Bowman on Bishwa Ijtema

I can't claim to completely understand this pilgrimage, but I've observed little bits of it over the last two years, and find it quite sobering and interesting. Bishwa Ijtema is a prayer journey with its destination quite close to where I live in Dhaka. In the last few years, about five million men have attended, and the only larger Muslim pilgrimage is the Hajj to Mecca. Now, here's where I get a little confused. Some say it is a three-day event, but I know that it affected traffic in Dhaka for about a week, especially on the two most recent Thursdays, so I'm pretty sure it lasted a week. However long it took, it involved millions of men spending money and time to pray to someone who can't help them. I hope that some sensed tuggings on their hearts from the real God who created and loves them. Wouldn't it be great if trains were packed like this for a great big multi-lingual worship service next year?

one image of transportation for the Bishwa Ijtema

Bowman at the Bucks

This one is mostly for Most Exalted Grandfather.  I don't think I've told him yet that one of my new words in Australia was learned at the Starbucks my parents found in Melbourne.  "Coffee!"

Bowman in the Bush

One of the greatest parts of being in Australia was all of the walking and running I got to do as we explored the country.

We walked on a few different sections of the Great Ocean Trail, which ran right by the coast and was beautiful.

My favorite hike took us to a waterfall where Dad taught me all about choosing the best rocks to throw in the river.  We spent a lot of time together making sure we had the right ones, and that rest made it so I could walk the whole way back to our car, which Mom said was more than a mile.

Of course, when we were out in the Australian bush, we did get to see a huge group of koalas.

All of that walking did tire me out many days, but it was OK to just plop down in the green grass and enjoy the fresh air and animal sounds in the Australian countryside.

Bowman Unties Bows, or Merry Christmas 2011

Since I'd spent the whole Thanksgiving through December season in a Muslim country not hearing Christmas music or seeing nativity scenes or decorated trees in all of the stores, I wanted to take full advantage of all the Christmas activities I could in Melbourne.  Mom, Dad and I spent lots of time walking through the city looking for red and green displays and checking the radio for Christmas stations.

I especially enjoyed the virtual Christmas story displayed downtown.

We also took in the Myer Christmas windows one morning.  

Of course, on Christmas day I got to enjoy unwrapping exciting presents with Great Aunt Margi, Great Uncle Peter and my parents.  I said "hep you" to everyone who got a present, and in that manner got to help unwrap almost every present, not just my own.  One of my favorites was an Australia Rugby ball that was supposed to be for dad.  

I have to say, though, that the most special part of my Christmas day took place that morning when Mom worked on a batch of eggnog and a stack of crepes while Dad got out all the berries we'd picked the day before and they let me help to read the Christmas story before church.

I know I can't understand everything about Christmas yet, but I do think it's pretty neat that God would choose to leave his perfect heaven and be born in our very imperfect world to help us learn how to live and eventually die so that I can be forgiven for all the ways I mess up each day.

Bowman in the Berry Brambles, or Merry Christmas Eve

Mom had one of her favorite Christmas Eves this year, and I enjoyed the mess we got to make helping her enjoy it.  On our way back from the Great Ocean Road adventure that Aunt Margi sent us on, we found a pick-your-own berry patch and decided to stop (even though I'd just fallen asleep and only napped 10 minutes that day as a result of the stop).

This place grew all kinds of blackberries, delicious raspberries and (my favorite) not-quite-ripe strawberries.  I loved carrying the plastic bucket, but Mom insisted on taking over when I swung it so much I started to make berry juice.  That's when Dad and I headed for the strawberries.

Did you know you can eat as many berries as you want while you're out there picking?

I think we did pretty well, and the Devonshire Tea we enjoyed afterward was a perfect summer treat.  Hooray for Christmas Eve south of the Equator!

Bowman at the Beach

During our time in Australia, I got to visit at least six different beaches, including Uncle Peter and Aunt Margi's favorite one on the Mornington Peninsula.

I looked really cool whenever we went to the beach, due in large part to some of the fun sand toys and sunwear I got as early Christmas presents from Aunt Margi.

But in reality I was quite terrified by the wind and loud waves at most beaches.  Any time we got close to the water, I headed the other direction, and felt safest the time Dad tucked me in to the sand so I felt like I wouldn't blow or wash away.

I did, however, enjoy the many beach-related activities we did.  For instance, generous Aunt Margi allowed us to borrow a car and found us places to stay along the famous Great Ocean Road for three nights, and I loved that trip and eating and staying in view of the ocean, as long as I didn't have to go into it.  Check out where we ate our breakfasts on the deck of our first hotel room!

I also thought it was pretty cool to see The Twelve Apostles.  They're eroding about a centimeter a year, I heard, so there might not be too many years left to see them.

Bowman Celebrates Christmas Down Under

How lucky am I to have a great (in many ways) aunt and uncle in Melbourne, Australia?  Dad's Aunt Margi and Uncle Peter live there, and they were incredibly generous and hospitable in having us visit them for almost three weeks over the Christmas holidays.

There will be more details soon, but I spent most of my time enjoying lush, green grass; eating things like ham and bread with real grains in it and lots of cheese; and swinging in playgrounds.  How nice to be in a beautiful climate with welcoming family and space to play.

I loved Australia!

Bowman Beds Down in Kuala Lumpur

Well, I have loads and loads to tell you about from the past wonderful three weeks, but I'm just checking in quickly from Malaysia right now.  Mom, Dad and I are on a twelve-hour layover, which we were all dreading a little, but are really thankful for right now.  Our airline included a voucher for a hotel, and while I'm not promising to sleep while we're here, it's giving me a chance to run in circles all I want.  Plus, I got another stamp in my passport because we had to go through customs to get here (even though it's attached to the airport).  When I got the passport at two months of age, I had twenty visa pages to fill in.  I now only have ten left, and I'm twenty months old.  Dad's jealous of me for once.

Do be forewarned that if you visit Malaysia, there are very serious penalties for breaking the law.  Thank goodness I don't have to worry about this one, but try to read the red warning printed on the disembarkation and embarkation cards you get on flights into Kuala Lumpur.

"BE FOREWARNED DEATH FOR DRUG TRAFFICKERS UNDER MALAYSIAN LAW"