So in a few days I'll be off to Guyana for Carifesta, and here's what I came up with to prevent myself from being too disappointed if things go screwingly badly and I don't get tickets to events I'd like to attend.
First, no matter what happens, I can find immense joy in knowing for one whole week I don't have to prepare meals and snacks for three picky little eaters.
Secondly, for one whole week I can relax and not think about the stress of preparing for a new semester, and getting kids ready for school.
Thirdly, while others here are beginning to feel the chill of Summer's end, I can extend mine for one whole week.
So what if I don't get to see and hear a long list of the best writers in the Caribbean? And so what if I don't get to see one minute of Ian Valz's award-winning film? And big whup if passes to the theatre events are gone before I get there...who cares? And who cares about super concerts, and air shows anyway? There's plenty of entertainment in the free open marketplaces, shops, homes, bars, and streets of Guyana, so I'm bound to have a good time anyway.
Here's my shortlist of what I'd really like to do in Guyana:
--Hold the newspapers in my hand and read them in peace and quiet. Some of the writing may annoy me, but I still have a great respect for the print media in Guyana that my grandfather prided himself of being a part of.
--Spend time in Betterhope.
--See my aunt in Enmore.
--Sit and chat with a certain five-year-old girl, and a few grown women I haven't seen in about a year.
--Drink and laugh with some new friends.
--Buy some new books.
--Eat good and bad Guyanese food I didn't cook.
--Be subjected to many lewd passes on the street.
--Get a few good stories from an older male cousin of mine.
--Wine up lil bit (or plenty) at a party or two.
That's all I really need to have a good time. Then I can return here to face the sobering Fall.
