Shopping in Bangladesh

I haven't been shopping much here, but I have seen some interesting things mostly whilst walking in the neighbourhood.

 Like the local butcher's shop. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) you can't see the flies in this picture.

At this shop just along the way, the guy is fighting a losing battle trying to keep the flies off the chicken pieces with his switch.

 

Does he get points for trying?

 Chicken might be a more sanitary option. At least it can be killed and then eaten before the flies have opportunity to get to it!

These guys were delighted to be photographed by the white lady and I think they added an extra bunch of bananas into our bag because they were so happy about it.

 

 And between the banana guy and the meat guy was another fruit shop where my friend bought our apples and oranges. He also was very happy to be photographed.

 When we were out walking one afternoon we decided to buy icecreams to eat as we walked. They are available, but depending on how long it is since the power came back on they come in varying degrees of 'meltedness'!

And the shop owner doesn't use a cash register - its notepad and pen to record his sales.

Getting around Dhaka

Glad I don't have to drive in this city!

 On our way into town from the aiport as soon as I arrived I saw THIS!!! This alerted me to the fact that things were going to be VERY different in this country. Perhaps I already knew that but I was pretty surprised. I thought that riding on train rooves was only for the movies these days. Wrong!

 And riding on the roof of a bus is also very common. I guess

 if you want to go somewhere and there isn't room inside the bus it makes sense (in some cultures!) to climb on top.

 Or on top of the main load. Whatever will get you there, I guess.

How cute is this little number! These look like little beetles cutting in and out of the traffic. This is called an auto ricksha (no spelling mistake, grammar snobs)

And this, of course, is a manual ricksha.

It was fun going for my first Ricksha ride. Not sure that I would attempt it on the main roads, but down the back street on the way to the girls' home was safe enough. 

Because the roads are super busy

 and the drivers drive too close and don't use indicators,

 it can be pretty hairy on the main roads

and the scars on the public transport vehicles tell a pretty descriptive story.

Rather than use indicators to let drivers of other vehicles know when they're intending to move lanes, the drivers here use horns to say 'I'm moving over, don't get in my way'. It makes for lots of scrapes and knocks and damaged paintwork.