After overnighting in The Whitehouse Hotel Dhaka again, I rose at 4.30am to take CNG to the train station. Feeling tired from only 3 hours sleep. At the big breezy station quite a few sleeping bodies around and one or two beggars.
Couldn't see where to go as both my ticket and all the platform signs are in Bengali which is impossible for me to decipher. I was helped to find the train and my seat by a young chap called Jinnah. Wasn't too happy about my seat in the middle of three. Luckily he arranged for me and, subsequently, himself to have private VIP compartment for an extra £4 on top if the £2.50 I had already paid for the 6 hour journey.
We passed through paddy fields, lush green countryside and attractive villages. The experience was slightly marred by Jinnah trying to engage me in a conversation about politics and religion.
At Rajshahi I took a rickshaw with a driver who said he knew where hotel Nice was, and then took me to a completely different one.
Eventually checked into Hotel Nice for £9 including breakfast. However was given a room with only a small window that opened into the hall so changed yet again.
Tried to sleep but couldn't and anyway there was the usual hammering outside.
Got up and went int the restaurant and ordered chowmein which turned out to be greasy and horrible.
Wandered out in the street. There is so much to look at but the pavement is so broken up that you have to watch each step. By chance I came across some beautiful material shops. Many women were excitedly buying glittery beads and sequins as was explained to me that they were getting ready for the forthcoming holiday.
I found a colourful pottery shop although it is too soon to buy anything but I have my eye on some mirrors.
Again people appear bemused at the sight of me and stare but in a pleasant way. Sometimes ask the same question. 'Where from?'
In the pleasant warmth of the setting sun I walked on a raised dike beside the river Padma. The LP book says it becomes the Ganges on the Indian side which is only 2 kms away but it doesn't make sense to me.
Again animals all around. Chickens, cows, buffalo, dogs, ducks, geese and goats chomping on whatever food they had. It is particularly amusing that some of the goats are wearing sweaters or polo shirts. I haven't worked out why. I don't think somehow it is a fashion statement.
Rajshahi is a pleasant place especially after the chaos of Dhaka.