Behind the Screen
The opinions, views, and insights stated within this Monologue are my own. The facts, fallacies, and errors, however, belong to someone else (see disclaimer).
Saturday, June 29, 2002
I was able to post some photos that have been taken by other volunteers this afternoon. I have posted them all here, so please click here to view them.
You should note that I have not had the time to view, edit, or properly label these photos; so you'll just have to figure out what is going on and who is being pictured.
I am taking some photos of my own using a very basic camera that is attached to my Palm Pilot (Handspring). Since I'll need to install software on a computer to upload these photos, it may be three months before I'll be able to share them. For this reason, I'm shooting very low resolution black and white photos. We'll eventually see how they turn out.
At least I hope you enjoy these photos until I find a way to post mine.
Yesterday was a great day of training, for it was our culture day. We loaded up three busses, which look more like vans, and headed south of Georgetown toward the airport. After about an hour and a half, we arrived to a small cricket field and creek. The facilities were like what you would find at a summer camp: small huts, open dining all, and outhouses. But it was great for us.
We started the day by learning how to play cricket, the national pastime of the Guyanese. Of course, if we were to play a real game of cricket, it would last several days. So we only played for about three hours before we were all ready for lunch. During play, we had a few rain showers to keep us cool.
After cricket, we gathered in the mess hall for some Guyanese food. The staff did a great job preparing many local dishes.
Following lunch, we headed down to the creek for a swim. In many areas of Guyana, the creeks will appear quite dark. Not muddy, just dark. So much so that the locals call it black water. I thought the experience was much like swimming in a big pool of Snapple or chilled coffee.
All in all, culture day was a real treat away from our usual nine to four days of lectures and uncomfortable plastic chairs. I wish more of training was like yesterday.
Upon return to Georgetown, my host family said that had some action on their street earlier that day. Just a block away from where I'm staying, there was a car chase and shoot out with police and the Guyana military. My host mom Gale said she could hear the rapid fire of automatic weapons and the bullets rattle against cars and houses. This is the second car chase that has occurred on my street or the other street that I walk on to class everyday.
If you are interested in learning more about the whole story, I posted a copy of what I found in the Guyana Chronicle here for you to read. Always a reminder for me to be aware of my surroundings while working as a volunteer in a developing nation.
Cop shot in movie-style car chase in city
By Neil MarksA MOTHER and her son miraculously survived a hail of gunfire from gunmen in a car who were fleeing from Police after shooting a constable in a midday chase around Georgetown yesterday.
According to well-placed sources, the brother-in-law of the woman is in Police custody, but Police Commissioner, Mr. Floyd McDonald declined to name him when he reported on the incident yesterday, as the man has not been charged.
Police Constable Pareshram Khali sustained two gunshot wounds to his left leg and was reported in stable condition in hospital.
Stephanie Morgan and her young son were alive and well after the terrifying incident, but severely traumatized.
She was discharged from the St. Joseph's Hospital where she was taken after the gunmen opened fire on her vehicle. Nurses there reported that she was in a frantic state throughout the entire examination process.
The Toyota Starlet that took her to the hospital was searched by the Police and a 9mm semi automatic pistol with seven live rounds of ammunition, a Rasta wig and a bullet proof vest were found in it, Police said. Morgan's brother-in-law was reportedly the driver of the Starlet vehicle.
Reports are that Police on patrol in a vehicle around the city spotted HA 8561, a white Carina car and recognized one of the men inside as Quame Penbleton, who is wanted by the Police.
As the Policemen made eye contact with him, the men in the car opened fire and the Police fired back. This took place at Barr Street and Vlissengen Road.
Shooting continued as the Police gave chase, pursuing the car to Middleton Street and Durey Lane, Campbellville.
There, Police Commissioner McDonald said the bandits discharged several rounds at a pedal cyclist who was in the path of the car "causing him to fall off his cycle".
Eyewitnesses said the men left the car and then a hail of gunfire rang out for about two minutes.
"All I see was a man with a big gun in the middle ah de road and I run inside", a nearby resident told the Chronicle.
It was during this battle that Constable Khali was wounded.
