Biography 278: I didn't sit on the rickshaw puller's seat.

 We four sisters used to go to Shishu Academy and Bulbul Lalitokola Academy (Bafa) every week. We had to go to both the Shishu Academy in the morning and Bafa in the afternoon on Friday. And every Wednesday afternoon to Shishu Academy and every Thursday afternoon to Bafa.

In the beginning, my mom used to take us all. After 1 or 2 years, our older sister used to take us. She used to learn to play guitar. I first learned Dancing and then singing. My younger sister learned dancing, art, and singing. Our youngest sister learned dancing and singing.

We used to ride in a rickshaw together. Just to let you know, my home wasn't very near the Shishu Academy. On those days, rickshaws were wider. But still, they weren't good enough for five people. My mom used to sit. Then two sisters could sit beside her, one could sit on my mom's lap, and the rest had to stand up.

We used to fight over who would sit in the seat. One day, they didn't let me sit on the seat. I was complaining about that. Our rickshaw puller couldn't hear it anymore. He said, "You can sit on my seat." My mom said, "See how generous he is. Now sit on that seat." I didn't.

Biography 184: My first tour to Cox's Bazar (The road)

When I was in grade 8 or 9, my youngest uncle (Maternal) used to work in Bandorban Rubber Garden as a manager. The owner of the rubber garden was Sohel Rana (Masud Parvej), a prominent actor in Bangladesh. My uncle had a fruit garden too of his own. His family used to live in Cox's Bazar because of his kids' education, and he had a shop in a mall.

My uncle knew he lived near a big travel spot. So, he always tries to take any of his nieces or nephews with him whenever he comes to Dhaka or Faridpur and shows them the beach of the Bay of Bangle.

One day my turn came. Because my annual school exam was finished. My uncle just asked once. And I happily agree to go with him. My other cousin-brother Ranku Bhai (May Allah keep him in peace) visited our house then, and he joined us.

In those days, there was no direct bus service from Dhaka to Cox's Bazar. My uncle took us to the bus terminal at Arambag (For Cox's Bazar and Chittagong buses).

The bus took us directly to Chittagong, and then we changed to another bus to Cox's Bazaar. We started very early in the morning. When we reached the bus stoppage by rickshaw, a man joined us. Ranku bro said it is his friend and will go with us too. The individuals were totally ready for the journey. Clearly, they knew about it before, but not me or my uncle.

My uncle agreed to take him too to his house. In those days, there were no mobile or cell phone systems. People really used land phones on the road. So, my aunt (My uncle's wife) had no clue that 3 extra people would go to their house to live for a couple of days.

Before reaching Chittagong, we stopped at a roadside restaurant to take our lunch. These restaurants are built for highway travellers. Their food was good. Washroom was clean. Then we start our journey again.

Here I have to mention something. I am not a bus person. In my childhood, I even couldn't ride in a car. When it started moving, I used to begin vomiting. After growing up, I have more control over this problem. Now a day, I just stay relaxed and head up all the way. If I even try to read something or check my cell phone, I feel like throwing out everything.

I was in school and didn't have control like this time. It was a huge bus and a long journey. I felt terrible several times but somehow held it till Chittagong.

In Chittagong, we get down from the bus. It was afternoon. We took some rest and got on the next bus. By this time, my brother Ranku had bought some Champa Banana. He ate and gave us too. I tried one. It was good, probably local fruit.

Then the bus started moving. And I couldn't hold anymore. I throw out everything. Couldn't take my mouth to the window, though I sat beside the window, my uncle sat beside me. My brothers sat behind us. My uncle cleaned me up with a gamchha (Cotton towel). In those days, people didn't use to carry tissues. He told me to keep the window open always and keep my mouth near the window so that I won't get dirty again.

But his anger went to the Champa Banana, indirectly to my brother. They started fighting. My uncle asked why he gave a banana to me. I didn't have this problem after lunch or snacks but after taking the banana. My brother said it's not the banana; it's the poor bus. Smelling like gasoline. I tried to stop my uncle, and my brother's friend tried to stop my brother. Both of us failed. No matter how many times I said, it's my problem. No one listened.

I threw out two more times, but I became an expert by that time. I used the window to clear my stomach, and no one got dirty.

We got down before we reached the main Cox's Bazar beach area. There was a small market by the highway, and my uncle lived nearby village.

When we reached my uncle's home in the evening. By that time, fighting was stopped, not over. Both of them (Uncle and brother) stayed silent for the rest of the tour.

Biography 175: Bangladesh Agricultural University

From left, Shumi, Ratna and I, at the Agricultural University.

If you were to ask a Mymensingh local about the district's main attraction, they would likely mention Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU). The campus is quite expansive and boasts impressive decor, making it a popular destination for leisurely strolls. For travellers, a visit to the university is definitely worth it. 

During our second-year study tour with the Geography & Environment department at the University of Dhaka, my colleagues and I were quite busy with work and visits to other locations. With only three days on our itinerary, it proved challenging to make time for a visit to the Agricultural University. However, on our last day before departing on the train, some of us decided to stop by and explore the campus. Despite our limited time, we enjoyed our visit and quickly returned to the hotel to freshen up before our journey back to Dhaka.

Biography 168: First year tour.

