Dhaka, Bangladesh

Bangladesh is a country filled with luscious greenery and abundant with a rich culture and history ranging from food to the language itself and I consider myself very fortunate to have been able to experience the culture as a child. I was born in Dhaka, the capital of the country, and was always surrounded by diversity in the bustling city. Bangladesh has some of the richest greenery in the world and is best known for having the largest river delta formed by the Brahmaputra and the Ganges river. Villages all over the country demonstrate the population’s skill with nature and the love for protecting Bangladesh’s beauty. Dhaka is known for being a beautiful hub for music and the arts. People in the city gravitate towards cafes and festivals to hear live music and walk through various art exhibits displaying pieces that range from paintings to performative dancing like Kathak. Dhaka’s Shilpakala Academy expertly illustrates the beauty of traditional Bengali arts and is a must-see when visiting Bangladesh. Aside from dominating the arts, Bangladesh prides itself on its delicious cuisine as well, especially with its copious amount of street food carts scattered throughout Dhaka and other locations. Among the favorites are jhalmuri (puffed rice with onions, chilis, and various spices) and fuchka (ball-shaped fried flatbread filled with mashed potato, onion, eggs, and spices), but true Bengali cuisine can be experienced as long as you’ve added enough spices to begin salivating. I love my culture and the variety of beauty available in Bangladesh and I hope others get to experience it one day and love it just as much as I do.