Last Days in Guyana: Time Crunch

Panic has officially set in. With only two weeks to go before I COS(close of service) my time in Guyana with the Peace Corps, I have realized how much left I need to accomplish. Besides all the paperwork and tedium Peace Corps provides and providing the Ministry of Health with useful tools to continue to utilize in my absence, I have realized how far behind I really am.

I still have three books to be read, two Coursera courses to be taken, and many beautiful days to be fully appreciated. I just don't think I have enough time.

As I have started my close of service duties, I certainly have appreciated moving back to the States, especially the day(s) at the Bank. Here's how a typical encounter at the bank goes:

• Wait in line for approximately 2 generations(or at least 3 hours).
• Find out that despite being told to be in this line, you are in the wrong line.
• Wait another few generations.
• Find out that the form that Peace Corps requires every volunteer to fill out when closing service is not the correct form and the bank is unable to sign it.
• Leave bank frustrated.
• Have Peace Corps call bank to ensure that they will sign it.
• Return to bank.
• Wait requisite 2-3 generations(which you will never get back)
• Be told that no they will not sign that form apologizing(slightly) for the misinformation I was provided)
• Return to Peace Corps office explaining the continued resistance.
• Peace Corps opts to forego form so just have to close out account.
• Return to bank.
• Wait in line(patience is a virtue)
• Attempt to close out account.
• Signature does not match the one on my original account opening form(despite my holding my passport and debit card) .
• Told to re-sign.
• Sign.
• Signature does not match the one on my original account opening form.
• Told to re-sign.
• Sign. 
• Signature does not match the one on my original account opening form.
• [Manager comes out]
• Told to re-sign
• Sign. 
• Signature does not match the one on my original account opening form.
• [Manager instructs Danny on how to sign exactly how he did the first time]
• Sign.
• Sign accepted.
• Close out receipt provided.

All of $40.

Okay so that's not a positive aspect of Guyana, but I certainly am going to miss the weather. And the fact that I am finally getting to know the city. I now cannot go for a walk without running into someone who I actually know. It's starting to feel like my city, only to leave. Which is unfortunate. As is the fact that I have so much more work I can do with the hospital.

But I hope that we can get another volunteer to fill my shoes(and maybe even have a bigger and better pair of shoes).

I will definitely miss Guyana but I am very much looking forward to returning home and starting the next chapter of my life (in South Carolina).

Oh hadn't heard the news? Well more to come about that.


Until next time,


Danny