Wednesday 29 February 2012

When it rains in Georgetown...

It*&^#%$$ POURS!!!

So, it's high tide to begin with. And then it rained... And rained... And RAINED. I don't mean a little dibby dibby rain. It rained like there was a hurricane. Last night all night I kept thinking, "this can't be good. it's going to flood...".

AND SO IT DID. Man alive, it was still raining this morning and so I contemplated taking a taxi to work. Now in real terms, this is not expensive. GY$3-400/ ride is about US/Cdn$1.50-2.00. But, in volunteer-land, when you will not be paid until the end of March, and you're already trying to live off a small stipend, you'd rather not have to take a cab. These days my choices have been... bus or FOOD, bus or food? I've been walking to work which my colleagues think is amazing for the distance I'm walking. They all declared they never would. I've been offered a bike, and one kind soul gave me money for a bus and taxi fare for such an emergency like this morning. Sweet people!  But, I digress. This is not about work or my colleagues. THIS is about what happens when it rains.

My housemate and downstairs neighbour and I decide to cab it. We call a cab. Now, the first thing that happens when it rains is... IF the cab company answers the phone, you will get one of two responses: a) We don't have any cars right now! or b) Okay, we'll send one. Now, (a) is self-explanatory, but the first clue about (B) is that they didn't tell you how long for the cab to come. What it really means is that 'NUH CAB NOT COMING'!

So, eventually we walk to the bus stop and take the bus ($60). This dropped me off on one of the main streets for me to walk up to my office. It was then that I noticed that the piazzas in front of the buildings were swimming. no way to leave the road where I got off the bus to go walk in relative "safety" in front of the stores. Ok, no problem. So, I navigate through the middle of the streets sometimes, and then in betwen the two lines of cars hoping they wouldn't squeeze me to death. I made it to the corner. Phew. Now to go up Alexander Street. Or not. The entire roadway is flooded. FLOODED. There is a young lady and a few other people looking in wonder up the street. It is raining, and I decide that standing looking at the water may not make it go away this morning, so, maybe I should press on to another route...

I take the scenic route, criss crossing streets until I get to the street my office is on. But, I can tell from the cross-road at the bottom that I won't be able to get unto my street. Now there's another street parallel (separated by a walkway in the middle flanked by two canals to drain the water). So, lemme explain that again, it's street, canal, walkway, canal, street. :) Got it? Okay, so since I can access the parallel street, and I can eyeball my office across the road, I start walking down that one. Get to the point where I'm now directly across from my office and I can see that the entire front of my office is under about 8-10" of water... I can see droppings from a donkey or horse, dogs, etc. I decide I am NOT CROSSING.

I think about my leopard print rain boots in Toronto. Whose idea was it not to bring them? Why am I here? Is this what I gave up my life in Canada for? I think about my bed and why I didn't call in sick. I look at the time and wonder if anyone else is actually going to come to work... I think about the boots again. I think about how volunteers are supposed to be "flexible". I wonder what that really means. I people watch. I watch the dogs go by. I twirl my umbrella and try to look cute regardless. I'm in a black and white skirt with a bow and a hot pink top. I will survive!

(Pics are courtesy of the Guyana Times Website)

Tuesday 28 February 2012

Mashramani - My first public holiday!

 February 23, 2012 marked the 42nd Anniversary since Guyana became a Republic. Mashramani celebrations commemorate Republic Day. I went out to see for myself and caught a bit of the parade. Many of the Ministries participated along with people from the Regions outside of Georgetown. Great to see how the country comes together for this. Even though there were a couple unfortunate incidents that took place, here are some of the pics of the scenes I saw along the route...


 Old and young...


I temporarily lost some of my files, so these are the only pics I have right now. Sorry, there isn't more variety, but maybe another time...


And, finally... Here's looking at YOU kid!!!

Georgetown on a Sunday evening

Looking down the Sea Wall

Looking in the other direction...
Now, it's been said that Caribbean people know how to Lyme/party. I don't know if that's true or not, but I do know that apparently everyone in Georgetown (isn't it everyone??) goes out to the Seawall (see earlier posts if you don't know what this is) on a Sunday evening.
So, we went out two Sundays in a row. It was interesting to see the difference in numbers the weekend after Mash. Don't know what Mash is? Check the next post... Apparently people did "mash up" so not as many were out. However, it's amazing to see people of all ages including babes in arms and strollers out on the wall. There are vendors - the "local" kind. And this week we also saw the mobile units from a few fast food places as well. The vendors are selling everything from beer and cigrarettes and gum (typical)... to bar-b-q chicken and rice... to burgers and hot dogs (complete with cole slaw and shredded cheese! There are also guys pushing carts by with nuts of all ages and types, ice cream, plantain chips, sugar cane and "gun oyl". I am not about to try this as it looks like a very thick thick callalloo type soup with boiled corn in it. the suggestion was that it's for the "men". I'm going to leave that alone. If anyone knows what it really is... please let me know.

