Hello!!

I have officially arrived in Lethem and I already love this place.

So we left Georgetown yesterday after spending once last night at CPCE (our beautiful home from the first part of orientation). I had just enough time in Georgetown to visit all the favorite places AND BIG NEWS I have a puppy now!!- that's right friends I now have a little baby puppy (or will when Reve arrives in Lehtem with it- oh yes I also have a new roommate- more on that later back to the dog)

I don't know if I mentioned it before but one of the dogs at CPCE had been pregnant most of the time we were there- up until the last day when she gave birth to 6 little guys. So while we were in Bartica much time was spent devising a plan to get a little one to our sites (Jill, Erin and Garrett wanted one as did I). We got back to CPCE like 2 days ago and the first thing that I did was go off to the little nook where they had been last spotted only to find that they had disappeared! But fortunately for me one of the kitchen women saw me searching through the grass for them and told me the news- she had taken them home for safe keeping until we returned and would bring them the next day so we could take them. So yesterday morning when I woke up I went down the kitchen and they were all there drinking milk from a plate. Jill, Erin and Garrett picked a little brown one and I picked a little brown and white one (he is actually the fastest one in the litter- I don't know I guess I sympathize with fat babies haha). Most of the morning was spent convincing mean mommy Michelle (just kidding) into keeping it and we finally compromised by saying that Reve would watch him until she left and if he was ok we would take him.

SO YES Reve is the new roomie. She was supposed to go to Orella but for some reason her housing feel through and she had the choice to share a room or move with us to Lethem where she would have her own room (we had a spare). Obviously she wanted to be with me so she is coming, but she couldn't get on our flight so she will be flying out a day later.

The flight to Lethem was insane- if you have any fear of flying what so ever I suggest you NEVER come to Lethem. This plane was the smallest one that I have ever seen- familiar with the red van? Think that size but a little bit longer. I was sitting right behind the captain- so close that I could read all the buttons and stuff. The flight was pretty bouncy and a few times I was sure we were going down, but besides the whole fear of dying part the flight was amazing. We flew below/ in the clouds most of the way and saw everything we went over clearly, so now I can accurately say there is VERY little in Guyana but wilderness.

We arrived in Lethem around 12 pm on Thursday and climbed out of the plane pretty much right onto the main street. The air strip is in the center of town and it is were most stuff is located. So me and Michelle climbed out and looked for someone who was supposed to meet us (Dana assured us that a Ministry person would be there but this country is kinda forgetful). Since no one was in site we just kinda went to the side of the road and stood. Luckily lost white girls attract attention so we were found right away by this women Pat who called the Ministry person and showed where we were a little until the guy arrived. The ministry guy got our bags and stuff and took us to our house.

OUR HOUSE!! It is sooo cute. It is off to the side of the school grounds where most of the teacher housing is but ours is our own unit with two little porches and a garden. Our view is insane. Behind our house there is a pond and trees and fields with wild horses and off in the distance are mountains. It is extremely picturesque.

So we got into our house using the keys Dana gave us and unfortunately the bugs and mold also loved our house so we had some serious cleaning to do. The walls in my room where covered in mold and it took me prob 2 hours to get it off. Fortunately the ministry guy sent over some school workers to help and in like 4 hours the place looked a lot better. We have electricity and I got a little excited by the fan left there, plugged it in on high speed and unfortunately after like 20 minutes of fan bliss it blew out- but luckily the weather here seems to be very nice (today it was prob in the 70s with breeze). The water is an iffy situation- last night it was running today it was not. But we have a well next to our house so worse come to worse I will come home with some amazing arm muscles with all the pumping.

After cleaning we were hot and hungry so we ventured into town with a map a peace corp guy had given us (this guy we meet at the internet café- hes like 60 and English and very odd but also very nice so far helpful) and a flash light. We found dinner and just kinda wondered around. Currently we are trying to figure this place out. Hopefully in the next few days I wont be getting so lost any more. Ok have to go others are waiting but write again soon!!