesh society in general. I know I'm not the only one that feels that it has been most enlightening. Granted, one reads and/or hears about global poverty and what's being done to combat it, but it's all the more important to expose the world at large to the struggle and the hope.
ReplyDeleteIt's very important and noble work you're doing and I can't wait to see the documentary. Be well and godspeed.
Namaste xoxo,
Jamal