Happy (belated) Birthday To Me

First off, thanks to all that sent me birthday emails or postings or whatever. Thanks so much. And to those who didn't, no worries. I plan on forgetting everyone's birthdays while I'm down here, so I can't really get angry if someone forgets mine, right?

So yes, I entered my mid-twenties last Wednesay, the 20th. Being 24 is okay, I guess. It's feels pretty much the same. This is especially true because one of my best Peace Corps friends here is a 30 year old guy who acts and feels 16. People sometimes think I'm older than him, especially since I have a beard. So people were surprised when I said I was "only" turning 24. Oh well.

My birthday was actually fun, though I didn't really do anything special. Peace Corps had a training workshop on the other side of Guyana for my group, so I ended up traveling all day with my friends. It was really nice to be surrounded by friends who I hadn't seen in two months. And the workshop went well too. So a good time all around.

Speaking of my group, we have been decimated by some invisible force picking off Peac Corps volunteers. We entered Guyana with 20, but now are staggering about after seven months with only 14. Since we have been sworn in as volunteers (end of April), we've lost at least one volunteer every month. AND, we've lost four of the six guys in the group. That's right. I'm one of two guys left. And the other guy - Paul - is married and in a place where I don't see him much. So... it's me and a bunch of girls. This is kinda funny in fact. During our workshop, all the girls would forget that Paul and I are there, so conversations end of turning towards typically girly stuff. And you should know that there is a lot comfort among Peace Corps volunteers, so these conversations often go towards bodily functions, diets, etc. It's a good thing I'm not fazed by these things. It was pretty funny. Whenever Paul and I would try to talk about baseball or something in the corner, the girls would make a big deal of how we were trying to "guys' talk." It was funny.

So my group is barely getting along. And of those that left, many of them left unexpectedly. So it seems that anyone in my group could be next. That's a little scary. So hopefully we don't lose anyone in October.

Anyways, that's the most interesting thing going on over here. Otherwise, life is good. I'm just working in the health post, talking to mothers about their children, and teaching "life skills" to a local school of juvenile delinquants. I'm also looking to start some sort of drama program in another local school, with the hope that they will do HIV-themed street skits next summer break. My friend Patty and I are slowly working on that. But even if work is still slow, my life is good. I've got a small but growing group of Guyanese friends. Next weekend is a friend's birthday, so we're going to have a huge BBQ at his bar.

Anyways, life is good. Oh yeah, on Sunday I went to an Amerindian village for Heritage Day. We ate laba (an animal from the bush), alligator (which is awesome), cassava bread, and drank pawarhi (which I'm probably spelling wrong). Pawarhi is an alcoholic drink made from grated cassava. It looks like dirty water with things floating in it, but it tastes pretty good. Anyways, it was all a cultural experience, right?

So I hope all is well in America. I have a friend doing Peace Corps in Thailand, and with the military coup, I was a little worried. But apparently she is just fine. Peace Corps says stay in your community, that's all. So that's good. Take care everyone!