Bangladesh

I did something that I would not recommend to my friends. It is something that I warn my children not to do. It is not something that I intended to happen. It just did.

It started when I made a friend on myspace. Her name is Salmah. She is a sweet lady and she lives in Malaysia. Our friendship was just starting to grow. At the same time I became frustrated with the male stalkers I was encountering on myspace and decided to remove my profile and no longer visit myspace. I asked Salmah if she would be my friend on facebook and she agreed. So, as I left myspace I took Salmah with me.

At this point I had never considered accepting a friend on facebook that I did not know in real life. I at least needed to know that they were a friend of a friend. Taking Salmah with me was a rare exception.

I left many comments on Salmah's posts and eventually a friend of hers asked me to be his friend. I accepted with the idea that if he ever became inappropriate or rude I would remove him... and he never did. Next a friend of his (a doctor) sent me a friend request and another doctor and then a medical student of his.

Now, I had several friends and they were all from the same country; a little country called, "Bangladesh".

These people were the nicest, most friendly and caring people you will ever be blessed to meet.. and I was blessed. Over the next several months I spent much time chatting with and getting to know all kinds of people, all from Bangladesh. I studied the culture, language and was taught their history and customs.

My friends are from different religions and soci0-economic backgrounds. Doctors, a hotel manager, a man who works at brick making, young men struggling to find a place in their world, young women struggling to balance traditional ways with a new influence particularly of the western world and women my age who have the same concerns I do. All these are willing and even passionate to share with me their struggles, thoughts, and even their daily challenges. They see in me a mother, a sister, an aunty, or simply a friend. I saw in them a treasure of high value.

Finally, one day my husband sent me an email from work asking me if I would like to go to Bangladesh as a special birthday present. I was in shock. I could not believe he asked me that. I did not even give it a second thought. Of course I wanted to go. So, I made my plans. So many people offered to open their homes to me. I picked two women that I am most comfortable with and planned to stay with them. So, I spent two weeks in Bangladesh. I was treated like royalty and had a wonderful time. There is so much I want to share. Instead of writing about this adventure on this blog I have decided to start a new blog.

Here is the link to the new blog: www.mybelovedbangladesh.blogspot.com