One Giant Partee

ONE GIANT PARTEE
19 May, 2016

The preparation…..
I have been looking forward to being present for the 50th Independence Day celebration for two years!  As it is known now, The Golden Jubilee is cause to honor this country.  After being governed and either enslaved or indentured by French, Dutch and British, by the 1900’s Afro-Guyanese and Indo-Guyanese political groups began to take over governing the country.  Complete independence came May 26, 1966 and Guyana joined the United Nations one year after. The time since has not been easy.  There has been corruption, emigration of many to other Caribbean nations (yes, Guyana is considered a Caribbean nation), North America and England to create a “brain drain”.  Guyana has just over 750,000 people in the country.  Reportedly, there are more Guyanese outside than in. The free market economy is not without controversy. The motto of “One Nation, One People, One Destiny” is not evident.  Finger pointing from one ethnic group to another exists in the villages as well as the elected offices.  However, with the 50th Anniversary pulling people together for a common celebration, it’s an honor to be present for the history making event. Of course, there will always be controversy and the way the current government is planning and spending for what is to be a remarkable occasion it is to be expected. Nevertheless, people will be enjoying themselves and take pride in what has come to pass.
I am told the hotels in and near Georgetown have been sold out for weeks.  Many Guyanese are “coming home” for this huge event even though they may be second generation US citizens!  The cleanup efforts have been massive.  The investments to contain great masses of people have been enormous. The phone systems and other infrastructure has been beefed up JUST in the present month. Beautification has been laboriously and painstakingly done not just in Georgetown but the villages.  The roadwork has been strategically managed and the place is looking neat and tidy as a giant, beautifully wrapped gift.  Regalia is everywhere.  It is exciting and uplifting to walk around and see how the government, the independent businesses, the NGO’s the schools and even small business owners are dressing up with the colors of the Guyana flag!


















All of the above are Georgetown properties.  New Amsterdam and villages are stepping in line slowly.

I learned through my village host mom that a bus or minivan would be hired to carry a good number from the area where I live to Georgetown.  The plan: leave early (before dawn) on the day of the celebration and return late.  I told her I wanted on that bus as I had no intention of trying to find a place to stay! Besides, the rules for a PCV is that they sleep at home the last 3 months.  I would be in compliance! Well, as it turned out, one PCV after another wanted on and the bus will be 15 PCV along with host mom, Jenni and her husband, Desmond!  Here I thought I would be traveling with villagers….it’s a bit ironic!

JUST NOW for the reality………

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Bright Side vs. Dark Side

Image
Bright Side vs. Dark Side Most times, I find my current situation as a Peace Corps Volunteer rewarding and answering a long standing question of, “What would it be like….?” I knew it would come at a price to take 27 months and serve in a country, a culture unknown to me.  What I did not factor in or even know or think about is the daily assault to every one of my senses.  I knew garbage would be burned.  I had read and tried to prepare for bucket baths and cold showers.  I knew I was going to a tropical climate and it would be hot and humid.  I knew there would be familiar and unfamiliar food.  I knew that the culture likely had music folks identified with.  I realized Creolese would be a challenging dialect of English.  I knew that the people of Guyana came from many peoples over more than one body of water.  Even knowing all of this, I was unprepared for  the transportation challenges in all forms; the routine starchy food offerings ...
Read more
This was another very busy day!  Our training group met at our training facility at Red Grounds and we were taken to Georgetown, about an hour away.  Our large group was broken down into many little groups with a PC staff member escorting us.  Good thing!  Georgetown is busy and aggressive!  There are RED ZONES that PC volunteers are not to be in.  However, on this escorted tour, we were shown some of those areas.  PC is a smart group of people.  We all know that if we are told we can't do something, we will explore to see what the big deal is.  So, we saw and we are informed. Those areas are high risk areas for many reasons.  As with anything, there is a bright side and I was amused when I saw an ox walking side by side with a little duck...best of friends! Our vehicle parked to let us out near Stabroek Market, built in 1881.  We made our way into a multi- floor shopping center something like a general store.  Once again, I ...
Read more

Site visit made!

Image
Wow....what a busy week we trainees had.  We traveled to Georgetown a week ago and prepared ourselves to meet and work with our counterparts.  Of course, we had our "down time" to enjoy the Kings Plaza swimming pool and air conditioning. We had our training in a lovely place called the Grand Coastal Hotel.  The conference facilities were great and the food was amazing.  I would recommend this place to anyone coming to Georgetown, Guyana. Here is a group picture with most of us and our counterparts on the stairwell in the courtyard. We all packed up and rode along with our counterparts to our new sites on Thursday.  I was so excited to see my new school and Ms. Ray first had me drop my luggage off at my new home, meet Maggy the owner and quickly take a brief walk to the school.  The children had spotted our arrival by mini bus and many were waiting in the road to watch us walk to school.  I was greeted with signs, a welcoming statement, songs and ...
Read more