Margo's Bangla Blog! :): Week Two: Part One!... Day Trip to Old Dhaka

Hello all! :)

As per usual, I have tons and tons to report! This is a Two-Part Post since I have been lacking in the blog department recently…

Short (choto) Version:

Current Studies: Reading Script, counting numbers through 100, Present & Future Tenses AND verb conjugations!:) Also learned vocab. this week for bartering, colors and body parts.
Health: Mortamurti (so-so)… I experienced my first health low point this week. I’m all better now though (thank goodness)!
Life: Life is exciting right now! :)

And here come the.... drum roll… Elaborate DETAILS (and deepest, darkest secrets)!

Okay, okay… Maybe I’m kidding about the “secrets” part. After putting myself out here I have to leave SOME thoughts to myself :)

Part One:
Saturday June 12th: Day-Trip to Old Dhaka (Lal Bagh Fort, Ahsan Manjil, Dhakeshwari Temple)

And so week one officially came to a close with our CLS day- trip to tour Old Dhaka. We have a day-trip scheduled for each Saturday in which we travel to a pre-determined destination guided by our team of Bangla teachers and students from all levels (Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced). In other words, a day that is sure to be filled with FUN and both planned (and unplanned) surprises!

Our first stop in Old Dhaka was Ahsan Manzil. Ahsan Manzil, was once the residential palace of Nawab Khwaja Abdul Ghani, and there after was witness to many historical events of Bangladesh including the rise of the Muslim leaders of East Bengal. Ahsan Manzil has since been turned into a museum. It is enormous and strikingly beautiful to say the least, and is considered to be one of the most significant architectural monuments of Bangladesh. The interior of the building is caked in marble and filled with artifacts and trinkets. I could not help but be struck by the difference in manner between US museums and the few that I have been able to visit in Bangladesh. Few of these historic “artifacts” had glass casings to both preserve and prevent them from being stolen. After touring the many rooms of the palace, we found ourselves on the roof where we took pictures and enjoyed the beautiful view of the beautiful, green gardens surrounding Ahsan Manzil in stark contrast with the surrounding, crumbling residencies of Old Dhaka.

After a quick drive through Dhaka University and lunch at renowned restaurant Khosboo, we arrived at our next (and my FAVORITE) spot: Lalbagh Fort! Lalbagh Fort is an incomplete Mughal palace fortress constructed in 1678 AD and located in the southwestern part of the old city. I say “incomplete” because the ruler who oversaw the commission, Shaista Khan, abandoned the project after the death of his daughter, Bibi Pari (Lady Fairy). The inside the walls of the fort are rich gardens and a trio of buildings (a mosque, the tomb of daughter Bibi Pari, and an additional residency).

Although Lalbagh Fort might not be “finished” it is easily one of the most beautiful and special places that I have visited in Dhaka city. It is a little peace of Bangla heaven; a world away from this world, and a place that I hope to visit again some day. As we stepped onto the grounds of Lalbagh Fort my friends and I came alive! We ran through the artsy pathways aligned with flowers taking pictures, chatting in “Banglish” and soaking in the scene. After a long week filled with a whirlwind of work and emotions, I enjoyed this time to hang out with my teachers outside of the classroom and bond with the CLS-ers in a new and truly wonderful place.

My favorite moments from Lalbagh include:
1) Hanging with everyone from the highest part of the fort and causing a scene as Jodi tried to get everyone to partake in a Bangladeshi –dance- sesh.

2) Testing my conversational skills with a beautiful group of Bangladeshi sisters (young and old). The girls were patient with my speech, and in return the youngest member of the bunch serenaded me with the national anthem of Bangladesh. She was so good that I got chills. This is a memory I will never forget.

We ended the day with a little rest and relaxation at the Dakshineswar Hindu Temple. Apparently, this temple is dedicated to Kali, the goddess of time and change and the wife of Shiva. I am always up for any visit to a religious venue, and this was the perfect, peaceful way to end the day.

I hope the next day trip is just as wonderful!:)

Our First Stop at Ahsan Manzil!

Our Second stop at LalBagh Fort!

A quick pic with fellow CLS-er Stephanie Nudelman!

This picture is the group of sisters that I mentioned in my post. The young girl in the center with the brown bangles serenaded me with the national anthem of Bangladesh. A memory that I will never forget :)