The State of Emergency declared in Bangladesh last week has been lifted. No more military blockades, country-wide strikes, or riots. I also haven’t seen anyone standing up in the back of a truck with a megaphone, in the middle of a roundabout, holding up traffic, in order to address the fickle crowds from the 1959 four ton soap box.
The elections are postponed - probably for the better part of the year. A new ‘caretaker’ government resides and the populace is optimistic about the conditions of the new election. The challenge in a situation like this is to keep the ‘black money’ from disrupting the honest process. This, it appears, is going to be a difficult task. Talking with locals, I’ve learned that corruption is an unfortunate cornerstone of the economy and politics here. It will be difficult for a country so new and so poor to survive in this way. Good luck to Bangladesh…….and good luck to me in getting a different assignment next time. The Philippines, perhaps?!
I’ve officially been on the road for 6 weeks now. Due to an extension requirement, I’m here for another 2. After that, it’s Vancouver bound in early Feb for my time off, at which point I’m going to take up ski-bumism…..a worthy pursuit during such a snowy Vancouver winter. Hey guys….save some freshies for me.
