Burimari to Bogra, Bangladesh
Photo,
Pictures of, Images, Picture
(October November 2011) |
I have learned a long time ago, no matter where I am in the world, the highest
ranking officer in charge is the one I want to make friends with - whether it be
police or military. This Indian Army officer who oversaw our check out of
India was delighted to pose for a picture after some chatting. After I
showed him my card he requested I include him in the next book.
Gretchen exchanging India Rupees for Bangladeshi Taka. Bangladesh looks to
be a very affordable country.
Our first impression of bicycle touring in Bangladesh was good - Besides a few
trucks and buses the country uses pedal power more than any country I have
visited so far. Gretchen has to cover up a little more because of the
Muslim traditions but the local ladies in the back of the "bike trucks" are very
talkative and friendly with her - the men, thinking I speak Bengali, talk my ear
off but the women seem to avoid me.
Bangladesh is flat! The back roads in the north are nicely paved with calm
traffic - cycling paradise!
This is the most privacy I get at my road side pee stop - there is no place to
hide while bicycle touring in Bangladesh. Gretchen just waits until we get
a room or a restaurant makeshift bathroom
It's hard to blend in in Bangladesh. Every time we stop, a crowd gathers to
check out the aliens in their midst.
Poop sticks. Poop molded onto sticks, set out to dry in the sun. I suppose
they're later burned as fuel.
We got brushed by this Chia pet hay truck.
Everything gets hauled by cargo bikes in Bangladesh. This gentleman is carrying
a load of eucalyptus logs to be made into furniture.
Stopping for photos beside a hand-painted tractor billboard.
The hay cycle. We often come across trains of overloaded cargo bikes slowly
pedaling hay or bananas to market.
Bicycle rickshaws clog the roads of every Bangladeshi town from the smallest
village to the capital city.
This guy's got the easy job!
Cycling here is a bit crowded but the people are friendly
Besides the many cycling forms of transport, the roads are also crowded with
pedestrians carrying baskets about.
Portable pet shop - the cage is on a trailer that can be loaded onto a cargo
bicycle.
Agriculture blankets the Bangladesh countryside.
The rickshaws and cargo trucks are all brightly painted.
Tim in action!
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