Bangladesh: From Barisal to Khulna

We left Barisal at 6 AM on the Rocket, a paddleboat steamer built in 1929 in Calcutta. The 5 AM arrival to the dock area was alive with rickshaw horns and driver shouts (possibly curses) as the traffic snarled to a standstill. We finally gave up and lugged our gear to the steamer.

It was then the harbour’s turn to come alive as a beautiful dawn broke over the Kittankhola River and as we started the journey down ten different rivers arriving in Khulna late evening.

From Bangladesh 2010

We stopped at numerous interesting ports allowing a glimpse of life so different from ours. Kids especially would crowd around us at the docks, friendly and curious about us as to why we were here.

These rivers with the myriad of boats and ships move goods and people the same way as our highways do. Of course fishing boats zigzag all over the river as they work at feeding the people of Bangladesh. We enjoyed Hilsha, the national fish of Bangladesh for lunch and caught in these same waters.

This was a day of relaxation spent mostly on the front deck of the Rocket enjoying the unfolding river in the company of the Sleeping Children and Rotary Team, and after 2,832 bedkits in three days we needed the rest.

From Bangladesh 2010

In addition to great food, scenery, and camaraderie, we also enjoyed the services of the shoeshine guy that was on the ship. He proceeded to shine, buff, and primp ten pairs of boots, sandals, running shoes and flip flops – anything we had on our feet! He clearly was an artist at his craft, spent one and a half hours doing this work, and his regular charge would be 100 taka ($3). We gave him 1000 taka ($15) and made his day – but disaster struck as he was packing up his tools. The 1000 taka bill slipped out of his shirt pocket and disappeared in the wind over the river. What a look of despair on this poor man’s face but we quickly gave him another 1000 taka’s and all was and is right with the day.

It is all fun as we help the world one child at a time.

Doug MacDougald
for Bangladesh Team 2010

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