Consolidation May 2015

CONSOLIDATION

Sunday, May 10th...Mother's Day in US and Guyana.  What am I doing?  I am being picked up by a PC driver and taken to a quiet and fairly remote location in Rose Hall.  There are two vehicles that started early in the morning from Peace Corps HQ in Georgetown.  They have stopped along the way to collect volunteers in key areas known to be volatile after elections.  National Elections will take place Monday, May 11.  We arrive at our destination about noon and soon served lunch.  For the next 6 days we are free of preparing our own meals.  We are free of our duties, in general.  I look at it as R&R.  I hope others do also.  There is a large building that is used as sleeping quarters with a men's dorm and women's dorm on the bottom floor.  More private sleeping quarters are upstairs that staff will use.  There will be about 18 volunteers in the dorms that could easily accommodate twice the number. Across the yard is a larger common building where we will eat and relax. Even though there is a piano, I do not recall any tunes and with no sheet music, it remains unplayed. We will do our laundry by hand if need be and adapt to the curfew that will exist from 6 P.M. to 6 A.M.

 Common building where dining hall is upstairs; conference and offices downstairs: 

Dorms

Dining Hall


One solitary Doberman is kept on a chain in yard.  We are told early on that he is NOT friendly and do not approach him.  Small birds in one cage and large birds in rear cage-


Monday, May 11 - It is Election Day and we are all curious to see what will happen.  Also, what will happen on the street when the winners are announced.   It is peaceful where we are and we take advantage of the music, big screen TV for movies or streaming, board games, card games, reading for leisure, naps, walks, workout of all sorts.  It is not structured, but there is some organization and everyone is keeping busy.  We even have a guided walk to nearby beach and ocean after lunch.



Sallay, Kathrina, Matt, Tanoa and Mike ....we are making our way to the ocean.

Frog skeleton on way to shore.  I knew my grandchildren would like this!

While I found a log to relax on, others venture in the muck to a boat.

Tuesday, 12 May - We are expecting to awaken and know who won the election.  This would not happen....all day.  We are in a place where, once again the Internet is unreliable and fails frequently.  The articles online that we DO see are not done professionally and basically they are what people are guessing.  We are all ok, but a little anxious to know the outcome of the election as well as how the news will be received on the street.  We wait....patiently along with the rest of the country.  Many businesses are closed, children held back from attending school - all out of fear based on what has happened in the past.  Personally, I have a slight medical issue and have a bad night.

Wednesday, 13 May - After a nice breakfast of pancakes and BACON (rather unusual here), I am asked to get into the PC car and I am driven to Georgetown to consult with Medical.  The streets are quiet as Christmas.  There is little activity and the tension seems to be rising as I monitor the online social media comments.  My medical issue is not anything critical or urgent and I feel happy to be able to return to the compound with fellow volunteers.  As I am normally pretty isolated where I live, I rather enjoy the time with other volunteers.  Even if we are just sitting and reading silently collectively together.  It is the feeling of a family.  The staff of St. Francis work to prepare a lovely birthday presentation for one of our own.  They set up a head table, decorate and bake a cake.  They aim to please!  Happy Birthday to Marcella!

Thursday, 14 May - We wake up to silence again on the election front.  However, later in the day the governing body, GECOM announced that the opposition eeked out a victory.  This race appears to have been extremely tight.  The current government officials vow not to "roll over" and, in fact want a recount.  The opposition and supporters are showing signs of celebration, nevertheless.  Outside of some damaging behaviors on election night in a small section of Georgetown, the country has remained vocal, yet civil.

Friday, 15 May - OK, now volunteers are beginning to get a little restless.  The R&R novelty is showing signs of weariness.  At lunch I get word that we will leave the compound tomorrow, Saturday about mid day.  I will miss seeing fellow volunteers but I know there will soon be an event to bring us together again.

Keep this country in your thoughts and prayers for civility and peace, please!