criplomats

John and I had big fun at the traditional Hendrix College Candlelight Carol service last Sunday afternoon. As a former member of the choir, John especially enjoyed the concert and it was fun to see a few friends and former professors. Afterward we attended a nice donors’ reception where I caught up with Roger C from my class. From there, we drove to Fayetteville, arriving at Phillip’s house a little before 10PM.

We enjoyed visiting with Ginger, Phillip, and Michele in Fayetteville. Monday, John and I went with Ginger to shop for shoes and had a good Mexican lunch at Local Lime. That night, the five of us had a yummy Italian dinner at Bocca and afterward we cruised the square to look at the fun light display. John, Ginger, and I had lunch at Feed & Folly (lots of good food in Fayetteville!) on Tuesday before we headed home.

We went through a few old photos at Phillip’s house and uncovered John’s junior high business card!

Back in Hot Springs, we went to Julie and Scott’s for dinner on Wednesday. On this trip, I’ve gotten in several great yoga sessions…John has had a couple of good visits with Rusty…we grilled Weldon’s steaks a couple of times…and I upgraded my phone to a newer model. We binged on “The Beast in Me” (good!) and finished “Down Cemetery Road.” Alison was sick this past week, so unfortunately we didn’t get to visit as much as we’d like. It’s been a great trip!

John and I flew home to Hot Springs this week! It’s been really cold here — we can’t remember when we were last home during winter. Yesterday we bought tickets on a whim to see the Piccolo Zoppe Winter Circus and we had so much fun! We laughed and laughed, ooh’ed and ah’ed, and clapped till our hands were red! A small family circus, they are based in Greenbrier, Arkansas – who knew? More photos below!

During the week, I’ve gone to yoga a couple of times…had x-rays of my leg taken, along with a consult with an orthopedic surgeon (all good!)…made a pot of chili with cornbread…baked banana nut bread to take to a new family down the street (coincidentally one of the guys who did our consumables pack-out in October)…went out shopping and to dinner with Alison and Peewee…refilled water jugs downtown…dropped off charity items at the Garland County Humane Society Thrift Store…had lunch with John at the Goat (great hamburger) and at La Hacienda where I had yummy chicken soup:

I usually have some things to donate to the Humane Society Thrift Store when I’m home. After a yoga class this week, I noticed a woman in my class carrying a distinctive canvas bag that looked familiar. Yep! It was one that I donated and she bought it at the thrift store! I was happy to see it had a good home!

John went to a couple of events in Guyana before we left town. Here are a couple of photos from a military event:

Here are some more photos of the circus!

We had a low key but fun Thanksgiving lunch with two friends from the embassy, Mellisa and Joe – the turkey was delicious at Oasis Cafe and we enjoy their good service.

The big news is that our household effects (HHE) were delivered/unpacked Monday and Tuesday – my cup runneth over, haha! It’s been fun but a lot of work to get everything put away, decorated, etc. We have most things done but still some odds and ends here and there, and of course, the art will need to be hung. But the house is coming together nicely and it’s starting to feel like our home.

John took Monday off to help with the delivery, but he was back at it on Tuesday. He had two evening events this week on his own, then I went with him to a fun art show at the EU ambassador’s residence Friday night in support of combatting gender-based violence. Yesterday, we went to the French ambassador’s residence for lunch with him and his wife – they are both lovely and they have a good sense of humor. We really enjoyed our visit with them.

Here are a couple of photos from last week’s AmCham event, plus our photo at the Marine Ball.

I went to three events with John this week (he’s still the Chargé d’affaires). Monday night was the celebration/dinner for the University of Guyana graduation. It was in a big pavilion on campus, and many of the graduates were in attendance in their finery. It was fun to see them!

Friday John hosted AmCham Guyana at the Ambassador’s residence. Each year the Chamber brings in senior citizens from assisted living facilities to treat them to turkey lunch. It was fun to see them and they seemed to have a good time. In addition to the seniors, we met many AmCham members, as well. John gave a welcome speech to kick things off, in addition to carving the turkey.

Last night we attended the Suriname Independence Day celebration. The Suriname ambassador to Guyana spoke, along with the Guyana prime minister. They had some indigenous dancing, singing, and drumming and showcased Surinamese products.

Other big news is that the Toyota 4Runner arrived this week! I went to the embassy with John on Friday, and after going to the revenue office to get our drivers’ licenses, I drove the truck home. It’s a bit unnerving because they drive on the other side of the road than us, so my brain is going to have to get rewired for that, plus our car is left-hand drive. Wish me luck!

I finished reading Fay Weldon’s “The Life and Loves of a She-Devil” (very strange!). We finished the original Inspector Lynley series and started on Prime Suspect with Helen Mirren. I enjoyed chatting with Joan and also with Lea this week. Lea was in Guadalajara and it was fun to hear about our old stomping grounds and folks at the consulate there.

I was very sad to hear than Ann Antkiw passed away this morning. She was in the Little Theatre Group and worked for the Tico Times in Costa Rica, and was one of the wonderful ladies who welcomed me when I arrived there in 1996. She was a force of nature. Rest in peace, Ann.

I went to the Mahaica River this morning for some fun birding – it was quite the adventure! Mellisa picked me up at 4:15 AM, then we rode with Celia and her husband Tesfaye for a rather harrowing ride in the dark to the river, about 1.5 hours from town. We spent a couple of hours on a boat with Mahaica River Tours and saw some cool birds (the Hoatzin, the national bird was the highlight) and some red howler monkeys! After a good home-cooked breakfast of fresh roti bread, fresh-caught mackerel, and a smoked eggplant dish called choka, we headed back into town – what a fun morning! It was beautiful!

Tuesday was Veterans’ Day, so Mellisa and I went for an early morning walk with some birding at the national park. It was lovely! We saw a lot of herons and egrets. The park has a nice paved pathway. We treated ourselves to a Starbucks coffee afterwards. We also went out for breakfast on Saturday at The Bistro, which was nice.

I finished reading “Vladimir” and started “The Life and Loves of a She-Devil” by Fay Weldon. John and I finished “The Asset” and enjoyed “All Her Fault.”

John is the Chargé this week and he attended a few events – here are a couple of photos! In the first one, he’s sitting across the aisle from the President (not shown in this photo).