The gunmen abandoned car HA 8561. According to the Police Commissioner, this vehicle was reportedly stolen during a robbery committed on June 26 at around 19:00 hrs at Fifth Street, Alberttown, Georgetown.
Two false license plates were found in the car. A black pouch and other articles were discovered in the back seat of the vehicle, Police said.
McDonald told a news conference at Police headquarters that "due to the presence of schoolchildren and other passers-by" the Police were prevented from returning fire.
The gunmen then hijacked a passing hire car at Middleton and Garnett Street and made good their escape. The driver of the car received a gunshot wound to his right side, McDonald said.
The gunmen next pounced on Morgan, who was waiting for the traffic lights at Mandela Avenue and Homestretch Avenue to indicate 'go'.
According to eyewitnesses, the car with the four men swerved in front of Stephanie Morgan's Prado land cruiser and opened fire.
Three of the men were at the doors of the car shooting, while the other, looking like a Rasta, got out of the vehicle and headed straight to Morgan's Prado.
One witness said the men were wearing bulletproof vests marked 'Police'.
The Rasta man tried to open the left side door of her vehicle but it was locked with the window up.
The eyewitness said the Rasta then used his gun to shatter the window but as he attempted to jump into the vehicle, the woman slipped into high gear, reversed with force, slamming into an 'Uprising' taxi behind her.
That taxi slammed into another hire car behind it, the witness said.
Morgan then made her way from between the taxi and the gunmen and sped off.
When her vehicle swerved, the gunman, who was attempting to jump into the Prado, was hurled to the ground, the witness said.
Morgan raced off into Homestretch Avenue and the gunman jumped into the car he had emerged from and they sped away.
McDonald could not say what happened to the Policemen who were in "hot pursuit" of the men up to after they sped of from the Campbellville area.
He said the first shooting incident took place at around 11:40 hrs and the hijack of the car in Campbellville, five or ten minutes later.
Indicating that he was not absolutely sure, he said the incident at Mandela and Homestretch Avenue took place at around 12:00-12:30 hrs.
"I am not able to tell you exactly where they (the Police) were, but I know they were in pursuit of the men", he told reporters.
He said that another vehicle might have been involved in the incident but indicated that there is not enough evidence to support this.
McDonald reported that the Police have since erected several cordons around the city and have intensified their manhunt for the bandits.
"They can be anywhere, so we are searching (everywhere)," he said.
The Police Chief said he suspects that the weaponry used by the gunmen were automatic, semi automatic and those of "high caliber".
Given that many taxis were involved in the recent surge in criminal activities, McDonald said that an encounter between the Police and taxi owners is planned.
"Even though some of those taxi owners have question marks behind them", he quickly added.
The Commissioner again appealed for public cooperation and support in fighting crime, adding that the recent spate of criminal activities is "troubling".
"As Commissioner of Police, I wish to assure you that we are doing all things possible to apprehend those who are bent on causing fear and terror in our society", McDonald said in a message to the Guyanese people.
A month ago, my family and I were in Hawaii celebrating my brother's graduation from grad school and my upcoming adventure with the Peace Corps. Cameron (my brother) has put some of the photos of our trip online, which you my view by clicking here. Enjoy.
Wednesday, June 26, 2002
We have just completed three days of HIV/AIDS training. Going into it, most of us could imagine what we would talk about for three whole days. But in the end, much of the information was useful.
Most everyone in our group of 23 is doing well. Darren, one of the Information Technology volunteers has had a case of diarrhea for the past few days. That's right - days! I'm sure not looking forward to having that happen to me.
I thought now might be a good time to introduce the other volunteers who I am spending all of my time with. There are 24 in all, but one of them, Peter Petzold, never showed up to our staging event in Miami.
Information Technology
Janice Brackett
Patrick Joyce
Darren McLaughlin
Lisa McNally
Jason Pearce
Russ Starck
Health Education
Aryn Bartley
Gina Brusseau
Will Carrasquil
Tammy Cole
Anna Joyce
Helen Oyen
Megan Rayman
Jessica Shannon (Long)
Nicole Shy
Education
Hans Andersno
Tim Camuti
Stephen Casale
Shannon Ewert
Judy Houlihan
Justin Long
Dean Oyen
Emily Sutherland
We are the tenth Peace Corps group to arrive to Guyana. Guy9 started out with 25 people, but now have only 20. Guy8 started with 23 people but are now down to 12. Most of the Guy8 volunteers will be returning home around the time of my swearing in.
