Introduction

During the COVID-19 pandemic, like many others, I found myself immersed in online classes and scrolling through social media during breaks. One day, I stumbled across OpenStreetMap (OSM), and my journey with this incredible platform began out of sheer curiosity. Little did I know that this discovery would eventually lead me to the State of the Map Asia 2024 conference—my first-ever conference application. I cannot express the joy I felt when both my presentation and I were selected to be part of this esteemed event. Though I received only a partial scholarship, I was determined to make it to Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. Traveling from Nepal, we were a group of four. I had already booked my flight, which departed from Delhi, while my friends flew directly from Kathmandu.

The Journey to Cox’s Bazar

The journey wasn’t without its challenges. I had a tight three-hour transit in Dhaka to catch my domestic flight to Cox’s Bazar. However, my international flight faced delays, and applying for a visa on arrival meant standing in a long queue. Fearing I might miss my next flight, I humbly requested the visa officer to expedite my process. Time was of the essence, so I couldn’t exchange currency or get a local SIM card. With only minutes to spare, I dashed to the domestic terminal, relieved to find that my domestic flight was also delayed by an hour. I was informed by Sawan Sir that I would meet Hasna Heena and Fazle Rabbi at the airport, which comforted me as they were on the same flight. True to their reputation, the lovely couple warmly welcomed me, helped me exchange currency, and ensured I felt at home upon reaching the hotel.

First Impressions

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