So there are less than 3 weeks until I leave the country for the Peace Corps and the reality of being gone for 26 months is starting to hit me. I am mostly excited but also starting to feel sad about leaving for so long. It will be hard being away during special moments in people's lives like friends getting married (two weddings in the next 6 months that I will miss), people having babies (which is usually something that happens after marriage), my brother and sister graduating from college, etc. However, the Peace Corps is something I have been preparing for and have dreamed about doing for so long that I am not willing to give it up. It's just going to be hard. I am thankful that I am not doing it alone and am really excited to meet all the amazing volunteers I will be sharing this adventure with.
For the last few weeks I have been traveling all over the state visiting friends and saying my goodbyes. I it almost every corner of the state and put over 1,000 miles on my car! I have had an amazing time and have enjoying taking in the beauty that is Washington.
The snow and ice has melted and the sun has returned once again. It was 65 and sunny today in Portland! I am looking forward to the tropical paradise I will be traveling to.
Guyana is located on the Caribbean, so the weather is hot and humid. It will be like living in a permanent sauna!
Here are some tid-bits about Guyana:
- The country is about the same size as Washington state, but has a population of 850,000
- Guyana is the only English speaking country in South America
- Guyana gained its independence from Great Britain in 1966
- Guyana is home to the tallest single drop waterfall in the World: Kaieteur Falls (5 times higher than Niagara Falls)
- Christianity (57%), Hindu (28%), and Muslim (7%) are the top three religions
- Cricket is the most popular sport (which I am excited to learn)
- Guyana has the 2nd highest HIV rate in the region (Haiti is #1)