I've had a chance to meet many of the current volunteers. Sometimes, a few will join us out on a Friday or Saturday night. Others show up for ultimate Frisbee at the national park on Sunday afternoons. Our times at the park have been a lot of fun, but very messy. Since this is the rainy season, there is a lot of standing water and plenty of mud. My host mom Gale couldn't believe how dirty I get from these games.
Speaking of my host family, we continue to get along well. Zowie, the 90-pound four-year-old, continues be a handful. She is always talking and saying my name, which doesn't give me much down time to relax and unwind. Some mornings, while I'm eating breakfast, she'll be walking from the shower, through the kitchen, to her room. On her way, she'll stop next to me at the kitchen table, remove her towel, and flash me, saying "Jason... Look at me... I'm naked." I'm still not sure how to handle this.
Saturday, June 22, 2002
We have just completed our second full week of training, although we have been here nearly three weeks. We have about eight more weeks of training left, so I thought I?d take the time to give you an average walk through of a 24-hour day as a Peace Corps Volunteer in training.
I should note that while all stories and experiences are true, they do not all necessarily happen in the same day. While many of these events have happened to me, I've mixed in a few stories from other volunteers.
Midnight
Sound asleep, yet sweating profusely1:30 a.m.
Wake to the roar of the hardest rain imaginable. It makes me thankful that my house is on 12 foot tall stilts.1:35 a.m.
The downpour make me want to pee. Hesitating as long as possible, I find I must remove myself from my bug-free cocoon.1:36 a.m.
Attempt to simultaneously pee in the dark, fight off mosquitoes, and still hit the bowl.1:37 a.m.
Flush the toilet and realize there's no water.1:38 a.m.
Back in bed, tucked in the mosquito net, and attempt to go back to sleep.1:40 a.m.
Can't sleep, because I'm paranoid that I've trapped a mosquito inside the net with me. After five minutes of searching the inside of my net via flashlight, I find the intruder, kill it, and eventually fall back to sleep.6:00 a.m.
Much like a crowded campground in the middle of a city, you wake to noise. Whether it's your neighbor's nasty cough, a boom boom bus min-bus driving by, or dogs fighting; you awake to noise.6:12 a.m.
Because all of the walls in the house do not reach the ceiling, you hear everything. My room is right next to the bathroom, so I feel like I'm sleeping in the next stall.6:31 a.m.
I give up and open my eyes. To my disappointment, I find a very fat and bloated mosquito contently perched inside my net. I made sure I was the last meal she ever had.6:45 a.m.
Get in the shower and hope there is water. There is, and it's red--as usual. Not only that, it's cold--as usual.6:46 a.m.
I've had enough of that and I'm out of the shower.6:47 a.m.
I try to find an available window to walk through the kitchen in my bath towel to get to my room. I usually fail and end up greeting my host mom (Gale) or dad (Anthony) in my towel, still dripping with water.7:00 a.m.
Gale has breakfast ready for me. I'm always surprised. Sometimes, its eggs and toast. But other days, breakfast will be sloppy joes or beef stew. You never know.7:08 a.m.
Four-year-old Zowie greets me at the breakfast table. She's about 90 pounds and isn't wearing any clothes.7:09 a.m.
Breakfast is finished.7:10 to 8:30 a.m.
I finish getting ready and spend the rest of the morning watching TV. Usually, I watch football (soccer) or cricket, for that's what Gale enjoys watching.8:30 a.m.
I begin my walk to our training facility, which is about a mile away. I usually stop about half way to visit our local Starbucks and wait for my friend Patrick. It's not really a Starbucks, but we like to think of it as one. Instead, it's an upscale rum shop that is run out of someone's garage. You'll find one of these about every third house.8:45 a.m.
Patrick and I complete our walk while dodging obstacles like cows, dogs, horses, manure, potholes, bicycles, motorcycles, and cars.8:55 a.m.
