On XMas eve Nadine and I departed the peaceful nature of Surama to the hectic world that is Georgetown. The weather was not great which made for an interesting hour and a half plane ride on those "spacious" 12 seater planes (you can't exactly go over the clouds as there is no pressurized cabins in those planes).
Upon our return we made our way to our new place. There is a good chance this place we are living in is the biggest and nicest house I will ever live in. It's a huge victorian/colonial house with a massive living room, two "smoking" rooms, and two kitchens (one the landlord referred to as the Breakfast Room, my apologies). The upstairs has 4 bedrooms, 3 of which have king sized beds, one has a living room, one has a seperate bathroom. Ridiculous, all of it, if you compare to other VSO places including some of the ones we lived in. The landlord to this place wants us to put no less than 8 lights on at night for security purposes. He also pays security guards across the street to look after the place. He also invited us over for XMas eve dinner which his daughter cooked. Big ham dinner (sorry fellow Jews), with potatoes, stuffing, etc. Quite a good dinner however I'm pretty sure he was drunk prior to dinner starting.
XMas day we had a bunch of the VSOs over for a XMas lunch/dinner (in the UK they do a lunch.) The party was supposed to be at another ladie's places but she had seen ours the night before and made the switch. This lunch was a chicken and duck dinner and had a ludicrous amount of food.
Not much else to report for now.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
A week's worth of events
So our last day in Manaus didn't go exactly as planned. The weather did not cooperate at all so the beach and big zoo were out of the question. We decided to go to the Natural Science Museum. We hopped on the 519 bus north and told the lady in broken Portuguese where we were going. She told us to get off at a stop and go back and turn left. We did so arriving at INPA which is not what we were looking for at all. So we asked where the museum was and were told to walk that way until we saw a sign. We walked for probably 2km until we hit the sign. Turned left walked to the end of the street and saw no other signs. Asking again for more directions we kept getting told to go to INPA. In the end we did not find the museum and ended up in another mall, than took the bus the wrong way. Not a great day as a last day in Manaus but the trip overall was a great success.
We left Manaus the last day barely escaping the death cab ride to the airport. We got into Boa Vista and took a two hour bus to Bonfim before cabbing to Lethem and getting picked up on the side of a road by a random who dropped us off at our house (that's what it's like around here).
Our last weeked in Lethem was relatively uneventful except for a birthday party for the 6 year old who lives in the same compound as us and finding one of his friends running through our house.
We hit the road for Surama on Monday and in true Guyana fashion took off at 11am even though the bus was supposed to leave at 10am. We had to be 3 days in Surama for me to do some interviews so here is the difference between a 3 day conference for Deloitte versus VSO in Guyana. For Deloitte I would usually get a paid for cab to the airport, get on the plane, take a cab to a pretty nice hotel, and have all the meals paid for and transportation and everything arranged. For VSO, as I mentioned I hopped on a bus that was an hour late, went on some pretty awful roads for 4 hours, got left on the side of the road into Surama, my ride wasn't there, waited for someone (anyone) to show up, got picked up, put in the back of a pickup truck, drove half an hour to an eco-lodge (actually a really nice one), my interviews hadn't been scheduled, and I had to figure most of that out. It's definitely all in the experience and you get so used to it that you smile as it's happening but nonetheless that's a taste of the worklife difference here.
Surama however is a beautiful place with huge forested mountains and is the most peaceful place I think I've ever been to. We did a two hour hike in the forest and went to the animal sanctuary mixed in with the interviews (our tour guide is really quite unbelievable at spotting animals in the forest that I could barely see with binoculars. You kinda feel like you're in the army as you are walking in a straight line and he'll put up his hand for you to stop when he thinks he hears or sees something). Really quite a spectacular landscape.
The interviews went really well as well. The only thing is that I have decided that being on the back of a motorcycle here, on these roads, at these speeds is the most faith I have ever put into another human being.
Met a nice couple from Holland who are living in Suriname so if we have time (and money) we might try and make it there.
