so the BIG news for the first blog entry of 2009 (for those of you who don't already know) is......
...never was big on (all about me) announcements ! Happy New Year x H
Christmas time, which pretty much started on the 1st of December, was marked by shopping, cleaning and organising a number of patient Christmas parties. The speech clinic joined forces this year with the rehab department. We had around 50 or so children, Sponge Bob, Dora (means nothing? Don’t worry!) and Santa Claus and his misses.
The children had a great day…the staff were understandably exhausted by the end of it all but I think we all agreed that it was worth it. Another party was held at the palms, for patients with stroke….a little less manic than the children’s party but still had plenty of food, party games and of course the traditional Guyanese Christmas whining!
The Christmas feeling for me personally was a little slow to develop this year but come Christmas Eve even scrooge couldn’t help notice a slightly different atmosphere around the place! Town was manic on Christmas Eve with people buying last minute gifts and items to spruce up their houses. Can you believe that it is possible to select, set up a purchase agreement and have delivered a suite on Christmas eve! It’s crazy….I found myself in the food market at 11.30 Christmas eve night and it was as busy as I ever saw it…apparently shopping and preparations went on well into the early hours, even the ‘last minute, typically male shopper’ has no excuses here for not getting that desired Christmas item! Christmas for us was fairly quite….Wayne and I had a Christmas lunch at my house, he had a steak and I had some pretend meat out of a can (it was actually quite nice!) with roast potatoes and vegetables. Later in the afternoon we had some friends over for drinks before heading over to Wayne’s house to visit with his family.
Unfortunately the rain didn’t give up and joined in all day, so much so that long boots (wellies to you and me but no one knows what you are talking about if you say that here) were needed to get into the yard of Wayne’s house….needless to say any attempt at a Christmas outfit was slightly ruined!
(the view from my window and flooded roads...)
We opened some gifts with the family before heading over to Abi and Jason’s house, two of the few VSO’s still in town…the rest were either at home or sunning themselves on beaches in the Caribbean (alright for some!). Anyway all in all it was a nice day, though I couldn’t help but think what I would be doing at the same time next year….it really is true that Christmas is all about (your own) family and friends when it comes down to it… Guyanese really do believe that they have the best Christmas known to mankind! It’s OK but…
Anyway boxing day was spent sleeping and sulking in general about the rain…in the evening we went to the Main street lime, a traditional gathering of people on one of Georgetowns streets, with live music, sellers and general crowds (no fireworks though thankfully!)
...come the 27th it was my birthday. Michelle had brought me a lovely gift of a voucher for one of the nice restaurants in town so Wayne and I had a nice lunch.
I then headed home and caught up with a few people on skype, which was really nice. In the evening a few people came round and shared some birthday drinks, Wayne also surprised me with a homemade chocolate cake which he had baked himself (it took him all afternoon but hey I have (nearly) already forgotten that!) – I unfortunately was unaware of the 20 minutes that Wayne and another friend spent running up and down the stairs outside my house trying to light, re-light and keep alight the candles…when he eventually did come through the door he looked like he had been working out!
The children had a great day…the staff were understandably exhausted by the end of it all but I think we all agreed that it was worth it. Another party was held at the palms, for patients with stroke….a little less manic than the children’s party but still had plenty of food, party games and of course the traditional Guyanese Christmas whining!
The Christmas feeling for me personally was a little slow to develop this year but come Christmas Eve even scrooge couldn’t help notice a slightly different atmosphere around the place! Town was manic on Christmas Eve with people buying last minute gifts and items to spruce up their houses. Can you believe that it is possible to select, set up a purchase agreement and have delivered a suite on Christmas eve! It’s crazy….I found myself in the food market at 11.30 Christmas eve night and it was as busy as I ever saw it…apparently shopping and preparations went on well into the early hours, even the ‘last minute, typically male shopper’ has no excuses here for not getting that desired Christmas item! Christmas for us was fairly quite….Wayne and I had a Christmas lunch at my house, he had a steak and I had some pretend meat out of a can (it was actually quite nice!) with roast potatoes and vegetables. Later in the afternoon we had some friends over for drinks before heading over to Wayne’s house to visit with his family.
Unfortunately the rain didn’t give up and joined in all day, so much so that long boots (wellies to you and me but no one knows what you are talking about if you say that here) were needed to get into the yard of Wayne’s house….needless to say any attempt at a Christmas outfit was slightly ruined!
(the view from my window and flooded roads...)
We opened some gifts with the family before heading over to Abi and Jason’s house, two of the few VSO’s still in town…the rest were either at home or sunning themselves on beaches in the Caribbean (alright for some!). Anyway all in all it was a nice day, though I couldn’t help but think what I would be doing at the same time next year….it really is true that Christmas is all about (your own) family and friends when it comes down to it… Guyanese really do believe that they have the best Christmas known to mankind! It’s OK but…
Anyway boxing day was spent sleeping and sulking in general about the rain…in the evening we went to the Main street lime, a traditional gathering of people on one of Georgetowns streets, with live music, sellers and general crowds (no fireworks though thankfully!)