 I have chosen to study in the program Geography & Environment because of their yearly field trip. Due to different circumstances, I heard they couldn't take our students sometimes. But I was lucky. We went out every year for study tours, and I did well in field study assignments.

Our first-year tour was a day tour to Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI). This organization made a significant change in the rice growing in Bangladesh. They developed the rice to stay strong during rough seasons and produce more in a small area. Their invention helped the Bangladeshi to grow enough rice to feed the country.

Our professor Shahnaz took the responsibility of taking us on the tour. A group of students took responsibility for renting buses and buying lunches. They collected money from the students for their lunch program.

The amount is a little more for some students. The group rented good buses. The food was delicious and good, but the amount needed to be more for some people for lunch. People can't live on burgers; some need rice, roti, or something like that. I liked the food.

I liked the organization; it's a lovely building. When I tried to see through the microscope, I didn't see anything significant, but others said they saw something. Anyway, I was happy with that.

We had to take notes for our next assignment, so I concentrated on everything that had been told to us. But overall, I enjoyed the journey. Something new to me.

City tour, when we were in the school

With our teacher Mithu apa, in the Boldha Garden

Enjoying lunch near the pond at Boldha Garden

With my best friend Masuma

In the Boldha garden

At the Buriganga Bridge

In the Lalbagh Kella

In the Lalbagh Kella

 I like to see different places. I wanted to travel to different places. But my parent didn't have that much time or didn't think this is important for me. During school (Matijhil Govt Girls High School) days, I was thinking about how to arrange a tour of the city so that I can see some places. I have discussed it with my best friend Masuma. Then, we thought if we could take a teacher with us to travel, parents won't have any problem with this tour.

On those days a new teacher came to our school from Khulna (A district of Bangladesh). We call her Mithu Apa. I have taken private tuition from her for Bangla grammar. I felt she likes me, so I have decided to ask her. She was new in the city so she agreed to go on this tour.

In the beginning, we decided to go, 4/5 girls. Then we realize if we can take more people then per head cost will be reduced. We also need cars to travel. So, if any girl can provide the car, we can give the gas cost and that can save the car rental cost. So, I have asked all girls in the class to join us. Many of them agreed and 2 girls ready to provide their parent's car.

As I told you the teacher was new in the city so she wanted some more guide for this tour. Masuma's mom agrees to go with us. Mithu APA asked, if any boys give trouble to any girl, what she will do. I steal remember Masuma's mom's reply, "How many teeth that boy has in his mouth?" Our teacher felt relief. She said, "you (Masuma's mom) have to come with us, then I will go with the girls". I must say, in those days, the city environment was much better. Nobody disturbed us.

The teacher and moms decided that our teacher will do the grocery shopping and she will cook the chicken biriyani for lunch. I can remember she cooks great. Biriyani was very tasty. We all enjoyed that in the Boldha garden. Where we took the lunch. When Mithu apa was serving food on our plate she asked me, "do you anything extra". I replied, I like potatoes. She gave me some extra potatoes.

We had visited Buriganga bridge (That was newly built) and Lalbagh Kella too. We also go the Ahsan Manjil, but due to construction work (To open to visitors), it was close.

Money saving package tour, does it worth?

Shafeen is in a restaurant at Saint Martin’s Island. The restaurant accommodation was poor, but hospitality and food was good. Photo credit: Shafeen

There are three ways of travel. One is luxury, another one is travel in cheap (as much as possible) and finally medium (I mean expend as much as you can bear). When you travel with a travel company (if it’s not a luxury tour) they will try to make accommodation everything as cheap as possible (they want to make profit as much as they can). So, they will keep you in a hotel, where you might not go generally, feed you in such a restaurant, where you never thought to eat anything. They will travel all night (to reduce hotel cost) and will make quick view of places (as much as possible in a day). They won’t let to stay anywhere whether it is Himalayan or a temple.

It’s always better to go by your own management and make happy tour.

First tour in Airbus

Shafeen (my son) and I were in the queue to get inside the airplane.

Shafeen and I are looking for our sits inside the airbus

Shafeen was watching other airbuses through the window of the Jet Airways

Me and Shafeen in front of the airbus, the noise was very annoying to Shafeen.

I don’t remember the first air travel of my life.  It was from Bangladesh to Saudi Arabia. I was just 3 years old. Then we use to use local airbuses while traveling one area to another in Saudi Arabia and also used big jumbo airbus to come and go to Bangladesh in holidays. But I wasn’t old enough to look at the airbus name. But we became use to travel in airbuses. I can also remember the feeling when airbus take off and land and also when it fall in air pocket (off course not the first one). Later I have found some air ticket of Saudia Airlines, with my name.

When I became adult again get chance to ride on airplane inside Bangladesh. It was from Jossore to Dhaka. Then my experience was Malaysianairlines to go to Malaysia. Then Jet airlines to go to Kolkata.

Now this Kolkata tour became my son’s first airlines experience. His age was 1 year and 10 months, so there is no chance to remember anything. But I remember his moments. The first thing he found that it noises a lot. Then he watches other airbuses from the window. And finally see how the plane takes off. He got afraid, and start saying in low volume, “mom is here”, “mom is here”. But before the plane landed he fall in sleep.