Mashramani, One Big, Colorful Celebration

If any of you are my friends on Facebook you will have noticed that I recently uploaded over 400 pictures into my Guyana photo albums. We had the opportunity to travel to Georgetown to see the Mashramani celebration up close and personal. Many people have been asking for an explanation as to what Mashramani is. It is also known as Republic Day. In my mind from what I saw I take Mashramani as a more tame (but not by much) Carnival. I mean, I have never attended Carnival, but I have seen pictures and videos. I really don’t know how best to describe Mashramani, but I saw a great explanation of it on social media the other night. I follow a “Country of Guyana” account on Instagram, and the following is a better explanation of what Mashramani is. “On the 23^rd day of February each year Guyanese gather to celebrate all that is Guyana in an event called Mashramani. In 1970, Guyana became a Republic and a carnival like celebration was initiated to acknowledge such an achievement. The word Mashramani is of Amerindian origin meaning ‘a celebration after hard work.’ This event is one giant party that incorporates various aspects of Guyanese culture with colorful costumes, creative parade floats, and feet-stomping steel band calypso music.”

We went to Town Sunday afternoon after I returned to New Amsterdam from a church conference held in Canje. We went with the Roberts to some Lutheran friend’s home. We then went out to eat at a very nice Chinese restaurant and then watched some of the Oscars after we returned home. The next morning we woke up before all of the festivities. Actually, Claire and I were up and doing stuff before most people in the house. We got a little stir crazy and decided to go out to read in the living room. Dan ended up with both girls sitting on either side of him reading and “watching” him as he woke up. What a surprise for him! We found out that it would be ridiculous to leave the house before the festivities showed up on TV, so we sat around the house watching the flag rising that happened earlier that day (Monday) on repeat. I have recently arranged the Guyana National Anthem for one of my brass groups, and I was fingering the trumpet line along with the band that was playing it on TV. I think that just proved to my fellow teachers how much I have been working with that specific piece of music.

Around 11 we decided it was time to head out. We stopped at Survival (a supermarket) to get drinks and ice for the day. We then got to a spot along the parade route where we could set up a little camp. Claire and I put on our masks, and we all prepared for what we thought would be a ‘normal’ parade. People in the parade can be crazy. There were some really cool floats, and lots of people were with each entry dressed in some exciting costumes and lots of glitter. Almost every entry had a giant wall of speakers with music blaring and a DJ shouting out dancing instructions. I figured out part way through the day that where we were was just around the corner from one of the judges’ station. There were lots of groups that stopped right in front of us to make sure there were all organized and energized for the judges. While they were stopped in front of us a lot of the people kept dancing and got others to dance. I had two instances where I was specifically spotted and made to dance. It was an interesting experience. I was uncomfortable, but I survived.

We also experienced a lot of downtime. There could be anywhere from 30 seconds to 45 minutes between each entry that came by. I don’t really know what we such long waits between entries were, but it allowed people to mill around showing off their outfits or just hang out. I was very glad that we had brought drinks. The sun was very hot. At one point Claire had complained about it being hot and the next thing I knew Dan was pouring what was left of a water bottle on her head. They also stood under an umbrella for a while. I am very surprised at how little I got sunburned. Don’t get me wrong, I am plenty red, but nowhere near as bad as it could have been! The parade ended around 6:30. That is almost seven and a half hours in the sun! By the time we all got to the car and sat down we were exhausted and very ready to head home and be in our own beds. It was a great celebration and I am very glad we got to experience.

I have learned that the party continues this weekend on Sunday here in New Amsterdam. This time it we won’t be quite as tired though because we can set up a camp site on our driveway out of the compound and go into our house as often as we want or need to. Next week brings another holiday for us. Who knows what we will do, or where we will go to celebrate, but I know we will have another day with no class. I’m excited to experience this new holiday as well though.

Pastor Vivian, Claire, myself, Elosha (I don't know how to spell her name), and Dan

Some of the dancers with one of the entries

One of the entries

Pretty great costumes!

                                           This was actually pretty small for a speaker wall...

Dan pouring water on Claire's head

Many entries had people pulling cart like things along as part of a costume

This made me think of SR. A steel drum band!

So bright and colorful!

Pastor Vivaian dancing with some of the performers

A New View of Guyana

It’s been a little while since my last update, oops! Last Saturday (Valentine’s) the five of us went to Kaieteur Falls. It was beautiful! We were a little worried about weather because it was raining as we went to the airport and sat there for a while. However, by takeoff the sun was out and everything was once again dry! We rode in two twelve passenger planes about an hour one way to get to the park. From the park we hiked through the forest to three different points of view, Boy Scout’s View, Rainbow View, and then at the edge of the falls themselves! It was a great hike and such an awesome view! While we were there we met a lot of people from all over the world who had come on this trip. There were other Berbicians (which is what we are since we live in Berbice), a few people from other Caribbean countries, and even a few from the U. S.! It was really fun to get to know some of them.

