Trips expected and unexpected
on Kate in Guyana (Guyana), 23/Apr/2010 13:19, 34 days ago
Well I had a bit of an unexpected adventure this week. I went out to Linden on Wednesday, and had a really good morning doing some support to the teachers in the two special schools there. I was pleased to get finished quite early, and got on the minibus at the bus park at 12.30. They were just leaving so that was great. The bus set off and seemed to be going in a different direction, but I didn't worry too much as they often go off round the houses to deliver stuff or drop people off for favours. But this was different - we ended up driving down a dirt road, miles and miles through the jungle. By the time I realised that I was on the wrong bus, it was too late for them to turn back. This dirt road was totally devoid of any type of habitation - absolutely nowhere to stop, no traffic, nothing. In the end I had to choose whether to get dropped at the police post and chance getting a lift with some vehicle coming out, or go on to the next village, which was another hour into the bush, then stay over with the bus driver's mother and get a bus out in the early morning. I chose the police post, with the possible prospect of crashing out there for the night. Fortunately a massive lumber truck came by and I hitched a lift out with this very nice Indo-Guyanese driver. It was only two years old, and very luxurious, with bouncy seats - much more comfortable than the cramped minibus. But he went about five to ten mph, and it took three hours to get back to Linden bus park. The right bus was just leaving so that made a pretty long day, 6am to 8pm. You don't know how glad I was to get back to civilisation! In my defence the minibus did say Georgetown Linden on the front, but when you look around you notice they all say the same, wherever they are going...Anyway the expected trips are going well. I am trying to get to every special school each week. I am never sure how many teachers I will get to talk to, but as long as I talk to someone then I reckon it is worthwhile. I mostly get round on my bike, so I enjoy that despite the boiling hot weather. You just have to keep drinking lots of water. And on the way back I can drop in at the VSO office where they have home made fresh juice in the fridge and newspapers. So that is an excellent recovery spot!