What's new in Guyana?

Before I update the blog, I will catch up on some photos you all have been waiting for!  Cane cutter outside my village.  Emancipation Day festivities.....  I made the sign!   School has started!   Yes, this is the day I have been preparing for.   Of course, plenty of training was provided for the adaptation into the Guyanese culture. Like many other Guyanese women, I awoke early to cook on the first day of school.   I can see the logic now after trying to prepare food in a kitchen heated by afternoon sun pouring in the west facing windows.   Not only hot, one tends to lose an appetite! August of 2014 will never be repeated.   It is a Peace Corps requirement to sleep in our site the first three months.   Being that I am in a remote village, that meant that my trips away from the village could only be during the day.   Enthusiasm gets lost in the limited area and costly transportation.   I do ...

Looks like I’ll make it!   Reminds me of a song.   With the start of school on the horizon, I can say that I still have my wits about me after this August of laying low.   In my spare time, I was able to make: *birthday cards * “piggy bank” for the loose coins *checkers set *coasters *pencil parking lot.   (I hope NOT to see anyone running around the yard with a pencil.)  The last volunteer that stayed at the house left behind a bicycle.   It was not a pretty sight, but seemed sound with a few repairs.   I scouted out a man who repairs bikes and soon enough it was back in order.   Yes, it could use a paint job, but those who really know me know I don’t care.   If it’s too pretty, it will disappear and I am fine with it as long as it gets me from A to Z.   I have ridden it into New Amsterdam and will say it provides a nice ride.     Walking or riding in New Amsterdam always garners greetings of “hello Whitey”!...

10 August 2014 Last weekend the village held a Cultural event that I thoroughly enjoyed.  Dancing, drumming, African food and dress.  Big contrast this weekend. I took a day trip to Georgetown today to meet up with some other PCV and go to PCHQ to complete a survey; pick up mail and 3 bottles of bug repellent.  It was a crowded car trip over and back with 5 in the back seat of a standard sedan.  I must say that drivers in this country are quite skilled.  No more comments about that..... I arrived back in my quiet little village to an 8 foot wall of speakers that spread across the street.  IN FRONT OF MY NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE.  sigh....  Normally, I enjoy going to bed before 10 on Saturday night so that I can be ready for a 5:30AM bike ride to a 6AM Zumba session.  Dream on ....not this night!  During the week a local elder died and a wake was held.  What comes with a wake?  LOTS of food.  I helped p...

I am settling into a little routine in my village and have no internet.  My blog entries are going to be perhaps monthly now.  It is a quiet little Seventh Day Adventist village and so transportation considerations are to be taken into account on weekends.  Since I have been in my new home, I have been able to get a Zumba session started at a church about 1/2 hour bike ride away on Sunday mornings at 6AM!  It is a beautiful ride and I did surprise myself the first time as I could still give the class and ride back with ease!   The look out past my back yard.  I burn my trash just past the bridge. The lovely view as I sit a neighbor's veranda. For the last 2 weeks  I have conducted a Literacy Camp with some kids in the village. We had fun, but they exhausted me!  I think I will be glad to have one on one sessions once school resumes!  Here are the kids!  Yes, I GLOW all the time!   Musical flash cards were a...

Oh my....I had my doubts once or twice.  Going through Peace Corps training is nothing to take lightly.  If I thought getting in the door was tough, I was mistaken.  The training, as I stated in a previous post is more than one can ever imagine.  Even if the environmental conditions were perfect, training would still be challenging. The staff is patient and motivating and yes, demanding.  If I think training was tough, I have been told that it simply helps us build resilience. The next two years are going to be the test. I am ready and officially qualified! Shellon presenting me my certificate!