We safely arrive to St. Cuthberth's Church, our training facility, where we greet other volunteers. It's then that we hear how lucky we are for we learn that others have been peed on by stray dogs, gone deaf from riding 45 minutes in a 15-passenger mini-bus that is holding 29 people and playing the loudest music possible, and escaped an occasional cow stampede.9:00 a.m.
I head upstairs and take a seat in a very uncomfortable plastic chair, which seems to be the universal form of furniture throughout Guyana. Every now and then, one of the legs will give out on a chair and send one of us to the floor.9:01 a.m.
Begin sweating, for there is no air-conditioning and only one fan.9:02 to 10:30 a.m.
On this particular morning, we learn about crime in Georgetown (the capitol) and how to avoid getting robbed. With a curfew at dusk and a host of warnings, we all feel a little bit nervous and frustrated at a loss of freedom.10:31 a.m.
Peal my sweaty butt and back off the plastic chair for a brief water break.10:45 to Noon
Learn more about safety. This workshop is more for the women, for they learn how to cope with their catcalls and sexual aggression.Noon to 1:00 p.m.
Lunchtime. Gale usually does a good job preparing lunch for me, for most of the volunteers are usually jealous. Patrick's host mom sometimes packs a little something for me as well. One thing is for sure, I won't go hungry during training.1:00 p.m.
Return to my plastic chair and begin sweating profusely again.1:01 to 2:30 p.m.
The Peace Corps Medical Officer educates us on sexually transmitted diseases. After her scary presentation, I think most of us feel like taking an oath of celibacy.2:31 p.m.
Still sweating. Break time.2:45 to 4:00 p.m.
Here we learn about Guyanese customs and culture. We get a lot of this in hopes that we'll be well prepared to adapt to a new culture.4:05 p.m.
Patrick and I walk Emily home, who also lives near our training facility.4:25 p.m.
We arrive to our Starbucks and enjoy a cold beer or soda. Again, we are sweating and sitting on plastic chairs.5:05 p.m.
Perhaps I stop by an Internet cafe on my way home after I drop off Patrick. Russell runs the place. It has two computers with 56kps dial up connection. He's a nice guy and has become a comfort to know someone on my way home.5:15 p.m.
I arrive home and am greeted by Zowie, who will continue to greet me and ask me questions well into the night. The Energizer bunny has nothing against her. I try to relax by watching some TV or studying a computer book.6:30 p.m.
Gale serves me dinner. Sometimes it's a normal dinner meal. Other times, it's cheese and crackers.6:45 p.m.
By now it's getting dark and the mosquitoes begin to come out. And since the house is completely open, they seem to all gather inside where it is less windy and much darker.6:55 p.m.
Blackout. Both power and water seem to cut on and off throughout the day. You never know what to expect. I imagine this will cause many frustrations once I begin working in a computer lab.7:00 p.m.
I decide to take a shower to cool off and wash off all of my sweat before going to bed. Unfortunately, the water is also off and will likely remain off the rest of the night.7:05 p.m.
Climb into bed to seek the shelter of my bug net. I spend the next five to fifteen minutes tucking the edges of the net, securing my defenses, and killing all mosquitoes that I inadvertently trapped inside.7:06 to 9:00 p.m.
I spend the rest of the evening sweating in bed, reading, and playing card games on my Palm Pilot. The noise from our TV, our neighbor's stereo, and the countless stray dogs is overwhelming, but someone I manage to fall asleep. It's been a long day, and the rest is well needed.10:37 p.m.
I wake from a nightmare. Nightmares are an unfortunate side effect of Lairum, a drug we have to take weekly to combat Malaria. Eventually, I fall back asleep.All in all, it's been a good day. It takes a special breed to be a Peace Corps Volunteer, and I'm glad that I'm one of them.
Tuesday, June 18, 2002
The phone number to my host family (Gale and Anthony) is +592 225 9935, (592 is the country code). I'm usually home from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. AST. Atlantic Standard Time is the same as Eastern Daylight Time but one hour earlier than Easter Standard Time. Call anytime, I'd love to hear from anyone in the US.
