criplomats

John and I hosted a potluck for our embassy colleagues who wanted to join in – we had around 20 people including a couple of families. It was big fun! Veina and I cooked a lot the day before (purple cabbage, green bean casserole, Mac-n-cheese, stuffing, rolls, pumpkin pie) and did hams, turkeys, and cheese grits the day of — plus, of course, everyone brought something to share, so there was a lot of food!

Earlier in the week, we had the pictures downstairs hung, so the house is really starting to feel like home!

Monday night, we went to the Ambassador’s residence for an embassy happy hour – fun!

John got Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday off, which was nice! We were pooped after Christmas, so we relaxed a lot. We watched the new “Knives Out” and “Pluribus,” and we’ve started the new season of “A Man on the Inside.” I also got John to start “Somebody Somewhere” with me (so I could rewatch it). I finished reading “Nobody’s Girl” and started “How to Kill a Witch,” which is very interesting (about the Scottish witch trials).

John and I returned from Arkansas in the wee hours of Tuesday morning. We sure had fun at home but were equally excited to get back to Guyana. Friday afternoon, we picked up Jane and Rob, the British High Commissioner and her husband, and drove to the Mahaica River to spend the night at Ramesh’s place. We had duck curry for dinner and enjoyed a bottle of wine while watching the river go by. We were happy to get to know Jane and Rob – they are lots of fun to be around. Jane is finishing five years here as ambassador, so they are a wealth of knowledge about Guyana. It was my first time driving any length of time here, and I did fine – I was scared to death of wrecking with the British ambassador on board!

We set out around 6AM and cruised the river for a couple of hours, then returned for a delicious breakfast. Then we went on the speed boat up to the water conservancy, about thirty minutes up the river and through a smaller part of the river where kingfishers led the boat up river – it was fun to watch them fly in front of the boat, dipping down to catch a fish along the way. The conservancy is an old homestead, now semi-preserved. It was empty save for a young guy who apparently keeps the place tidy. It was like stepping back in time.

After returning to Guyana, the week was pretty much back to normal. I went to the embassy’s potluck on Friday before we left for Mahaica, and we went to a co-worker’s birthday party Saturday evening after returning from the river. Guyana is really geared up for Christmas with lots of lights and good cheer.

Before leaving Arkansas, James Wise and his girlfriend Jenny came over for coffee last Sunday morning. I hadn’t seen him since college, I guess, and it was fun to catch up. Alison was not feeling well, so sadly I didn’t see her and David as much as I would have liked. John and I went back to the Goat restaurant (quickly becoming one of our favorite places) and we also had a Mexican food fix.

I’m happy to report that Flavia did well with our housesitter while we were gone (and also for the overnight to the river). It was such a relief!

John and I binged the new season of “The Morning Show” this week – as much as I like the actors in the show, I was quite disappointed with the writing and plot lines. I finished reading “Nobody’s Girl,” by Virginia Giuffre and thought it was well done, considering the sordid subject matter of Jeffrey Epstein.

Here are a few photos from the river:

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!