Christmas is almost here!

Time has flown by this semester and it's almost Christmas which means my trip back to Denver is just 2 weeks away!

I know I generally post news regarding the places I've been and the sights I've seen, but not much on the actual work that I'm doing in Guyana. Well, this semester I had the pleasure of teaching 2 courses in Speech Language Pathology (Introduction to Communication disorders and Human Growth Development) to 6 students interested in the speech track of the medical rehab services bachelor's degree. I've also been coordinating online and onsite lecturers to make sure the program runs as smooth as possible. In addition, I've been visiting different schools and clinical sites to possibly open up networking opportunities for clinical practicum sites for my students and to provide community education. Next semester will continue more of the same work; however, I will be teaching 3 courses: Neuroanatomy and physiology, Fluency disorders, and a course for OT students and PT students. I'll also be setting up and supervising 2 clinical practicums. All very exciting work and I'm excited to see the growth in these students. They have demonstrated such motivation, determination and passion for the field making my job here so much easier!

I've also been receiving tremendous support from American Speech Language and Hearing Association (ASHA), with volunteers lecturing online or onsite for these speech courses, donations of assessment and treatment material. Part of my personal goal here, is to start a resource library for the speech students. We've had some wonderful donations from a school district in Connecticut and corporate companies. I'm excited to bring all of those items down to Guyana in the new year!

November flew by in a snap! In November, Guyana celebrated Diwali,a Hindu celebration, also known as "festival of lights."

 Niocie, her daughter and I found a great spot on the Seawall to watch the motorcade go by.

 Very elaborate floats

 Of course, the elephant float is my favorite :)

Not only was the parade fun, but the floats were all in competition with each other- I'm not sure who won.

The following weekend (Nov 19) the Guyana Defense Force (GDF) celebrated it's 50th Anniversary. I've joined a capoeira group through the Brazilian Embassy and the group was performing for this event. Not me though! I'm still a newbie! This was a really cool event with paratroopers, different martial arts groups, demonstrations and performances by the GDF as well. I was told that the power rangers were supposed to be there...I did not see any :(

 rehearsal day

 waiting for the paratroopers

 Of course I needed a picture with a paratrooper!

 Capoeira group doing their thing :)

Ended with a fireworks show!

I was invited by Niocie to her school celebration of Eid- Diwali. I am not completely certain, but I believe Eid is celebrated by Muslims and Diwali by Hindu. Some of Niocie's students let us borrow some Indian clothing. With this event, the students at her school had a fashion show of Indian clothing and great food!

 a bit blurry of a photo

I'm always a sucker for treats. The white part is milk fudge and I cannot for the life of me remember what the bottom part is.

For Thanksgiving, the OT Peace Corps Volunteer (Janet) and I decided to go down to New Amsterdam to visit other Peace Corps volunteers and spend Thanksgiving there. We were fortunate to stay with another volunteer Crystal, who is a wonderful hostess!

She took us to the Psychiatric hospital, and the old building does look like it belongs in a movie!

 because I think this silo is pretty awesome looking...

 Checking in to the psych hospital..

 After the visit to the hospital we walked the main strip where I found an awesome deal on a dress for  $5 US ($1000 GUY). I then had it tailored to fit me for free, usually the tailor costs about $1- 1.50 US. As we waited we gaffed with the people near us and ended up spending the evening with this group. People in New Amsterdam are extremely nice, and continued to give us drinks and food all night. I had the pleasure of trying cow face...it really is a cow's face...I only had the courage to have a taste of the broth it was in.

 This was my makeshift bed at Crystals!

 This guy was hanging outside of Crystal's apartment. I think it is a moth, but it was so huge, for a second I thought it was a crumpled up leaf, but why would Guyana have dead leaves falling off trees :)

 We spent Saturday after Thanksgiving at another Peace Corps volunteer's house. We made a turkey! It didn't have legs.

 Crystal and I taking a brief moment for a selfie :)

 Cute kitty wanting to eat the food.

 Turkey came out well! Beautiful and wasn't dry!

 Our thanksgiving feast!

 Crystal took us to the sugar cane fields on Sunday. They carry the sugar cane on these boats

 Cow working hard

 Chewing sugar cane

 Excited, can you tell?

 We hitched a ride back to Crystal's place!

This weekend Janet and I took a trip up to Parika to visit the market! This is a the view of a dock at the Essequibo River.

 Randomly weird photo of me, with the nice brown water background.

 This is looking back toward the market from the dock.

 Selfie with Janet and Barry. Barry is another PC volunteer also in Georgetown.

 Ferry...

 We found the beach! It was nice and breezy and shady which was greatly needed in the hot sun.

 Just so you know, you cannot urinate here.

 Janet and me relaxing at the beach.

  I had my first juice in a bag. It was cherry juice and it was delicious. 

Actually, the Parika visit was today, and after I got home I went with Niocie to see a masquerade festival in front of Fernandez Bread shop in Georgetown. Here I found spiderman.

 The bread shop dressed up like a gingerbread house.

 Masqueraders are quite common and popular especially around Christmas time here. They're dancing in the street with a drum beat. They are actually very fun!

 There was also stilt walkers at this event.

 A little capoeira happening.

So now, as I'm updating this blog, I'm also making my own couch. My landlady, Tasha, has been able to get me some pallets (which should come just now) to use as my base. and I'm currently sewing up my cushions! My goal is to finish the project before I leave Guyana for Christmas at home :)

Well, that's it for now!