and the countdown begins

With around 18 days to go before I board the plane (did anyone actually believe that nonchalant 'around'? Thought not) I'm well on my way to being prepared. At least I think so. I've finished up at work, moved out, bought stuff and aside from restringing my guitar, I think I'm pretty well right. So I've been using some of my new found spare time to find out 'fun facts' about where I'll soon be living.

Fun facts about Bangladesh:

Bangladesh has 3 UNESCO World Heritage listed sites:
- The Sundarbans
- Historic Mosque City of Bagerhat, and
- Ruins of the Buddhist Vihara at Paharpur

As someone who loves a good old 'brown sign', I find this very exciting indeed. (For the non-Aussie or non car trip adventurer Aussie, brown signs are used to indicate 'historical monuments' throughout Australia. 'Historical Monument' appears to be loosley applied, however, and can be found marking anything from a telegraph pole in the middle of the desert, or indeed every telegraph pole in the middle of the desert, to something as grand as Australia's first parliament house. 10 points for lack of discrimination to whoever it is who puts these signs up, I say).

Bangladesh has the 4th worst toilets in the world

Yes, a fun fact for anyone preparing for 12 months of dysentry. I can't wait.

It is knocked out of medal contention by China, India and Indonesia though, so I at least have that to be grateful for.

Bangladesh is one of the most corrupt countries in the world

According to the Transparency Index and the Forbes list of corrupt countries. Which should make working there a piece of cake!

There a loads and loads of people in a little, little place

The population of Bangladesh (approx 153m) is squeezed into a country the size of Wales, or the size of New York State, or two thirds the size of Victoria. And just so you're really, really thinking about this, Bangladesh is the 7th most populous country in the world. So, basically, I'm preparing to live out my dream of being in a Radiohead song and discover what it's like to be 'packed like sardines in a crushed tin box', in 30+ degree heat, without deodorant.

And whilst I could spend all day finding other fun facts, I've just looked outside my window and can sense a Sydney scorcher coming on. Is that the beach I hear???