It's been almost a month since I have left for Guyana. I am starting to settle in and feel more comfortable with the place and people. I have moved into my "permanent" home, while I am here. The mission family that lives here has offered me a place to stay in their home, instead of living in another house by myself. So, I get to room with Serena, a 14-year old, that is constantly teaching me how to live here in Guyana. As ever day goes by, I am learning more and yet still learning I don't know anything. I am beginning to understand the saying, "Put your back into it," and applying that saying in a literal way. Whether sweeping with a stick broom, washing all (there's a lot) the dishes by hand, making food from scratch, and gardening... putting you back into it is a necessity.
I am getting accustomed to waking up with "alarm clocks," the kind you can't set or have control of. Anywhere between 4a.m. and 7a.m. there will be cows, sheep, parrots, roosters, ducks, dogs, cats, taxis, and people that will wake me up. A new rooster has moved into our yard. At first, I thought, "Cool, an actual rooster can wake me up ever morning."... What was I thinking! This rooster sounds like it's voice box is broken, by the end of it's call it is just a loud squeak.
The house I live in has running water, but the amount of water we have always depends on the rain. I have learned to take even faster showers, not only to save water, but to also get out of the cold water! Sometimes the cold shower is refreshing and cooling off feels wonderful, but usually I start to sweat while trying to dry off after the shower. (The only time I really feel "clean" is the 5 minutes after I brush my teeth). We are also blessed with a washing machine, it runs, however I am not sure how well it actually cleans. Hanging up clothes to dry is a simple task, the process of waiting for the clothes to finally dry tests my patience. Sometimes it takes two days for clothes to dry, and even then I am not sure they are actually fully dry. Because we only have electricity from 5-11p.m. the refrigerator apparently runs on a car battery. (I'm not a battery expert, but it looks like the thing I plug jumper cables on when my car battery dies.) I know i previously stated that we have electricity from 5-11p.m. but, since I have been here the city generator has only worked for 2 days. It was broken when I arrived, was fixed on Thanksgiving day, and then broke a day later. Luckily the house I live in runs a generator when darkness consumes the house until we go to bed. Having lights can be a blessing and also a burden. The light allows me to see what I am showering with... My first shower here I was able to shower with a wolf spider, tarantula, and another spider that still remains unidentified.
Everything here takes longer. Cooking everything from scratch takes a lot more time and planning then I originally imagined. Once breakfast is made and dishes are hand washed, it seems as if we go straight into cooking lunch and then dinner. I am going to perfect the art of baking bread...With the amount we make, through trial and error, I know I will get a nice loaf of bread at least once! I have learned to enjoy the "butter" and milk. Our butter is shortening (ugh) and the milk is always powered milk. (But we have learned which brand mixes best in water.) The other day, in Georgetown, oatmeal was served for breakfast. We added multiple ice-cubes so we could have cold oatmeals since it was so hot outside. In Mabaruma, the town I live in, we don't have the luxury of ice, so pouring on cold water has to suffice. (Always proud when I end up rhyming).
The Christmas season is upon us. We put up our tree Thanksgiving day. I am always looking forward to the current (electricity) coming on at 5 so the tree lights will turn on! We will be busy the next few days putting together Christmas baskets that we will pass out to some of the families here. This year my Christmas will definitely be focused on giving!
I wish you all a Merry Christmas!
(p.s. being able to post on my blog is a process... I am only able to get internet on my phone right now, and even that is extremely slow and iffy. So I apologies for the lack of posts.)