Tomorrow we are off for Georgetown for the final stretch of this placement.
Speak to you later.
PS I ate chicken hearts in Manaus, not bad!
We left Manaus the last day barely escaping the death cab ride to the airport. We got into Boa Vista and took a two hour bus to Bonfim before cabbing to Lethem and getting picked up on the side of a road by a random who dropped us off at our house (that's what it's like around here).
Our last weeked in Lethem was relatively uneventful except for a birthday party for the 6 year old who lives in the same compound as us and finding one of his friends running through our house.
We hit the road for Surama on Monday and in true Guyana fashion took off at 11am even though the bus was supposed to leave at 10am. We had to be 3 days in Surama for me to do some interviews so here is the difference between a 3 day conference for Deloitte versus VSO in Guyana. For Deloitte I would usually get a paid for cab to the airport, get on the plane, take a cab to a pretty nice hotel, and have all the meals paid for and transportation and everything arranged. For VSO, as I mentioned I hopped on a bus that was an hour late, went on some pretty awful roads for 4 hours, got left on the side of the road into Surama, my ride wasn't there, waited for someone (anyone) to show up, got picked up, put in the back of a pickup truck, drove half an hour to an eco-lodge (actually a really nice one), my interviews hadn't been scheduled, and I had to figure most of that out. It's definitely all in the experience and you get so used to it that you smile as it's happening but nonetheless that's a taste of the worklife difference here.
Surama however is a beautiful place with huge forested mountains and is the most peaceful place I think I've ever been to. We did a two hour hike in the forest and went to the animal sanctuary mixed in with the interviews (our tour guide is really quite unbelievable at spotting animals in the forest that I could barely see with binoculars. You kinda feel like you're in the army as you are walking in a straight line and he'll put up his hand for you to stop when he thinks he hears or sees something). Really quite a spectacular landscape.
The interviews went really well as well. The only thing is that I have decided that being on the back of a motorcycle here, on these roads, at these speeds is the most faith I have ever put into another human being.
Met a nice couple from Holland who are living in Suriname so if we have time (and money) we might try and make it there.
Tomorrow we are off for Georgetown for the final stretch of this placement.
Speak to you later.
PS I ate chicken hearts in Manaus, not bad!
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Manaus (days 1-3 of 4.5)
We hopped on the 12 hour overnight bus from Boa Vista to Manaus at 830pm Sunday night. The bus was pretty nice with seats that reclined to almost 180 degrees which is sweet for the lie back but not good for the legs when the person in front does the same. Also I think because developing countries are just getting used to A/C they don't understand temperature control and I'm pretty sure it was -5 degrees in that bus. Nonetheless we arrived none the worse for wear at around 900am. Our hostel is in a great location in the heart of downtown and Nadine and I got a private room with a double bed and bunk beds (which Nadine would not let us sleep on!!) and no windows. Again with A/C and no temperature control.
Our first day we went to San Sabastia square which has a great monument with the four big continents outside South America representing the ports of the rubber trade (Australia is not included, and don't even get me started on the Antarctica B/S). The square is also home to the Opera House which is an unbeliveble building both outside and in (Nadine and I took a tour). It also has a ballroom inside in which you must wear oversized slippers on top of your shoes to not muck up the floor.
After the Opera House we walked to the main cathedral (which as it turns out is not really the nicest one, it's not bad but not the best). We then went to the floating harbour and the municipal market which is build like the Halle market in Paris.
We went for dinner that night back in the square where there are a few restaurants. The square at night honestly looks like a fairy tale as it is all lit up, including the Opera House, for Xmas. We ate their and just hung out for the night (which we also did Tues night). We went to see a much nicer Cathedral in our opinion just on the outskirts of the square.
