A few days ago I received an email from Riton, one of the interpreters on our trip. As I was reading it, I thought of how well it showed the personality of the people of Bangladesh and I thought you would enjoy it too. I especially like what Riton says at the end about the common saying in Bangladesh: “No problem”.
I’m going to work really hard on being like that.
Less headaches.
Read on …
I had to go in Chittagong at night 9.30 on April, 09, 2010. Ricky (my brother)
was in pressure will I come on time or not because they need a translator/
an interpreter from Friday for Amanda Berry, Marilyne Hebert & Joyana.
I started my job from next day. Early in the morning at 6.30 am I woke up.
I was nerves. I was thinking will they be friendly or not? Ricky told me I
have to go to Peninsula (hotel) before 9 am. I went there with Andrew da and
others (da means brother for Christian/Hindu, bhai for Muslim). I introduced
with them but I was very quiet.
Then we started our journey to Uttar Bandar, Anowara. My first visit was
with Marilyne Hebert in Urmi’’s house. She was pretty, cute & very smart.
She was not worried. I did not get anyone like her (Urmi) in our individual
conversation. In this way day by day I became a part of that group.
It was our group.
You have visited many areas. You have seen many things. You have taken
many pictures. All were new to you. One time I was thinking why you
are paying attention for uninteresting things. Later I realized it
(passengers on the roof, school children in the case, motorcycle
driving without helmet, and building are making by bamboos)
not a normal/common scenario in Canada. May be I will do same thing
when will I come in Canada with snow!
I have seen how much you were kind for the street children.
April 24, 2010 we (Amanda, Nessa, Jason) had a breakfast with four beggars
and they had to pay almost 2000 taka ($ 25). It was may be a small amount
of money for Canadian but some Bangladeshi garment worker do not get this
amount of money in one month! I have seen Tom, Donna, Amanda & Vanessa’’s
sympathy for poor people. May be others were same. I appreciate it.
It is a suggestions not advice for you /next visitors: Please try to come in
Bangladesh in January/February (winter) that would be more comfortable
(temperature), make schedule flexible (if anyone try to go Cox’’s bazaar/
Shonderban or any other place in Bangladesh)
My observation: Tom: an independent man, Cynthia: She does not care her age,
Marilyne: serious for garments worker rights, Amanda: loves text message,
Kerrie: quiet/was not interest for ask anything, Donna: Is there anyone
(street children) who is looking for plastic bottle/food, Lydia: loves Camera,
Lily: some times good some times bad for sneezing, Vanessa: dosh tami ko ray na/
interest for new language, M.B: Professional
Request: If you know anyone coming from Canada or abroad and if they
need guide/interpreter, please let us know.
It is difficult to say good bye to nearest or dearest person and it was.
It is uncomfortable to hug if you are not used to. I wanted but I could not
(with Amanda/ Donna). Sometimes it is tough to control tears.
Now, when I am trying to write something to all of you, my tears c…………
Because
I like all of you, I love all of you and I am missing all of ……
Thanks
Bye
Riton Quiah
Vill: Gopai, P.O: Sonapur
Dist: Noakhali-3802
BANGLADESH
E-mail: ritonquiah@yahoo.com
Cell: +88019 1177 7711
“”I am not very well in English, if I make any mistake please excuse
me. If you like my e-mail you can post it on your web site””
Popular English sentences: There are many problems in Bangladesh
but Bangladeshi would like to say “”no problem””, and “”hello, how are you?
I am fine, thank you.
A woman spreading out rice to dry
One of the many beautiful flowers in Bangladesh
no problem
no problem !
no problem !!
By the way – a friend of mine is off to Zambia now and has a blog going. If you would like to follow along with his trip just go to http://chrismschroeder.wordpress.com/
Until next time, say it with me … “No problem!”
Donna
Donna White 
Diane Miller said,
May 10, 2010 @ 3:36 pm
What a dear man. I can hear and see in his words how much he became a part of your group and how hard it was for him to say goodbye to you all. Friendship for a lifetime – worth more than all the treasures in the world.
mzunga said,
May 10, 2010 @ 11:13 pm
Yes – you said it just right… Riton was more than an interpreter in our group. He understood why we were there and helped us to be culturally sensitive to what sort of questions we could ask. He even would suggest questions that we should ask the people during our visits. I always enjoyed the trips in the van to and from the projects with Riton and the other interpretors, Ivee, Ricky, Jason and Alex. They always had so much to share – I’m still thinking of questions I would have liked to have asked!
Some day it would be absolutely wonderful to go back.
Donna