Week end picnic with friends

This is my second week end here and we decided to spend the week end outside the city. One of our friends (she is also the programme support manager) invited us as she planned to visit her grandma, the place is just across the river and outside the city which perfectly fitted to our plan.

I woke up early that saturday morning anticipating another might be memorable day for me. Because it’s too early, I decided to wash my clothes and the clean the house right after breakfast. At about 10:00, Lorna rang me and said that they cooked Bulalo for lunch and if I could come over. I was hesitant at first since I might end up being caught in between commitments, but she’s so persistent that I agreed to come by early and leave at about 11:45 just in time to meet the group at 12:00 at Starbrooke. I called a taxi and left to go to Lorna’s place at about 10:30. As soon as I arrived, I told them again that I have to leave early because of prior commitment with my fellow volunteers. Lcukily, Jun (Lorna’s husband) just finished cooking the Bulalo and Almay (her daughter) is preparing to put some dvd for us to watch while she is setting the table.

We finally have lunch and now we are just chatting while waiting for time. Unknown to my knowledge the group decided that we left early. They called my house but the phone rang out. (The cell phone that I brought with me is not working since GSM is not yet available there; therefore there is no way to contact me once I am outside the house). At this point, I was waiting for the taxi to arrive to meet the group. Little did I know that when my house phone rang out (several attempts has been made to contact me) they panicked since they didn’t know yet that I have established a network of Filipinos here as early as my first week in the country. So they contacted the taxi company which VSO’s regularly use and asked them as to whether I requested for a taxi early on and the taxi dropped me. The dispatcher gladly provided the information (the taxi company knew almost all volunteers, so it’s easy to give them information such as these).

Soon, a taxi blew his horn and I rushed outside thinking that it might be the taxi I requested. To my surprise it was two of my colleagues (both big man, sadly at present one of the same colleague is still in Iraq captured and is being held hostage by the terrorist since 2007) and from the look on their faces, they were really furious with what happened. Though a bit afraid, I calmly approached them and asked why they were there and that I am actually waiting for my taxi to go the meeting place. Thereafter, I introduced them to my Filipino friends and we went off. While we are at the taxi, I explained to them what happened and I also apologized to them.

We arrived at the meeting place and the rest of the group asked what happened. Apparently, they all arrived early and were informed of what happened. Again, I apologized and informed them that I left my house early, the reason why I didn’t know of the change. They were all surprised to know that in so short a time I was able to build up my networks and started socializing. Then we bought ticket for the boat and went straight to the boat. The boatman handed us life jacket (I later learnt that everybody should wear life jacket whenever sailing the water regardless of distance). I told them that it was my first time to wear life jacket, even though I am accustomed to sailing in water sometimes rough waters having lived and grown up near the sea.

We were enthusiastically received by our colleague’s grandmother and other relatives. We were served a hearty lunch. Our colleagues’ cousin subsequently invited us to their back yard to pick fruits, fruits that I haven’t seen in my country nor in any of the books have I read so far. I saw something like a jack fruit but later I was informed that it’s not a jack fruit, or a durian for that matter, I can’t remember the name now though. Next, we had something similar to grapes but it taste sour and not at all grapes; again I can’t remember the name of the said fruit. Before the end of our adventure, one of our colleagues climbs up the tree to pick up one of the fruit which according to the cousin tastes really good. It tasted good indeed and we are all happy that we tried it even though it takes a while before my colleague is able to finally reached the safe part of the tree without being afraid of falling or breaking the branches.

We all enjoyed our little picnic in the woods, as one of our colleagues called it and we head back to the house. Granny (we all decided to call her Granny) prepared dinner for us and it was nice, we all enjoyed it. Then we all decided to go back since it’s about 7:30 and some of us are going some the following day. It took us however almost 1 hour and a half before we finally able to get a bus (it’s actually a van in the Philippines) back into the city. Inside the bus, everybody’s mood change and suddenly I felt like I am tired and I just want to be inside my house and straight to my bed until the maybe midday of the following day.

Week end in a children’s drop in center with fellow volunteer

When volunteer arrives in the country, as part of the ICT program and in order for them to easily (at least that is what VSO hope to achieve) adapt to the environment and to understand better the living condition of the country, they will spend their first weekend with a host volunteer and the said volunteer will provide guidance and answers questions based on the volunteer perspective on what is like to work and live in the country.

I spend my said week end with a very nice, kind and accommodating volunteer name pat. She fetched me from the guest house on Friday evening. On the same evening, we went to the Brazilian bar with a couple more volunteers. After introductions and a little more of getting to know each other stuff, we ordered beer. This is my first beer also in Guyana. They were all friendly and welcoming and in no time at all I bonded with them. We talked a lot of stuff then eventually had dinner of roast pork, roast beef, roast chicken, sausages and salads.

