I am alive (still)!

I apologize for not updating more frequently, but it really is a pain to go online in Bangladesh.  I've also been spending plenty of time in rural village areas where there is no internet connection and as I found out yesterday, neither phone connection.  Well more specifically my phone- as my wireless carrier didn't reach the village we spent our overnight trip in.  But, yea a few snips of life, I spent a full 5 days immersed in village life last week and I have to say, it really was one of the best experiences of my life.  Not sure if it was the people I met or just the fact that I could get away from city life- but it was great.  Travelled around meeting the many borrowers of Grameen Bank and hearing their stories and how they've used the loan money they have received.  There were some fantastic stories of how women first received a loan of about 20-30 dollars and now that their business have grown and expanded they can take out loans worth 700-1000 dollars.  I know that doesn't seem like a lot to us, but you can do a lot with a thousand dollars here if you invest it properly.  I also got to see struggling beggars who don't have proper businesses, but receive a loan of about 20 dollars to start maybe buying a chicken or toys to sell to children so they can make profit and stop having to beg.  It's a pretty interesting organization since they're so big in the country.  Like this week I got to tour they farmed fish ponds and a yogurt factory.  It was really good yogurt- it's a partnership with danone yogurt where the yogurt provides something like 30% of essential vitamins and minerals a child needs in their youth.  I'm still sort of perplexed about their loan repayment stat (nearly 98%) and funny accounting (paying their own organization to conduct tasks that should be done in-house),  but am glad there is an organization in Bangladesh that is doing something for the poor- since the government here is either incapable, or unwilling to do so.  But, when I'm not busy with my internship, I've done some good sightseeing of the country so far.  I really like the interns that I'm meeting- they all seem quite open, diverse and cultured- it reminds me of DC.  I think we have plans to visit a national forest, the old capitol and some other tourist destinations in the upcoming weeks.  Maybe I can take some pictures and post em.  Don't count on that though since the internet here really does suck.  I'm thinking of maybe having a slideshow party when I get back.  Oh, I'd like to thank everyone for wishing me a happy birthday again- it really does mean a lot to me to know you guys haven't forgotten about me..haha.  Wow, I'm like really bad at writing in a blog- it feels like I haven't written anything exciting or interesting, so I think I'll stop.  I'll update hopefully sooner than later about anything else new that pops up.  


PS. I'm still unmarried so whoever has their money on me coming back married, you're gonna have to wish a lil harder.