...come the 27th it was my birthday. Michelle had brought me a lovely gift of a voucher for one of the nice restaurants in town so Wayne and I had a nice lunch.
I then headed home and caught up with a few people on skype, which was really nice. In the evening a few people came round and shared some birthday drinks, Wayne also surprised me with a homemade chocolate cake which he had baked himself (it took him all afternoon but hey I have (nearly) already forgotten that!) – I unfortunately was unaware of the 20 minutes that Wayne and another friend spent running up and down the stairs outside my house trying to light, re-light and keep alight the candles…when he eventually did come through the door he looked like he had been working out!
Well since my last post there has been a couple of things worth noting....America seemed to finally come to their senses and I got hit by a firework! Ok Ok so the first has slightly more international significance than the latter but still I think it deserved a mention...for those of you with the stomach pictures are available in the google online album (really not too bad!)...oh and I am now absolutely fine and most importantly my favourite jeans have since been replaced!
Back to the more important news....I was working in region #1, Mabaruma on the night of the elections...the lead up had obviously gone on for months and what with the influence of US TV I felt quite up to date and involved...on the night as I say we were in Brooms guesthouse, power usually goes off around 11pm but a generator kept the dream alive for those not already asleep. I have to admit to sneaking off to bed early but not before the race was already won in principle.....that said I still needed the morning news to prove that it had actually happened. The experience was probably all the better for sharing it in a country of Afro/Indo Guyanese and Amerindians. The significance of the event is something that will probably never be bettered in my lifetime.
Mabaruma was a great work trip. Michelle and I secured funding from VSO ABLE Guyana to spend a week with the rehabilitation assistants, we got to do lots of patient sessions with them and visit people in their home. It really was a worthwhile trip and motivating for both Michelle and I as well as the Rehabilitation Assistants involved. Below are pictures of some of the lovely children we met, the local hospital (I will never moan about the NHS again)and another Guyanese poster!
CARIFESTA stands for the Caribbean Festival of Arts. It is the region's roving, multidisciplinary, mega arts festival which attracts a wide range of creative artists from various Caribbean and Latin American Countries. CARIFESTA was the culmination of the idea that started in 1970 when participants at an Artists and Writers Convention in Guyana complained about the absence of an outlet to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the Region and at the same time give recognition to its outstanding artists and art forms.
More about Carifesta
There was so much to do during the week that it was a little overwhelming but I did get to do a couple of things....we saw a performance at the theatre guild, visited the exhibition centre a couple of times and saw a couple of the live concerts at the National Stadium.
For me the highlight was the Brazilian Air Show, which I have to say was amazing and could have given the red arrows a run for their money. The best bit was sharing the experience with the Guyanese audience who all came out onto (and blocked!) the street to see the show. You could assume that for the majority it was the first time they had ever since something like this...put it this way there was a lot of enthusiastic ooo-ing and whoooo-ing!!!
This by the way spells Carifesta in smoke....pretty clever huh??
During the last week of May the Ministry of Health celebrated Rehab Week. This was a chance for all the rehab departments; speech, physio, occupational therapy, audiology and orthotics etc. to celebrate the work done throughout the regions and to raise the awareness of rehab services.
We completed several activities during the week, such as a street outreach, where we handed out information to members of the public, radio and TV shows and open days, when we had the opportunity to showcase some of our resources and talk to members of the public and also staff working in other parts of the health sectors.
we also did the customary "walk", which are quite popular here in Guyana and usually involve free t-shirts, a steel band and getting up for a 6.00am start on a Saturday or Sunday!!! (apparently it is because it is cooler....not such a popular event for your average VSO I have to say!) The walk finished off at the rehab centre where the celebrations and "wining" continued.
wining (noun)
A sexy dance from the Caribbean, often done to reggae music
Each department also submitted articles to the local newspapers, which proved very successful as we received several new referrals from people who saw and read the article. Our article was based on one of our patients, who has done really well since coming to therapy...so well that we have since discharged him, which was actually a little hard on us since he was such a lovely kid to work with!
All the rehab assistants and staff also had a retreat, which was a day of eating, hanging out and gaffing! A really nice day and opportunity for everyone to get together and have a break from the working environment.
We completed several activities during the week, such as a street outreach, where we handed out information to members of the public, radio and TV shows and open days, when we had the opportunity to showcase some of our resources and talk to members of the public and also staff working in other parts of the health sectors.
we also did the customary "walk", which are quite popular here in Guyana and usually involve free t-shirts, a steel band and getting up for a 6.00am start on a Saturday or Sunday!!! (apparently it is because it is cooler....not such a popular event for your average VSO I have to say!) The walk finished off at the rehab centre where the celebrations and "wining" continued.
wining (noun)
A sexy dance from the Caribbean, often done to reggae music
Each department also submitted articles to the local newspapers, which proved very successful as we received several new referrals from people who saw and read the article. Our article was based on one of our patients, who has done really well since coming to therapy...so well that we have since discharged him, which was actually a little hard on us since he was such a lovely kid to work with!