The next day, Saturday, after a hearty breakfast she asked me if I want to go with her to a children’s drop in center where she normally spent her Saturdays. When we arrive, the children flock altogether to her side while at the same time eyeing me. One of them bravely came to me and asked my name. “I’m Steven, what is your name?’ he said, to which I said, “my name is Riza and I am pat’s friend”. There were at least 25 children there with two teenagers. They wore happy faces in spite of their being without real family. While in the center, she read stories which the children eagerly listens to. Then I played chess with the two teenagers. Then we watched and cheered while they play cricket. Lunch came and we helped the house parents in serving the lunch, after which they washed themselves up and get ready for an afternoon nap. We tucked the small children and left the center afterwards. It was a refreshing experience for me. I remember the days when I used to work in one of the children’s center in the Philippines years ago.

Why do you wash your hair everyday

My first two days at work was my induction training. The training coordinator introduced me to almost 200 employees of the organization; unfortunately I can’t seem to remember a single name. Every time I met one of them I am wishing that they will not stop and really engage me in conversation that needs to mention their names because that will be disaster. Every day I go to work as usual and spent the whole day reading loads and loads of books and trying to make conversation with two of the staff in the department (there were only two anyway so there is really no choice). And in that everyday, once in a while somebody will pop in and pretend to ask something from one of the staff which later I learnt that they are only curious as to who I am and how I look, funny huh! Seems like the introduction that the HR man did was useless at all, I began to think that why does the HR bother to introduce me to everybody when it seems like they can just pop into the office to check me out. Every time I think about it, I can’t help but smile. I find it amusing and at the same a bit flattered, don’t you think so? Well, I believe so.

On Friday morning as soon as I enter the gate, I was stopped by the lady guard and said, madam do you really wash your hair everyday because it looks like it’s always fresh and a bit wet and its really shiny and beautiful. Though I was taken aback by the question, I said yes and thank you and head off to my office smiling to myself. I was still smiling and half talking to myself on how they find it strange when upon reaching the 2nd floor where my office is, the secretary of other department came and ask the same question. I can’t help but laugh a loud and she said, Ms Riza why laugh? And I said, ‘well grace, the lady guard just asked me the same question. Oh, is she? Well, most of the people here are talking about how nice your hair is and why do you have to wash it every day and what shampoo or conditioner you use to have it like that, shiny and straight and beautiful, she said. I was left open mouthed and a bit shocked that people are actually talking curiously about my hair. I gave my answer though as she really waited for it and said to me that she will inform those who asked her about it. Wow, isn’t it amusing. I was still smiling and half laughing when I reached my table and the staff asked me what’s the smile all about and when I told him, he heartily laughed and said that people actually asked him to ask me however he is shy and he felt that it is one of the conversation that he will not engage with me as it may upset me. Knowing that, I can’t help but laugh as well and said to him, Colin, I don’t think that will upset me, I find it rather funny and amusing that people bothered about my hair. That kept all of us (four of us now including my line manager) laughing which my boss said, well madam you better watch closely as people here will still find something to ask about you and head off to her own room.

Phone Calls

We arrived at VSO Office, me, Hannah (the other new volunteer) and Mike very early however everybody is already there with two of the volunteers. All of them have smiles in their faces. They warmly welcome us and after a few pleasantries, ICT officially started. The day come and go and now we are heading to the guesthouse where we will stay for at least 4 days before going to our new home.

Me and Hannah were chatting while unloading our clothes into the dress cabinet when I was summoned downstairs by the lady of the house. On the way down, I was wondering what it could be. Apparently, a week before I arrived there are lots of people calling the guesthouse and inquiring about me. She showed me a long list which indicates the dates, time, phone number and name of people calling for me. Wow, I felt flattered by it. Imagine, one week before my arrival and these people are calling on me already. Now again, I said to myself, this is not bad at all. I am very lucky indeed. I might have a little stroke of unluckiness as regards to my suitcase but I am still overwhelmed by all the luck that comes my way. I copied all the names and phone number and head back to my room and joyfully share my story to Hannah (by the way, we shared the room for the duration of our stay in the guest house).

First Night in Guyana

It was midnight in Guyana when I arrived. I was met by my programme manager, Mike Kendall. You’re small? I said, well I am by standard maybe but I am average by Filipino Standard for women, I said jokingly and laugh. Ops, sorry no offense meant he said. I laughed and said no worry I understand you. It seems that he is taken aback by my being “small”. Off we go to the vehicle after that. Apparently, one of my colleagues arrived earlier (taller than me as well) and is now peacefully sleeping in his house. So I guess we are heading to his house as well for a night sleep. Though am tired, I am also anxious to see what is in store for me in this country however I can’t see anything. Of course because its midnight. Silly, I said to myself, what do you expect to see in the midnight, nothing right? So I made myself comfortable in the car seat and wait till we get to his house.

