This would be our last full day with our son.
I think I might have overslept.
While I stayed at the apartment and did a little laundry to tied us over for our return trip to Hawaii, Art and Keola went to get some breakfast.
I put on my new salwar kameez and orna for our walk to get some lunch. We don't have an A &W Restaurant in Hawaii, but we were able to go there in Dhaka. (POSTSCRIPT: A friend has informed me that we actually do have an A&W Restaurant in Mililani. I had no idea!)
A&W had the usual hamburger along with some regional Bengali food. It didn't matter that I was wearing a salwar kameez and orna. I still elicited a lot of stares.
We went out in the evening when it was cooler to enjoy the neighborhood. The fellow on the right was squeezing sugar cane to sell the juice.
I thought that I wouldn't be such a spectacle if I left my hat at home.
Keola said I still stood out because I had short hair. Only very young girls have short hair.
A pretty young woman approached me with a shy smile and asked if she could be my house maid.
She was puzzled when I apologized and told her I didn't live there.
This fish market vendor called out to Art and asked him to take his photo.
We climbed up this pedestrian bridge and took this selfie.
I loved seeing this fellow walking along the street selling those red balloons.
There were a lot of neighborhood cricket games being enjoyed by the children.
In fact, a world cricket match was being played in Dhaka while we were there. It probably added to the congestion in the city.
We went to The Village Restaurant to celebrate the time we spent together. It was very lovely.
We had four waiters watching over us which was a little unnerving. Happily, there were forks so we didn't have to use our hands.
The magical lights along the road lifted our spirits. It was sad to realize that our time with our son was coming to a close.
I think I might have overslept.
While I stayed at the apartment and did a little laundry to tied us over for our return trip to Hawaii, Art and Keola went to get some breakfast.
I put on my new salwar kameez and orna for our walk to get some lunch. We don't have an A &W Restaurant in Hawaii, but we were able to go there in Dhaka. (POSTSCRIPT: A friend has informed me that we actually do have an A&W Restaurant in Mililani. I had no idea!)
I thought that I wouldn't be such a spectacle if I left my hat at home.
Keola said I still stood out because I had short hair. Only very young girls have short hair.
A pretty young woman approached me with a shy smile and asked if she could be my house maid.
She was puzzled when I apologized and told her I didn't live there.
This fish market vendor called out to Art and asked him to take his photo.
We climbed up this pedestrian bridge and took this selfie.
I loved seeing this fellow walking along the street selling those red balloons.
There were a lot of neighborhood cricket games being enjoyed by the children.
In fact, a world cricket match was being played in Dhaka while we were there. It probably added to the congestion in the city.
We went to The Village Restaurant to celebrate the time we spent together. It was very lovely.
We had four waiters watching over us which was a little unnerving. Happily, there were forks so we didn't have to use our hands.
The magical lights along the road lifted our spirits. It was sad to realize that our time with our son was coming to a close.
This has been a wonderful trip, Kay. I've enjoyed every day, but I think I'll be happy to see you home again safe and sound. Wish it was easier to see and visit with your son, but this should last you awhile! :-)
ReplyDeleteI just recently discovered your wonderful blog and have been enjoying reading about this journey. Reading about Hawaii will seem just as exotic to me, when you are home again. I've only been there once and live in northeast Ohio.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kristi! It's such a pleasure to meet you. I was surprised to find that you started blogging on the exact same day I did, February 29, 2008! That's so amazing! I'm sorry I can't visit much right now because I'm working on our trip album. However, once I'm done, I'll be able to visit you and siiiighhhh... everybody else that I'm missing right now.
Deleteit must have been so hard to leave your son. have you ever written about how he ended up there and what he does? it seems so interesting.
ReplyDeleteKeola's research for his Masters in International Epidemiology at Johns Hopkins was in Bangladesh. After he graduated, he continued his work for Johns Hopkins in Dhaka. Saving toddlers from drowning became an important mission for him and he wanted to do more if he could.
Deletehow special to get to visit him...
ReplyDeleteAlthough sad that it was your last day, it was certainly a beautiful day filled with many nice events. Your selfie is just perfect.
ReplyDeleteSuch a great visit you had with your son and such a wonderful trip!! Thank you, as always, for sharing the fun and beauty!!
ReplyDeleteoh my gosh you went out with a bang, lol, what a beautiful day, Kay, you looked lovely in your outfit, it looked very comfortable, thank you for sharing this wonderful experience,
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, I have been mesmerized by your travels Kay and how wonderful to spend this time with your son. Thank you for sharing all of this with us. It must have taken a lot of work to put everything together.
ReplyDeleteSigh.... and it's even more work to put the trip album together. Sigh...
