Hello all,
Life in Guyana is still pretty awesome. I'm settling into a routine now but I will only be here on the West coast for about 4 more weeks. After that we get moved to our permanant sites where we will be for the remainder of our 2 years. I will hopefully find out where that site will be by the end of this week or early next week. We pretty much have no idea where we might be going, where we will be working or who we will be living near. Its exciting but making us kind of anxious too. As soon as I get the news I will let you all know :)
My training is going well, the days are long sometimes and some sessions are a little tedious but the informaiton we are getting is good for when we actually go to our sites and start working. We already go twice a week, in small groups of 3 or 4, to schools or health centers and help out in the morning. My health center is close to my house and usually has anywhere from 5 to 25 patients waiting to be seen. The doctor only comes once a week, on Thursdays when patients with diabetes and hypertension are seen, the other days there is only a nurse and a Medex there. The Medex does some examinations and dispenses medications. All health care, including meds, are free in Guyana. I like going to the clinics because I get to interact with patients and give health talks on various topics and also get to sit in with the doctors and nurses while they do individual examinations. I am excited to finally be getting some practical hands on experience that I can use when I get back home.
Life with my host family is great. They have made me feel really comfortable and my 2 host sisters, Susy and AnnMarie continue to be the most adorable children ever. We had no water for 2 days last week and I had to take my first bucket bath. Basically that consists of carrying up a large bucket of water from the hose( I have no idea where water from the hose comes from and I don't think I want to know. Ignorance is bliss.) and taking it into the shower and using a smaller bucket to take water and splash it on yourself to take a shower. Luckily I don't have to do that everyday but it was a unique experience nonetheless. Also, there is a mouse living in my host family's kitchen that I'm pretty sure has never seen a white person before. It will poke its head out from behind the stove and look around. If it sees my host mom or dad it just kind of stays there and watches and then casually walks to the other side of the kitchen. If I am anywhere near the kitchen, it takes one look at me, panics, and runs back behind the stove and will not come out. It is actually kind of cute (never thought i'd say that) so I have started leaving it crumbs from my toast in the morning so it knows that, yes I am extremely pale and scary looking, but I am actually harmless.
I have posted new pictures for everyone on my facebook profile. The link below should work if you don't have facebook access but I make no promises. I miss you all and hopefully will see you all soon. Don't forget, I love getting mail and packages, it makes my day that much better!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2078255&id=1277258438&l=572ff39abd
Love
Lindsay
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
March 2nd, 2011
Even though I have only been in Guyana for a little over 2 weeks, it feels like I have been here so much longer. I have settled into a routine and I feel like I am getting more comfortable knowing my way around my neighborhood and my town.
I think one of my favorite things about Guyana that we don't have in the States are the minibuses. They are very very similar to the matatus in East Africa so I was lucky enough to feel pretty comfortable riding in them right away. They are basically small vans or buses that serve as the only form of public transportation. Things are spread out along the main road that runs along the coast and most people dont have cars, so when its hot, raining, or something is really far away, the minibuses are the most efficient ways to get where you need to go. The minibus, however, would never ever be allowed to operate in the States. They are basically tin cans on wheels and there are virtually no traffic laws. None (And no seat belts). Cars swerve to avoid potholes and cows and pass out anyone not going 40 or 50 mph. Still, I think they are kind of fun....but I like to live dangerously..... Just kidding, Mom :) The other really fun thing about the minibuses is that most of them like to blast their music. The most popular choices are Celine Dion, Richard Marx, and other random 80's power ballads. There is nothing funnier than a minibus pulling up, blasting the bass, all pimped out with pictures of half naked supermodels and a really bad ass looking driver....and then you realize that that music blasting is actually Richard Marx. Hilarious. The other day I got some Boyz 2 Men and Backstreet Boys (best day ever) and today was the Dirty Dancing soundtrack. I sat next to the driver and he kept laughing at me and calling me "funny white girl" cause I was singing along to "Hungry Eyes". But I'm used to it cause I get pointed at, started at, and laughed at ALL THE TIME. Most Guyanese are very open and welcoming to Americans but we are still seen as somewhat as a novelty. I get told all the time that I am the "whitest white person they've ever seen". Score one for my pale skin :)
My host family is doing well, I feel really comfortable with them and its almost like I am part of the family. My two host sisters, Susy and AnnMarie, continue to be the most adorable children ever and are constantly following me around and talking to me very very fast in Creolese. I am getting better at picking up the local dialect but there are still times I find myself just nodding and smiling and hoping I'm not agreeing to anything too awkward :)
Training is going well, although it is mostly just lectures and talks about culture, safety, and various health topics. It is Monday through Friday from 8 to 5 so the days can be pretty long and at times, tedious. Most current volunteers say that training is the hardest, most boring, most stressful part of your service because it is mostly talking and not a lot of doing. But most of the topics we cover are actually informative and helpful so I try to keep a positive attitude that in a few weeks I will be able to be actually out in the field doing hands on work. We have been able to visit a health clinic which was really really awesome. We got to see how things are run and also observe and help with some examinations. Tuesday was the prenatal clinic so all the patients were pregnant women. We got to assist in admitting new patients, taking blodd pressure, and observing the physical exam, including an ultrasound. I really enjoyed that, I hope I get to do more hands on clinic work while I am here. I am looking into doing the Physicians Assistant program at GW when I get back to the States so I am hoping to get a lot of practical experience while in Guyana.
