Paralympics Guyana

I didn't go away this weekend after all, the trip to the decent beach is set up for two weeks time.
On Sunday I went along to the first Paralympics in Guyana. I have been visiting special schools and many of them were there, along with some adult Disabled Persons Organisations. I knew one of the headteachers, so I was drafted in to walk as part of the "march past" which sounds rather grand, but at least made a proper start to the proceedings. The Minister of Sport was there and made a nice (short) speech, including that they are expecting the Disability Bill to get passed this quarter. When that happens then there can be legal challenges to discriminatory practices, so there may be more action taken. The set up of the Paralympics was good, having a sporting feel to it rather than a paternalistic feel. Generally there is a lot of good work going on with disability organisations here. My job is to translate some of that into action in the creaky education system, where the curriculum is aimed at the most able child, everyone learns the same thing on the same day, and teachers would be criticised for doing anything different. Ho hum.
On Saturday morning early I cycled a few miles along the coast to visit my Australian friend and we walked further up along the sea wall - watching people fishing who were walking through the water with nets as well as using boats - and saw massive black frigate birds with red throat pouches. We walked as far as the next village which has an extensive market with live ducks and chickens, butchery stalls for goat and pork, and at least 50 types of fish, most of them still flapping on the stalls.
We also had some torrential downpours yesterday along with a massive thunder storm which was quite exciting - the house shook - the power failed - but at least that made the lightning show more impressive.
Work is difficult today, we have observed some unpleasantness/unfairness towards other staff so we are feeling unsettled ourselves. It is difficult being an outsider, but also an advantage perhaps.