Partying Guyanese style
on Fiona Craven (Guyana), 23/Feb/2012 14:57, 34 days ago
So last week marked my one year in this country. One incredible, challenging, inspiring year. It also marked a milestone birthday for me. So I decided what better excuse to throw a big party. Birthday parties inGuyanacan be very different from back home. There’s the all important food. You’ve got to have fried rice and fried chicken, or else it’s not a proper party. And guests usually don’t get to eat the food at the party, but you have a snack and then bring the food home in a Styrofoam box. But while everyone is eying up the food they’ll eatlater, there’s the music to distract you. Because there’s gotta be music. I decided to take the best mixes of Guyanese and European parties and put together a yard party in my garden. My bevy of helpers (a great benefit of working for a volunteer development agency is you’re never short of volunteers for jobs!) and I spent the day decorating the garden with garlands and bunting and candles and laying out a spread of international cuisine. The party itself was a fusion of nationalities, an incredible mix of my friends from all roundGuyanaand the world. And the dancing. A year ago I coyly stood on the sidelines watching the flamboyant wining that’s so much a part ofCaribbeanculture. This year I was wining with the best of them. In a country where growing older is seen as a privilege, something to be proud of rather than feared, I danced my way into a new decade. And so far "tirty ain’ lookin’ too bad buddy!"Fun times at an orphanage in a Guyanese stylegiving back activity on my birthday  Party girls: Me& my colleageus sweet kids!Who said whities can't dance?!