Marshall Falls Trip
on Kate in Guyana (Guyana), 15/Jun/2010 14:59, 34 days ago
We had a big trip out on Sunday. It was the group to do the quiz night, so it could be seen as a celebration of our noble victory. We took minibus and speedboat to Bartica, then we had an organised tour, again by speedboat. We had a guided tour of a few places of interest, dropping off at an island with the remains of a fort, and viewing the prison from the safety of the boat. We saw a granite quarry that produces the massive blocks of stone that are currently being used to improve the sea wall in Georgetown. I think it must be a bit like moving Stonehenge blocks to get them up to here.We had an exciting wizz up the rapids on a broad stretch of water then the even more exciting bouncing wizz down again. Then up a small tributary to stop off near the falls. The heavens opened when we got there, but we sheltered under tarpaulins for half an hour so we didn't get too soaked. Then we had a half hour walk along a good trail through the jungle, admiring blue morph butterflies, and some of the massive red flowers that are commonly used for flower decorations at posh places here.The falls are about ten feet wide and ten feet high which does not sound that exciting, but there's a large quantity of water coming over, and we climbed up the rocks to get through the curtain of water to sit behind. It was quite a challenge to get up the rocks, our tour guide was showing us the way and hauling us over. One of the women fell and knocked her teeth as well as falling on her back on a rock, so we were looking after her and trying to make her comfortable. Not much fun for her to have to face getting back down again! We were able to swim a bit in the pool below the falls, but it was quite blocked with tree trunks. So it was a great adventure, but maybe not quite enough of a risk assessment done... I think we should have had a roped rigged up so that we could use it if we needed.Anyway our friend has seen the dentist now and had some work done on her front teeth. She thinks they are going to be ok.This week is our major training week, first day yesterday. I was mainly doing introductions and linking the activities, as well supporting people individually with getting assignments improved. The range of ability of the teachers doing the assignments is huge, some have a degree and some have never done training before, indeed some have special needs themselves, and somehow I have to make the course accessible to all. The day went better than our June days, so that was good. I particularly liked a session done by a VSO colleague about positive approaches to behaviour management. In Guyana corporal punishment is still acceptable and widespread so we try our best to present other options.I've also got the visual impairment module handed out, with an assignment to be done by the end of term, so that I can get it marked before I leave. So that is a weight off my mind.