I am available to meet up for a coffee or so, or to walk around Georgetown and to provide any information about Georgetown or Guyana.

ABOUT ME

I have been fortunate that work has taken me to many places, though not for long enough times to enjoy as much as I would have wanted. Recently, I have not been able to travel.
I have visited briefly (not more than four days) - Antigua, Barbados, El Salvador, Grenada, Jamaica, Martinique, Trinidad, St Kitts, St Maarten, St Lucia, Malaysia, Dominican Republic, Cuba, UK, France, Geneva (Switzerland), Germany, Belgium , Netherlands, Suriname, Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Austria, Hungary, USA
In Brazil, Manuas and Boa Vista
in Canada - Toronto only
In USA - Houston,New York, bits of San Francisco
In Australia - Sydney and Perth
In Colombia - Medellin

I like showing people Georgetown during the day. I do not drink alcohol and am a bit of a homebody, so I cannot show people any night life .
I blog at http://churchroadman.blogspot.com/

PHILOSOPHY

Personal philosophy is that we are all part of an interconnected humanity - I am Hindu and I work on recognising the divine in all the people I encounter.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I participate by providing information about Guyana and offering any referrals or so when I cannot answer questions myself. I have met up with people to show Georgetown or to chat.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Since I joined up in 2007, I have replied to requests from people who want to visit Guyana. I have met many people who have visited Guyana. I have also sent postcards to to different people in different countries. Vicky Baker wrote this article in the Guardian which explains more
http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2008/may/03/guyana.socialnetworking?page=all
One of my friends in the USA has been very active with hosting and visiting and recommends the experience for travelers.
I have also sent postcards to a couple of people who have asked for them!

In Guyana, we had this articles about couchsurfing
http://www.stabroeknews.com/2009/the-scene/10/24/couch-surfing-social-networking-for-travellers/

What has been great in 2010 is that I have been able to go back and meet Malvin, Fred, Zsuzanna, Adam.. I never imagined travelling to their cities when I first met them in Guyana.

Awkward experience
I have had great experience with CS and with many people, I have continued being in contact with them on Facebook and elsewhere. I want to share one awkward experience here. Some persons we connect with more than others and we fall in love (as opposed to lust). The awkward experience has come when I had to choose one time between staying away to respect the distance, or to maintain contact to offer hospitality. No one has left any reference for me which is not positive, but I think I should record that there has been one experience in which I believe that the CSer might have felt awkward, even though no reference was left.
There was no threat at any time , but I think as we know when our friends fall for us, and we do not feel that way things can be silly.
I want to share this to be transparent about the experiences.

Interests

Interested in Information Technology, use of Free and Open Source software, working on various development issues.

I am active in the work to prevent child abuse and gender based violence including domestic violence. I am also active in the work to promote equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex and other people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.

• lgbt rights
• human rights
• coffee
• walking
• technology
• traveling
• blogging
• hinduism
• gender studies
• software
• meeting people

Music, Movies, and Books

Music.. all kinds, various genres - classical, some Indian, some world .. I like choral singing and I sing in a Ramayana gole

Books .. http://churchroadman.blogspot.com/search/label/book%20review

I am part of a Book Club here and we meet once a month - some CSers have dropped in on the book club. Message me if you would like to check out a meeting

I like watching films.. There are two cinemas in Georgetown, and one at Providence. There are some other film events from time to time.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Amazing things.. plenty.. but I liked the inter-rail through Europe in 1991, and the 2003 overland trip to Suriname and to Manaus.. I remember Budapest fondly.

Each meeting with the CSers has also been amazing in the sense of what is shared and learned about the places visited and travelled.

Teach, Learn, Share

A tip I learnt from Tash - To avoid walking around with your passport, get a good colour photocopy of your passport ID page and the reverse should have your country details. Laminate this and keep with you as ID.. it has worked in many places according where papers are sometimes needed.

I have created a map of my favourite eating places in Georgetown https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=213068696992299173511.0004eb6819be47971df41&msa=0

I do not have a couch. There are some people in Guyana who have couches. Some people have asked about budget accommodation.

Budget Accommodation
(This information is not kept updated - message me if you would like me to check the current status of any of these)

Sunset View Hotel (http://www.sunsetviewhotelgy.com _
1 David Street ,Kitty- Rooms start at US35 per night

There is also Rima Guest House on Middle Street, Georgetown and the YWCA on Brickdam.

The YWCA on Brickdam bed. Email ywcagy@yahoo.com, Tel 2265610,2237597

Julian's Guest House on Cummings Street, Georgetown starts at GYD6000 a room.

There are minibuses between Georgetown and Lethem (which is close to Brazillian border - Boa Vista is nearest city) and the quality of the ride depends on the road.

Two contacts for arranging the minibuses between Georgetown and Lethem (for Brazil) are Cindy t- Telephone 617-1339 or 225-6375/ 231-9752 or Ebony- Wayaka- 682-7150 . There are other bus services available.

People who might wish to do overnight trips to camp might check out Splashmins and Pandama Retreat - http://www.pandamaretreat.com.

People have asked about the bus service from Guyana to Suriname. There are busr services available which pick you up from the hotel.

Newspaper sports pages give an idea of cricket, football and sometimes basketball matches which are being played.
If you are on Facebook, check the events as quite a few are listed there. Moray House Trust has some discussion type events.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I cannot host or offer a couch. I would be happy to meet up for a coffee or to walk around Georgetown. I would also be happy to give any information to help in the journey to Guyana.

Countries I’ve Visited

Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Austria, Barbados, Brazil, Dominican Republic, Germany, Grenada, Hungary, Jamaica, Netherlands, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Sint Maarten (Dutch part), Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Guyana

•