During the day Tues morning we went to the Indian Museum, Rio Negro Palace and Jefferson Park. All were pretty interesting but could've used some more English for us Portuguese-challenged individuals. We shopped around the main shopping district in the afternoon which is an absolute zoo. The strip is built on a hill and a rainstorm hit when we were at the bottom and we waited under an awning for 20 minutes hoping it would stop. It did not and when Nadine and I made our way back uphill, all the rain had made its way down making for puddles about a foot deep. My shoes and socks were drenched and they hitched themselves a one way ticket to the garbage as I immediately bought new sandles.
Today we did the city tour which takes you to the rich area (average house price US$1.4MN) and to the Ponte Negro Beach. We did not get a chance to go around the beach but we plan on doing that tomorrow. We walked around the mini-zoo at the rich hotel (the big zoo we also plan on doing tomorrow). Later on the tour we drove by the smallest church in Brazil (holds 15 people, opens once a year on St Anthony's day which is June 13). Couple interesting tidbits: The largest motorcyle producing city outside of Tokyo is Manaus (Honda shop) and the only Harley Davidson producing plant outside NA is in Manaus.
After the tour we went to the Provincial palace where they had some great exhibits including a coins exhibit that had coins from all over the world dating back as far as 575BC (that was a Roman coin). We then went to the most modern place we've been too since leaving for Guyana, a shopping mall. The reason we went was because it was supposed to contain come of the jungle in it but it wasn't that interesting and we just took to some of the shops instead (found a Subway and McDonalds, didn't eat at either).
Went for dinner at a nice meat place. Pretty much my dream as it was all you can eat salad bar folllowed by waiters coming by every 3 minutes asking if you want different meat (including a chicken's heart which I ate). Got a little ripped off since we thought the desert was free and it wasn't but that's okay (I guess Portuguese would help).
Tomorrow's our last full day with trips to the Zoo, Science Museum and the beach planned. We leave back to Lethem via Boa Vista Friday morning.
Speak to you all later.
Our first day we went to San Sabastia square which has a great monument with the four big continents outside South America representing the ports of the rubber trade (Australia is not included, and don't even get me started on the Antarctica B/S). The square is also home to the Opera House which is an unbeliveble building both outside and in (Nadine and I took a tour). It also has a ballroom inside in which you must wear oversized slippers on top of your shoes to not muck up the floor.
After the Opera House we walked to the main cathedral (which as it turns out is not really the nicest one, it's not bad but not the best). We then went to the floating harbour and the municipal market which is build like the Halle market in Paris.
We went for dinner that night back in the square where there are a few restaurants. The square at night honestly looks like a fairy tale as it is all lit up, including the Opera House, for Xmas. We ate their and just hung out for the night (which we also did Tues night). We went to see a much nicer Cathedral in our opinion just on the outskirts of the square.
During the day Tues morning we went to the Indian Museum, Rio Negro Palace and Jefferson Park. All were pretty interesting but could've used some more English for us Portuguese-challenged individuals. We shopped around the main shopping district in the afternoon which is an absolute zoo. The strip is built on a hill and a rainstorm hit when we were at the bottom and we waited under an awning for 20 minutes hoping it would stop. It did not and when Nadine and I made our way back uphill, all the rain had made its way down making for puddles about a foot deep. My shoes and socks were drenched and they hitched themselves a one way ticket to the garbage as I immediately bought new sandles.
Today we did the city tour which takes you to the rich area (average house price US$1.4MN) and to the Ponte Negro Beach. We did not get a chance to go around the beach but we plan on doing that tomorrow. We walked around the mini-zoo at the rich hotel (the big zoo we also plan on doing tomorrow). Later on the tour we drove by the smallest church in Brazil (holds 15 people, opens once a year on St Anthony's day which is June 13). Couple interesting tidbits: The largest motorcyle producing city outside of Tokyo is Manaus (Honda shop) and the only Harley Davidson producing plant outside NA is in Manaus.
After the tour we went to the Provincial palace where they had some great exhibits including a coins exhibit that had coins from all over the world dating back as far as 575BC (that was a Roman coin). We then went to the most modern place we've been too since leaving for Guyana, a shopping mall. The reason we went was because it was supposed to contain come of the jungle in it but it wasn't that interesting and we just took to some of the shops instead (found a Subway and McDonalds, didn't eat at either).