We were still having a grand ole time. However, on Sunday night, at about 11p.m., three of our group of six were carted off to the interior. Not to be heard from since. Of course not, since we don't read smoke signals and most of them will have no electricity, no phones, etc in the interior. :(

Maybe we'll see them in a few months, but in the meantime, we (in Georgetown) have another party to prepare for on Saturday...

Saturday 25 February 2012

The past days...

So, I've been suffering from power cuts, internet black-outs and HEAT. Especially when there's a power cut. After only having one? in the first week, or maybe the first one didn't come until week 2, I thought, okay, maybe these will be few and far between. Nu-uh. Apparently not so few. I noticed this particularly after I plugged out my emergency light one day, and the power went the next day. Hmmm. I now keep it plugged in at all times. :)

In any event, we didn't let the lack of power stop us from going to explore. Next stop.

To start off we had a little misadventure. I know it may be a little hard for you to see, but that break in the grass in the first picture is ....          
yes, SF's shoe almost "ankle deep" in the mud. What a way to start off the day. Fortunately, she was not hurt and able to get cleaned up so we could be on our way to view the animals... :)
Flip flop after the rescue...









I'm not going to show you all the animals, but one or two are important. First off, who remembers Prep/Primary School History? This one is for the Caribbean folk amongst us... Remember the Agouti? Well here he is...

Agouti - The famous Labba? Remember him from the previous post at Madewini Gardens?

  WHAAAAAAAT? Whoever heard of a snake neck turtle???


Tuesday 21 February 2012

Holidaying in Guyana

When will you come to visit? I don't know, but here are some things to take into consideration:

National Holidays
Republic Day/ Mashramani (non-religious)- February 23
Phagwah (Hindu) - Festival of Colours - March 8
Good Friday Christian- April 6
Easter Monday- (Christian)- April 9
Labour Day (Non-religious)- May 1
Arrival Day/Indian Heritage Day - May 5
Independence Day- May 26
Caricom Day- (non-religious)- July 2
Emancipation Day (non-religious)- August 6
Eid ul-Azha (Feast of the Sacrifice) - August 26
Deepavali (Diwali) (Hindu)- Nov 13
Christmas Day (Christian)- December 25
Boxing Day (non-religious)- December 26
April - Brazil anyone???
1st week of May - any takers??
Christmas in Trinidad!

Must sees...
For the more adventurous of you - Kaieteur Falls: Envision 45, 000 gallons of lush black water thundering down a rock escarpment every second. Though I must warn, I will do this tour only ONCE.

The Rupununi savannah (Region 9) is inhabited by the native Amerindian who settled their villages here.The landscape is mindblowing and the feel of the Rupununi savanna is one of a kind.

For those who just want to hang around Georgetown - Guyana's El dorado Rum tour. Voted among the best Rum in the World and a winner of several medals, the El Dorado Rum is a line of production by the Demerara Distillery.

Umana Yana, The Guyana seawall, The Demerara Harbor Bridge, St. George's Cathedral, etc, etc.

The Stabroek Market is a marketplace famous for commercial and social activities. The steel structure has a very unique and can be considered as the largest market place in the Caribbean.

A little something for everyone. Book your times with me or get left behind...

Sunday 19 February 2012

Culture SHOCK! Or Cultural Adaptation?

...is a normal physical and psychological reaction but not necessarily a negative thing. It is simply inevitable and should be regarded as an opportunity for growth. You leave your home country and arrive in a new country and experience the HONEYMOON STAGE.

Honeymoon
Initially there is enthusiasm, a positive attitude and excitement. This is the start of a roller coaster ride with peaks and valleys. The length of time and intensity of the peaks are totally variable depending on the individual. So, as I sit here in my honeymoon phase, enjoying this strange country, Guyana, I am on the lookout for the next phase and wondering how (and when) it's going to hit me.

Culture Shock being the second phase will bottom out with discouragement, fatigue, frustration (I can see that happening), homesickness, boredom, anger and other such stresses. Most people react to this by fight or flight (isolation, drugs, alcohol, etc). Withdrawal is also very common in this stage. However, as one recovers (Recovery Stage) you may establish routines, get more interested in work, get your energy and sense of humour back and begin to feel more constructive and less judgemental of your surroundings.

Finally, in the fourth stage (Adjustment Stage) you become more adventuruous and seek new opportunities, feel more motivated and accepting. But, wait. You think it's over then? Oh no no no no no. This is a cycle and we can all cycle through it time and time again. There are many strategies to cope with all the different stresses and realties of this life. What will I do? Hopefully you (all my friends out there) will remind and reassure me often about the good in all this and keep me on the straight and narrow...

I just wish I'd known this all the other times I'd travelled and this should indeed be communicated to all the people suffering through the cold in the Tdot who miss their "home" country. Selah!