Overall things are going well. I am having fun and learning a lot and I know this is just the beginning of my adventure. I am loving the warm weather and relaxing as much as possible in my hammock :) I miss everyone back home and I am excited to come back at visit sometime this year and eat as much American food as possible :) Hope everyone is well at home, you all better be writing me letters, getting mail is very exciting. My address is: Lindsay Perlman Peace Corps Trainee, Peace Corps Guyana c/o US Embassy, 100 Young and Duke Streets, Kingston, Georgetown, Guyana South America.
Also, I posted pics on facebook for those who can access that. If you dont have facebook I think this link should work: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2078255&id=1277258438&l=572ff39abd
Love,
Lindsay
I think one of my favorite things about Guyana that we don't have in the States are the minibuses. They are very very similar to the matatus in East Africa so I was lucky enough to feel pretty comfortable riding in them right away. They are basically small vans or buses that serve as the only form of public transportation. Things are spread out along the main road that runs along the coast and most people dont have cars, so when its hot, raining, or something is really far away, the minibuses are the most efficient ways to get where you need to go. The minibus, however, would never ever be allowed to operate in the States. They are basically tin cans on wheels and there are virtually no traffic laws. None (And no seat belts). Cars swerve to avoid potholes and cows and pass out anyone not going 40 or 50 mph. Still, I think they are kind of fun....but I like to live dangerously..... Just kidding, Mom :) The other really fun thing about the minibuses is that most of them like to blast their music. The most popular choices are Celine Dion, Richard Marx, and other random 80's power ballads. There is nothing funnier than a minibus pulling up, blasting the bass, all pimped out with pictures of half naked supermodels and a really bad ass looking driver....and then you realize that that music blasting is actually Richard Marx. Hilarious. The other day I got some Boyz 2 Men and Backstreet Boys (best day ever) and today was the Dirty Dancing soundtrack. I sat next to the driver and he kept laughing at me and calling me "funny white girl" cause I was singing along to "Hungry Eyes". But I'm used to it cause I get pointed at, started at, and laughed at ALL THE TIME. Most Guyanese are very open and welcoming to Americans but we are still seen as somewhat as a novelty. I get told all the time that I am the "whitest white person they've ever seen". Score one for my pale skin :)
My host family is doing well, I feel really comfortable with them and its almost like I am part of the family. My two host sisters, Susy and AnnMarie, continue to be the most adorable children ever and are constantly following me around and talking to me very very fast in Creolese. I am getting better at picking up the local dialect but there are still times I find myself just nodding and smiling and hoping I'm not agreeing to anything too awkward :)
Training is going well, although it is mostly just lectures and talks about culture, safety, and various health topics. It is Monday through Friday from 8 to 5 so the days can be pretty long and at times, tedious. Most current volunteers say that training is the hardest, most boring, most stressful part of your service because it is mostly talking and not a lot of doing. But most of the topics we cover are actually informative and helpful so I try to keep a positive attitude that in a few weeks I will be able to be actually out in the field doing hands on work. We have been able to visit a health clinic which was really really awesome. We got to see how things are run and also observe and help with some examinations. Tuesday was the prenatal clinic so all the patients were pregnant women. We got to assist in admitting new patients, taking blodd pressure, and observing the physical exam, including an ultrasound. I really enjoyed that, I hope I get to do more hands on clinic work while I am here. I am looking into doing the Physicians Assistant program at GW when I get back to the States so I am hoping to get a lot of practical experience while in Guyana.
Overall things are going well. I am having fun and learning a lot and I know this is just the beginning of my adventure. I am loving the warm weather and relaxing as much as possible in my hammock :) I miss everyone back home and I am excited to come back at visit sometime this year and eat as much American food as possible :) Hope everyone is well at home, you all better be writing me letters, getting mail is very exciting. My address is: Lindsay Perlman Peace Corps Trainee, Peace Corps Guyana c/o US Embassy, 100 Young and Duke Streets, Kingston, Georgetown, Guyana South America.
Also, I posted pics on facebook for those who can access that. If you dont have facebook I think this link should work: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2078255&id=1277258438&l=572ff39abd
Love,
Lindsay
Friday, February 25, 2011
Side note on visiting me/traveling around
So this post is mainly for my sister or anyone else who is interested in visiting me while i'm here. Guyana is the black hole of travel. Getting to guyana from the states and vice versa is relatively cheap and easy, so i definitely encourage anyone who wants to visit me here in country. However, even though Guyana is in South America, it is next to impossible to get anywhere outside of guyana. Travel to Brazil is ridiculously expensive, even though they share a border and it is actually cheaper and easier to fly back to the states and then go to Brazil. So unfortunately, I dont think i will be able to go anywhere in South America while im here. Sorry JP :( However, there is some good news here. Travel from Guyana to the Caribbean, places like Trinidad and Barbados, is pretty cheap and easy. Soooooooo, i was thinking that anyone who wants to visit but doesnt have the stomach for rabid mosquitoes and iguana curry may want to plan a trip to the Bahamas instead and I would meet you there. Just a thought :) I may plan a trip to Barbados or someplace for next year if anyone is interested......:)
February 25th 2011
So I have officially been in Guyana for over a week. I am living in West Coast Demarara, which is an area along Guyana's west coast right on the Atlantic ocean. I am living with a host family in a village called DeWilliam which, like all the villages in West Coast, is right along the one paved highway that runs all along the entire coast. It is one of the few main roads in the country.
