Sonargaon

Waking up early in the morning, getting a shower and a much-needed breakfast, I set off towards Sonargaon. The air was still fresh, the temperature cool and the morning oh-so beautiful. My Uber took me out of Dhaka and straight onto the highway. The journey was mind-boggling for me as this was the first time I was seeing Dhaka in broad daylight, the colors, the sounds, the people, and the buildings were all so interesting.

My Uber dropped me off a few roads away from Sonargaon and I had to walk for 10 minutes or so which was also great as I saw the slow-paced life of the rural areas, not to mention all the stares I got along the way.

When I got to Sonargaon, I noticed the door was locked but people were going in anyway so I just let myself in and took some photos of the building's reflection on the pool. Not long after, someone called my attention and told me that the place opens after 10. I came too early and didn't really have any idea on what to do for the remaining 2 hours or so and he mentioned something about Goaldi Mosque which also happens to be on my list.

I decided to just go there then. The long walk took me through fields, ponds, and huts until there it was: an ancient-looking mosque with palm trees growing at its side. I was minding my own business and taking pictures until this dude showed up behind me, closing the gates. He started talking to me with the basic pleasantries, "Hello, how are you." He showed me that there was a path to the side of the mosque and later he suddenly said he wanted a hug and that he liked me. This was weird, but okay.

He then said "Picture" so I thought he wanted a selfie or something but then he showed me an adult video, begging me "You and me, please." This was all very insane at that point, my fight or flight response was triggering and a tinge of panic was settling on. It was the first time I found myself in such a situation, I told him "No, you're crazy." He once again begged "Please!" I once again stood my ground and firmly said "No!" He then said, "Okay, goodbye." Bye indeed, I skedaddled out of there in the opposite direction only to realize it was a dead-end and I had to walk in the direction where he came from.

Luckily, there was a group of women traveling that way so I just walked with their group all the while keeping an eye on this guy. I saw him playing with a boy as we passed him. It was really stupid of me but at that time I had thought to myself that perhaps it was his nephew or something, my mind wasn't operating at full after such a traumatizing experience but I should have known better thinking back in hindsight. I was just so lost in that moment.

In any case, I made it to Panam City, an abandoned merchant town and one of the main draws of Sonargaon. It still wasn't open so I just sat by the nearby market watching the people go about their day. A group of students came by and there was a puppy that stole the show.

Once Panam opened, I went inside and started snapping away, trying to forget the horrible event that happened earlier. It was just a short road but the buildings were very intricate and historic. After finishing, I had to walk back to the same road and down to Sonargaon's museum area. I realized I had already taken the photo I had wanted and I wasn't really sure if I wanted to pay the entrance fee just to see the museum so I booked an Uber back to Dhaka. While waiting, a mute beggar or a really good actress approached me, I had thought she wanted some food and I confirmed with my body language so I gave her the apple I took from the hotel this morning. She laughed and showed me money, I thought she wanted to pay for it or something so I told her "Oh, no need," this made her laugh more and pat my head. It was a nice exchange though, of course, I knew she wanted cash.

Soon enough, my Uber arrived and off we went back to Dhaka.Read more