For a few dollars more...

I was flying from Bangkok to Chittagong on a Bangladesh international flight and we were delayed 30
minutes waiting for some passengers from a connecting flight. When I was at the terminal, it was only two of us , my colleague and myself waiting for the plane from Bangkok. Then, all of a sudden many Bangladeshi came in to join us at the waiting bay as a connecting flight came into Bangkok international airport.

All of us check into the plane and we were all seated, there was this passenger, who bring along with him three big begs. He could not stuff the banks in the overhead lockers as it was too big and bulky  and he just place his begs on the empty chairs beside him. He was sweating profusely and was standing to cool himself down. After a few minutes, he then took out a can of perfume. A big can and spray the perfume into his both sweaty armpits  and there was a sudden fragrance in the plane. He continued to stand and smile until a stewardess asked him to place his begs properly. He took the begs and stuff it into the gaps between two seats. I think that is the best thing he can do as all the overhead lockers were full.  It was so dangerous and the stewardess could not do anything else.

Then, there was an announcement  that the plane is going to take off  and suddenly, someone shouted to stop as one of the passenger's friend was not yet on board. This protest followed by a few rounds of negotiation between the stewardess and the passenger.  The plane stalled to wait for the missing passenger for about 15 minutes and finally, it could not wait any longer and the plane took off after a delay of 30 minutes. I was watching the actions with amusement. Is this  a wild wild west show ? No rules and regulations. It was like a fish market with people moving here and there so loosely.

At dinner tonight in Chittagong , I was complaining to my local host that Bangladesh will not improve if there are so many interpretation to a simple regulation. By allowing loose interpretation, it will create a lot of warlords within the Administration which leads to corruption and confusion. The country is forever battling this stupid act of human beings interpreting each act and regulations  to his or her advantage.

It is very surprising that the local Bangladeshi is accepting such practice and told me that it is their local culture to use money to resolve all the problems coming out of the interpretations. It creates another group of interpreters of the law and regulations.  Perhaps , this is a good way to create jobs for the people. There is a saying that "if a sea water fish is placed in a fresh water pond, it will gradually turn into a fresh water fish" or  " if you choose to live close to a black guy, you will also turn black". All of us can be brain washed and guide to live a different life for good or bad.

There was a story of a frog. If you place the frog into a warm water and as you hit it up, it will not re-act and finally, it will get steamed. This is the danger of stutle daily influence you cannot see.  The environment is changing you without you knowing it.  We are constantly changing to adapt to the prevailing circumstances until we turn from white to black.

So, who would like to go to Bangladesh ?  If not , for a few dollars more.  If you have a strong mind, you change the environment which surrounds you and if not, you will be changed by your environment and circumstances. Don't be like the frog, not knowing that the heat of the water is getting hotter. Raise your awareness by keeping healthy and alert.  Keep your self in touch with the changes besides you and don't sink into complacency.

Namaste.