Chapter One: Settling In

Welcome to week one.

One of the fun things about documenting this journey is that there’s so much happening—so many cool experiences, little surprises, and lessons learned. These posts will be my weekly check-ins with the internet, the powers that be, and, well, all who are omniscient in the digital world. That means you. So, let’s dive into week one!

The Journey: A Smooth Start

Getting here was surprisingly chill. The flights were great—empty seats all the way, which made a huge difference. You don’t realize how much better travel is until you have that extra space to stretch out. It was one of those small wins that made a travel day significantly better.

Also, a shoutout to Caribbean Airlines for serving samosas on the flight. Absolute game-changer. I haven’t had samosas in forever, and these were solid. I might need to track down where they got them because they were that good.

Arriving in Georgetown was easy. The airport is small—literally three rooms—which made processing a breeze. It’s the smaller of the two airports, but it’s the one closest to the city, which is a huge plus. It’s about a 10-15 minute drive from where I’m staying, so I’m hoping I can fly in and out of here for future trips.

First Impressions & Settling In

After landing, my colleague picked me up (which was really nice of them), and we made a few stops before heading to the apartment. First impression? More space than I expected! Sure, there are little things that could be better, but overall, it’s clean, tidy, and functional. Now to make it my own. The bathroom is great, the kitchen works well (I’ve started testing it out a few times), and I have plenty of space for my stuff. Bonus, I brought a few figures with me so now it’s about finding them their home.

Right now, it still has that temporary, rental-space vibe, but with a few personal touches, I think it’ll be a solid spot for the rest of the year.

Navigating the City

Most of this week has been about orientation—getting to know the city, the people, and how things work here. I’ve been lucky to have a driver for the first two weeks, which makes getting around super easy.

Long-term, though, transportation is going to be an adjustment. There are city buses, but they don’t operate like the structured transit systems I’m used to. Taxis are another option, but I need to find a reliable (and affordable) one. The other alternative is having a car, which isn’t in the cards for me. So, figuring out a mix of buses and taxis will be key.

Work & Learning

Orientation has been great. I’ve been learning about Guyana’s culture along with getting a deeper understanding of Cuso International, the organization I’m working with.

A lot of the pre-placement training focused on working in different communities, being mindful of local perspectives, and supporting rather than imposing. It’s a good reminder that this isn’t about “fixing” anything—it’s about collaborating, sharing knowledge, and contributing in a way that’s meaningful and sustainable. That’s the fun challenge: figuring out how to be helpful in a way that empowers rather than disrupts.

Becoming Independent

I’m starting to get more comfortable navigating things on my own. While I’ve had support, there have been moments where I had to figure things out myself, which is always a bit of a learning curve. But that’s part of the experience, right?

The balance is interesting—learning to be self-sufficient while also knowing when to lean on the people around me. Everyone here has been incredibly supportive, but I also want to make this my own and find my way.

Weekly Wrap-Up: The Good, the Challenge, and What’s Next

Each week, I’ll wrap up with three things: something good, a challenge, and what I’m looking forward to.

🤠 The Food

The food has been a highlight! I’ve discovered pholourie, egg balls, curry chicken, and roti—all amazing. We’ve also been getting catered lunches, which makes things easier. I did a test meal at home and I feel good about my cooking setup. Spices are stocked, ingredients are sorted—I’m set!

😱 Adjusting to Change

This week’s challenge has been adjusting—getting organized, not having everything I’m used to, and just embracing the differences. It’s about finding a balance between comfort and flexibility. Like Bruce Lee said: “Be water.” Roll with the punches, adapt, and go with the flow.

😎 The Canadian Consulate Visit

Next week, we’re meeting with the Canadian Consulate, which should be interesting. I’m hoping to connect with other Canadians here and see what’s going on in that community. Plus, it’s the final week of orientation, so the goal is to feel fully settled and ready to hit the ground running.

That’s it for week one—chapter one of this adventure. See you next week for the next update!