This ain't no vacation

Rickshaws

When I tell people that I’m going to be away for a few months they often respond with different variations of: “That must be nice.”

Let me clear up things a little…this ain’t no vacation. I’m not working on my tan. Fruity cocktails are the last thing on my mind.

Recently, the Travel and Tourism Competiveness Report 2007 listed Bangladesh as 4th from last of countries that cater to tourists. From the ground level this isn’t hard to see. The first day here I tried to get a room at Hotel Tourist, but Hotel Tourist does not accommodate tourists. Go figure.

While the people of Bangladesh are great, there is a complete lack of tourism infrastructure. If you want to go…

Read More >
 
Add a comment

Bibi Russell, Fashion for Development

Me and Bibi

If I were corny, I would write something like: “Bibi Russell is a supermodel and a super nice person.” Because it would be true.

But I’m not, so I won’t.

I searched out the Bibi Production office in Dhaka today with the hopes of talking to someone about their grassroots work with Bangladeshi craftspeople. I didn’t expect it would be Bibi herself.

I asked if I could schedule a time to talk, partly because I didn’t want to intrude and interrupt whatever she was working on, and partly because I really hadn’t outlined an interview.

“Now is a good time. The electricity is out.” Bibi said.

Bibi could probably be living anywhere in the world in some huge spread. She’s a model and…

Read More >
 
Add a comment

Not every day

It’s not every day that you are in Bangladesh.

It’s not every day you interview a supermodel.

Today, I did both.

More, later….

Read More >
 
Add a comment

Contest: Show Me Your Underwear

My Undies

You’ve seen my underwear. Now show me yours.

THE CONTEST

Email me (kelsey@travelin-light.com) a photo similar to the one you see here or a link to a photo of you posing with your most loyal pair of skivvies. The one’s that have been with you through thick and thin, at home and on the road. The more holes and cartoons the better. Tell me why you love ‘em and, of course, where they were made.

I will post all of the photos and their related stories on the Underwear Wall of Fame.

Winners will be announced on March 20th and will receive this t-shirt or a genuine Bangladeshi souvenir hand-selected by yours truly.

Now, show me the undies!…

Read More >
 
Add a comment

Honduras & The greatest job ever

Not only was my trip to Honduras a great start to my quest, it also helped move my writing career along. I broke into some nice markets and radio with material from the trip. Check out a few of ‘em:

In the Christian Science Monitor

On the World Vision Report

In the matter of full-disclosure, while I have published many of the stories from the Honduras trip, I have yet to recoup the cost of the trip. Not even close. Yesterday someone told me that I have the greatest job ever. I do, but it’s expensive….

Read More >
 
Add a comment
Read More >
 
Add a comment

Picture Bangladesh

The boat trip south of Dhaka took all night…

Dock Kids

In the morning, fog clung to the Padma River…

Foggy Padma

I played a full-contact game of tag in which whoever is IT had to chant Kabaddi Kabaddi Kabaddi…

Kabbadi running

I got tackled…

Kabbadi

And most of all, people stared.

Staring

Read More >
 
Add a comment

Does this water taste like cyanide to you?

Obviously, I’m a label watcher. Whenever I’m bored on a bus, in a line, or on the can, and there isn’t any acceptable reading material within reach, I start reading labels

I was reading the label of my Bangladeshi-bottled water today and came across a few frightening things in the mineral composition list. It included such lovely death-bringing, birth-defect-giving minerals such as Arsenic and Cyanide. Now I’m no chemist, but I’ve seen enough spy films to know that cyanide isn’t the peachiest of substances.

Nil – thankfully, that’s the quantity of arsenic and cyanide in the water. But what disturbs me is that the bottler here in Dhaka felt the need or was required to list these items.

How much arsenic and cyanide am I being exposed to…

Read More >
 
Add a comment

Dhaka and my career as a backup singer

I’m in Dhaka, Bangladesh, where my underwear were made.

Dhaka at sunrise

The people of Bangladesh are awesome. I have yet to catch one look or grimace that had any bad intent. There is indifference, disbelief, and joy, but no ill-will. No equivalent of “Go Home Gringo” exists.

Their willingness to help me, almost makes up for the complete lack of road signs. If I don’t know where I am or where I am going, I stop and ask somebody and soon a crowd forms, sometimes as many as 10 or 12 people. After a little deliberation, the crowd decides what it is exactly I’m saying and how I should proceed. If I think a taxi driver is sticking it to me,…

Read More >
 
8 comments

Levi's Rocks

I spent the day before I left calling the corporations that made my clothes. So far only Levi’s have responded.

They gave me names of who to contact in Cambodia and where to reach them.

I think it could be a struggle to see the production floor at most of the factories I will be visiting, but I’m liking my chances at Levi’s. I’ll find out for sure in about 1 month.

After browsing this site it sure looks like they are leading the way in the ethical globalization garment front. From the site:

In the late 1980s, employees at Levi Strauss & Co. (LS&CO.) began to raise concerns about the working conditions of people making our products overseas. This led executives to begin work on a supplier code…

Read More >
 
4 comments