I had my first experience with a selfie stick while at the falls. One of the couples had it with them with one of their phones attached. They had to set the self-timer in order for them to take pictures. At first I thought it was a little weird, but then they took a picture with the GLMA teachers and I really saw it work. Don’t worry, I am not going to turn into one of “those” people, but if I had my own selfie stick it would sure step up my selfie game! ;)

We also learned that there is a guest house at the falls that you can stay in for $3,000 GYD per person per night. That is only $15 USD! The couple from the states were staying there for a night or two. Talking with the guide he said they would be going out on a night hike and they would be able to see way more wildlife than us. The wildlife along that side of the falls have changed their habits because of how often the trails are used every single day all year long. I think that would be a really cool experience, and I would love to do that someday.

Tom and Rae left for the airport at 2 am Sunday morning. The teachers then decided it was time to head home around 11:00 the same morning. We got home and had time to do some planning and get back into our normal swing of things for classes to start on Monday. We later found out that Tom and Rae’s flight had been cancelled but then put on a different flight about a half hour later. We were glad to hear that they were able to have such a quick turnaround.

We have had someone staying downstairs ever since Claire’s family arrived during concert week. While it has been nice having visitors I look forward to not having anyone stay with us until Eric arrives the week before Easter. It seems more normal that way.

This little break was greatly needed for all of us. I’m pretty sure we were going crazy. I never realized how much teaching for six straight days a week can drain you until we go for a few months and then just have a normal sized weekend of two days! It’s crazy what having a real weekend can do for you and your health and sanity!

I highly recommend that you all visit the falls if you ever travel to Guyana. It is a beautiful place. Who knows, maybe I will compose a piece about that experience! That would be kind of cool actually. Maybe that will be one of my projects to work on in the mornings before classes start.

This Monday brings another holiday so we have another day where classes are cancelled. We will be heading back to Georgetown with our Canadian neighbors Sunday afternoon so we can see the big parade on Monday morning. I think it will be a lot of fun. Claire and I already have our masks for the events!

My plane. I was on a different plane than the rest of the group. The plane ride wasn't too bad. I actually fell asleep on the ride there. I forced myself to stay awake on the way home. I guess I just have to take a plane ride every night in order to fall asleep!

A view of the falls from the plane.

A view of the falls from Boy Scout's View.

The GLMA teachers at Rainbow View

I got brave at the falls. This is almost an 800 foot drop and that rock you are seeing it the last little bit of ledge between me and that drop.

The girl in the lime green shirt is the one using the selfie stick. She and the guy in the matching shirt are the selfie stick couple. The other girl in green (not using the selfie stick) was part of the couple staying at the guest house over night.

My own selfie witht he falls.

If you look closely you can see the rock that I am standing out jetting out away from the clif. There is nothing below me. Just the rock that is about 10 feet thick and than an 800 foot drop.

Dan and I decided to lay of the rock (pictured above) to get some great shots of the falls.

Tom took my place on the very edge of the rock.

Claire was the only one who actually listened to the sign out of all 24 of us on the tour.

You know, if you use your imagination. Guyana can sometimes look like the Midwest from the sky.

A Crazy, but Different Week

This past week has been crazy! Tom Wells, a music teacher from Minnesota, has joined the team for a two week time period. They arrived on January 29 and will be heading back to the states on February 15^th. During this time he has been working with all of our classes including the academy class. He has been using Guyanese folk songs and incorporating improvisation on the five note scale. All of our students have really seemed to love it. It has been a breath of fresh air the teachers, and it brings something different to the academy. Tom is wonderful. I have really enjoyed being able to work with him. This week we are combining several of our classes with Tom. Claire’s keyboard classes will be pairing up with my guitar classes to experiment with how keyboards and guitars sound together in different settings. Dan and I will also be bringing COFONA together as a large band on Thursday which we have been meaning to do all year but haven’t.

With Tom is his wife, Rae. She has been going and spending parts of her days helping at area primary schools. It has certainly been an eye opening experience for her from what I have heard. On Saturday night we went to a restaurant in town that is run by one of Claire’s keyboard students. We have been there a few times now, and it is always wonderful. Today (Sunday) Tom, Rae, Claire, and Eric (the Canadian, not Sayre) went to 63 beach. That was fun. We have talked several times about going to the beach, but we finally did it. I think the teachers will go back with our fellow Lutheran compound neighbors sometime in the near future. It was a very pleasant experience, and Claire and I were both glad to get out of New Amsterdam for a little while. It has been a very relaxing day.

This week we will be wrapping things up with Tom before they head out. On Friday we will all head to Georgetown to spend a day there. On Saturday we will be going to the falls! I am super excited for this trip because of pictures I have seen as well as from experience I have heard about from my students, Eric, and Dr. Luebke. I will certainly post pictures!

That’s about all there is for updates right now, but I’m sure I will have some great things to share next week!