Where the heck is Matt? In Dhaka!

When I reached the Crescent Lake Bridge at 2pm on April 9, I wasn't expecting many people to show up. In a distance, I saw a foreigner directing a crowd of around 35 people to gather in the middle of the bridge. They were going to be a part of the next “Where the heck is Matt?” video. 

Matt Harding, who claims to be the worst professional dancer, is an American traveller and video game designer. He is also known as “Dancing Matt” for his viral videos where he dances in front of various international locations and landmarks.

In front of the crowd stood Elan Lee, the cameraman with an iPhone on a tripod, the only gear required. They preferred it over a DSLR which is heavy to carry. Once the video is recorded, it is sent to their co-ordinator, the third team member in Seattle, Washington.

There was no music and you could see a group of young people swaying both arms while imitating a jogging movement. Under the scorching sun, Matt divided the crowd into groups. Each of them danced separately with him in new steps they came up with. They kept rehearsing “1, 2, 3, 4, front, front, back, back” while counting the steps. “Don't worry about how you look. Keep smiling because it's more important than the steps” – Matt made his priorities clear to them.

“It was easy to get a visa for Bangladesh. Hence we chose your country. We looked only for enough space to fit in people, and the National Parliament was perfect for us. Luckily, we got the permission for the shoot,” they explained how they ended up here.

 To 39 year old Matt, human beings tend to focus on scary, violent things. Anywhere you go, most people are peaceful, and the purpose of the videos is to remind us of that. The videos are for everyone. Even if one never leaves his/her town, they can still get the idea that the world is not dangerous.

Matt and Elan, who started travelling ten years ago, are always approached by sponsors impressed by their videos. Used to travelling light, they don't have much to worry. “I just get on an airplane. It's the plane's duty to take me somewhere,” Matt's quips made everyone laugh.

Elan, the founder of “Exploding Kittens”, narrated the story of how they learned how to play cricket from kids in India. They try street food in every country despite hygiene concerns. As we chatted, they told us the story of getting arrested at the Parthenon where dancing was illegal. 

Though they believe that telling people what to do stops them from doing it, they have a simple message: there are risks and dangers, but you can choose to not live a life governed by fear.

Myat Moe is an occasional philosopher whose favourite pastime is confusing people with her nationality. Reach her at 145michelle@gmail.com