Went for dinner at a nice meat place. Pretty much my dream as it was all you can eat salad bar folllowed by waiters coming by every 3 minutes asking if you want different meat (including a chicken's heart which I ate). Got a little ripped off since we thought the desert was free and it wasn't but that's okay (I guess Portuguese would help).
Tomorrow's our last full day with trips to the Zoo, Science Museum and the beach planned. We leave back to Lethem via Boa Vista Friday morning.
Speak to you all later.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Off to Brazil
Yesterday Nadine and I began the first leg of our trip to Brazil. We got a lift from a friend into Bonfim (which is where we walked from last time). After signing out of Guyana and into Brazil we caught the bus to Boa Vista which is the biggest city we´ve been in since leaving Toronto (500,000 people). The bus made two stops on the way. First stop was to let the driver´s associate off at the other bus coming in the other direction and the second stop was to literally pick up a guy on the side of the highway who had appeared out of the corn fields a la Field of Dreams (seriously).
We arrived in Boa Vista where we took a taxi to a friend of ours who lives here. The cab driver had no idea where the house was and before we left he took out a map the size of his hood, got 5 of his taxi friends who huddled around for the better part of 10 minutes to figure out where it was and still got lost for 15 minutes.
After that we hit the town. We took a bus with a friend of our friends and went to the city center where we walked to the waterfront which was amazing, checked out the first church in Boa Vista which is on this walkway that looks like European city. We then checked out some of the shops which looked more North American.
We went for dinner at this place that makes Big Joe hotdogs which are made with hotdog, chicken, peas, cheese, corn~. It´s actually really good.
We all tried to go see New Moon for Nadine but alas it was in Portuguese so our friends went and we went to see some movie with Jamie Foxx.
We then walked around the city square of the waters which has a great archway that looks like the champs elysee and had a drink at one of the bars. They have this christmas tree that is lit up but is made entirely of old 2L plastic bottles. Pretty neat for all you environmentalists. This guy sold us a burnt copy of New Moon, said it was in English but this morning we checked it out and again it was in Portuguese, poor Nadine!
Today we are off to Manaus, a city the size of Toronto. We are taking an overnight 12 hour bus so good luck to us.
Speak to you all soon.
We arrived in Boa Vista where we took a taxi to a friend of ours who lives here. The cab driver had no idea where the house was and before we left he took out a map the size of his hood, got 5 of his taxi friends who huddled around for the better part of 10 minutes to figure out where it was and still got lost for 15 minutes.
After that we hit the town. We took a bus with a friend of our friends and went to the city center where we walked to the waterfront which was amazing, checked out the first church in Boa Vista which is on this walkway that looks like European city. We then checked out some of the shops which looked more North American.
We went for dinner at this place that makes Big Joe hotdogs which are made with hotdog, chicken, peas, cheese, corn~. It´s actually really good.
We all tried to go see New Moon for Nadine but alas it was in Portuguese so our friends went and we went to see some movie with Jamie Foxx.
We then walked around the city square of the waters which has a great archway that looks like the champs elysee and had a drink at one of the bars. They have this christmas tree that is lit up but is made entirely of old 2L plastic bottles. Pretty neat for all you environmentalists. This guy sold us a burnt copy of New Moon, said it was in English but this morning we checked it out and again it was in Portuguese, poor Nadine!
Today we are off to Manaus, a city the size of Toronto. We are taking an overnight 12 hour bus so good luck to us.
Speak to you all soon.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Awhile Since We Talked
It's been awhile so here is what we've been up to of late.
Last weekend was the Rupununi Expo in which there are a ton of booths of people selling different things. Red Cross had a booth to advertise some of their work and so we went for the two days. There were some interesting events at this Expo such as the Miss Rupununi Pagent in which 16/17 year old girls from the surrounding area compete for the crown in events very similar to the Miss America pagent (though not quite as professional).
