Rickshaw Shopping and Family Visiting

So today we went to get a new rickshaw for Taborok. We all went together to an area not far from here and Taborok discussed things with people- and really most of the time we weren’t totally sure what was going on… everyone was very nice and very helpful and wanted to show us things. We sat and waited for the designer/rickshaw maker to arrive and then there was some bargaining and discussion of how it would look and we paid a deposit of half the amount. The rickshaw should be ready in one week, and we’ll pay the rest then, once we determine that it is beautiful.
The design is a little funny because Taborok really had it planned out that he wanted an American flag and a Bangladesh flag on it together. He really seems like he is into the symbolism of this (our two countries coming together in his rickshaw!), and while we aren’t exactly the flag-bearing types, we thought that in the future another American might be inclined to take him if they see the flag on there, so we let it happen. We’ll see how it looks…

PHOTO: A rickshaw before the seat and bling are added

PHOTO: Taborok and Atticus checking out some designs

PHOTO: The artisan shows his wares (these are sides to the roof/cover piece)

So after we left, Taborok wanted to take us over to his house to meet his family. He lives in a very poor area and it was interesting to visit. We turned behind two big glass highrises and there was a sea of narrow, muddy alleyways where rickshaw wallahs and other poor families live in tin and concreate shacks and rooms. We were quite exciting visitors apparantly and everyone was very interested in why we were there. Taborok's house is a very small room with a bed, a shelf, and a few other things, but really not any room for anything else. There is about a one or two foot space for walking around two sides of the bed and the bed takes up the entire room.

It was completely clear when we arrived that his youngest daughter was quite the Daddy’s girl, and he was immediately relaxed and happy once his kids were there. We had a seat and the crowd looking in the door just kept growing and growing with curious onlookers. We has some tea and started to take some pictures and all the children were really excited for that. Some people had glitter on themselves from a nearby wedding festivity and before you knew it, Jon, Sam, and Atticus all had glittered faces too.

PHOTO: Sam and Atticus at Taborok’s door

PHOTO: Jon and Taborok’s daughter

PHOTO: Taborok and his youngest daughter (such a Daddy's girl!)

PHOTO: Taborok, his wife, and two daughters

We had a nice time visiting and then we headed back home. It was fun to see Taborok with his family and it confirmed everything we already knew about him as a good guy. His daughters were really sweet and loved the photos – especially the youngest girl! We got some nice family pictures that we’ll print out for them too. All in all it was nice day and we’re super excited to see the rickshaw on Friday when it is ready! Thanks again to everyone.

We’ve posted a few other nice pictures we got today in a separate post below this one. It is such a small space and it is difficult to capture the crowdedness and just the cramped feeling, but there is also an intimacy of such a little place that turns up in some of the pictures (hopefully).