Is it safe to travel to Bangladesh?

[Anonymous]

My husband is from Faridpur, Bangladesh. Are there any Bengali or Americans here that could give me tips? My husband is not very helpful. We have a 2 year old. This would be the first time I have traveled to Bangladesh or any south Asian country. My stomach is very sensitive as I have a gluten allergy. Today for example I got sick from eating out. I am often nauseous 5-7 days out of the month. I am worried about car travel and getting sick. Should we get a special vaccination before traveling? Any tips would be helpful. Most likely we would travel in February. I can't believe I am considering this but would it be easier if I wear a full burka so people are not starting at me? Bangladesh isn't a country people visit for tourist travel from what I understand. Thank you in advanced.

[Anonymous]

A burka? No. A salwar kameez, sure. But honestly, if your stomach is truly that sensitive, you are going to be miserable. I have a pretty strong stomach and had major gastro issues in Bengal - both in Bangladesh and India. No way would I venture with a toddler if I was going to be that miserable from eating. I love Bangladesh and the people are wonderful, so if you didn't have those issues, I would say go for it. There is a heightened risk of extremism these days, so keep that in mind.

[Anonymous]

I think a burka is a good idea OP. It will keep you safer. This is a country where there could be a terrorist attack. You never know. I am assuming you have white skin?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think a burka is a good idea OP. It will keep you safer. This is a country where there could be a terrorist attack. You never know. I am assuming you have white skin?

People will look at you weirdly in cities if you where a burka. You can wear a shalwar kameez or pants and a tunic and be fine.

Does your DH have a sister you could talk to?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think a burka is a good idea OP. It will keep you safer. This is a country where there could be a terrorist attack. You never know. I am assuming you have white skin?

People will look at you weirdly in cities if you where a burka. You can wear a shalwar kameez or pants and a tunic and be fine.

Does your DH have a sister you could talk to?

Assuming you are staying in the city, a burka is totally unnecessary. That's not a traditional Bangladeshi article of clothing.

[Anonymous]

I would recommend reading more about Bangladesh. Grab a travel guide and read it cover to cover (Lonely Planet Bangladesh would be fine).

It will cover:
What you should wear to be culturally respectful
Travel concerns
Food concerns
I think they also have a "travel with children" section

People might stare at you. You won't die if people stare at you in a foreign country.

Does your husband have relatives who can't travel? I think you should figure out how to go.

[Anonymous]

Bangladeshi American here. Men stare at women there regardless of their skin color. It’s kind of creepy. Just a heads up.

[Anonymous]

Why isn’t your husband any help?

[Anonymous]

I don’t understand how you can be married to someone from a country you know so little about. A full burka?

In any case, yes, you will probably get stomach upset. Most travelers there do. But it sounds like you may have other issues like anxiety? Maybe hold off a year or two until the kid could get more out of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand how you can be married to someone from a country you know so little about. A full burka?

In any case, yes, you will probably get stomach upset. Most travelers there do. But it sounds like you may have other issues like anxiety? Maybe hold off a year or two until the kid could get more out of it.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think a burka is a good idea OP. It will keep you safer. This is a country where there could be a terrorist attack. You never know. I am assuming you have white skin?

People will look at you weirdly in cities if you where a burka. You can wear a shalwar kameez or pants and a tunic and be fine.

Does your DH have a sister you could talk to?

Assuming you are staying in the city, a burka is totally unnecessary. That's not a traditional Bangladeshi article of clothing.

OP is not staying a big city. Her husbands small city is 70 miles away from Dhaka.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand how you can be married to someone from a country you know so little about. A full burka?

In any case, yes, you will probably get stomach upset. Most travelers there do. But it sounds like you may have other issues like anxiety? Maybe hold off a year or two until the kid could get more out of it.

Drop the judgement. OP is coming here for advice. OP as someone who is also married to a Bangladeshi I don't think wearing a burka would be a bad idea. You won't spend a lot of time outside anyway and it will keep the creepy stares away. When I went to Bangladesh we stayed indoors the entire time. It was a boring trip!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think a burka is a good idea OP. It will keep you safer. This is a country where there could be a terrorist attack. You never know. I am assuming you have white skin?

People will look at you weirdly in cities if you where a burka. You can wear a shalwar kameez or pants and a tunic and be fine.

Does your DH have a sister you could talk to?

WRONG! Wearing the burqa is on the rise in Bangladesh. I saw tons of women doing this on my recent trip back to Bangladesh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would recommend reading more about Bangladesh. Grab a travel guide and read it cover to cover (Lonely Planet Bangladesh would be fine).

It will cover:
What you should wear to be culturally respectful
Travel concerns
Food concerns
I think they also have a "travel with children" section

People might stare at you. You won't die if people stare at you in a foreign country.

Does your husband have relatives who can't travel? I think you should figure out how to go.

OP here: Yes. His mother can't travel to the US because she's has a fear of flying. I am thinking to bring ramen noddles and dry snacks and eat those while I am in Bangladesh. I hope his family doesn't freak out that I can't eat spicy food.

[Anonymous]

My sister spent a few months with an NGO in Dhaka. Wore long tops with long sleeves, pants and covered her head. She didn’t have any gastro issues, but cooked most of her own food. Had a driver and didn’t report any car sickness. Can’t remember exact vaccinations, but any travel medicine clinic could help.