Nadiya Hussain: Sylhet Bangladesh

I have a theory that there are certain types of people. Those who collected woodlice and those who didn’t. Then there is another subset of people who kept them, or at least an interest in them, a little longer than others did. All I’m saying is Nadiya feels like someone who also had a secret jar in her desk. (She’s one of us)

If you are from Sylhet or are thinking of going the time of year is going to really impact how you see the place. During the rains, the rivers rise over thirty feet changing the entire landscape. Leeches were a big concern for Shaun, although he needn’t worry about Royal Bengal Tigers who are only found in the south of the country. The amount of tiger attacks always astonishes me, nover 350,000 in the last two centuries.

If you’re not counting tiny countries like monaco Bangladesh is the most densely populated country on Earth and even if you are, it is still within the top ten. Aside from the poverty, and not speaking the language the main thing that might put me off visiting is the humidity. It is endless. I think I found it reaching 80% in a january early morning… but otherwise it is near 90-100% humidity year round! So Shaun is bound to stay home… isn’t he?

Find out by listening to Your Place Or Mine on Radio 4 at 10am or anytime you please on BBC SOUNDS.