Monday, June 17, 2002
The mosquitoes get really bad each night when it gets dark. So much so that I climb into bed shortly after dinner to seek the shelter of the bug net that surrounds my bed. In a matter of a few minutes, I will be able to find at least 15 to 20 bugs clinging to the outside of my net looking for a meal.
Staying in the net is not a problem. But keeping my arms and legs from touching the net as a sleep is a challenge. Each morning, I wake up with new bites from mosquitoes that were smart enough to reach me through the net.
Even worse, I sometimes find a bug that somehow made it into my net. I know, because by morning, I'll find a big fat mosquito trapped inside my net; unable to fly for she is so heavy. Naturally, I make sure it was her last meal.
The worse part about sleeping in a bug net is falling asleep. Every little twitch wakes you, for you are certain that a mosquito has penetrated your defenses. You spend the next five minutes searching the inside of your net with your flashlight, only to find it was your imagination.
This weekend was fun. On Friday night, most of us went to a bar well outside of Georgetown. There, we had a chance to meet a few of the current volunteers and hang out with some of the Peace Corps staff. I visited with Sean quite a bit. Sean is the IT staff person for the Peace Corps office here in Guyana. He has many high hopes and expectations for our group and many aspirations for me. I'm glad to have is support, and hope that I can live up to his expectations.
On Saturday, I spent most of the morning learning how to do my laundry by hand. My host mom Gale was a big help, for she actually did most of the work. I just clipped my wet clothes up on the line to dry. Of course with all of the constant rain storms, some of my clothes are still hanging up today.
After lunch on Saturday, I started to walk to the Peace Corps office (10 minutes) but was picked up by Darren, a fellow Peace Corps guy. He and his host dad were driving around having a few afternoon drinks. I never made it to the Peace Corps office and instead spent the rest of the day having fun with them. It was a good time.
Sunday included church with my host family and ultimate Frisbee with other volunteers in the National Park. The park was very wet and muddy, so we were filthy. But is was fun. I'd like to add more, but it's time for class.
Wednesday, June 12, 2002
Last night we had a big rain storm. It was wonderful. Nice to know that my house stands are 12 foot tall stilts.
The rain cooled things off. Mostly, it drowned out all of the other noises that occur throughout the night. You hear dogs fighting, your neighbors' television, your neighbors' neighbors' television, farm animals across the way, and much more. The houses here are all open, so sound really travels.
Training is going well. The Information Technology part is the best for we spend the morning in an air-conditioned computer lab. Other days, however, we are in a large room with nothing but windows and a fan.
Some of the training has been helpful. The sessions about safety, security, and our health have be the most useful. But some of the history and culture lessons have not been as enjoyable.
I've received about six shots already and have another dozen or so to receive. Every Wednesday, I also have to take a pill to prevent catching Malaria. And I have lots of mosquito bites, so this drug is well needed.
During training, I won't have much time to check in. But once I get my site (three months from now), I should be able to update my site more often. Until then, take care.
Saturday, June 08, 2002
I found a small Internet cafe (without the cafe) just two blocks away from my host family. Since I will be staying with this host family for five weeks, I hope to be able to check in more often. Access, however, cost me $300 per hour Guyanese dollars. And since the Peace Corps pays me only $400 a week, it's rather costly.
Our group of 23 arrived Tuesday night and were taken to a hotel in Georgetown. There, we met some of the staff and about a quarter of the current volunteers.
The next day, we had many introductions in a conference room and then were driven around the city to see some of the more popular attractions.
On Thursday, we learned a little about the local people and their customs. There is much more to learn, which is one of the reasons we were moved to a host family the next day.
Also on Thursday, we learned a lot about security. No Peace Corps volunteers are permitted to be outside of their home after the sun sets. If we do go anywhere, we have to first receive clearance from the Peace Corps office.
All of this may seem like a huge strain on your personal freedoms as Americans; and it is. Yet they did a wonderful job of presenting the need to protect us. On Thursday, the security director drove us to some of the more dangerous areas of Georgetown. Once we saw those areas, few of us further questioned his enforcement of our curfew. I'm sure I'll write more about this later.
On Friday, the US Ambassador came by to welcome us. After that, we met our host families.
