Overall Experience in Dhaka
A very safe city for mongering provided you have the right contacts. I absolutely agree with EZ that the street-scene as well as the guesthouses are not exactly the safest places to monger, given the strict attitude of the present government. Mongering is likely to get difficult as the days pass; therefore, unless you are a local or know the language well, please go through carefully screened contacts. Believe me; if any monger gets caught by the LE, the guy can expect a pretty unpleasant and long stay in the can, irrespective of the passport that he holds. These guys mean business, so it would be sensible to stay away from the wrong end of the stick.
For me, it worked out fine by renting out EZ’s apartment. Paid $50/ day, which is way below what I would have forked out at say, the Radisson or Sheraton. In addition, the place is absolutely safe with private security and the women could come in without the hassles of going through a crowded hotel lobby or prying security. Of course, I had to be discrete – most of the owners/ tenants living in EZs apartment complex are classy and upscale families/ bachelors.
Women: One, some absolutely stunning ladies are in the business here. Two, P4P is dirt cheap as compared to what one pays in the region. What more can mongers ask for? Treat these women nicely and they will make us mongers feel like kings. The language can be a bit of a problem sometime, especially with the girls from the countryside. But, if one is patient with them, communication is not a major issue. One has to get the fundamentals right with them – if they say no to something, respect it.
A word on EZ: whether he likes you or not, he will send you off in the right direction. Last time round, I simply called him and he gave me two leads without even meeting me to find out whether I am a genuine monger. On this trip, I made a good friend, something that goes beyond being an activity partner for mongering. Thanks EZ for everything. Of course, many thanks to your staff too for making my stay an excellent experience.
Wish you all happy and safe mongering in Dhaka!
Gos
A bit of clarification, please
Glad to see these reports from our fellow mongers who have been here and enjoyed themselves.
However, I must, if you all dont mind, say a few things that come to mind after reading these posts.
Firstly I do not and cannot meet all mongers who are here for a short visit. Any one coming around for a long stay, I am sure eventually we will hook up.
Time permitting, I can only meet for a drink or two, if after private messages I feel comfortable with the person visiting.
And most important of all, I cannot and will not promise any mongering help of any sort. Please do understand that I consider myself more of an ex monger than an active one, and all I have done is pass long some contacts to mongers with whom I had things in common.
Most of the time I am not even here in country, but the only thing I can offer is that if you wish to stay in my units, that can be arranged. However nothing else is provided here except a comfortable stay. Any leads, connections etc are all dependent on my being in country and connecting positively with the visiting person.
Hope you all will understand, as after these glowing reports from Gos and more coming I am sure from the other monger, I will be inundated with requests to help out.
Cheers and happy mongering.
Ez Feelin