More about Guyana!

There are many many things I find strange about Guyana. Some I still have yet to share. Did you for example know that the languages in Guyana included English, Hindu, Urdu, Amerindian and Creole? Did you know that the 2002 census indicated that 57% of Guyanese were Christian? Okay, so 2002 was a long time ago, but still, in Guyana, the more things change the more they remain the same. The numbers are not necessarily far off. Other religions here include Hinduism, Muslims, Rastafarians. And everyone gets along like one big happy family.

Now, remember that Georgetown, Guyana hosts the St. George's Cathedral, one of the tallest wooden churches in the world. And I know I've driven through areas where I've been told that there's a church on EVERY street. So, churches and religion have definitely made their mark here.

I, however have been to church on more than one Sunday morning and seen less than a dozen people in the church. Yes, eventually the numbers swell to a whopping 25 or so (yes, I counted), but where are the masses? Who to tell, but I do know one thing, I've sat in amazement and watched cars go by everyday with some declaration on them... They're quoting scripture, They have pictures of the bible, praying hands, crosses, wreaths with bible verses written inside. Anything you can think of that gives the impression that Christians abound!  I guess they don't go to church, they just pray in their cars...

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...

Am now a Demerara Damsel

So, I’m here. Too tired to blog really, but it’s been interesting to say the least. The pilot left 15mins early and arrived in Trinidad an hour early. Just what we needed, to be in Trinidad at 4:00a.m. for a 6:30 flight when the stores aren’t even open yet. Hmmm. Anyway, we got there safely, and on to Georgetown. The four of us girls got luggage quickly and headed out in a “mini-bus”. Here are the pics shortly of my first sightings...

Airport with the yellow taxi waiting

Lots of these around - transporting goods

Add caption

Police bike

Police station

Where we stayed

Stabroek Market

St. George's Cathedral

Warm!!! So clothes were shed quickly. And we were STARVING. The airline gave us a sandwich around 11p.m. yesterday, and then only juice in the a.m. We got to the guest house, and they announced that lunch would be ready around 1p.m. WHAAAAAAT? Oh no. Oh no no no no no. So, we politely asked if there was anywhere we could scrounge up breakfast, and they muscled up some omelettes and toast and coffee. Best omelette in the world! Thanks Ladies!

Two to a room we started to try to settle, and thankfully the itinerary indicated that the first items were the next day.

COLD water shower. Warm sticky feeling immediately afterwards. But big windows and a fan in the room helped cool us down. Why are there men in the building across from us kotching where they can casually watch us? At least they don’t appear OVERLY interested, so we’re just ignoring them for now. Good thing we’re high up. And speaking of high up... Imagine arriving in the bus and taking out my two overweight suitcases, to buss open the door and discover that there are STEPS leading up to the first floor. STEPS?!?!?!!? Okay then. And then... naturally, that’s just the living and common areas. More steps to the rooms. Fortunately, everyone pitched in and helped to carry all the luggage upstairs. Great team!

So, here’s my question. Will I ever get used to the cold showers? And if the answer to that is yes, then HOW long is it going to take?

a) a week?,         b) a month,        c) 6 months????  Do tell me!