Under the haze
Wednesday October 30, 2013 was a beautiful day to fly away. It was the day I boarded my flight from Sydney’s Kingsford Smith Airport on route to Dhaka, Bangladesh on my very first solo trip. To drift among the clouds and look down on the miniscule lands below was surreal. The whole trip, in a nutshell, was such a wonderful experience. From the moment I set foot alone through the departure gates in Sydney I felt an instant rush of adrenaline and I knew that I was about to seize the day. It was all on me, no longer was anyone by my side to hold my hand (figuratively speaking of course!), or show me right from wrong.
Growing up in a somewhat conservative household under the watchful gaze of not only my parents, but also two elder siblings, I always felt as though my life was much more sheltered than others. This trip for me was almost like a test to see if I could do it. If I could be independent. Sitting here now reflecting upon this experience I feel as though this journey to a new environment has definitely helped me grow as an individual and a global citizen.
Even though I have visited Bangladesh many times before, every time I visit I become more aware that I’m a foreigner in this country. I may know the language and speak it fluently, but my values and my way of life are so different. I almost always think I have a vague idea of what to expect before visiting Bangladesh, but without a doubt each time I return I am surprised. Bangladesh is a nation that at first glance appears to be a poverty stricken land that has lost all hope to succeed both socially, politically and economically, having fallen into the hands of greedy politicians who have shattered the country’s future.
But if you peel back a few layers and look deeply beneath the haze, you will realise that despite all its drawbacks Bangladesh is a nation rich in resources, and with a little assistance it definitely could become so much more than that it is. I realised this as I took a trip to my mother’s hometown Sylhet, situated in the North-East of Bangladesh, and gained a beautiful experience of rural life. The beautiful city with its picturesque landscapes and clear skies, together with the friendly locals, gave me a sense of being at a home away from home. These photographs are a little taste of what I was so fortunate to explore.
So you’re probably wondering why I’m writing about Bangladesh when clearly I am no local of the land. You’re right. I am no local, but despite being born and raised in Australia part of me will always call Bangladesh home. And due to my recent trip, I felt it quite fitting to begin my contributions to The Localist with a dedication to this incredible country. No doubt, this trip was just another shocking reminder of how very different my life is to that of an average Bangladeshi. It made me appreciate all the little things I take for granted every day. Seeing people who have so little so content with life has made me re-evaluate my outlook on life. I am always worrying about little things and losing countless nights of sleep wondering if and how things will work out. But in reality, I’ve come to realise that some things are not worth wasting time worrying about; life goes on and whatever happens, happens.
Many people have bigger things to worry about in life and my problems are miniscule in comparison so let’s just live and try to be happy and help the disadvantaged experience a decent lifestyle. Because as the cool kids are saying these days, YOLO (You Only Live Once), so you better make it worth it!
MEET THE LOCAL: AFIYAT MUSTAQ
Images. All photos by Afiyat Mustaq.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I truly appreciate your efforts and I am waiting for your next write ups thanks once again.
Visit my web-site … rtp dewa89
With havin so much content do you ever run into any issues of plagorism or copyright violation? My site has a lot of completely unique content
I’ve either authored myself or outsourced but it looks like a lot of it is popping it up all over the internet without my authorization. Do you
know any techniques to help reduce content from being stolen?
I’d genuinely appreciate it.
my page; kamagra 100 mg
Wow! This blog looks exactly like my old one! It’s on a completely different topic but it has pretty much the same page layout and design. Outstanding choice of colors!
What’s up mates, fastidious paragraph and fastidious arguments commented at this place, I am
truly enjoying by these.
Visit my web-site: Comprar Kamagra en Espana
I must thank you for the efforts you have put in penning this site.
I am hoping to view the same high-grade blog posts from you in the future
as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has
inspired me to get my own blog now 😉
I don’t even know the way I ended up right here, however I thought this submit used to
be good. I do not recognise who you might be however definitely you’re going
to a well-known blogger when you are not already. Cheers!
It’s very straightforward to find out any matter on net as compared to textbooks, as I found this paragraph at this site.
Thank you for another informative blog. The place else
may just I get that type of information written in such a perfect means?
I have a challenge that I’m just now working on,
and I have been at the look out for such information.
My brother suggested I might like this blog. He used to be totally
right. This post actually made my day. You cann’t believe simply how so much time
I had spent for this information! Thank you!
Howdy! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you
using for this website? I’m getting tired of WordPress because I’ve had problems with hackers and I’m looking at alternatives for another platform.
I would be great if you could point me in the direction of a good
platform.
Hi! I know this is kind of off-topic however I
had to ask. Does operating a well-established
blog such as yours require a lot of work? I’m completely new to
writing a blog but I do write in my diary every day.
I’d like to start a blog so I can easily share my personal experience and thoughts online.
Please let me know if you have any kind of ideas or tips
for brand new aspiring blog owners. Thankyou!
Everything is very open with a very clear explanation of the challenges.
It was truly informative. Your site is extremely helpful. Many thanks for
sharing!
A person necessarily help to make critically articles I
might state. This is the very first time I frequented your web page and so far?
I surprised with the research you made to create this actual put
up incredible. Magnificent activity!
Hi this is kind of of off topic but I was wanting to know if blogs use
WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually code with HTML.
I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding know-how so I wanted to get advice from someone with experience.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Howdy I am so grateful I found your weblog, I really found you by mistake, while I was looking on Digg for something else, Anyhow I am here now and would just like to say many thanks for a tremendous post and a all round entertaining blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have
time to look over it all at the moment but I have bookmarked it and also included your RSS feeds,
so when I have time I will be back to read a great deal more, Please do keep up the superb b.
