Arrival in Bangladesh

We are in Bangladesh – and we are fine.

We have been here since July 29th. Our plan is to travel around the country and for two weeks and we have enjoyed it so far.

Why do I write, we are fine ?

Bangladesh have reintroduced curfew and closed the internet and social media. Approx two weeks ago the government and / or the court ruled to reintroduce quotas s for public employment. The quotas gave 30% of public jobs to descendants of the freedom fighters the participated in the war for Bangladesh independence from Pakistan (1971). As many young people study to get a job and provide for their families this is seen as unfair and killing their hope for the future.

Demonstrations broke out. Things got out of hand. Opposition was involved. Youth organisations were involved. Police and military were involved. Students ended up both killed and in jail. Internet and social media were closed down to hinder organisations of this. This was getting calmer when we traveled here. But of course volatile still. It seems now it’s flaring up again. Dialogue is on freeing those jailed and prosecuting those responsible for the deaths. Demonstrations are starting again, police are present everywhere, internet and social media is closed and we have curfew again 21-06. ((Edited: Now its curfew untill further notice – which seems to be tomorrow morning)) This is all just as far as I have understood and in a really short and simplified version. It’s also info available in western media. So please do your own research.

We are still here and are just traveling and staying out of the way of protests. The local economy suffers under this and we feel for owners of the small restaurants and hotels where we stay, as there are no other travelers.

We had followed the situation before coming here. While in China we made a backup plan of going through Macao and Hong Kong to Pakistan. Through travel network we got an amazing fixer recommended in Pakistan. Planning such awesome trips with me that we were almost disappointed when deciding to go here. … and now have to go there soon with him.

Our internet obviously still work.

We have moved on from Dhaka, but I just wanted to share some of our first impressions from this trip. It’s my second time in Bangladesh and Lærkes first time.

What do we do to be safe. Well, traveling with a local fixer / guide and driver who stay informed. We take other routes to avoid risk, even when it’s longer. This is not terrorism targeted against westerners, so it’s more to try and avoid getting caught in the middle. We are in the countryside now.