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.