Happiness according to travelwoman 1/27/11

Thank you for all the conversations and great ideas. Communicating through the blog was a great experience and now I have some more creative ideas for teaching. My happiness includes you ::))

The meaning of happiness creeps up on me. It is always like this. I've traveled often, yet, this feeling of exhilaration is like a slow intoxication. It always surprises.

Sitting in the cafe today I again realized a sense of happiness. Lately, I've found the words to name it. In front of me was a good book and a cup of warm decaf. I felt the tiredness in my muscles, but the soreness was less and I'd had a good night's sleep. I was rested enough to think and, therefore, the memories tumbled in and, I again felt a sense of achievement. I'd done it again - made a plan to travel and executed it. It was like having an unknown "bucket list" and recognizing the achievement of a goal in the middle of a surprise party.

This feeling of happiness cannot be stymied by my body's intent to let me know that I am middle aged. The sense of freedom erased the damage to my hip the drunk driver donated and the accidental strain on my lower back. I walked free for almost 20 days in Guyana and the feeling of control of my own actions was in itself a high. Forging ahead with my own dream to create educational programs in Guyana made me feel light in the midst of fighting the middle age spread. Actually, these travels also continue to motivate me to be physically healthy. So, back to those spin classes in Santa Barbara.

As time passes and I travel, the meaning of my life becomes even more clear and my personal smile stretches and stretches. The sense of freedom comes with a growing confidence and the knowledge that I am moving in the right direction.

I must also say that this sense of happiness also comes because of love and it enhances my ability to love. None of this is possible without the warm affection and continued support of loved ones. I must thank my mother for giving me both of these gifts. And, I recognize that in giving me these gifts she made it possible for me to find bonds with so many others.

Food for thought - 1/25/11

I'm at the airport after a pleasant ride and a good discussion again. I have a number of issues to present for discussion. I think they are important points to mention for those of us who care about Guyana, who discuss Guyana, who criticize Guyana, who contribute to Guyana, who are planning to return to Guyana, who think about the past and the future of Guyana..... All of these points were brought to my attention by a number of different Guyanese who live in Guyana. A few of them are Guyanese who returned to Guyana over 10 years ago.

So, I have to give you the good first. This is the kind of good I appreciate. At the airport, it was quiet. I approached the area where they check your bags. I got to the bins and a woman walked over and asked for my passport. She had a pleasant face and helped me sort my things into different bins - shoes went with the computer, the bag with the coat and the hand luggage. I beeped as I went through and another woman started moving in my direction - her smile was slow and with an easy swagger she approached me and proceeded to pat me down as if she was hugging a daughter. After that the woman asked me to open my bag. As I opened the bag I told her that I had cameras and cords in it and she said to me something like .. “Yes ah see dem ah jus’ wan’ mek sure yuh ain’ gon tie up deh pilot” an’ a big grin split sche cheeks.

I laughed and kept laughing and thought of all the women in the market places and in the hotel who found endearments to use with me all the time - baby, honey. Yes, I’m sure they use them with everyone and ah like that. More than that, I like that they made me feel as if it was personal, motherly, and at home. I entered the restroom at the airport and the toilet was not flushing as it should. When I came out, as I was washing my hands, the woman in charge of cleaning came in and she said to be “baby did it flush fuh you?” How could I not smile and explain that it was not doing its job completely. “It’s okay baby – ay’ll tek care of it.” Okay, let me confess that I totally melt when I feel spoiled.

All of the taxi drivers felt and acted like brothers. Yes, they were all referred to me by some friend so I felt safe and relaxed, but they also shared their thoughts and observations in a friendly way. I believe it could be risky to be frank about circumstances (I was told this by a woman in the market) so , in a way, they displayed a certain amount of trust.

Leavin' on a jet plane.... 1/25/11

Today I leave. How do I feel? A little sad, but I'm making arrangements to be back as soon as I can. I intend to start an education program in Lethem. The trip was worth it and my interactions with people were filled with friendliness and a great deal of shared sentiment. If there is a way to describe "home" Guyana has all the elements for me.

I have a few days in NY and then I am off to California and my students.

At the end of May I hope to be in Curacao.

I'm off for a walk and I'll check in one more time before I leave. Maybe my camera will find something interesting at the airport.

deh las' Monday an' ah tired tired tired - 1/24/11

Ah really tired; dis mornin' ah tought ah had deh energy to tek a vigorous walk down to shop fuh gifts by the post office and den walk down Robb Street to Bourda fuh buy some fruit. Well, ay ain't mek it so far.

Deh hot wata was troublesome dis mornin' den ah had to axe meself since when ay need hot wata in Guyana... stewups. When ay get over dat comebackee behavior ah bade and get ready and guh downstairs. Ah had a good conversation an' eggs wid plantain an' cassava.