So on Friday, I'm sitting at the air strip here in Lethem waiting for my power chord for my computer to arrive (it has been sitting in customs in G-Town for 2 weeks now). As I'm waiting I see these two guys sitting awaiting to go on the arriving plane back to G-Town. They were wearing nice clothes and looked like two normal guys. It did appear however that they were holding hands which I found a bit strange here in Lethem (trust me on this). After about 10 minutes I realized they were in fact handcuffed to each other. They were about to enter a 12 seater plane back to G-Town with 10 other normal passenger handcuffed to each other by a single hand that is all. I can tell you what my reaction would've been if I was headed back there on that plane (AHHH I am not going on that plane I'll wait thanks!)
Yesterday Nadine and I decided we wanted to go to Brazil as we are right on the border. So we walked to immigration and took a cab across the bridge to Bonfim, Brazil. The town wasn't that exciting but it was still interesting to see the the differences in the two cities in two different countries seperated by a little bridge. To show you how close it is we actually WALKED back from Brazil to Guyana! We ducked through a little fence on the bridge and walked to our house in Lethem.
One last thing that I found funny, this is a conversation I had with a taxi here:
Jer: "Can I have a pick up to Middle St and Tabatinga St."
Taxi Guy: "Yeah sure, where is that?"
Jer: "It's near the school"
Taxi Guy: "OK see you soon"
20 minutes later
Taxi Guy: "Where is that house"
Jer: "Across from the Dental clinic"
Taxi Guy: "Is that where they fix the teeth?"
Jer: "AHHH yeah"
Taxi: "Oh ok why didn't you just say that?"
Jer: "Sorry"
Taxi guy shows up 10 seconds later.
That is all.
We are off to Brazil again to some of the bigger cities like Boa Vista and Manaus next Friday so if we don't blog before then we certainly will after.
Take care people.
Last weekend was the Rupununi Expo in which there are a ton of booths of people selling different things. Red Cross had a booth to advertise some of their work and so we went for the two days. There were some interesting events at this Expo such as the Miss Rupununi Pagent in which 16/17 year old girls from the surrounding area compete for the crown in events very similar to the Miss America pagent (though not quite as professional).
So on Friday, I'm sitting at the air strip here in Lethem waiting for my power chord for my computer to arrive (it has been sitting in customs in G-Town for 2 weeks now). As I'm waiting I see these two guys sitting awaiting to go on the arriving plane back to G-Town. They were wearing nice clothes and looked like two normal guys. It did appear however that they were holding hands which I found a bit strange here in Lethem (trust me on this). After about 10 minutes I realized they were in fact handcuffed to each other. They were about to enter a 12 seater plane back to G-Town with 10 other normal passenger handcuffed to each other by a single hand that is all. I can tell you what my reaction would've been if I was headed back there on that plane (AHHH I am not going on that plane I'll wait thanks!)
Yesterday Nadine and I decided we wanted to go to Brazil as we are right on the border. So we walked to immigration and took a cab across the bridge to Bonfim, Brazil. The town wasn't that exciting but it was still interesting to see the the differences in the two cities in two different countries seperated by a little bridge. To show you how close it is we actually WALKED back from Brazil to Guyana! We ducked through a little fence on the bridge and walked to our house in Lethem.
One last thing that I found funny, this is a conversation I had with a taxi here:
Jer: "Can I have a pick up to Middle St and Tabatinga St."
Taxi Guy: "Yeah sure, where is that?"
Jer: "It's near the school"
Taxi Guy: "OK see you soon"
20 minutes later
Taxi Guy: "Where is that house"
Jer: "Across from the Dental clinic"
Taxi Guy: "Is that where they fix the teeth?"
Jer: "AHHH yeah"
Taxi: "Oh ok why didn't you just say that?"
Jer: "Sorry"
Taxi guy shows up 10 seconds later.
That is all.
We are off to Brazil again to some of the bigger cities like Boa Vista and Manaus next Friday so if we don't blog before then we certainly will after.
Take care people.
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