Monsoon Season

Don't worry.  I will post at least one more Glacier post before letting go of my wonderful summer, but I wanted you to know what Dhaka is like right now for a 16-month-old.  We've been back for a little over three weeks now.

Now, based on any one of my recent summer posts, you know that I spent A LOT of time outside last July.  Whether it was in the pool, Peavy Lake, throwing rocks, picking wild strawberries or hiking through snow, I made sure to enjoy the fresh air.  (Sometimes I had to do a bit of whining at the door, but eventually someone opened it for me every time.)

When you live in Bangladesh, Mom says, going outside isn't always possible.  Our building is a six-story apartment building with a parking garage on the ground floor and more apartment buildings for at least two blocks in any direction.  There's about a foot and a half of concrete between each building.  The street I live on is relatively calm, which means only about three cars come down it every minute, and six or so rickshaws.  One building over, though, is the main road through our neighborhood with almost non-stop traffic.  Mom doesn't like me doing a whole lot of running out there without holding her hand, and she's too slow for me.

Furthermore, my newest word is "rain" because at least every other day now that's what I see when I go to the window in the morning.  In fact, I now say "rain" every time I go to the window, because that seems to be what Mom's telling me whenever I want to look outside.  

Still, I do make sure that Mom takes me to the park a few blocks down at least once a day.  I've convinced her that even if it is raining, she can just hose me off in the shower when we get home and I'll be just fine.  So, check out this video to see what I do at least once a day during this rainy season in Bangladesh.

A few notes:

1. There is green grass at the park during monsoon season.  Praise Jesus.
2. Mornings are the slow time at the park, which is why you don't see too many people.  Do notice that there is still a full-fledged cricket game going.  There is always a cricket game going there, usually on the basketball court.
3. The man staring at me in the background is normal.  Usually he would have company.  Later, he picked me up.
4. The men doing heavy labor (breaking up concrete with picks) in lungis (wrap-around skirts) are also normal.  They also stopped to watch me when I ventured closer.