Coming to (South) America

I bought a guidebook to South America. I was actually looking for one specific to Guyana, but those books don’t exist. The wealthier neighboring countries always overshadow the less prosperous trifecta: Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana. Even in the so-called comprehensive guidebooks on the continent. In fact, Guyana is a beautiful country with lush rainforests, many of which have been untouched by human destruction. When was the last time you stood somewhere that wasn’t already plowed, abused, or fabricated by mankind? Do I sound like a hippie yet? Let's go hug a tree.

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The only form of telecommunication available for my use in Guyana is two cans strung together by fishing wire. That being said, I’m giving my phone to my cousin’s girlfriend to use. Her name is also Yvonne, but she doesn’t speak English. For those who might be compelled to call my cell when you’re drunk telling me how wonderful running water and washing machines are, please refrain from doing so. I already know that stuff is great. So go ahead and do the three of us a favor and temporarily delete my number from your phone book.

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I made a top ten list of things I’m going to miss this year. I had pics but blogger isn't cooperating, so you'll have to enjoy this without visuals. Everyone please consume massive quantities of everything below. Just don’t tell me about it.

10. Picking out pretty colors for manicures and pedicures.
9. Watching college football and Brady Quinn. (Don’t worry, I’m still a Texas fan.)
8. Sending text messages.
7. Bacon.
6. Viewing my 3 quality TV programs: Grey’s Anatomy, Lost and Project Runway.
Will someone download and send them to me? Except for Lost…watching it while in the jungle creeps me out and I would have to make my roommate hold my hand everywhere we go. We’re not that close yet.
5. Sipping Starbucks frappuccinos.
4. Reading my daily dose of celebrity gossip.
3. Cupcakes, cookies, ice cream, basically sugar in general. (They have sugar there, but it won’t be the same.)
2. Enjoying the luxury of air conditioning.
1. Being able to easily contact friends and family.

Did #1 make you feel a little fuzzy inside? I hope so. Thanks everyone for all your kind gestures and sentiments. I’ll miss you all!


Blogger’s note: There may be a lag between posts depending on how easily it will be for me to get online. Please keep checking for updates… the exciting ones start after this.

Sealed With a Kiss

Living in Guyana can sometimes be similiar to living in the US. Actually, you may be surprised at some of the similiarities between the two countries. I've taken the time to find the top three things in common and have outlined them for you below in no particular order.

1. Both are English speaking countries with influences from Great Britain.

2. Both countries have an eye for beauty. Behold Miss Guyana 2006. Now quickly scroll down before your boss walks by and thinks you're checking out pictures not suitable for work instead of typing your report that's due tomorrow.

3. Both US President Bush and Guyana Prime Minister Hinds aimed to improve the governmental postal system and sought to ensure that our ebay packages keep arriving.

Official US statement regarding postal service:

Executive Order: President's Commission on the United States Postal Service

Sec. 3. Mission. (a) The mission of the Commission shall be to examine the state of the United States Postal Service, and to prepare and submit to the President a report articulating a proposed vision for the future of the United States Postal Service and recommending the legislative and administrative reforms needed to ensure the viability of postal services.

- United States Executive Branch website (whitehouse.gov) made on 12/11/02

Official Guyana statement regarding postal service:

Two spanking new post offices have been recommissioned in less than 24 hours by the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC). Mr. Hinds noted that from time to time he would pass the Soesdyke Post Office and observed that it had become a real eyesore and something needed to be done.

- Guyana Government Information Agency website (gina.gov.gy) made on 10/15/04

Moral of the story: If you don't get a holiday card from me this year, it's not my fault. However, for those of you who would like to write or send cartons of febreeze or cupcakes, please address your packages to:

Lot B Over Head Tank Street
Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara

GUYANA, SOUTH AMERICA

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Please note: It is a good idea to write the continent on your envelope/package as oftentimes people mistake Guyana to be in Africa. It is not.

Adios Texas, Hola Guyana

Hi and welcome to my first blog ever. I now blog and I have cable. Please be patient with me... I know I'm Asian and I should be tech savvy, but I'm not.

So perhaps some of you are wondering why I'm posting now when I don't leave for another 2 weeks. The answer is two-fold: 1) I would like to figure out this whole blogging thing before I am forced to use dial-up and deal with sporadic internet service, 2.) I just received my teaching placement today. yay!

Well it turns out I won't be teaching high school geography, but Social Studies to 7th and 8th graders instead in a village called Soesdyke. How do you pronounce that? I have no idea, which I why I chose to share the news online. Where is it? I have no idea either, but here's roughly where I think it might be:

I was also given a quick preview of my lifestyle since I'll be in a more urban area. By "urban" I mean it's close to a road that runs to the capital. By "capital" I mean it's got paved roads. Here's what Soesdyke has got to offer:

• Internet access- check.
• Electricity- check. (Y'all, this one is huge!)
• Vicious mosquitoes- check.
• Bottled water- check.
• Tons of holidays for all 6 major ethnic groups- check.

Here's what it doesn't have:

• Washing machines or Laundromats- X.
• Sports- X. (However, I've been told there is a Sports Week that lasts a month.)
• Running water- X. (I'll have to fetch it from a well between the hours of 6am-7pm.)

That's all the info I have for now. I'll update again once I obtain my postal address. So I leave you guys with a nice picture of a well. I'm going to take a nice long shower tonight because I can.