Pabna

Pabna

My latest trip took me to Pabna, a four hour drive northwest of Dhaka, and the home of Bangladesh’s largest mental institution. From a Bengali roadside-animal-sighting point of view, it was a good trip. I successfully spotted the Big Five of the Bangladeshi highway safari: cow, goat, sheep, chicken, and duck, also known as the “Five Edibles.” I was especially excited about our accommodations, located near Pabna on the grounds of the local amusement park, Serenity World. Judging from the website, I was sure a Disney like experience awaited. Not only was there an on site Chinese restaurant, but the facility also boasted a “state of the art” public address system. I guess you can’t believe everything you read on the internet. The Chinese restaurant was closed due to lack of business and the rides were mostly a choo-choo train and a Ferris wheel. When I checked in to the hotel, I was asked what time I wanted hot water for a shower, assuming they would turn the hot water heater on at that time. Little did I expect to have a large bucket of hot water delivered to my room at 7 am. The food, though, was good, breakfast was free, and the Nescafé was hot and plentiful. The time in Pabna proper was interesting, as well. My assignment took me to the local municipal office, where I got to see the rickshaw seat impoundment center, where scofflaw rickshaw drivers who had violated the law came to redeem their passenger seats after paying a fine. I also saw a 19th century raj residence, which has been turned into a children’s academy, as well as lychee orchards and lots of drying turmeric. lk