I will be very excited to know who caught the Friends reference in the title =P
As I write, I am installing my "Learn Bengali" CD so hopefully I will be able to include some of my (mis)adventures in the next few posts! I must say the packaging is quite amusing- they offer training CDs for "American," "English," AND "British!" I find that hilarious, and if they weren't about $30 each I would be most interested to know how great the differences are that they require three different programs.
I have only had one serious mishap in communication so far, which is quite incredible considering I've been here almost a month and can barely communicate with the locals. I've had to call Sana twice for her to tell the CNG driver where to go! I was trying to ask a rickshaw driver how much it would cost for a ride from Dhaka University where our CNG dropped us, and the National Museum where he was supposed to drop us. In an attempt at body language, I was running my thumb along two fingers while saying "how much?" The rickshaw driver smiled and didn't respond. Marco told me after that that gesture actually means "I want to sleep with you"- I guess since he was ancient the rickshaw driver knew that wasn't what I meant! Needless to say I've only done it the once!
I also forgot to mention my two favorite food things. A few days ago (maybe a week by now, I've kind of lost track of time), I was meandering through the bazaar on the ground-level of my hotel and said "hello" to one of the shop attendants. As I was leaving his aisle, he stopped me to pick up this giant package of a "new treat we just got from India!" I said I would maybe pick it up next time, and he disappointedly put the package down. He then grabbed the smaller version next to it and said, "I want to know if you like it!" So of course I took it and said, "I will let you know!" He has very good taste; the treat, Soan Papdi, is uuber delicious and flaky, although very sweet as is the style so I can only eat about half a crumbly square at a time. The other thing I have discovered is Caraway seeds, which Bengali restaurants serve in a cute little dish after a meal to help with digestion. They come in many different versions, including the sweet version I bought by mistake which has sugar crystals mixed in with the seeds. If you can find roasted Caraway seeds, I highly reccommend them. They are delicious! Everyone thinks I'm crazy because I cram mouthfuls of them in after meals, and have been known to steal a tissue-full when I can =P
Ok that's it for now, time to get my Bangla on!
As I write, I am installing my "Learn Bengali" CD so hopefully I will be able to include some of my (mis)adventures in the next few posts! I must say the packaging is quite amusing- they offer training CDs for "American," "English," AND "British!" I find that hilarious, and if they weren't about $30 each I would be most interested to know how great the differences are that they require three different programs.
I have only had one serious mishap in communication so far, which is quite incredible considering I've been here almost a month and can barely communicate with the locals. I've had to call Sana twice for her to tell the CNG driver where to go! I was trying to ask a rickshaw driver how much it would cost for a ride from Dhaka University where our CNG dropped us, and the National Museum where he was supposed to drop us. In an attempt at body language, I was running my thumb along two fingers while saying "how much?" The rickshaw driver smiled and didn't respond. Marco told me after that that gesture actually means "I want to sleep with you"- I guess since he was ancient the rickshaw driver knew that wasn't what I meant! Needless to say I've only done it the once!
I also forgot to mention my two favorite food things. A few days ago (maybe a week by now, I've kind of lost track of time), I was meandering through the bazaar on the ground-level of my hotel and said "hello" to one of the shop attendants. As I was leaving his aisle, he stopped me to pick up this giant package of a "new treat we just got from India!" I said I would maybe pick it up next time, and he disappointedly put the package down. He then grabbed the smaller version next to it and said, "I want to know if you like it!" So of course I took it and said, "I will let you know!" He has very good taste; the treat, Soan Papdi, is uuber delicious and flaky, although very sweet as is the style so I can only eat about half a crumbly square at a time. The other thing I have discovered is Caraway seeds, which Bengali restaurants serve in a cute little dish after a meal to help with digestion. They come in many different versions, including the sweet version I bought by mistake which has sugar crystals mixed in with the seeds. If you can find roasted Caraway seeds, I highly reccommend them. They are delicious! Everyone thinks I'm crazy because I cram mouthfuls of them in after meals, and have been known to steal a tissue-full when I can =P
Ok that's it for now, time to get my Bangla on!
hahahaa i can just imagine the look on your face when you found out what you were actually signing! haha
ReplyDeleteLovin' the food parts! And of course, telling the rickshaw driver that you want to sleep with him. I'm sure he was really flattered.
ReplyDeleteI GOT THE FRIENDS REFERENCE!
ReplyDeleteIt's too bad it was just a hand-gesture miscommunication, I was ready to put you up on the quote wall here at home. ;)