Thanchi

Yes. I did get to go to Thanchi. We ended up leaving a day later because of the Dhaka blockade, but then had to change our plans because of another hartel in a city we were to travel through. We did eventually make it there though. Thanchi is near the Burma border. It is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. It has endless mountains, misty, cold mornings but hot days. Tropical trees along with thick underbrush covers the stone that makes up the mountains that surround the village of Thanchi. Once we arrived we got out of the pickup that carried mosquito nets, towels and blankets for the mission.

We walked down some mud stairs, to the right along a river. Two youngish boys insisted on carrying my backpack. We all had to get into a canoe ish looking boat to cross the river where the village presumably was. After crossing, we walked another mile or so through various stalls of food and tea. Of course I got incredulous looks and stares , as usual---"what is a white, blonde girl doing in the hills of Thanchi?" (it is always worse in the villages b/c I may be the only white person they have ever seen or will ever see)

It felt great to walk and stretch after a very long day in the truck, bouncing through barely paved, curvy mountain roads. We finally reached the mission where we were served tea and buscuits (cookies for you americans). As I looked around I was in awe of the fresh, unpolluted water in the streams, the sun shining off the mountains and the open space, with NO PEOPLE. I have grown accustomed to the crowds in Mymensingh and Dhaka, so it was a shock when it was completely silent, and there were not millions of people roaming around.

I took a nap, woke and explored the area a little. Dinner was served as the sun was setting and conversation lasted until it was time for a cultural program. We were ushered into a large hut made out of woven jute fibers where the girls stayed while they attended the mission school. I was given the place of honor at the front of the room, along with Phoebe and Bari other MCC workers. The girls sat to my right on a raised platform (that became their bed at nightfall) and the boys sat to my left. They looked curiously at me and sang a welcome song for us. Many dances and songs followed along with a gift of a long piece of material which I am today wearing as a skirt.

We got up very early the next morning to start for Rangamati, where we were to have lunch at another Mission. The rooster crowed (much to my angry dismay ALL NIGHT) so morning was a welcomed surprise. It was so cold! I was wearing my orange salwar kameeze with socks and sandals, a sweater and a wool shawl. Mist was coming down and the mountains were barely visible in the distance. It reminded me alot of Portland, Oregon weather. So beautiful. Shundor.

We backtracked, took the boat across and finally reached our truck. The boy who carried my backpack insisted on kissing my feet, a sign of respect for elders. We loaded up and waved goodbye to our new friends.