All the rehab assistants and staff also had a retreat, which was a day of eating, hanging out and gaffing! A really nice day and opportunity for everyone to get together and have a break from the working environment.
May 24th and a group of us, including mum and dad, headed off to Bartica. Bartica is a really nice trip and place to visit. It starts with a bus ride to Parika and then a speed boat ride across the river. Obviously the trip is not so nice when it is pouring with rain but we were lucky and so got to enjoy the scenery. On arriving in Bartica we headed to our hotel, which was a really great place over looking the river.
Bartica is a quiet-ish town, which has a nice beach and pavilion where you can hang out and a few little bars dotted around, frequented mainly by the male of the species but where you can grab a beer and maybe a plate of fish and plantain.
The owner of the place where we were staying – 'Balkaran' – took us the next day on a trip to Marshall Falls. The weather was not so good to us that day so it was a little damp to say the least but it was a great day none the less. Unfortunately mum had a bit of a tumble and manage to cut her leg quite badly but she carried on with little fuss with a make shift bandage made from toilet tissue and a headband!
The trip was a nice finish to mum and dad’s stay, although it was obviously sad to see them go I am very pleased that they got to see where I had been hanging out over the previous 7 months! At least they can join in with me as I bore the pants of people when I get home in September 2009 and I talk of nothing else other than “in Guyana….”
Bartica is a quiet-ish town, which has a nice beach and pavilion where you can hang out and a few little bars dotted around, frequented mainly by the male of the species but where you can grab a beer and maybe a plate of fish and plantain.
The owner of the place where we were staying – 'Balkaran' – took us the next day on a trip to Marshall Falls. The weather was not so good to us that day so it was a little damp to say the least but it was a great day none the less. Unfortunately mum had a bit of a tumble and manage to cut her leg quite badly but she carried on with little fuss with a make shift bandage made from toilet tissue and a headband!
The trip was a nice finish to mum and dad’s stay, although it was obviously sad to see them go I am very pleased that they got to see where I had been hanging out over the previous 7 months! At least they can join in with me as I bore the pants of people when I get home in September 2009 and I talk of nothing else other than “in Guyana….”
A week after our fantastic Shell Beach trip I was back on yet another plane…this time I was off to meet mum and dad on the lovely island of St. Lucia….it was a really weird feeling to think that I was going to meet them after what had already been 8 months away from home. I arrived at the hotel to see mum hovering around in the hotel lobby, it was great to see them….
During our time in St. Lucia we took it pretty easy, enjoyed the sun, sea and hot showers!! I even had a hot bubble bath.... in truth it was too hot for a bath but I couldn’t resist and had to take the opportunity while I had the chance!
We took a couple of excursions whilst there… a really nice boat trip to the volcanic site, coco plantation and natural spa…..the volcanic site smelt too ‘eggy’ for my liking but at least I can tick it off my list of things that you should see!
The best trip by far, however, was horse riding....just me and mum - dad decided to stay at the hotel and work on his tan. We were lucky in that we booked the early ride and so it was just the two of us and our guide. We trekked through some woods before landing on the beach…..we were given the go ahead to have a canter... my horse was more into galloping and trying to swipe my head off under low branches, but it was really good fun none the less. After a short break we un-tacked the horses and headed out to sea. The horses were a little reluctant at times but they got as deep as their backs, they preferred to have their feet on the ground but I think we managed a few strokes. It really was a once in a life time experience and one that I will never forget. The only down side was that on the way back my horse again got a little frisky…in trying to slow him down ( as instructed by our guide) I managed to twist my back! Never mind I think it was only three or four days that I was in absolute agony and could walk properly!!
During our time in St. Lucia we took it pretty easy, enjoyed the sun, sea and hot showers!! I even had a hot bubble bath.... in truth it was too hot for a bath but I couldn’t resist and had to take the opportunity while I had the chance!
We took a couple of excursions whilst there… a really nice boat trip to the volcanic site, coco plantation and natural spa…..the volcanic site smelt too ‘eggy’ for my liking but at least I can tick it off my list of things that you should see!
The best trip by far, however, was horse riding....just me and mum - dad decided to stay at the hotel and work on his tan. We were lucky in that we booked the early ride and so it was just the two of us and our guide. We trekked through some woods before landing on the beach…..we were given the go ahead to have a canter... my horse was more into galloping and trying to swipe my head off under low branches, but it was really good fun none the less. After a short break we un-tacked the horses and headed out to sea. The horses were a little reluctant at times but they got as deep as their backs, they preferred to have their feet on the ground but I think we managed a few strokes. It really was a once in a life time experience and one that I will never forget. The only down side was that on the way back my horse again got a little frisky…in trying to slow him down ( as instructed by our guide) I managed to twist my back! Never mind I think it was only three or four days that I was in absolute agony and could walk properly!!
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