Ah dress and mek it downtown an' buy some really nice gifts and a tek a photo of deh girl so people could find sche and go down deh when deh wan' fuh buy some gifts.



Deh smile today is when ah walk across deh road toward St. George's cathedral to fin' Waterloo an' walk down deh avenue. As ah get to dat road runnin' round deh church ah look up to see nuff cars comin' so ay prepare to wait for a break in traffic. As ay look towards deh cars ah see a woman approach an' ah see sche stop at deh cross walk so ay start walkin' toward sche. As sche see me comin' sche smile an' sey while sche hold deh umbrella against deh wind.."don't worry chile deh ain't gon stop even doh deh see me standin' hey... dey ain't courteous attal' hey."

Ay kept walkin' an' we stand deh togehda an' wait and wait an' deh traffic continue fuh zip pass.. den one car stop an' sche and me walk across an' sche raise sche han' an' tank deh driver an' turn to me an' sey... "heh ah kno' it had to be a woman."

Promoting Guyanese artist Paul Harris; it's a family tradition - Like father like son

Look out for this man and his books - Maybe GTlime - it's a family tradition and those of you who know this tradition - you know you'll never put them down and you'll pass them on to your children.

Here's the man and his work.

Oh beautiful Guyana - an evening at the seawall - 1/23/11

My thanks to you all who made this trip beautiful - 1/23/11

I can't begin to express my appreciation for so much time, advice, driving around, food, the interviews, the news, the names of taxi drivers, the suggestions ..... so much assistance.

My sister Ann
All at the Ariantze Hotel
Brian and Betina
Kay/Polly and her daughters and Peggy and the friends I met
Paul and Darleen
Paula and her daughter Sinead and all at Ariantze
The young people at Jerry's
Karen

In Lethem
all at the Takatu
Cristina, Wendy and more
Mosha
Shirley

A special time - the seawall -1/23/11

The day and the evening were very special. It was a day full of old memories. I have Darleen and Paul to thank for filling my tummy with gifts of food and comfort. After some good chat they made my wish come true. We took a drive; it was a real old fashion drive seeing old places and then we drove along the seawall.

What can I say. The only way to respond to the seawall is to delve into my immediate reactions. The scene at the seawalls made me happy. I saw so many cars and people along great stretches of the seawall that I couldn't help but smile. It was a lively place full of families and young couples.

But, it was when we drove back along the seawall to Pegagus and then down to the red band stand that the memories came back and with it rose a feeling of gladness. I was glad to see so many Guyanese - men women and children - out there enjoying the breeze, buying pop corn and other snacks; there were children riding bikes, jumping on trampolines, and riding the merry-go-around. It's hard to describe my response because when I was a child it was full of people, but nothing like I saw tonight. And, it seemed as if everyone was having fun.

Those of you who know Guyana and the seawall, you know that the breeze from the ocean is unbelievable and hard to describe. It wasn't until I was walking along the wall and then along the beach feeling the strong cool breeze that I realized that it was/is special. The breeze is calming; it is soothing; it encourages the spirit to keep going.

Again it comin' to an end - 1/23/11

I'm thinking that I will put the camera down after today. I have a visit planned for this afternoon. It will be fun, but after that I'm going to be completely lazy and rest my feet. I passed Colgrain pool and I remembered the days of swimming. Maybe I'll take a dip in the Pegasus pool today.

Today I have to work a little. I have to send templates for the subs to use in my classes for the first week. I have to write a little proposal for the fellow who wants me to be involved in an education program. And, I also have to write something to fill the requirements if I want land in Lethem. So, there we go, I have to get my mind back to something serious.

Here are cute photos.

On the way to the West Coast - 1/22/11

tek a minibus ride wid me - 1/22/11

Laud...ay axe deh guy to sit in front to get deh real feeling of speed an' he sey sure. One time we headin' down deh road at top speed an' ay see a bus in front 'comin' toward we and anodda taxi tekin' over deh bus and we headin' toward it at top speed. Ah close meh eyes for ah minute an' den ah open dem an' we whisk pass an' a breathe again.

walk wid me in deh market nuh - 1/22/11

fresh fresh fresh


nuff people in this little aisle and no one being rude


healthy healthy


a little stinky


watch this man gut fish



at the back of Stabroek watching a trawler go by



the clothing section of the market


This was outside Stabroek on the way to get the minibus

our favorite drink - look at deh man wield he cutlass - 1/22/11

Lots of us remember going to find the coconut man on the way home from some lime or fete.

