Thursday, 19 January 2012
Dear friends and family,
Last night I wrote you all a wonderful email then when I tried to send it, I got a message that said that it did not send. Bummer!!!
I should just rewrite it but I will give you the short version...how about kind of a poem that will give you pictures and you fill in the rest..
Trip to Bangladesh...happy reunion..five years now back in homeland for Merry, and kids Angela and Anthony, fifteen years for Elieo Husband grandma, grandpa, siblings and cousins
wild rides: rickshaws, three wheeled scooter taxis, bike powered trailers,old fiberglass buses with cracked windshields, on people walking, cargo trucks, motorcycles, and a very occasional car or van
men in Longyees (skirts), women in beautiful saris or tunics with pants, scarves on men and women, flip flops and sandals
car on a ferry, two hours, speed boat same place 20 minutes
flowers, 4 bouquets as a gift at the airport! garlands of marigolds for the American teacher
New life to over 300, babies, grandmas, grandpas, and moms and dads, through water and the word
How are you Maam?
Two new Bengali phrases Donobad Thank you and ami kushi I am happy work in any situation
If you don't understand the language and people seem to be arguing just smile and say to your self ami kushi see phrases above, it will be ok
a new Bengali sister who painted my fingernails and toe nails bright red and tried to also do my make up
Sister who trades clothes, for me new Bengali tunic and pants and scarf (pants and scarf both white) with lots of sparkles
My trade, Trinity t shirt with names of school kids
Walk along rice paddies to see the village, in white Bengali pants...then on the rice paddy dikes...Yikes (But I couldn't fall and get all dirty!)
kids singing and dancing, clapping, in praise
sleeping in a Bengali house, visiting the woman's market, wierd statue of hindu gods, blue and pink,
lots of very amature video. sorry
brightly painted vehicles of every kind, and every speed, moving less than inches between WOW!
squatty potties, try to remember to bring your own paper
curry and vegetables for breakfast, home made tortillas, glasses of coconut "water"
faithful friends with passion for the Lord
little cousins who borrow my I pad,
sharing Bible stories that change lilke magic,
American kids singing,
Ride home from Bangladesh,...special driver and escorted by brother in law
foggy very foggy, narrow roads and whizzing past slower vehicles,
to the speed boat, who will ride? our boat: nine men, two Bengali grandmas, me and young boat driver
Still very foggy, can't see either shore or any markers...and windy and cold
first problem, tangled twine in propeller,
second problem , stuck on a sand bar, driver gets out to push boat back to deeper water
third problem, over shot the destination
fourth problem, out of gas no problem "ami kushi" got to be a good role model of American Christian
at shore can't hire another car
take three wheeled motor scooter taxi 32 miles to Dhaka
get out, end of line, down into old Dhaka to find another scooter, faster than a rickshaw, unless the rickshaw is in front of you.
Finally to airport, great flight with Thail air, full meal and choice of movie for 2 hr flight! NICE
Take the challenge to take the train to the middle of the city and get a taxi there...might as well add a train to the vehicles of the day
and ended with a real taxi ride to TK Palace hotel in Bangkok
UPGRADED room for free>>>king size bed, full desk, comfy chairs, bar stools, two mini fridges, flat screen tv, massaging shower and full tub, free soda, water and fruit plate, beer, whisky and vodka extra, huge towels and 9 bars of soap!!! free internet, (but my email didn't go through) maybe too long...
better stop wish that you were all here
Today in Myanmar, then on Sat to Cambodia. Then Thailand and back home on January 31
Much love, Dawn
PS keep my mom in your prayers. She had surgery recently and was having fever and chills,. I wish that I was there with her.
