The difference a Goat makes

So, I live in Bangladesh. When I was discussing my decision to move here, my dad asked me poignantly, "Do they export anything besides poor people?" It might be considered a crass comment, but, sadly, it's spot on.

Simply put, Bangladesh has half the population of the United States (approx. 150 million people) all crammed into a space the size of Iowa. Now, most of that land (I've read estimates for 80-90% of it) flood during monsoon season. And some of that land simply doesn't come back after the flooding subsides and thus, is permanently claimed by the water. Many people are still trying to recuperate from last year's horrible cyclone Sidr, and we're already into the next monsoon/ cyclone season.

If you want a really depressing read, check out this article from the Belfast Telegraph my friend send me. A scary quotation from the article:

The International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) – whose predictions have consistently turned out to be underestimates – said that Bangladesh is on course to lose 17 per cent of its land and 30 per cent of its food production by 2050. For America, this would be equivalent to California and New York State drowning, and the entire mid-West turning salty and barren.

The bottom line: Bangladesh is disappearing- and fast. It's a huge humanitarian crisis happening right now.

Poverty, even in my really wealthy neighborhood, is ever-present. One on my co-workers, Lulu, recently wrote a entry detailing the reality on her blog.

All the talk and images of poverty can be daunting- and overwhelmingly depressing. But while I was reading the New York Times I found a rather uplifting story about a girl and a goat and a college degree. It doesn't happen to be about Bangladesh, but a general story about how such a little act to help (in this case, the donation of a goat) can make such a big difference (a poor rural girl, Beatrice, in Uganda getting to go to school and eventually graduating from Connecticut College in the USA.) There is also a children's book about Beatrice and her goat (search amazon) that talks about giving.

Here's a link to Global Giving,the grassroots organization mentioned in the article and also for Oxfam Unwrapped which I really like. I've given some nice sheep, and honey and trees through them. (I wanted to give an alligator, but since it was as wedding gift for a couple who requested donations to charities, I didn't think something with scales and claws and big snapping jaws full of sharp teeth really said, "congratulations on your marriage". Sheep (soft, cute) honey (sweet) and trees (grow old together) seemed such the better choice. Oh... but the alligator was tempting...

TOPPER (doggy) survives deadly plant attack!

WOOWHOO!

I called my Dad and asked for an update on Topper, his dog that decided to munch on the sego palm. Apparently, without any vet intervention, Topper pulled through!

Dad, of course, has theories- remember he read about all these pups who died after eating sego palms.

1) Topper is a much larger dog than the dogs he read about
2) Taking dogs to the vet and putting them on IV's etc probably put the dog into shock after already being in a bad condition

So, that's the farmer's son's theories.

Bottom line: Daddy still has two doggies!

Beautiful but Deadly- Plants (not a woman)

I just got a call from my Dad- he said that he had found one of his dogs, Topper, foaming at the mouth and vomiting. At first he thought rabies, especially because he had found a dead (killed by the dogs) raccoon in the backyard. The dogs' other favorite hobby is chewing up plants (well- more specifically- chewing up anything to be found in the backyard- plants, raccoons, toys, piping- )

This time, they had managed to reach through the fence and grab a plant that was two feet away- a Sega (alternatively Sago) Palm (a misnomer)- and Topper may be paying the ultimate price for his chewing habit- Sega Palms cause liver malfunction and death in dogs (and humans) when ingested. We'll see if Topper makes it through the night (Dad found umpteen websites detailing heroic efforts to save poisoned dogs- which just made their death take longer and cost more. -Dad, having grown up on a farm, is not of the spend thousands to prolong your pet's death type. He's has a good healthy separation between pets and humans)

Just for good measure- if you have chew happy pets or children- check out the wikipedia list of Poisonous Plants:

Inspired by Youtube

One of my really good college friends sent this to me and I feel compelled to continue watching and watching it- I even transcribed it into my journal.

And while I'm on the great sharing-ness of youtube.com, Here's a video link from Shawn's project uncultured.com. I've meet Shawn and invited him to come speak at our school here in Dhaka. (I believe that the video he made while at the school is called "paying it forward") He has some incredible footage and pictures of Bangladesh and is working full-time for his Uncultured Project. It's he's effort to get one step closer to ending poverty and he also works with many of the NGOs here in Bangladesh.

Visit to Nepal Made Easy

Please everyone take note: Nepal is an awesome spot for a vacation. Here is a step by step guide

Step 1: bring an extra passport size photo and 30 USD for visa upon arrival

Step 2: Having previously made arrangements via email, walk outside to find the free shuttle from the airport to the lovely Kathmandu Guesthouse http://www.ktmgh.com/kgh/default.php


Step 3: Have Sharan- tour guide extraordinaire- take you to UNESCO cultural heritage sites, including Monkey Temple- and take gobs and gobs and gobs of photos

Step 4: Take time to explore the shops and the local crafts- elaborate woodwork shapes boxes, stools, tables, wall hangings, etc. Pashminas galore, felted bags and slippers, handmade paper products, knitted sweaters, jackets, ponchos, you name it- all at wonderful prices, if you're willing to bargain for it.

Step 5: Go to the mountain town of Nagarkot and stay at The Hotel at the End of the Universe- best price with breakfast and dinner included- Have Yanneke (wife) and Oasis (husband) arrange your transport for 2000 Nepali Rupees each way (donation to their NGO orphanage/ school) http://www.endoftheuniverse.biz/index.html

Step 6: See the sunrise of Mt Everest, trek in the mountains

Step 7: Take shuttle back to airport. Remember to keep enough rupees out for your exit fee.

Step 8: Send your fabulous pictures to all your family and friends. (and they will be jealous of your great adventure)

Step 9: Repeat

Best Quotation Ever

I think this speaks for itself.

neglected but not forgotten

Okay, I admit: I'm guilt of long-term neglect. Yes, my poor blog has
been temporarily abandoned. I have two goals: 1) to carry my camera
with me on a regular basis and 2) to post an occasional photo with a
caption. I keep on thinking I'm going to write really big blogs with
great insights. But I think I shoot for something a little more doable
and more digestible by the readers: An occasional random photo of
Bangladesh (or other place I travel to) and small commentary. Let's
see if I can make my goal.

And thanks for keep on checking.