It's hard to believe that this amazing adventure is almost over! Although I haven't been posting as much in Suriname (pure laziness - I have no real excuse lol), a lot has still happened. Let's see what I can remember:
First, there's apparently a financial crisis in Suriname that started a few months ago. The Suriname dollar (local currency) is rapidly losing value, causing many individuals and business to prefer USD rather than SRD. That means that it is very difficult to get USD in Suriname. This was not a pleasant discovery for Amanda and I, as our landlord recently decided they would only accept USD for our rent payment. We got to embark on a wonderful tour of all the banks in Suriname, trying to get USD. On the plus side, while visiting the banks, we also got to see the beautiful St. Peter and Paul Cathedral. :)
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| Absolutely gorgeous all wood cathedral |
Besides that interesting monetary discovery, we've still been eating our way through Suriname. While sampling with Asmo and Steve, they insist we stop at little bakeries to try different Dutch goodies (horrible habit, but oh so delicious!). My favorite has been the berlinerbol (pictured below). There are several restaurants within walking distance of the apartment, so we've been trying those out. The food is always delicious!
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| Berlinerbol |
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| Pom with chicken, rice, and veggies at a restaurant in the mall |
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| Bami (Indonesian noodles) with chicken satay at Jawa |
One Saturday afternoon after we finished in the lab, Irshaad took us on a tour of Paramaribo. There was so much to see, and he knew all of the best spots. Each of the crazy nice resorts in the city had a different feature, such as a rooftop patio with a view of the city, a gazebo over the Suriname river, and a beautiful garden. Side note: while waiting for Irshaad, Amanda and I had the pleasure of having someone use the worst pick-up line ever on us. *eye roll* We also got to walk around the grounds of Fort Zeelandia. It was built in the 1600s! All of the surrounding buildings were the traditional Dutch colonial style, which felt like stepping back in time.
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| Being extra touristy :) |
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| Grounds around Fort Zeelandia |
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| Fort Zeelandia |
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| Palm tree garden |
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| Original buildings built by the Dutch settlers |
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| Presidential Palace |
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Suriname river - we travel over that large bridge in the
background when we sample in the district of Commewijne |
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| Paramaribo |
We also saw a Muslin Mosque right next to a Jewish Synagogue. They are literally neighbors, sharing a fence, and there have been no issues! It was incredible to see two very different groups coexisting without conflict - so inspiring! As I've said before, Suriname is such a mix of cultures. Javanese, Amerindian, Surinamese, Dutch, Chinese, etc. Most of the population speaks 3, 4, even 5 languages! Take note, USA!
Asmo and Steve planned an awesome day trip to Blaka Watra (black water, an area in the interior in Suriname). They packed food and drinks and even brought hammocks - everything needed for a relaxing day at the creek. The water was very cool and clean, despite how it may appear in the pictures. The black water is unique to the region, and is caused by the leaves in the rainforest. It's basically tea water - the water flows over the falling leaves in the Amazon and turns this coca cola color. I've never seen water like it!
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| Steve and Asmo putting up the hammocks |
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| I was in heaven :) |
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| Cassava and chicken by the creek |
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| Such a cool color when the sunlight hits the water |
As I start to wrap up this adventure, here are some things I'm going to miss (note, this isn't a comprehensive list, just what comes to mind in this moment):
- The people!! Amanda and I have been so fortunate to meet some absolutely amazing people. So welcoming, so proud of their countries, such great new friends.
- The pace of life here - It definitely took some getting used to, but "Caribbean time" really grew on me! It was a nice respite from the craziness of the past few years. Everyone is so "go go go go" in the US, so it was nice to almost be forced to just stop, take a breath, and enjoy the moment. I'm going to have to incorporate some "Caribbean time" into my life back home.
- The FOOD! I haven't quite come to terms with the fact that I'm not going to be able to find some of this food in Ohio. Roti and curry, bami, saoto, loompia, bakabana, fresh coconut water, metem, fresh rice...the list goes on and on! So many new flavors, and I'm proud to say I've increased my spice tolerance!
- The jungle and completely untouched areas. I have never been as off the grid as I was for Kaieteur Falls and Blaka Watra. It was so quite and peaceful! A very mice break from the hustle and bustle I usually encounter in Columbus.
All-in-all, this has been such an incredible adventure!! I'm so sad it's wrapping up, but I know I'll be very glad to be home and see everyone I've been missing. The remaining time will pass in the blink of an eye, so I'm going to try and enjoy every last moment. :)
Much Love,
Joslyn
P.S. Psalm 37:23-24 "The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.
