First Day

The first day of training in Suriname was interesting. It is hot. So hot and sticky. And it's the small rainy season so the heat occasionally breaks and just rains like hell for 20 minutes or so. So basically picture a dynamic summer day in Ithaca.

The heat/humidity isn't that bad in shorts and flipflops, but they are keeping us in business casual for most of the events of today. That was deadly. I've been drinking water constantly and so it's fine, but I'm so sticky! Really the only really tough thing is dress shoes.

It was a long day, but a good day. I've got a feel for my schedule over the next month (we are actually sticking together as a group in the training center, though breaking up into language groups quickly) and I should know more about where I will be after training in the next week or so. Basic medical and security information happened today too, though more of that will happen. First meals in suriname were good. Light breakfast, really good lunch - that's the main meal around here, I guess.

In the midafternoon, the current volunteers came back and lead an open discussion panel of what to expect which eventually broke up into more basic hangouts and an informal volleyball game. Then there was roti for dinner (Finally had roti! Something I missed out on during a recent trip to St. Lucia) and a reception.

The reception was awesome! A lot more good food (including Chicken Satay, oddly enough) and a really good local dance group. I'm not actually really sure what exact cultural group from Suriname they were from (there are too many), but I'm betting they were Maroons - the descendants of escaped slaves. The dances and songs were traditional, but entailed a really cool combination of African rhythm (and very low to the flo dance moves), belly dancing, and Surinamese traditions. They were pretty cool.

Not up to saying much more than that about it all after all the commotion of the last few days. I'm excited and nervous and there are a lot of challenges that are becoming more real. Bugs. Heat and sweat. Remembering that you aren't here to show people how to be American or developed. It seems like a stupid thing to say, but I fell into already in the airport incident yesteray (not that it was inapprorpiate then, but I totally pulled my business/american traveller face).

We are here to help people improve themselves, often in their own way - which can be related to doing things the American way, but definitely should not be pushed by an American. That's a tough challenge in itself. We aren't just here to help, we are here to help them help themselves. Facilitate, not necessarily lead. Thoughts worth thinking about more.

Bedtime.