Day 3: Preparing for Nepal

Weather Update: Sunny with High Pollution Levels Today, High 27°C.

Elevation Above Sea Level: 1.5 Metres

The Constant Barrage of Noise

I went out at about 4 pm for an evening meal across the street on the 12th floor of The Forest Lounge unfortunately, there are high levels of pollution as well compared to the night before. Back at the hotel, there is a constant barrage of noise from bells, whistles, and blaring horns. This cacophony continues throughout the day, with no respite until the city winds down around midnight.

Visa Woes and the Need for a Personal Assistant

I wasn't planning to do much today except get some passport photos for my arrival in Nepal. Visas are one of the biggest headaches since each country has different requirements. So far, getting in and out of countries has been fairly straightforward with visas on arrival. Entering Bangladesh, you can get a visa on arrival, but there are many conditions attached to it. I wish I had a personal assistant to handle these responsibilities so I could just show up. Planning now has to be done a couple of weeks in advance because, in these 4-5 countries, you can only get an e-visa, which involves a lot of paperwork.

Unexpected Long Walks and Shopping Adventures

I embarked on what was supposed to be a 7 km return walk but ended up doing a 12 km return walk, which took me 3.5 hours. I was looking for something warm to wear in Nepal, even though the daytime temperature there is 19-21°C. I went to the main mall, which was quite strange. The 8th and top floors were mainly food, the 7th floor was jewellery, the 6th floor was shoes, and the 5th floor was bags. This theme continued throughout the mall, which has 8 floors with approximately 50-60 shops on each level. I didn't find anything to my taste in clothes; the styles were very different.

Smoking and Spitting: Common Scenes in Dhaka

Smoking in Bangladesh is quite prevalent, and hawking (spitting) is a common practice among most men and some women. My walk took me past several piles of rubbish littering vacant lots, much of it coming from street market stalls or food stalls. The river embankments also gather large amounts of trash.

Environmental Concerns: Trash and Infrastructure

It's a shame there is no pride in this city of 22 million people, where the infrastructure is crumbling. Some roads are blocked off because of underlying issues, forcing traffic to divert around the obstacles. In 50 years, this city will need significant help, but Bangladesh likely won't have the funds to restructure it and make it safe for future generations.

Reflecting on Dhaka's

If you plan to visit Bangladesh, be prepared for some interesting sights, especially in the Old Quarter of Dhaka, or better to explore the good tourist spots away from the capital. The city is the craziest so far on my trip you have to see it to believe it, and when you see it you will not believe it.

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