DeleteWow I love that picture of the sun. And those curly fries look awesome. Makes me crave Arby's LOL.
ReplyDeleteIt will be nice for you and your children to get together again one of these days. This trip was interesting, but I prefer my creature comforts. Give me Hawaii any day. Lol.
ReplyDeleteThe colors you've brought us are just stunning.
ReplyDeleteThank you again for sharing your incredible journey with us, as well as all these wonderful photos! It was a real pleasure to be a part of it and to learn about all those places and cultures.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Karin. Believe it or not, the trip isn't over yet. :- )
DeleteI thought I knew my geography,but I confer I got lost somewhere along the line. I do like your purple sweater. How beautiful and functional too.
ReplyDeleteIt's actually not a sweater. I'm wearing a light cotton blouse (salwar kameez) and even lighter weight shawl (orna). It still wasn't cool enough for me though.
DeleteJust the other day, we were wondering what happened to all those A&W root beer stands we once enjoyed. Now we know--they've been converted to restaurants in Bangladesh! (and Hawaii).
ReplyDeleteForgot to say I really loved that port hole photo from the last post. Got tickled at you Keola looking the same size till I saw you were standing on a concrete slab. This has been an awesome trip from lavish to primitive. You have covered it all. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Patti! You and DrumMajor are sure observant. It still amazes me that I have to look up so high to see his face. :- )
DeleteI will hope he moves nearer also. My youngest moved to Portland OR, and I only get to see her when I take the train up there, It looks like we may do that next year. Trip book? I confess that I haven't started yet at all.
ReplyDeleteI'm working now on the trip book and it is a daunting, gargantuan task. One of our trip friends just asked if I might share the trip album with them if I was finished. I had to laugh. I'm not even half done yet. It's taking up so much of the evening hours just because our daytime hours have been so busy. I feel like I won't get done for another month. Arrrghhhhhh!
DeleteSuch a beautiful last day in such an interesting place. I love the photo with the red balloon man.
ReplyDeleteThose twinkle lights are so magical, and surprising to see when the city is so hot and crowded. (I noticed Kay trying to be taller, too.) What a special adventure, with the city and the 3-day boat ride; not many parents get to do such stuff with their kids! There were a jillion A&Ws when I was a youngster in Oklahoma. Mahalo for sharing. DrumMajor
ReplyDeleteWow! You are so darn observant, but then again that is your job, isn't it? I did tell Kathy about you. :- )
DeleteWhat a treasure this time with your son in Dhaka will be as you keep it safe in your memory. I love the photo of the three of you. Wow, what a trip you had. Is this most strenuous trip you have ever made? Which part was the hardest? Was it in Bangladesh? Thanks for documenting all of this in such a beautiful and interesting way.
ReplyDeleteThis trip was very strenuous, but I don't think it was the MOST strenuous. Our trip to Egypt and Jordan was pretty intrepid. The Netherlands required a LOT of bike riding which I wasn't exactly prepared for. It's really hard to say. The hardest part of this trip was on the Sundarbans in Bangladesh, just because of the heat and humidity (and bugs). I don't do well in heat. Still, it was one of the best parts because we spent it with our son.
DeleteWe have a A &W here that combines with Long John Silvers
ReplyDeleteYou made quite a journey and adventure out of your ultimate goal of visiting your son in Bangladesh. I know that in the past you have traveled extensively, sometimes with your children. Jon has learned from you and Art about giving and caring and risking and daring. Now he has provided another opportunity for you to travel to places outside the comfort zone of many of us. Thank you for sharing it with us.
ReplyDeleteThe selfie of the three of you is really beautiful. I bet you look at it everytime you think of your son now. Will you be putting that selfie in a photo frame by your bedside?
ReplyDeleteYou look good in the salwar kameez and orna. It may be a bit big but not overly big.
ReplyDeleteMy two favorite photos are the selfie and the red balloons. I cannot imagine a better way to show you son how much you love him than to go through such an adventure to be with him. It has to be so sad to say goodbye.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about saying goodbye to your son, Kay. My three children live in California, and having them almost 3,000 miles away is rough, sometimes. I know you know what I mean... But I'm proud that they're living their lives independently and happily, so... Seeing them once or twice yearly will have to suffice. Hawaii will be here when they're ready! Yummy, I love sampling different pad thais!
ReplyDeleteAfter reading your travel posts (especially the last few ones), I felt as though I had seen a 5 star movie, like one that leaves you breathless and in a daze. Not just the exotic setting and plot (meet up with your son who you have missed for awhile), but your thoughtful narrative and pictures. Beautiful editing...just imagine how spectacular your travel books are.
ReplyDeleteL...w
Oh wow! Thank you L...w. You sure have made my day!!!
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