Back from the Chak...

It was my last time in Chakaria (the Chak....affectionately called). I made some great memories there and really enjoyed meeting a lot of the people. It was heartwarming to experience the friendliness found among the villagers. Dhaka is not so much like that, but most of the people I met there were so nice.

There is a story that goes with the next set of pictures. I bought a bunch of t-shirts from Thailand and I wear them fairly often. One day, I had one these t-shirts on and one of the field researchers (literally translated from Bangla) said "....Boss, don't come any closer. Your t-shirts are too sexy". Now normally, that comment would make me think twice, but I knew that he meant that he really liked my t-shirt. Though, I still dont know why he had to tell me not to come close, as if he was going to give me a big kiss if I went up to him. Lets dwell on the mystery of this conversation too much....

So as a gesture, I got all my guys t-shirts as a going away present. I also promised them American chocolate (not the greatest chocolate in the world). We had chocolate, t-shirts, and tea.


The gang toasting me....
A cutie pie I met at the center. Her father was one of the cooks.... I am not talking about the guy on my left although he seems to have made it into almost all of my pictures with the guys.
And the pictures wouldn't stop....there are many more pics which I won't bore you with. Suffice it to say the guys were happy to get their shirts, but sad to see me go..

I was also sad to say goodbye to my good buddy Guillaume Deuchamps - if you recall he is the French Doctor working around the corner from me with Rickets patients. Unlike me, who traveled to the Chak every other week, Guillaume has spent the last 8 months living in Chakaria. He has made quite the reputation for himself as "Dr. 'Desh" ("desh is short for Bideshi - foreigner). He knows a lot of the villagers and is really good at what he does.

Here is Guillaume, diligently washing his clothes....his facilities were not as luxurious as mine...At times, when the clothes were not washed correctly, I had to "motivate" him....

I accompanied Guillaume on some site visits. Got see some pretty village countryside. Here are some pics of people I met along the way.

No, people in the Chak don't wear these hay bales on their heads as decoration...
Some kids playing a game in the ground. Does anyone remember the name of this game....
This is Coffee Jack, as dubbed by Guillaume (I think). The running rhyme was "You need me to get your back, give me ten tak, I'm Coffee Jack, I'm in the Chak". Guillaume swears this guy is the next mob boss in town. Give it a few years...

Our good buddy Maeve also came down to hang out at the clinic.

Sorry I had to beat you buddy...its the only way you learn.
Morning chicken...
Anyhow, that was a glimpse of my experience in the Chak. Had a great time and although it was tough at times, I really enjoyed seeing a whole different side of Bangladesh. It was tough to be out there a lot of the time but there was also a peace to being out in the village with no traffic and very little noise at night. I will miss it in a way. Also meeting people like Dr. Deuchamps, who is really dedicated to helping the poor was pretty inspirational to see as well.