Who's innocent - mouth open story jump out

Yes, I'm a comebackie I agree - bin livin' out deh country
who is me to say ay kno' wuh happenin'

So ah sit back
ah listenin' and ah hearin'

at times ah even eavesdroppin'
an' here's dis ting

deh talkin' how dem people
ain't got no behavin'
deh trowin' deh garbage
in deh trench
an' deh stench... eh

Well, I'm thinking
who are the people bringing
and selling
to the very people they cursing
the styrofoam and plastic
that killing the planet.

So, deh woman in Lethem tell meh
how she tek a job
sche work hard hard hard
open close open close
stay late late late
an' deh missus
geh sche $20 fuh 2 weeks
deh woman sey
sche shoulda teef up all deh tings
Imagin' dat $20 dolla fuh TWO WEEKS

Now, hear this
all this story about class
who better than who
and here is this story
of have to have not
making sure that have not
have nothing
but complaining about what stinking
You tell me
don't you smell a rotten something!

Well, anodda day anodda dolla
ah in deh taxi ridin'
to deh cemetary
an' listenin' to deh man
sey somethin' interestin'

on deh side
ay already like dis man
cause like me
he read Mittleholzer
My Bones and My Flute
an' he love him

But back to deh interestin' sometin'
deh man was sayin'

Ay see a buildin'
down deh by Lodge
as we drivin'
an ay mention
'bout how dis happen'
nuff nuff of dese places
lookin' gutted
grass growin'
up and down deh poles
an deh man sey sometin'
ay hadn't been tinkin'

But, when ay hear dis story
ay had to ask myself
is who innocent?

He sey
you kno' how much houses
like dis
people overseas
left land
nah sell it
nah clean it
an' nah live in it.

The burial - cemetery - can't ignore

The past is easily forgotten



Silently she weeps for the days of long ago


The trees sway with that whisper of forever. It's a quiet and peaceful day. He grazes.

Pegasus and nearby - 1/21/11

Those of you who remember hanging out at Pegasus will see that there hasn't been that much change around the pool



speaks for itself



monument to the endangered leatherback turtle

Beautiful people - made the stay wonderful - 1/21/11

Ms. Moore as beautiful as ever


Lloyd and Ms. Moore from the hotel Ariantze



This is the front of the dress store.


The owner of this dress shop in the arcade sold me a summer dress.

The leather man as I promised - 1/20/11

I bought a leather band and he gave me his words. I do appreciate the willingness I find in people.

Ms. Johnson telling it like she sees it - 1/20/11

Sitting and listening to Ms. Johnson was a rewarding experience. We had lunch at the Pegasus and before we knew it we were over the lunch hour.

I first met Ms. Johnson at the Takatu hotel. At the hotel, I was impressed by her easy management of her family's business or should I say businesses. Today I was again impressed when I learned that she not only helped to manage the hotel, but she also helped with the gas station. She was born in Lethem and shared her love of the place.

Today, I also attended a workshop for miners. At this workshop I met Ms. Johnson's boss, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds.

Ms. Johnson has an impressive professional life.

signs of interest - more to come - 1/19/11

There seems to be a lot of concern about dress.

outside the window - you have to love this - 1/19/11

I was sitting enjoying the breeze and I heard this call.

Sinead shared this poem with me and now I'm sharing with you

The Sensual Art
for Elspeth
Chadd Cumberbatch and Ward Minnis

Me like to take a fresh one
in the morning time
to calm me mind.

Me caress the skin
slow and steady.
lt red, ripe and voluptuous.
Beads of dew roll off the curve just so
straining for ground
like the wanton sweat that form
on me tongue.

Me select me best knife.
Well sharp.
One that only use for this,
Me get me special plate.
Huh-huh!
Almost ready....

Wait!
Me must close the curtain.
Can't have them prying eyes
in this relationship.
No Manicou Macko to put me life
on Front Street.

In the darkness
me sit and me study it.
It wetness.
It readiness.
It ripeness.
Talk to me
understand
me not just some casual lover.
Me mean business.

Me check again to make sure it just....
Me slice.
Slow sweet juice ooze onto me fingers.
One started spurt escape to the plate.
...Me go deal with that later.

Me so tired of this foreplay.
It take real restraint
to make the first bite slow.
Tender taut flesh.

Then that flavor rush me,
catch wind in me throat,
like a left-over rhythm from Carnival morning.
The beat, the beat.
Me swallow
It wash over me.
quiet like sunset
satisfying as a September rain.
Is sunshine going through me belly
and out through me skin.

Me stir warm from me reverie
And me look at the yellow scraggly seed.
Me wipe up the evidence with paper towel
while me pluck the hair from me teeth.
I ready now to pull back the curtain
and allow them outside eyes back in.

