Dhaka II

Today was a long trip back to Dhaka by bus. I checked out of Jatra and once again headed to Sonadanga. The bus ride took around 4 to 5 hours and before I knew it, I was back in one of the most polluted cities on earth, in fact, it was rated number 1 based on the news I saw a few days ago.

This time, I chose to wear a mask because I knew it would be suicide to start breathing in this air while still sick. My first stop was the pharmacy to get some more Strepsils. Got on an Uber CNG or an auto-rickshaw to try out this form of transportation which made me feel a bit safer compared to just using a motorbike this time around.

I had a lot of time to spare when I arrived at the airport and when it was time to check in, I found my patience tested. The Bangladeshi people seemed to always be keen on cutting in line just like when I was in Egypt. Even in front of the check-in counter, beyond the yellow line, people were still cutting in front of me. Oh lord, it was really annoying. Take deep breaths, I told myself. It doesn't matter, I was hungry, I just wanted to check-in so I could already eat at the restaurant inside.

I had to fill up some form to enter immigration but I didn't have a pen, luckily there was a Chinese lady and with what broken Chinese I can muster, I was able to borrow her pen and in exchange got her another form from the guard.

After that unpleasant incident, I finally got to eat my last chicken biryani before going to my gate, only to find out that there was no waiting area nor seats for Gate 4. The people literally had to sit on the floor before they finally let us in. Only for the flight to be delayed for like another 2 hours or so. I encountered the Chinese lady again, surprised that she was heading to Kathmandu as well.

When we got on the airplane, it quickly got infested by hundreds of mosquitos. It was absolutely terrifying. The entertainment system in front of me was also broken. It was certainly a ride to remember, I never thought I would have an officially worst airplane ride but this was it right here. The Chinese lady was also seated next to me, on the other aisle. I got some forms to fill up from the stewardess and took one for her too as she was asleep. I later borrowed her pen again, and in exchange she told me to write her form as well. A good bargain, she shared with me some food and introduced herself as Coco.

Mysteriously, after the cabin crew sprayed something, all the mosquitos seemed to have disappeared. After a few hours, we were soon touching down Nepal.Read more