Half Way letter
on Kate in Guyana (Guyana), 02/Feb/2010 12:15, 34 days ago
I'm calling this a half way letter as I am working for 11 months (1 month holiday). So what's four good things about being in Guyana?1. Friends - I've made lots of good friends I realise - it's a bit painful at first when you are trying to establish new friendships - things are not as they seem because of different cultures. But now I have good friend who are British, American, Australian, Philipino and Guyanese. Also there are a few repeat volunteers who end up being a bit stateless - who have spent the last 10 years being cols in Asia, Africa, Pacific - they have quite a different attitude - nothing is very surprising any more. A handy attitude to have for survival here.2. The Guyanese are open and friendly although very formal - you meet someone, anyone, and they expect a polite marning, good afternoon, good evening, good night, although it's hard to get the good night correct as it is used as an opening greeting instead of a farewell. If you sit next to someone in an event, you would be seen as stand offish if you didn't speak and have a chat.3. Wildlife - to maintain sanity, I need to check out something bearutiful and surprising - toucans, red macaws, huge butterflies, massive kingfishers, trees full of epiphytes, cannon ball trees and shrubs with attendant hummingbirds.4. Church. I've been quite inspired bu the enthusiasm and commitment of all ages - 95% of Guyanese are actively religious - I have got more serious about my faith while I have been here - it is a cornerstone.What about the challenges? Within the scope of what I can make public that is!1. It's been hard to settle at work as we had so little induction, also because my placement had objectives on a much higher level than I usually work, whereas what I really needed to do was to get in at the grass roots - at least that is what got me motivated.2. Getting on with other VSO vols has been a major challenge. We all get in each other's pockets too much, and it is easy to assume that other vols see things the same way - so don't assume anything about anybody.3. No countryside walkable from Georgetown and it is hugely expensive to travel, no footpaths, no maps, canals clogged with plastic, smouldering heaps of rubbish beside the roads, stray dogs...(I am allowed a little moan aren't I?)