My host family lives in a pretty typical Guyanese house, with the kitchen and eating area on the lower level and then stairs outside leading up to the bedrooms and the bathroom. Yes, there is a toilet and a shower. The shower is pretty much a small room with a pipe coming out of the wall that is attached to the rain tanks. The Water is always, always cold but you actually get used to it. And its pretty hot and humid most days so a cold shower actually feels good.....most of the time anyways :) The houses here are usually on gated lots and they have at least 2 or 3 hammocks out on the verandas. That is where I spend most of my free time, lounging in the hammock and reading. Another interesting thing about the houses here is that there is no ceiling, just a tin roof and the walls don't go all the way up. So there is a large gap between where the walls end and the ceiling is. Very little privacy :)
My host family is really really awesome. My host "dad" is really young, only 28 and he lived in NYC for 16 years growing up. He speaks very good English and even his Creolese is more understandable than other locals. My host "mom" is younger than me, shes only 22. They have 2 daughters, Susana who is 5 and AnnMarie who is 4. They are so adorable, I love them both. They talk so much and are always waiting for me when i get home from training. Too cute. My family is really cool and Angelie, my host mom is an awesome cook. She fixed me iguana curry for my first meal. I swear I actually liked it. It tasted kind of like chicken. I also helped my host dad kill it and butcher it so if I can find an iguana when i get home, you all better believe i am making you iguana curry :)
I am living right now in a pretty urban area, which means there are minibuses that I have to take to work and there is an internet cafe right near my host. It has really cheap international calls which I really like. I have been through my first week and training and I am really excited to get started. I will not get my actual assignment until another week or 2 but I will probably be working in a health centre. This would be really awesome because I would get to work directly with patients coming in and give health talks and health education sessions. Also, this means I can focus on stuff I am interested in like maternal and infant health. I will let you all know more about my assignment once I get it but for right now we are just doing training.
Even though i have only been in Guyana for a little over a week, I really love it. I am anxious to start working and getting more integrated in my community. I miss everyone back home and I think I may be back for a visit over thanksgiving or christmas this year. If I save enough money I may be able to fly back for the wedding in September, but no promises on that :) Now that i know i have semi-reliable internet I will try to update everyone more often. Love and miss you all.
Lindsay
My host family lives in a pretty typical Guyanese house, with the kitchen and eating area on the lower level and then stairs outside leading up to the bedrooms and the bathroom. Yes, there is a toilet and a shower. The shower is pretty much a small room with a pipe coming out of the wall that is attached to the rain tanks. The Water is always, always cold but you actually get used to it. And its pretty hot and humid most days so a cold shower actually feels good.....most of the time anyways :) The houses here are usually on gated lots and they have at least 2 or 3 hammocks out on the verandas. That is where I spend most of my free time, lounging in the hammock and reading. Another interesting thing about the houses here is that there is no ceiling, just a tin roof and the walls don't go all the way up. So there is a large gap between where the walls end and the ceiling is. Very little privacy :)
My host family is really really awesome. My host "dad" is really young, only 28 and he lived in NYC for 16 years growing up. He speaks very good English and even his Creolese is more understandable than other locals. My host "mom" is younger than me, shes only 22. They have 2 daughters, Susana who is 5 and AnnMarie who is 4. They are so adorable, I love them both. They talk so much and are always waiting for me when i get home from training. Too cute. My family is really cool and Angelie, my host mom is an awesome cook. She fixed me iguana curry for my first meal. I swear I actually liked it. It tasted kind of like chicken. I also helped my host dad kill it and butcher it so if I can find an iguana when i get home, you all better believe i am making you iguana curry :)
I am living right now in a pretty urban area, which means there are minibuses that I have to take to work and there is an internet cafe right near my host. It has really cheap international calls which I really like. I have been through my first week and training and I am really excited to get started. I will not get my actual assignment until another week or 2 but I will probably be working in a health centre. This would be really awesome because I would get to work directly with patients coming in and give health talks and health education sessions. Also, this means I can focus on stuff I am interested in like maternal and infant health. I will let you all know more about my assignment once I get it but for right now we are just doing training.
Even though i have only been in Guyana for a little over a week, I really love it. I am anxious to start working and getting more integrated in my community. I miss everyone back home and I think I may be back for a visit over thanksgiving or christmas this year. If I save enough money I may be able to fly back for the wedding in September, but no promises on that :) Now that i know i have semi-reliable internet I will try to update everyone more often. Love and miss you all.
Lindsay
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
February 15th, 2011
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
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
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