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Mudhi or muri is delicious street food made of puffed rice and many different flavors, from sweet to savory.   Baro Bhaja  And sweet Tel Pitha - for us, Christmas pancakes - similar to a deep fried donut. 
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After a few days of being here, I still didn’t know what I was going to be doing such as working in the clinic, teaching, helping with the babies, etc. The principal and Robyn got us together and discussed what they would like us to do. I was hoping that I could just help out in the clinic and then teach piano, but they wanted me to teach science and health to the 4th graders (they call it class 4), IT/computers to class 7, and piano. I was about ready to throw up, but I said 'Yes' anyway. Right after we talked I went to the 4th grade teacher and tried to get better understanding of what I would be doing because that next day would be my first day on the job. I had no clue what I was doing! It has definitely been a rollercoaster for these past few months. The school system here isn’t the best and it’s hard when I’m trying to teach but the teacher has to translate it anyway. I know for sure that I will NOT be a teacher as my ultimate career goal. Some days it is fun and other days is total chaos.  This is one of the simpler things we take care of in the clinic.  School is OUT! The kids are enjoying their break from studies. Preparing for Christmas!   And caroling! Merry Christmas from Bangladesh!!
The first Sunday here, it was time to go into Hili, the town where we get most of our supplies and food, to get our kemeses (traditional dress) picked out and made. It was a rainy day, when I say rainy, I mean like a shower. It took about a 30 min drive to Hili and then we all piled out with our umbrellas walking the streets first to get our pictures taken for our India visa and then to the clothing store. The shops here are made out of cement, bamboo, and lots of tin. When the rain hits it sounds as though the drops would break the roofs. As I walked in the first shop, my eyes will never be the same. There were so many patterns and styles all stacked up to the ceiling! The shop workers started to pick out designs and colors that we might like, take them out of the packaging, place them on the counter, and then looked to see the expressions on our faces, whether we liked them or not. Bangladesh people really like their bright, fluorescent, multi patterns. I got three kemeses there and then headed to a different shop. I ended up getting two more kemeses and one sahri for special occasions. After that we walked to the tailor and took a couple measurements and said they would be ready to be picked up the next Sunday. It was great getting out of our campus to see a little bit more of Bangladesh.
The rainy season is over before it turns into winter here, where it’s cooler and a little bit more dry. The rain is probably one of my favorite things about living here as it cools the temperature and I love the fresh smell and new land. Most of the kids here don’t like it because they are afraid of getting sick and they think it's really cold. I was in my apartment when the best rainfall happened. I dashed outside to run around and soak up the fresh air. It felt so good some of the girls saw me and wanted me to go upstairs to their rooms. I went up there and they thought I was Pāgala, meaning crazy, for running around in the rain, but it was too good to pass up. Then we went up on the roof, played around in the large courtyard “pond,” and then we were soaked and filled with laughter. It was a good day not only because of the rain but because I was able to connect with some of the kids that I hadn’t been able to before. 
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~ Kate ~Writing about my student mission experience in Bangladesh. Archives
February 2021
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