The Vacation Continues...

Friday morning we were given a wonderful surprise... the sister we were expecting wasn't able to get on her flight, and wasn't coming in until late Saturday night. Aww shucks! Meg and i made the huge sacrifice of staying another 2 nights with the lovely Ellis family in Georgetown. AC, hot showers, and ice cubes awaited us for another few days.

In truth, i think we both really needed to re-group after our difficult first week. We were admittedly shaken and i think that this weekend of fun and relaxation gave us the energy and revitalization to go back to New Amsterdam all gung-ho and ready to get things done with a new and improved attitude.

Yesterday we stayed in all day, enjoying the air conditioning and theatre room where we watched "Ratatouille". (carmine you were right, rats DO NOT belong in kitchens!) We made lychee cocktails and just chilled. We took a 3 hour midday nap, woke up just in time for a lovely "cook up rice" dinner and conversation with the oh-so-hospitable Ellis's. We want them to adopt us! Oh let me not forget that Meg, Marlee (Ellis) and i all enjoyed 90 minute massages...what a special treat... Don't be fooled, this is NOT typical Guyana. But it was AWESOME!

Today we slept in luxuriously until 9am. Around 2pm we headed out with Marlee Ellis and her niece Lynn (both from the Phillippines) to do some sightseeing around Georgetown. They live in the area where all the political diplomats live, so we got to see the nice big houses in G-town. She took us to the sea wall where because of the extreme low tide, we were able to walk along the sea wall all the way to the Atlantic Ocean. It truly does not look like the same body of water that we have in South Florida. The sand is all dirty and muddy and the water is the same colour as my coffee. Unfortunately, most of the Guyanese people don't really have much pride for their country when it comes to keeping it clean so there is a TON of garbage and litter everywhere. Quite sad. But we totally enjoyed the sea breeze and fun association with the girls.

For lunch, we went to the "fancy" Le Meridien hotel where all the foreigners stay. It was truly breathtaking to walk into compared with what surrounds it. We had our first cheeseburger in a long time, enjoyed a Mackeson triple stout from Trinidad and relished in the relaxation and full tummies we had. I can't even begin to tell you how much i missed French Fries!!

After lunch we drove to the floating bridge, otherwise known as the Demerrera Bridge. It literally seems to be floating. The roadway is many connecting and moveable pieces of steel. There is a walkway along the road that we walked on and when a big truck goes over you feel as if you might go over the side! It was a lot of fun.

Our last stop was Nigel's market where we indulged in such items as Febreeze (i am obsessed!) and Vanilla Lavendar fabric softener. It's the little things that count. Even if it is way overpriced because it's american and imported. :/

We drove home singing at the top of our lungs to "Total Eclipse of the Sun", Celine Dion, and Air Supply. Don't worry, we took video. Even of Marlee's "indy 500" driving.

Meg and i have both decided that after this lovely hiatus, we will return to New Amsterdam and fill our home with fun, laughter, lots of bad singing, and dancing. "DANCE IT OUT!!" Our new motto.

I am so thankful to the Ellis family for their hospitality...they've given me a little break to rejuvenate and be ready to go back with a firm resolve to do what i came here to do. I feel it was a blessing from Jehovah that we got to stay with them, to laugh, to feel a sense of normalcy.

We will attend the Georgetown ASL Congregation tomorrow with the sister who we hope will make it in tonight. Then back on the minibus to New Amsterdam!!

Time for dinner!! Talk to you all soon,

Love

Simone