It's been a month since our last post, partly because nothing much noteworthy is happening, life just goes on.
For those who don't follow my Facebook page. I have been cycling in weekends and here is a short recap.
Cycling is not just a sport or hobby, it's more like an artform or survival.
Some facts:
This time of year Dhaka is around 32 degrees Celsius with 70-80% humidity and showers lowering the temperature slightly but increasing the humidity noticeably.
Dhaka is one of the worst cities in the world when it comes to air quality and traffic density.
A driving license is something you buy, not earn.
On the positive side:
We don't live far from the city's edge,
cars don't drive much on the small roads,
a bicycle is often faster than a car, definitely faster than a rickshaw.
Tricks:
Pass rickshaws on the left side (undertaking). Rickshaws tend to drive in the middle of the street leaving plenty of room, passing at the left means you are protected from the oncoming traffic.
On crossing big streets follow a car or rickshaw, again to protect yourself and waiting for a convenient gap is as pointless as fishing in the dessert.
Don't assume, cars and specially rickshaws change direction without warning, look ahead for potholes and road turns etc.
Go THROUGH puddles and potholes, others avoid them, so that leaves them clear for you.
And of course don't wear your best clothes, you will get dirty and sweaty, very sweaty.
Ramadan has started. In Ramadan every good Muslim fasts, in practise the means they eat a lot at night, wake up early to eat and think all day about their evening meal, called Iftar. The normal tea stalls are closed or covered with a cloth or sheet. All over the place little Iftar stalls pop up, this starts early afternoon already. You can either eat at a stall or restaurant after sunset, or get a Iftar take away box. A quick calculation shows that there is enough food sold in Dhaka for about 5 billion people, I could be slightly off of course.
For those who don't follow my Facebook page. I have been cycling in weekends and here is a short recap.
Cycling is not just a sport or hobby, it's more like an artform or survival.
Some facts:
This time of year Dhaka is around 32 degrees Celsius with 70-80% humidity and showers lowering the temperature slightly but increasing the humidity noticeably.
Dhaka is one of the worst cities in the world when it comes to air quality and traffic density.
A driving license is something you buy, not earn.
On the positive side:
We don't live far from the city's edge,
cars don't drive much on the small roads,
a bicycle is often faster than a car, definitely faster than a rickshaw.
Tricks:
Pass rickshaws on the left side (undertaking). Rickshaws tend to drive in the middle of the street leaving plenty of room, passing at the left means you are protected from the oncoming traffic.
On crossing big streets follow a car or rickshaw, again to protect yourself and waiting for a convenient gap is as pointless as fishing in the dessert.
Don't assume, cars and specially rickshaws change direction without warning, look ahead for potholes and road turns etc.
Go THROUGH puddles and potholes, others avoid them, so that leaves them clear for you.
And of course don't wear your best clothes, you will get dirty and sweaty, very sweaty.
Ramadan has started. In Ramadan every good Muslim fasts, in practise the means they eat a lot at night, wake up early to eat and think all day about their evening meal, called Iftar. The normal tea stalls are closed or covered with a cloth or sheet. All over the place little Iftar stalls pop up, this starts early afternoon already. You can either eat at a stall or restaurant after sunset, or get a Iftar take away box. A quick calculation shows that there is enough food sold in Dhaka for about 5 billion people, I could be slightly off of course.
 |
| Rickshaws at rest on a Friday |
 |
| Hatir Jheel a good place to hang |
 | |
| Just as useless as the no honking sign |
 |
| Pub (of course without alcohol) at the edge of town |
 |
| Don't know why I bothered putting mudguards on the bike |
 |
| Football is popular now, but unfortunately they are all supporting Brazil or Argentina |
 |
| This is the bridge Google map shows |
 |
| One of the many Iftar stalls |
1 comment:
Wicked post!! I love haze took picture of your return from ride.... Yukkky
Post a Comment