Girls Basketball

The girls basketball season is typically in the fall.  Although Brian was not here to coach the girls during their regular season, he had the opportunity to hold practices for the team in the spring in preparation for some games against the nearby university (future post about the game!).  The girls themselves were very excited to have practices again.  Like I mentioned before, the girls in this society do not have many opportunities to play sports so when something like this is offered the response is usually overwhelming. 

Practices were held at the same location as the boys practices.  Although the weather was getting hotter, BJ and I attended more girls' practices than we did the boys!  BJ felt more comfortable around the girls and I don't know if it is because we went so often or that the girls just loved him to pieces and lit up when they saw him coming :)  It's always nice to be loved! 

BJ stretching with the team before practice.

There was a female teacher who would come to help with practice.

Brian made the girls practice hard.  Despite the heat, there were very few complaints.

All of the girls worked very hard. 

When the girls had to run, BJ was always clapping and cheering them on.  Sometimes you just need a little encouragement...

Our Trip to Malumghat - The Hospital

Sunday morning we were given a tour of the hospital on the compound.  This hospital has many full-time American doctors and nurses. They also run a nursing school on the compound.  If we ever needed medical attention that required a hospital visit, this is where we would go.  (There is an American doctor in our city that cares for us for anything minor.) 

The outdoor emergency waiting room.

A woman's health room (aka typical birthing room).

The men and women are kept in separate wings at the hospital.  There are no private rooms so everyone shares the same space.  Here is a rare glimpse into the men's ward.

This little guy was born at 30 weeks.  His mother did not survive the birth so he is going to live with an aunt (boys are held in high regard and the aunt has only daughters...she was more than happy to raise him).  The staff at the hospital named him "Sweet Potato" because he comes from a family of potato farmers.  This was a happy day because he was given a clean bill of health and would go home the next day.

The highlight of the tour (and my weekend!) came when we were asked if we wanted to observe a c-section.  Um...Yes!!!  There would never be an opportunity to see one in the States (without actually participating in one...) so I jumped at the chance.  Brian and BJ happily bowed out of the tour at this time. 

All suited up for the surgery!  The doctor is behind us scrubbing up.  I am the one on the left. 

I was super-excited about this opportunity!  I am all about anything involving babies :)  One of the nurses saw me standing on my tiptoes to see what was going on. He politely gave me a step stool to use!  I took many graphic photos but am not going to post them.  It was amazing!

After the brief surgery, this little sweetheart was born!  Welcome to the world!

I was the first non-hospital staff to hold her.  She was a little over 5 lbs and absolutely adorable.  The only other minute-old newborn I've held is BJ :)  

And this is the baby girl in the incubator.  So sweet!

Well, that concludes our wonderful long weekend in Malumghat!

Our Trip to Malumghat - Safari Park

To continue our LONG Saturday at Malumghat...

When we got home from Cox's Bazar we decided to go to the Safari Park.  We really didn't feel like going (what I really wanted to do was take a shower and then a nap!) but since this was the only day that we had available to sight-see we needed to bite the bullet and go.  So, around 4 pm we boarded a baby taxi (5 adults, 1 child...very interesting ride) for a short 10 minute drive down the road.  This zoo was A LOT larger and better maintained than the zoo in the city.  BJ was very excited to see all the animals (which mostly had natural habitats to live in!). 

BJ liked the snake (or "ssss" as BJ says).

Some cages needed a little repair...

but this monkey was enjoying the view!

It's not everyday that you see wildlife roaming feely at the zoo (is a cow considered wildlife?)

You could literally reach out and touch this cat if you wanted.  No thank you.

BJ is trying to feed this heron(?).  The bird was a little scary.  It just sat there and stared at us.  We quickly moved on.

One of BJ's favorite animals is the crocodile.  There is one in the water at the center of this picture. 

The elephants were just standing around, chained to large tree trunks.  The elephant rides were closed for the day :(

Family picture with an elephant!

We do not have a stroller here so I was very happy that BJ decided to walk the majority of the time in the park!

This sign made me giggle.  This was the entrance to the lion and tiger house.  I guess they eat veggies here :)

On day ended on an exciting note...an elephant (and trainer?) were taking a stroll around the park.  The group of ladies to the right of the elephant is part of our party.  We would have been right there with them but decided to hang back and let the elephant pass without us getting too close.  Couldn't chance a crazy elephant with BJ. 

Our Trip to Malumghat - The Bay of Bengal/Cox's Bazar

On the Saturday of our long weekend down in Malumghat, we took advantage of our "free time" and headed to the coast.  Although this country is not considered a tourist destination they do have one claim to fame...the longest beach in the world.  Cox's Bazar is the location of a 150 mile long natural sand beach.  We couldn't pass up the chance to swim in the Bay of Bengal, so we boarded the van in the early morning and drove to the beach.  

 

BJ walking to the beach with his "favorite" babysitter, Miss Kelsi.

Is that a pirate ship on the bay?! 

(It's really a fishing boat but it sure looks fun!)

Brian playing American football with some boys at the beach.

Showing off our bathing suits.  Yes, women go swimming completely dressed in the shalwar/kamise and ornah.

BJ and I also played football with the children.

Another view of the pirate ship :)

BJ and Daddy enjoying the waves.

Family photo in the Bay of Bengal.

As we played at the beach, several children came to play with us.

Most of the time, however, we were just observed.

More football with the children.

I had to take a picture of these beautiful little girls!

A glimpse into our celebrity status here...this man RAN up to Brian with his little baby and insisted he take a picture with Brian and BJ.  Although I did take a picture of just the four of them I thought this photo told the story better :)

A view of the shoreline.

After we swam for a bit it was time for lunch. We stopped at a fabulous little "resort" on the side of the road.  It didn't look like much but once you got past the dirt "parking lot" it was fanTAStic!  It was called Mermaid Eco-Resort and it was a cafe with outside seating.  There were also bungaloos that you could stay in.  It looked like a great place to go on vacation (that is...if you chose to come to a place not known for tourism!)

Fun signs at the juice bar.

BJ having a great time waiting for our food.  He is such a pleasant, joyful child!  You really can't tell that it's way past lunch time, let alone nap time, and he's all sweaty, hot, and sticky from the beach. 

An attempt at a family photo. 

Brian and BJ exploring the resort grounds.

We were right near the water so of course there's boats!

Stopping to see the flowers while exploring.

BJ thanking God for his chocolate milk :)

Eating outdoors is always so fun!

After lunch we sent BJ back up to the compound with Miss Kelsi while Brian and I went shopping.  BJ fell asleep almost immediately in the van (slept for about 40 minutes) and then went back down for another hour or so once they got back to the compound.    Brian and I, along with 5 other people, went around to the shops to buy some gifts to take home. 

A view of the beach as we drove into town to go shopping.

The block of stores that we shopped in.

A look inside a typical store.

When we were ready to leave, these children were playing a game in the dirt behind our van. 

After shopping we got back in the van for the hour and a half drive back to Malughat.  This is a view of a typical road in Cox's Bazar.

I wish BJ was in the van to see this.  It is a cow market!  BJ loves to look at the cows on the street :)

You would think that this would be the end to a long day. Nope.  As soon as we got back and BJ was up from his nap we headed over to the Safari Park! (future post to come!)