Hurrah, that’s what I was exploring for, what a information! existing here at this weblog, thanks
admin of this web page.
Thanks for your personal marvelous posting! I certainly enjoyed reading
it, you’re a great author.I will make sure to bookmark your blog and will eventually come
back from now on. I want to encourage one to continue
your great writing, have a nice morning!
Please let me know if you’re looking for a article writer for your site.
You have some really great posts and I feel I would be a good asset.
If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d love to write
some articles for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine.
Please blast me an email if interested. Cheers!
I every time emailed this blog post page to all my friends, because if like to read it after that my contacts will
too.
Good day! I know this is kinda off topic but I’d figured I’d ask.
Would you be interested in trading links or maybe guest authoring a blog article or vice-versa?
My blog addresses a lot of the same topics as
yours and I believe we could greatly benefit from each other.
If you happen to be interested feel free to send me an e-mail.
I look forward to hearing from you! Wonderful blog by the way!
My spouse and I stumbled over here coming from a different web address and thought I should check things out.
I like what I see so now i’m following you. Look forward to finding out
about your web page for a second time.
I am not positive where you’re getting your info, but good topic.
I needs to spend some time finding out more or understanding more.
Thank you for fantastic info I was on the lookout for this
information for my mission.
you are really a good webmaster. The web site loading
speed is amazing. It kind of feels that you’re doing any unique
trick. Also, The contents are masterwork. you have done a fantastic process on this
topic!
What’s up Dear, are you in fact visiting this site daily, if
so then you will without doubt obtain pleasant experience.
What i do not realize is actually how you are no longer really a lot more well-preferred than you may
be now. You are so intelligent. You understand therefore considerably
in terms of this matter, produced me in my opinion believe
it from so many various angles. Its like women and men don’t seem to be involved until it’s something to do with Woman gaga!
Your own stuffs great. Always take care of it up!
Can I just say what a relief to find an individual who really understands what they’re talking about on the net. You definitely realize how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More and more people need to look at this and understand this side of your story. I was surprised that you are not more popular because you surely possess the gift.
The other day, while I was at work, my sister stole my iPad and tested to see if
it can survive a 40 foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My apple ipad is now destroyed and she has
83 views. I know this is entirely off topic but I had
to share it with someone!
Somebody necessarily help to make severely posts I would state.
That is the first time I frequented your web page and to this point?
I amazed with the analysis you made to make this particular post
extraordinary. Fantastic activity!
Good way of describing, and pleasant post to take data
regarding my presentation subject, which i am going to deliver in college.
Hi everyone, it’s my first visit at this web page, and post
is truly fruitful in favor of me, keep up posting these types of posts.
Heya this is kind of of off topic but I was wanting to know
if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually code with
HTML. I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding skills so
I wanted to get guidance from someone with experience.
Any help would be enormously appreciated!
I have been browsing on-line greater than 3 hours as of late,
yet I by no means found any attention-grabbing article like
yours. It’s beautiful worth sufficient for me. In my view,
if all webmasters and bloggers made good content material as you did, the internet will probably be a lot more
helpful than ever before.
You ought to be a part of a contest for one of
the finest blogs on the net. I will highly recommend this website!
This post is truly a nice one it assists new the web users,
who are wishing in favor of blogging.
Awesome article.
I do not even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was great.
I don’t know who you are but definitely you
are going to a famous blogger if you are not
already 😉 Cheers!
When checking the bonuses an on the web casino delivers, it’s not sufficient to only look more than the value.
I’m no longer certain where you are getting your info,
but great topic. I must spend some time studying much more or understanding more.
Thanks for wonderful info I was looking for this info for my mission.
Hurrah! Finally I got a web site from where I can in fact
get valuable information concerning my study and knowledge.
Hi there! Would you mind if I share your blog with my myspace group?
There’s a lot of folks that I think would really appreciate your content.
Please let me know. Many thanks
Great article, just what I wanted to find.
Hi, yup this paragraph is genuinely good and I have learned lot of things from it about blogging.
thanks.
I’m impressed, I have to admit. Seldom do I come
across a blog that’s both educative and interesting, and let me tell you, you’ve
hit the nail on the head. The problem is something that too few people are
speaking intelligently about. Now i’m very happy I stumbled across this during my search for something relating to this.
Attractive element of content. I just stumbled upon your web site and in accession capital to claim that
I acquire actually loved account your blog posts. Any way I will be subscribing on your feeds and
even I achievement you get entry to persistently rapidly.
Attractive element of content. I simply stumbled upon your blog and
in accession capital to assert that I acquire
in fact enjoyed account your blog posts. Anyway I’ll be subscribing for your augment or even I achievement you get entry to persistently fast.
Thanks , I have just been looking for info about this subject for a
while and yours is the greatest I’ve came upon so far. However, what
concerning the conclusion? Are you sure in regards to the source?
Thanks for the marvelous posting! I genuinely enjoyed reading it, you will be a great
author. I will make sure to bookmark your blog and will often come
back in the foreseeable future. I want to encourage continue your great posts, have a nice holiday weekend!
Heya i am for the first time here. I came across this
board and I to find It really helpful & it helped me out much.
I’m hoping to give one thing again and help others such as you helped me.
I’m gone to convey my little brother, that he should also pay a visit this website
on regular basis to take updated from hottest
news update.
Here is my web blog: raido lato