Today was my first day of training in Guyana, South America that began my Peace Corps service. I am so freaking excited that it just seems unreal. Flying in was a surreal experience, the sun came up and all you could see for miles was beautiful, lush, green rainforest. Completely serene and untouched. It was pretty amazing. The plane touched down on the tarmac and it actually seemed real for the first time. After all this talking and planning and packing it was finally here, I am finally finally starting my Peace Corps adventure. After struggling through customs and baggage claims with the 3 giant bags ( which, i feel the need to mention were all very much UNDER the 50 lbs weight limit, I was pretty impressed with myself for that), my group of 37 volunteers was greeted by a previous group of volunteers already in country. They had a huge sign and fresh coconuts for us to drink, which was pretty awesome since it was really warm and really humid and it was only 8 am.
We loaded into 2 buses and headed to Georgetown, which is the capital of Guyana and home to about half of its 750,000 citizens. The bus ride was amazing. Everything instantly reminded me of Kenya and Nairobi (shout out to all my Kenya people). The sights, the smells, the sounds, the people, it was like a mini Nairobi with a little Carribbean flavor thrown in. I'm pretty sure an instant love affair between me and Guyana started during that bus ride :)
For the next 4 days my fellow volunteers and I are staying at a hotel in Georgetown for our pre service training until we move onto our other training sites where we will be for 9 weeks. Right now all I can say is that, even though I do miss everyone I left back in the States, I am loving everything about Guyana and I can't wait for what comes next.
Lindsay
So happy you're loving it thus far. Man, I wish I were you right now. Toss me a coconut will ya :)
ReplyDeleteSo jealous! A tear ran down my eye while reading this wishing I was there. I'm counting down the days until summer 2012 :)
ReplyDeleteGotta love the matatus/dala dala...or whatever they are called there. Its little Africa!
Can't wait to see pictures!
Hello...so glad we finally got thru to your blog with the help of JP. Bottle some of that lucious green and bring it home. Great that things are going well and that the group is a good mesh. We caught a picture thru Harmony's email. Is that you in the back where we can only see a tad of red hair and a grey sleeved shoulder??? JP sent this bog site to family emails to enjoy. luv you,stay safe, and enjoy. Pkg sending out early next week. Love, Mom. PS: super blog title...good old Johnny Dep.
ReplyDeleteYour so brave, but it sounds beautiful. Lucky you to get assigned to such an awesome place. Be safe. XOXO
ReplyDeleteWOW Lindsay!! Sounds like things are off to great start. We also heard about your your first "bush hunt" and the delectable meal that followed. YUMMY!!! There's nothing like fresh Iguana. Maybe its a good time to consider being a vegetarian.
ReplyDeleteAll kidding aside, we're glade you made it there safe and able to keep in touch. Posting a Blog is the next best thing to being there with you. Take care. Can't wait for the next update.