Train is running late...

...nothing unusual in Bangladesh. Buying tickets can also be a peculiar matter, if you are not prepared for it. I went to buy myself a ticket in a day advance but could only get a standing version, which is not a best deal for 5-6 hour journey during the night. Of course my trip is not always so happy and positive, nor my mind can be set to bright modes all the time. Unlucky those who meet Rado floating within his dark cloud...
I made it back to Dhaka, spent few hours wandering around the camera-market, my lovely Praktica has decided to give up on me. I have tried to convince camera handy man to rescue her, but he said he couldn't. I do not blame him, parts for such ladies are not easy to get in this part of the world. And so I decided to find another one, well I only found another ONE, decent camera (Yashica FX-3 super 2000) but unclean 50/1.9 lens... Did not have many other choices, so negotiated its price down to 4000TK, which was my top.
Eating out I always try to omit meaty dishes, I have not eaten meet for over 2 weeks and I am still alive and healthy. Usually I dine rice with an omelet and lentil or vegetable stew, it is not so spicy for me. Eating outside does not give many options to choose my meal, but if it comes to sweet pastry available in every small tea kiosk, I think each of them has at least one very own and specific type. This and a 'white' cuppa I often use as a quick refresh.
First night of my second visit in Dhaka I have spent in Japanese hotel/dormitory which I first thought was fairly cheap, unfortunately it got a bit more expensive overnight stay(850TK(I have become a greedy tourist)).
All those street kids and crippled beggars make me want to give out all I have and run away... My anti-beggar syndrom remains stronger and I try not to give them money. Instead I share my food, buying bit extra for those who are hungry.
Never-easy life of Bangla people and yet they still manage to smile, this only embarrasses me when feeling too many hairs, shall this be a reminder for those never-happy? Countless troubles they faced in the past, many they stand against at the present and the future does not look pinkest either. Well they keep going, keep living through the mess and dirt left behind by other nations. Shall Bengali remain strong and never drop the weapon, fight through the rough lifetimes.
I will remain fascinated and will slap myself in every weak moment of mine.
Next day I left the hotel towards river-docks where I wanted to buy a ticket for the Rocket Steamer, which would take me south to Khulna. When entering a bus I met another friendly gentleman, speaking well English and after an hour bus ride in ever-busy traffic of Dhaka(no no, infrastructure of Dhaka is undoubtedly among the greatest I have had a chance to experience so far;), Mo(that would be his name) made me realise that what I needed before going downtown was a good cup of coffee at his place. From coffee we forwarded through tasty lunch and joint to pleasant debates and music explorations, also with other flatmate Key, the best Bangladeshi guitarist I know. What an honor. How lucky I must be to meet such a people all the time. Or perhaps it is because I try so hard: answer to question: 'Why Alone?'. When I finally finished this bigger-than-usual cup of coffee, I went to find the MRSTO (Mysterious Rocket Steamer's Ticket Office). That was a joke really, I could not stop laughing after being sent from one spot to another, after a while me and them both given up, guys checking the tickets at the entrance of the boat telling me to come 'tomorrow at 5pm to get my ticket'. Whatever!
Later I was to meet my new friend Mo and his wife Uru at the darkest of the rooms in Dhaka, my first time in the dark room, made me big smile on my face. I have been showed few tricks on picture making and post processing. This was on my to-do list for longer time now, since I bought my first own camera, my now dead Praktica.
My new friends also agreed to spare me paying the hotel for another night, so I 'only' needed to bring my luggage over to their but... Traveling through not too small city of Dhaka can be as exhausting as chasing a gazelle not always being cheetah. Climbing on the bus's roof-top, I can feel my time is coming soon and I am already checking it out - must be fun for sure. From 10am until 10 pm I think I spent 7 hours being stuck somewhere in the traffic or whipping ricksha-ala's blood sweating back...
Nice evening indeed I have spend in company of my new friends, fair draw in the match good vs strong, equalised in the last minute shaping my dreams for the rest of a night.
Next day's a strike(Hortel?) made the streets free of heavy traffic, only public transportation I could find, which was heavenly after a hellish previous day. Leaving me not so disappointed I only could buy 3rd class ticket with no bed, being offered an expensive staff cabin first when I had to show my insolvency, but finding a compromise with a cheap little bed where at least I could store my rucksack.
Whole night on the Steamer was interesting, I hope I took few nice pictures. It was sometimes just too difficult to escape all curious Bangladeshi eyes, questions...
Khulna is my current stop.