I have a family of three:
Father: Anthony
Mother: Gail
Child: Zowie, age 4They are a first-time host family, so I told them that I'll be sure to break them in. They laughed.
They have been very nice and hospitable. Today (Saturday), they took me to the market to find some new fruits and foods for me to try. So far, Guyanese seem to eat a lot of fish, chicken, rice, and fruit.
Zowie is a sweet girl, but she is a bundle of energy. She is curious to have, hold, and run away with anything that I happen to "introduce" to her world.
Gail has lived in this house since she was three years old. It's about 1,000 square feet, made of wood, stands 12 foot tall stilts, has three small bedrooms, one bath, a kitchen, a living room, and one bath. They do have electricity and running water; but both are not dependable.
Their is no air conditioning or hot water, so sleeping and showering are the most difficult things to get adjusted to. I stay up at night sweating in bed and then freeze to death getting clean in the morning.
I have been taking some very low resolutions photographs with my digital camera on my Palm Pilot. I'm not sure how well they were turn out or when I'll be able to post them, so we'll see.
One thing I might like to receive would be receive a few of http://www.realgoods.com/'s Solar Mosquito Guard. So if you want to send me something in the mail, try sending me one of those.
My hour is almost up, so it's time for me to go.
Wednesday, June 05, 2002
We have all safely arrived to Guyana, luggage and all. In fact, we have very little trouble passing through security. More so, we were all pleased that our luggage passed the airlines weight restrictions. While the Peace Corps said we could only take a maximum of 80 pounds of luggage, the airline ended up accepting to bags weighing up to 70 pounds each.
The airport is about 45 minutes away from the city. So after a long ride, we checked into our air-conditioned hotel, had dinner, met some of the staff, and visited with many of the current volunteers. It was a nice welcoming.
Today, we met the rest of the Peace Corps staff, drove all around town to see their national monuments, and are currently waiting for many shots and immunizations at the Peace Corps office. By Friday, I will be assigned a host family that will house me through the rest of training.
There are plenty of folks waiting to use the computer, so it's time for me to go.
Tuesday, June 04, 2002
Yesterday was another long day. I traveled to Miami; met 23 new volunteers who are all going to Guyana (six of them will be doing Information Technology like me); sat through six hours of Peace Corps rules, requirements, expectations, etc.; and visited with Sean Torres over dinner (thanks Sean for dinner).
A funny point of interest...
There is a movie ("Out of Time") that is being shot in our hotel. We are stayed on the same floor as the cast. Densel Washington is in the movie, for I spotted him a few times walking around the hotel.
We all leave for the airport in about 20 minutes, taking a large bus. We then go through security and pray that our bags are within the airline's weight limits. The Peace Corps says we can only carry 80 pounds total (I have about 110 pounds). Yet, when I called the airline, they said we could take two bags weighing up to 70 pounds each. I sure hope the person on the phone is right, for I won't know what to do with my extra 40 pounds of stuff if I'm told I can't take it.
Wish us all luck. It may be a while before you hear from me again, for our next few days will be busy. That, and I might not be able to find Internet access. But I hope to check in as often as possible.
Monday, June 03, 2002
I made it to Miami, no problem. Our meeting doesn't start for another half hour, yet I've already met about five our the new volunteers. They all seem great and will be fun to work/train with. Notably, it was nice to meet Russ and Emily, for we've been exchanging emails every now and then.
Oh, and thanks mom and dad for all of the help you gave me in packing and preparing for this trip. You were a big help. Now I could just use someone to carry my bags, for they are so heavy.
Yesterday was a hectic day of visiting with family and packing. It started with a trip to my parent's church, Highland United Methodist. There, I visited with a few of my friends and many of my parents' friends: Beverly Hall, Chris Piper, Mrs. Sheets, Mrs. Racey, Mrs. Piper, and many more. It was nice to see everyone.
For lunch, grandmothers Beulah Cameron (Momsi) and Sarah Pearce (Nana), as well as my dad's cousins David and James Pittman came over. We visited for several hours and talked much about genealogy, which is a project I have recent become interested in but has long been a hobby of Nana.
I also received several nice phone calls today from people wishing me good bye: Michael Colocado, Ruth Coble, Julie Smith, to name a few.