We were met by his lovely wife with tea and biscuit ready in the dining hall. After a short talk, I went to my luggage for night clothes. Huh! I couldn’t open my suitcase. The combination is not working. Mike tried it, no success. His wife tried it as well, no success too. In the end, I ask Mike for a hammer or a pin and tried to make it work but to no avail as well. I made a joke and said to Mike and his wife, I have been lucky on my travel to find people who are friendly and so accommodating from Hongkong all the way down here now I guess is my turn for a little share of in despair and we all laugh heartily. With no luck of using hammer and pin, I ask Mike for a hand saw and we successfully cut the lock and open my suit case. Surprise, my clothes and things inside the suitcase mess up. It’s like a storm came and ransack the place. I got alarmed at first, checked all the things I remembered I put inside and found out everything is intact. Mike asked me if anything missing and I said no everything’s fine. Whoever opened it and tried to loot something, have been unlucky as there is nothing valuable enough to benefit them. Poor soul I said and smile with both of them, they can tell I find it alarming yet amusing. After thanking them again for all their help and for accommodating me in their lovely home, I went to room and get ready for bed.

First Travel Abroad August 2004

When I first left the country, I was full of anxiety as it will be my first travel abroad. My parents are more worried than me. They kept reminding to check everything and to ensure that I have with me all my documents. I was so calm that I started to worry about myself as well but then at the same time I consoled myself by saying that ‘hey, you should not let others know that you’re first time traveler’. I checked in and found out that I am not allowed to check in my helmet; therefore I ended up with a lot of hand carried baggage, my back pack, my personal bag and the helmet. I felt like I am a Christmas tree, huh! And I think I really look like one hinting from the looks I got from my fellow passengers in the departure area. During boarding time, some of the passengers stared at me and the look in their eyes seems like they’re asking, why is she carrying that bulky thing? Why not check it in? I responded by shrugging my shoulder and pretend not to notice them. One of them bravely approached me and asked and I said, ain’t I too early for Christmas and laugh and she laugh as well and said, oh dear, what a pity that you have to carry all that stuff, which I responded again by saying, well, the check in counter maybe loved to see me struggling and laugh again.

When i arrived at Hongkong as the first stop over, I didn’t realize that the departure area for my next flight is at the other end of the airport. I walked for about 30 to 45 minutes with several stops looking for a pushcart. I am very unfortunate coz I didn’t see one, thus I ended up a walking christmas tree perspiring in spite of the strong air condition of the airport and panting. Finally I reached the designated gate of my next flight. I sat down and started looking for the book in my back pack and readied myself to read and relax. Suddenly I overheard people laughing and seem like having a good time. They are Filipinos and they are also waiting for the same flight. Huh! Surprise? Not really. It was actually a relief. This time I join the conversation, jokes and laughter and the next thing I knew we are going to board the plane.

Inside the plane, I comfortably arranged myself in my seat, put on my blazer and readied myself to sleep and eventually slept. I was woken up by my seatmate in time for dinner. He is Korean so after thanking him, I plan to completely ignore him and get done with my dinner and go back to sleep. It didn’t happen though. The man is Korean indeed but could speak fluent Tagalog. We started talking and surprise again; he is going to Trinidad to join his ship in Tobago and we will be on the same flight from Heathrow to Trinidad. What a relief, I said to myself. After all, I am not going to end up alone traveling to an unknown place (at least to me that time). Instead I ended up with a friend cum bodyguard cum luggage carrier :) We walked and strolled around the airport, had lunch together (which he paid) and check in together for our next flight (that is 12 hours waiting time). Wow, I felt like I am blessed and got instant travel partner. I said to myself, this is one of the perks of being a volunteer. Who says that being a volunteer is not an opportunity, it is also an opportunity to travel, find out places and gain friends.

After all the walking and the long and tiring waiting time (having roam around the airport), its time to go to the departure area. We arrived and comfortably seat in the 2^nd row when I spotted a lady wearing a VSO t-shirt. What a luck I said to myself. Without second thoughts, I approached her and introduced myself and asked whether she’s a VSO Volunteer like myself or working in the PO. Struck of luck? I guess so, she is indeed a volunteer and she said they are expecting my arrival. Her name is Gina and she is a nurse working in Cyril Potter University as Nursing Adviser. Now, I smile to myself and said, what a lucky soul I am. I found a friend from Hongkong all the way to Guyana. I was afraid then to travel but now, worry no more. I eventually introduced her to my other friend and the three of us chatted comfortably until we boarded our flight to Trinidad.