Art on the avenue - 1/19/11

The story of his art is all about the connection between us. Listen to him as he exlains. I hope the noise is not too much.





This man makes beautiful leather wrists bands. At this section of the avenue a number of artists gather and sell their pieces.

I always buy something if I'm going to ask for their time and their voices. I have a beautiful leather band waiting for me and I hope to get him to tell me a little about his art.

Morning - The Education situation - 1/19/11

I'm hearing a lot about education so let me share what I've heard.

Right now I'm in the hotel listening to the budget discussion on the TV about education and I'm hearing that there is a program to provide computers and to ease up time for children and parents.

In Lethem, a young woman said, in response to my question about what she'd like to see happen, that she'd like to see computer courses offered. She, and others, said that young people don't have enough to do.

The older generation of women in their 50s in Lethem shared that they wanted to enhance literacy skills because as women it was not a priority offered to them.

Private schools:
There seems to be many of these schools. This seems to be the acceptable choice for those who can afford it and for those who can't they are trying to make incredible sacrifices to give their children a chance. One mother told me about the physical and mental stress she suffered and the toll it took on her family. And this woman is a woman with a certain amount of property.

This morning a young woman shared her experience at the public schools. Students had to buy their books. These books were often not used. She feels she only succeeded because her parents paid for private lessons.

UG and qualified workers:
From the business sector I heard that there's a problem getting qualified people because the majority of graduates from UG leave the country.

I was told by another Guyanese who is back and getting involved in change that the flow out of Guyana means that they don't have experienced teachers at UG.

One young woman told me that her sister received all 1s and one 2 when she took the CXC and she was not accepted at UG. She said that it was always her sister's dream and instead she did computer classes.


Okay, I couldn't resist taking a photo of this Guyanese furniture because I love it.

examples of Guyanese craft

It's a ceramic spoon with a woman washing clothes.

They are sitting on a book called Free Food for Millionaires by Min Jin Lee. I am trying to read it, but I've been too busy.


this is a jewelry box and it's made of greenheart wood or is it purple heart! Laud ah gettin' forgetful.



They call them lucky beads.

It's coming to an end - Tuesday evening at the Sidewalk Cafe

I'm sitting here and thinking about how fast things have happened; the trip is almost over. I must say it has been well worth my while.

If the trip back to Lethem does not happen I might visit Adele's. Rod Westmas mentioned this place and if I have the weekend free and I can manage the cost, why not! Either way you'll be getting some more if I can swing it. Lethem promises Bovista in Brazil and Adele's promises a ride on a speed boat. I have to take a look at Adele's on the internet because I don't know too much about the place.

Around the end of the month I'll be back and soon after that I'll be back in the classroom. I'll have a lot to share with the students and, hopefully, I'll also be planning for my next trip.

I will be attending the CSA conference on the island of Curacao and it will be around the time of my birthday. The lovely thing about travelling is that you meet so many people. In Lethem I met a young Guyanese fellow who works for a travel company. He gave me the names of the simple but well situated hotels and told me where to find interesting things to do and people to see. I will also be interviewing there. Maybe I'll do another travel blog because I enjoyed doing this one for you and I hope you found it interesting.

movement and music on that same corner

When I heard Bob Marley I was tempted to ask for a chair. I was too shy, but I'm moving in that direction. When I visited Bourda the other day the woman offered me a bucket, did I tell you that? I sat down next to a man selling herbs. I think I told you that.

standing on a corner not far from Stabroek Market

My feet are very tired today, but I couldn't stay one place. I walked over to the market twice today. I didn't get the longer interviews with the women today because I had promised to make my visit yesterday and didn't. I ended up staying in that office all day to get some business done, but so it go, eh. I hope to visit them on Thursday.

So, what did I do. I made arrangements with a woman in the market to get something made for my hair. I stopped at the craft plaza and bought one or two little things. And, I made my way into the market and bought some mangoes. And then I walked back to the hotel.

As I walked down the road I heard music and decided to stop on the corner and record. Here it is. Yes, I am interested in market places. I find that it is where you find people and honesty.

Hibiscus Craft Plaza

The photos do not show the crafts in detail. I didn't want to take my camera into strange stalls. A move like that can be seen as brazen and someone might think I'm trying to take decorative ideas. Don't want that to happen.

Elton Lowe does have a place there and I had planned to get a few close up shots, but he wasn't there. If I can before the end of the week I will. One young woman, in one of the stalls, explained that some things are made with greenheart wood. The pieces are very pretty. If I can afford to buy anything after this extra 10 days I will show you.





I'm off to Stabroek market now. I want to buy some fruit and check for the women I hope to interview. I went too early this morning.