Then comes the project of packing two years of clothes and gear into two (now strained) suitcases. It really is amazing how much stuff I was able to cram into them. One bag is a hard case Samsonite suitcase. It, alone, weighs 65 - 70 pounds. My second bag is a large hiking backpack. Using two compression internal compression sacks, I was able to cram 45 pounds into that bag. I also have a carry-on backpack, stuffed with the normal travel gear (walkman, shades, jacket, magazines, etc.) and gifts for my host family.
The Peace Corps says I am limited to a total of 80 pounds for my luggage combined. Boy have I overshot that limit. But I have called around. My first flight from Raleigh to Miami will be in American Airlines. Their domestic weight limit is 70 pounds per bag, so I am within their limitations. The problem might occur when I board my BWIA West Indies flight from Miami to Georgetown on Tuesday. Their baggage weight within the Caribbean and South American may not exceed 20 kilos (44 pounds) per bag. So the baggage gods might screw me on Tuesday.
For those who are curious, here is my upcoming schedule:
Monday, June 3, 2002
- 5:00 am - Wake Up
- 6:00 am - Depart for RDU Airport
- 6:30 am - Get searched thoroughly by airport security
- 7:51 am - Board American Airlines Flight 707 to Miami
- 9:53 am - Arrive in Miami
- Noon - Check into Doubletree Grand, 1717 N Bayshore Drive, Miami FL 33132, (305) 372-0313
- 1:30 - 2:30 pm - PC Open Registration
- 2:30 - 4:30 pm - PC Welcome to Peace Corps & Aspirations and Anxieties
- 4:45 - 6:45 pm - PC Policies in Practice, Bridge to Pre-service Training, Nuts and Bolts, Logistics of Departure, and Closing
- 7:45 pm - Meet former Lambda Chi staff friends Sean Torres and Chris Cichoski for dinner and drinks
Tuesday, June 4, 2002
- 8:00 am - Last Hot Shower and Air-conditioned Room
- 9:00 am - Check out of hotel
- 10:00 am - Bus leaves for airport
- 2:30 pm - Board BWIA West Indies Flight 431 to Georgetown
- 7:55 pm - Arrive in Georgetown, Guyana (5 hrs 25 mins flight)
Wednesday, June 5, 2002
I don't know much of the schedule from here. I expect that I'll move in with a host family for the next three months of training. After training, I will be assigned a location and new housing (apartment or another host family) and begin my two years of service. I'm expected to finish my Peace Corps experience August 2004.I'm excited and will likely have trouble sleeping the next few nights for I will be in eager anticipation of the adventure that lies before me. Once I arrive to Guyana, I'll still likely have trouble sleeping for I will be kept up long nights complaining about how sweltering the heat is.
Thanks for all of your support. Wish me luck and stay in touch.
Saturday, June 01, 2002
The Peace Corps DC office became a bit nasty on Friday regarding the content of my website. If you haven't read the email from Rita Jimenez yet, you might consider scrolling down to my second May 30 entry.
Briefly stated, they wanted me to remove the Welcome Packet section of my site. I received two phone calls about this on Thursday and told Rita that will remove all links to this page once I a) recover from my jetlag and b) found a computer with the software that will help me do so.
Rita was hoping I'd take care of it that afternoon. I told her I'd try to remove it before I leave on Monday, but that I would be happy to take care of it in Guyana if I ran out of time before my departure.
On Friday, however, I received a call from Amber Myers of the South America desk. She, too, was interested in having me remove the Welcome Packet from my site; only she was more pressing. According to Amber, my Peace Corps invitation was in jeopardy if I didn't remove the content right away.
I really did not appreciate her threat to revoke my invitation to serve. I'm quite frustrated that the DC office offered no compassion regarding the scarcity of my time. I still needed to unpack from my recent move from Indianapolis and my trip to Hawaii. And with only three days to go, I haven't even begun packing for the next two years of my life.
Needless to say, I searched through all my boxes, found the required software, installed it on a machine, and spent a few hours updating pages and removing links. It's done. But my spirit and impression of the Peace Corps sure has been tainted. I hope this is no indication of the kind of treatment volunteers and I will receive in the next few years.