Dhaka is the capitol of Bangladesh and one of the major cities in South Asia. It is the 9th largest city in the world. There are over 50,300 people living in one square mile. (NYC has 27,500/sq mi, Manhatten has 66,900/sq mi.) While Manhatten is a modern city (mostly) capable of handling the congestion, in comparison, Dhaka is part of a developing country. Think early 1900's in many aspects. Although, Dhaka is considered to be the worlds fastest growing city with more and more modernized living (transportation, communication and public works), it doesn't look like it when in the middle of it. Growth and development come with a price and in Dhaka, it is overpopulation. The city has jobs to offer, and is far more moderized than the rest of the country, causing people to flock there. The congestion in traffic is beyond description. What might take 15 mins without traffic slows to 1-1.5 hours. Weaving in and out of this bumper to bumper movement are over 400,000 bicycle rickshaws! Dhaka is the rickshaw capitol of the world.
Lost in the masses, is an entire population of the poor. People not living in the area pictured below, call this the "slums" or the "Shanti Town" along the river. Many of the people living here are employed as part-time maids, drivers, rickshaw owners, and other servants (full-time usually have a small abode on the property where they work). It seems to me that in Dhaka, one either employes a maid, or they are one.
Those unable to work because of disabilities, illness, or simply lack of a job, work as beggars. Many children are in this category. They walk between the cars in traffic, selling washcloths, flowers, maps, or simply asking for a handout. There are small markets within these areas where people living here buy their produce and other items at a cost less than in the open markets.
This man works at one of the open markets where he (and several others) rushed to open my car door, with the expectation of a tip, his source of income. Because we had a driver who also opens our doors, I didn't understand what he wanted. I took his picture thinking he was trying to get my attention for that purpose. As we drove off, he banged on the back of the car, stating his disgust with me.
Lost in the masses, is an entire population of the poor. People not living in the area pictured below, call this the "slums" or the "Shanti Town" along the river. Many of the people living here are employed as part-time maids, drivers, rickshaw owners, and other servants (full-time usually have a small abode on the property where they work). It seems to me that in Dhaka, one either employes a maid, or they are one.
Those unable to work because of disabilities, illness, or simply lack of a job, work as beggars. Many children are in this category. They walk between the cars in traffic, selling washcloths, flowers, maps, or simply asking for a handout. There are small markets within these areas where people living here buy their produce and other items at a cost less than in the open markets.
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| Goats roam freely |
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| These look like old taxi cars. Although, there are no yellow taxis in the city |
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