Feel free to comment and question these theories by the experts... :)

Saturday 18 February 2012

Free Saturday

Weather.com says it's 84degrees and feels like 91!!!  HUH!!!!  That's what THEY say. I'm telling you, right now it feels like 101!!!!  At least! Still, many of my friends had to get up and shovel their way out this morning, so, who am I to complain? Nah. Not complaining, just letting you know what ah gwaaan!

So, we didn't get to go to the Zoo and Botanical Gardens today, but, fear not... there's still 346 days left. :) My new friends were out partying and went to a concert last night. So, them did dust out and couldn't make it. I gotta teach them how to bleach all nite and then still party some more! ;)

So, here I am all morning hand-washing my clothes and treating my mosquito net. Which is great. But who can reach to the ceiling to hang it? So now I have a nice new treated mosquito net draping my headboard. Joy!! :) Will have to call one of the 6-footers to help...

LUNCH was left-overs. Some cook-up and a slice of fried plantain. Heated on the stove because there's no microwave. I know, I know. It doesn't look very appetizing, and maybe I should've waited until I had a nice dish, served pretty to take a pic and show you. But, you know what??? THIS is my reality. So, now you know what I'm really eating. :)

Feel free to post your comments! :)

Friday 17 February 2012

New Diggs

Living/Dining

So, by now you know I've moved. :)

Here's a glimpse of how we roll here. You won't see all of it right now, but it will give you a general idea. :)
From top of hallway...


TV/DVD, etc. Balcony out front... not yet shown


The coffee/chess table

Looking towards kitchen...

Kitchen

Boiling water (left) and setting up to filter (right)

We have to boil our water. Then when it cools we can filter it. Or we can buy expensive bottled water...
Inside... showing the two filters. Getting ready...

Bathroom... looking in...

Separate toilet on the left

Separate shower on the right

Basin separate...

Wednesday 15 February 2012

Catching up

Walking around Georgetown on the weekend really grounded my sense of where I am. And my bonafide new "bredren" was great in showing me the ropes. The potluck was also good fun and a good opportunity to meet some "old" "senior" volunteers.
Today we had a break from the office/classroom. We went to Madewini Gardens. Nestled in the woods on the beautiful banks of the Madewini creek. Guyanese say that if you eat labba and drink black water while visiting Guyana, you are bound to return. (Labba is a small agouti or South American rodent that is eaten in a dark stew called "pepper pot"; "Black water" is the water of muddy streams.

In any event we had a couple of lessons, one of them being on vegetables in Guyana.

Before and after, there was "volleyball" and swimming in the black creek.



 
 And then I went swimming...

First day's exploration


The Umana Yana is a conical palm thatched hut (benab) erected for the Non-Aligned Foreign Ministers Conference in Guyana in August 1972 as a V.I.P. Lounge and recreation centre.

Can't remember what this is. Turtle...

Band stand - approaching the sea wall

Lyming spot out by the Sea Wall



Walking ON the Sea Wall

Saturday 11 February 2012

The current diggs - Rima Guest House

The first set of steps I had to lug my overweight suitcases up...

The room. Left side for Roomie...

Did you notice the mosquito nets and fan?

One of two. there's also one Huge shower. At the end of the hall.

3 doors - 2 toilets, 1 shower

My Impressions...1

NOT BAD.  So, even though it was hot... NOT as hot as I expected. (Probably because it is the rainy season - although it hasn't really rained much). So, I'm surviving. The nights are actually quite cool. We don't even have our fan on tonight, but we've left our windows open since we got here. I may even require a light blanket more nights.
Haven't gotten to unpack yet as I'm still in the guest house for orientation. Learned where I was gonna live, that it's a 3-brm place (spare bedroom, yay!), with a balcony (yay), upstairs (Yay), and the reason we haven't been able to move in yet is because the landlord is putting in an awning and doing some other little fix-its (yay). I hear it's "party-friendly" and so I'm looking into hosting some dominoes and kalooki... YAY!!!
Also met a Ja'n who's here who sadly will be leaving in August.
First drink up - Hibiscus
We went across the road for a drink on our first night.  And some of the older senior volunteers invited us newbies for drinks last night, but I'm staying in after sneezing all day with a sinus fit.  :(
Walking on the sea wall

Mini-bus
The place is easy to walk through. We've done quite a bit. Went to the sea wall yesterday. Today we walked back to the guest house after orientation. The mini-buses are ever-zooming, and there is a constant hub-bub.

We've been fed and fed here. Only thing... no dessert. :(  Will soon solve that though...
Tomorrow we go "shopping". Some people need cell phones, etc. but for the most part it's a where to get what tour. On Sunday is a potluck.
Nuff forms to fill out. Visas, tax id number, office-volunteer id., etc. All in all not bad. Internet is the worst of the deal so far... Oh well!