Travel in Bangladesh, Climate, Cuisine, & Locals

First of all, I want to give a huge thank you to my friend and his family who invited me into their country with great hospitality and kindness. Thank you for taking care of me, arranging accommodations, and coordinating our driver. It was a life-changing experience, and I am excited to share it with the world.

Diving into the heart of Bangladesh has been a transformative experience, surpassing mere sightseeing to become a deep immersion into its rich cultural tapestry. From meeting warm-hearted locals eager to share their stories to witnessing vibrant cultural events resonating with centuries of tradition, every moment has been memorable.

As I navigated bustling streets and tranquil rural landscapes alike, the warmth and hospitality of the Bangladeshi people have left an unforgettable mark on my journey. Whether conversing over steaming cups of cha (tea) or delving into the intricacies of local crafts at bustling markets, each encounter has painted a vivid picture of the country's character.

Join me as I recount my adventures through this enchanting land, exploring not just the sights to see but the stories that breathe life into them. Bangladesh has welcomed me with open arms, and I invite you to embark on this journey, where every encounter reveals a new facet of this vibrant and diverse country.

First Impressions in Bangladesh

When I first landed in Dhaka, Bangladesh's largest city, we drove from the airport to the flat where we were staying, and I have to admit, I experienced a bit of culture shock at first. Being a passenger in a car driving through Dhaka was quite an experience to say the least! Coming from the USA, I hadn't fully prepared myself for the driving style in Bangladesh. As soon as we left the airport, I immediately noticed the distinct driving environment: I heard constant honking horns, saw a pedestrian get tapped by a moving car, and noticed the cars equipped with bumper stoppers to minimize collision damage.

As we continued driving and I realized we were safe and unlikely to crash, despite occasional close calls, I started to relax and take in the bustling city of Dhaka. There are very few traffic lights, and driving lanes are not strictly adhered to, creating a controlled chaos on the roads that seems to flow and function. In Dhaka, the sound of car horns is almost constant throughout the city. In the USA, car horns are sparingly used and can be seen as rude; however, in Bangladesh, they are used frequently to communicate with other drivers, rickshaws, pedestrians, and even animals like cattle on the road.

Traffic in Dhaka is heavy, which is expected in one of the world's most populated cities. If you travel outside Dhaka to the countryside, you can expect lighter traffic.

City Experiences

As we drove out of Dhaka, leaving behind the towering skyscrapers and multi-lane paved roads, we headed for the Bangladeshi countryside. Soon, we came across roadside shops selling food and furniture, offering motorbike repairs, and even functioning as pharmacies. These shops, found along the mostly dirt roads within local villages, were my first glimpse into the region's unique infrastructure. The structures were made of bamboo, wood, sheet metal, and sometimes brick, a stark contrast to what I was used to. This experience gave me a new perspective and appreciation for where I live; it was life-changing.

The road was extremely bumpy. At times, I would hit my head on the ceiling of the Toyota Hiace we were traveling in. Adding to the excitement, passing slower vehicles while heading into oncoming traffic is a common practice in the Bangladeshi countryside. If you are accustomed to driving in the Western world, I would recommend hiring a driver.

As we continued, we encountered medium-sized cities with buildings, intersections, and occasional roadside shops. Our destination was Kishoreganj, a larger city with high-rises, established roads, and developed homes. In Kishoreganj, the roads were narrow, making it difficult to navigate in our van. These narrow roads are much more suitable for rickshaws and motorbikes, which makes sense since most residents do not own cars. Rickshaws noticeably dominated the crowded streets.

The narrow roads were lined with electrical lines running over and down the sides of buildings. Often, in the afternoon and at night, we experienced blackouts, which are a normal part of life in this city, typically lasting one to two hours. At night, this was not a big deal, as we would be sleeping and the power would usually be back on by morning. Waking up to the sound of the Muslim prayer call echoing throughout the city was a special experience for me as I lay in bed, listening.

Traveling from Dhaka, Bangladesh's largest city, to the countryside, and onward to Kishoreganj is a journey I highly recommend to any visitor to this Southeast Asian country. Along the 70-mile (113 km) route, you'll witness a striking contrast in infrastructure and lifestyles. Bangladesh offers a blend of modern cities and charming, traditional settings. Go out and explore to discover which you prefer!

Bangladesh Climate

Traveling through Bangladesh offers a charming experience shaped by its diverse weather and climate. The country thrives under a tropical monsoon climate, making it essential for travelers to understand its seasonal variations. My friend and I visited Bangladesh in August, which is during the rainy season. Luckily for us it did not rain too much. The monsoon season, spanning from June to October, transforms the landscape with lush greenery and heavy rains, creating a contrast of beauty and the possibility of travel disruptions.

