Top 10 Moments in Yups:

In no particular order:

1. Going on the moonlit bicycle ride to Russian's house back in Jan 2009. Two bicycles and the light of the moon accompanied Shamir and me on a spontaneous trip to check out a party. I hadn't ridden a bike in years, and certainly not through the bumpy savannas. The party was fine, but it was the coming back afterwards that was most enjoyable - pauses on the road for wonderful conversation and a triumphant return home.

2. Going to the 2008 Athletics in Quatata by bullock cart with Russian and plenty kids, my first year in the village. The sports ground was around 7 miles away and I jumped on this wooden, down to the wheels and axles, cart pulled by two bulls with my counterpart and at times, me alone with kids. I was so unsure of everything at that point, I couldn't tell my way through a straight line of road, the idea of kids traveling on their own so far was nerve-wracking... I kept thinking we'd get lost. It was a new experience, it was a great bonding time with the kids and a bull almost peed on my foot. Bullock carts are the joked taxi cabs of the Rupununi, glad I could catch a ride. (Check my blog post: 15 Kids, a Bullock Cart and a PCV)

3. Being invited on and going on the hunting trip to Mapari with Anthony and the Duncan boys. It was five nights of camping at one of the lush, fertile farm grounds upriver from the village to get enough fish and wild meat to feed the village for a holiday celebration. It was me and about 8 Yups men, and it rained all day, fish catching and hunting at night. Awkward, wet, beautiful. Bad ass. (Check: Fish and Farine to the Extreme)

4. Going dive fishing at K/bu Dam with CH buddies in March or April this year. An hour + of using one of the boys' spear guns, submerging myself in 4 foot deep reedy waters, swimming with my prey, balancing (not) breathing, sinking, swimming, looking and arrow shooting all at the same time in a quiet, alive atmosphere under water. I didn't get any fish, but saw so many and tried numerous times. I want to do it again.

5. Motorbike riding between K/bu and Yups with Felix. I RODE, A MOTORBIKE, ON THE SAVANNAS, FOR SEVERAL KILOMETERS AT A TIME, OVER BUMPS, CREVASSES, SMALL HILLS AND PUDDLES. I WAS MASTER OF THE MACHINE, GASSING AND SHIFTING, BREAKING AND STEERING. For someone who's wanted to own/ride a bike since I was about 20, and someone who's fallen in love with the savanna and biking through them here, it was a dream come true. Excitement in the moment, nervousness and being alive! Extreme! (Check: a May blog post with pic)

6. Out with the Caiman Proj. the first night, November 2009. I'd heard about the Caiman Proj. for more than a year, I knew it was the driving force for all the rest of Y's development, and my opportunity to go finally came about. It was a wonderful night on our river, with our knowledgable guides, touching these powerful, prehistoric, massive, majestic creatures 'pon the river. And yeah, I sexed one. One of those nights, in the moment, where you know it'll be something you always remember. (Check: I Sexed a Caiman *this story won first place in a PC website competition!)

7. Motorbike trek from Wowetta back to Yups, back in January this year. A motorbike trip for outreach to a destination about 3 hours, 80 miles, away that turned into a 14 hour odyssey home, complete with two injured motorbikes, no torchlights or tools, and a smelly cat. Full of patience trials, adversity and an overall attitude of perseverance. Behold the conquering heroes. (Check: a medieval dramatized blog, Where There are Spokes, There's a Way.... Just Don't Feel No Way)

8. Sunday afternoon at the sandbank, playing volleyball and football. A happy village day - fun day in the village and a fun day for me with the village. The sun's rays reached so beautifully down at the river bank and the water was so clear and cool and low, the sandbanks so warm and dry. The buzz of all sorts of different river activity and the playing of forro, soca and reggae music blended with the river sounds beautifully. Sand volleyball and sand football. I felt the satisfaction from my village alone as well as the knowledge that, while others were out partying it up in other areas of the Rups, I was having a moment with my own community. (Check: Sunday, Funday)

9. Corrial trip from Katoka to Yups with another PCV, Rachel. While it was more or less uneventful (we hardly saw any animals), it was the principle of it as well as the joy of maneuvering a handmade wooden canoe. It was feeling independent and uncategorized by my village and adventurous to take on the river on our own right. It was a great sense of accomplishment. And fun to astonish villagers.

10. Weenie Roast at K. House with Jeff and others, back in October 2010. My favorite roomie, my favorite processed food, fire and village friends. The night progressed into kari and dancing with a small group of friends. A most memorable night at K. House. I'd always dreamed about having a bonfire there. Pictures from the night at Walmart.com, in the album K. House at its Finest.

(I can't limit it to 10; can I do 15?)

11. Mike’s Valentines Day gift. Subterfuge music and coffee in the morning. Sweetest V Day gift, outside of my Daddy's love. Made me really appreciate the power of thinking of others. And noting what a great person and wonderful friend Mike is. I really appreciate and adore him. (Check: All You Need is Love)

12. The Owl and the Pussycat. Practicing three grade 5 students to recite/perform Edward Lear's poem for a Mashramani culture presentation. I worked hard with these kids for weeks before and then together, with Maisie, we took them to Lethem to perform it. They brought first, which was icing on the cake, but it was such a fun experience with these good kids. (Check: The Owl and the Pussycat)

13. Phagwah surprise. Having kids waking me up on the weekend and dousing me with dyed water for the Indian Holiday. I loved getting included in Kid Fun and I loved being hit, literally, with surprise and utter abandon. I hope I never lose the appreciation for crazy surprises. A cold, screaming morning. (Check: That's Not Juice!)

14. Bike ride towards Kaicumbay side with Shamir. Out of all the trips I've taken with him, this was one of, if not my favorite one. This was non-work related, and he had one destination in mind as we went - this raised mound that used to be a drilling sight. It was relaxed, we caught the sunset and had a great many conversations as we rode along. I wrote a poem afterwards, about the feelings of being on a bike, and of the journeys we take as people.

15. Wildlife Club camp out at sandbank, back in my first December, 2008. Franzea, Russian, Shamir and I endeavored to take school kids on an overnight camp out at our rivers sandbank. They'd never taken WC out like that and I'd never camped out here before. When the camp out grounds is in everyone's backyard and parent's permission slips were not mandatory, I had no idea how things would work out and so when Franzea had to go into Lethem on the day of and Shamir had to carry her, I freaked out. But the night went well. Russian and I set up a volleyball net, did some fishing and started cooking. The night before, we made a cake and trail mix. The kids stayed up all night playing volleyball, the adults drank a bit and I slept under the trees in my hammock, listening to giggling and snoring.

These seem to be a good selection of Moments I'll always remember, but I could also never forget: all the fruit, the boat rides, the numerous motorbike rides, the books with the kids, smoking on the savanna and watching the clouds or the sunset, the dances, the fish, the farine, the meals cooked...