Despite the challenges of flooding, it's a time when the countryside comes alive with vibrant colors and rejuvenated rivers. As we drove through the countryside, we encountered numerous rice paddies and rushing rivers. Thankfully, we did not experience any flooding, so we got to experience the vibrant, colorful countryside instead. It was very hot and humid when I was there; even though it did not rain heavily, you could still feel the moisture in the air. I think I sweated more on this trip than on any other trip in my entire life. Make sure to bring multiple changes of clothes if you want to stay sweat-free during the day.

The most popular time to visit is in the winter, from November to February, when the weather is cooler and dry, with temperatures ranging from 54°F (12°C) to 77°F (25°C). If you are planning to visit this exciting country, plan your travels according to the weather and the types of activities you will be doing.

Bangladesh Cuisine

During my time in Bangladesh, I had the privilege of being invited into local homes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day I was there. Meals were served in a 'family-style' setup which helped to foster closer connections with those I ate with. Portions were large due to the variety of dishes—each serving was more than enough. As a lover of food, I certainly had no complaints!

In Bangladesh, eating is traditionally done without forks, knives, or spoons; instead, hands are used for every meal. I quickly learned a hand scoop and slide technique taught by my friend, and I like to think I improved by the end of the trip. Eating with my hands added excitement and got me out of my comfort zone.

For dinner, the main dishes included rice, fish, beef, curry, lentils, biryani, and, of course, more rice! The most memorable dish for me was the whole goat served at my friend's wedding—more on this in a future blog about attending a Bangladeshi wedding.

At breakfast, the main foods were roti, paratha, beef, rice, lentils, and eggs, all with similarly hearty portions. In Dhaka and Kishoreganj, street food options were also abundant; vendors on busy street corners served fruits, sodas, bags of chips, meats, and a local favorite, fuchka. Fuchka, a popular dish, consists of a deep-fried and breaded hollow spherical shell filled with a combination of finely diced potato, onion, peas, and chickpea.

I was certainly well-fed during my time there, and I am grateful to everyone who introduced me to Bengali cuisine.

When in Bangladesh, you can expect to find open markets commonly known as bazaars, selling a variety of fruits, vegetables, fish, meats, and local snacks. Non-food items that we came across included bags, sandals, and different clothing items branded with familiar companies recognized around the world (whether they were real or not, haha).

While walking through Gourango Bazar and other open-air markets, you can find locals buying their necessities and merchants working hard to make deals. The atmosphere was exciting, with a fast-paced feel and a lot to take in. The most memorable sections of the bazaars were definitely the live fish and livestock areas. We went shopping for wedding party supplies and chicken, and I quickly found out the chickens were still alive.

Okay, I have to admit, I was feeling a bit squeamish at this point. The local I was with placed his order for the chicken, and the merchant proceeded to harvest it and bag it up for us. I helped carry the chicken home, and to my surprise, the bagged chicken was still warm—a new sensation for me, as I am used to buying cold, frozen chicken from a grocery store. Definitely a travel experience I will not be forgetting anytime soon!

Interacting with Locals

The interactions I had with the people in this country were amazing. During the first few hours, I was introduced to Yasin and his father, who spoke to me in Bengali and knew very little English. Despite our language barrier, we had a great human interaction. At the end of our introduction, Yasin's father bought me a mango smoothie, which was one of the best I've ever had. We then continued shopping for wedding supplies and cell phone SIM cards, although I never ended up being connected, my friend and his dad were. That was all we needed and we were ready to go!

From the family I stayed with in Dhaka to the family in Kishoreganj, every local I met welcomed me with open arms and graciously fed me. In Kishoreganj, I was introduced to my friend's cousin, a local teenager, who spoke excellent English despite it not being taught in his school. We had a fascinating conversation about life views and cultural perspectives. I'm starting to realize that no matter where I go in the world, we humans are fundamentally the same, and I find this realization to be quite special. When I wanted to explore and get a feel for the city, my friend's uncles guided me through the bustling streets and took me to the local bazaar. Walking around and connecting with locals helped to give me a brief glimpse into their daily lives.

The Bangladeshi people were fascinated that an American was visiting their country, often starting conversations with me to learn more about Western life and to share interesting facts about Bangladesh. To illustrate their hospitality, despite not being Muslim, I was invited to join them in prayer at the mosque—an incredibly powerful experience that I will cherish forever. Human connections like these are why I love to travel, and the Bangladeshi people embraced these interactions openly.

-cferTravels

Christian Fernandez