Pepperpot epaper 11 13 2016

Aishalton girl aims to be int’l powerlifting champion ► Page 21

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Chronicle Pepperpot November 13, 2016

Will

City Hall and the vendors

By Francis Quamina Farrier

The popular Guyanese patriotic song, "Let Us Cooperate for Guyana", which was composed by Billy Pilgrim, is still as popular as when it was first composed some fifty years ago.

At that time in Guyana's history, there was unprecedented nationalistic fever with Guyanese all across the newly independent nation of Guyana. It was a period when Guyanese composers worked feverishly in producing creative works such as songs, poems, plays, dances, paintings, pottery, jewellery - all with special Guyanese imagery.

Almost everyone seemed to have gone the extra mile in creating something which was uniquely Guyanese. There was, for example, The Guyana BOOM, a musical sound, if you will, developed by Thomas Charles of Victoria Village on the East Coast of Demerara. That Guyanese musical icon was the Leader of the very popular band of that era, "Tom Charles and the Syncopators", which dominated the musical scene during the 1960s and 1970s.

ever cooperate for Guyana?

That early Guyanese patriotic fervor seemed to have waned as the years went by, and Guyanese seemed much more interested in migrating to other countries, which for them, seemed to have had green pastures. With the change of government at the May 2015 general elections, and the arrival of Guyana's 50th Independence Anniversary in 2016, there came like a tsunami another surge of National Patriotism.

The Guyanese people were once again displaying their love of country. Many private buildings were embellished with buntings of the national colours, and the Golden Arrowhead - the National Flag of Guyana - was displayed as never happened in over four decades.

The Jubilee Year Logo was also displayed almost everywhere, including on vehicles. Since January of this Jubilee Year, there is a group of about fifty volunteers both Guyanese and Non-Guyanese- who give one hour a week of their time to clean-up the Georgetown seawalls.

They are there every Tuesday from 5.00 to 6.00 p.m. and all are welcome to join them is such a patriotic exercise.

On the afternoon of Saturday May 16, 2015, just after his swearing-in as Guyana's eight President, Brgd.

David Arthur Granger, stood on the balcony of the Public Buildings in Georgetown, and invited the massive crowd in the fore court and on Brickdam, to join hands

and sing that popular Billy Pilgrim patriotic song, "Let Us Cooperate for Guyana". It was a moment in time which everyone who was there, will always remember.

During the following months, the new Coalition government commenced a massive clean-up campaign of the city of Georgetown. Many of the principal canals in the city which were silted-up and over-run with tall weeds and other vegetation, were cleaned. The massive mounds of garbage all across the city were also carted away and there was a breath of fresh air blowing across Guyana's Capital City, the first in decades.

At this time, many of the streets in Georgetown which were in a horrible state of disrepair for many years, have already being resurfaced, and the citizens of the city of Georgetown are pleased. The Ministry of Public Infrastructure is continuing the all-round up-grading, and even as I am writing this feature, the works are on-going.

However, there is one street which is proving to be a bit of a challenge for the Ministry of Public Infrastructure to resurface; and that has nothing to do with the actual resurfacing. It has to do with the cooperation between City Hall and a group of vendors who ply their trade there.

I am talking about the two short blocks of Bourda Street from North Road to Regent Street, which have been in a horrible condition for many years. It is mainly used by pedestrians who do shopping from the vendors there.

Those two blocks of Bourda Street are just horrible, with many large and deep pot holes. Most of the traffic on that street is pedestrian - just about two percent is vehicular. Over the more recent years, there have been many injuries to pedestrians who use those two blocks of Bourda Street. Recently an elderly lady sprained her ankle while walking on that street, fell, and seriously injured her head. She had to be hospitalized.

In order to facilitate the resurfacing of that street, the vendors will have to be relocated for a few days, probably for over a week. And that's where the virtue of COOPERATION will be badly needed. The City Hall will have to relocate the vendors in a professional way, and the vendors will have to accept that temporary relocation.

Will such cooperation be forthcoming? Will the Ministry of Public Infrastructure be given the opportunity to resurface those two blocks of Bourda Street before the Christmas holidays? Will the citizens of Georgetown who use that section of Bourda Street, have another thing to cheer the Ministry of Public Infrastructure for?

The two stakeholders - City Hall and the Vendors - can all start by probably holding hands, and together sing that Billy Pilgrim patriotic song, "Let Us Cooperate for Guyana", as they happily relocate and let the heavy duty equipment of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure roll in and get the job done.

Minister of Public Infrastructure, Hon. David Patterson, M.P., and Mayor Patricia Chase-Green, are at present in discussion. With over 80% of the vendors willing to cooperate with City Hall, it is most likely that the two northern blocks of Bourda Street, will finally be resurfaced and looking brand new for the Christmas Holidays, Jubilee Year, 2016.

Chronicle Pepperpot November 13, 2016

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factsheet Are you thinking about setting up a coconut farm but lack relevant information to kick start your venture? Well, the following facts will be helpful to you. This factsheet contains:

1such as loamy, laterite, coastal sandy, alluvial, clayey . Soil Type: Coconut is grown under different soil types

and reclaimed soils of the marshy low lands. The ideal soil conditions for better growth and performance of the palm are proper drainage, good water-holding capacity, and presence of water table within 3m and absence of rock or any hard substratum within 2m of the surface.

which can be as much as 1.5m per year becoming slower in older palms and decreasing to 10cm - 15 cm per year at the 40th year and over. The palm can grow up to 30m in height in very old trees. Height growth varies according to age, cultivar and ecotype and can be assessed by counting the number of leaf scars per metre. At about 10 years old, growth is around 15 – 30 cm per year for Dwarf palms and 70 – 100 cm per year for Tall palms.

The ripe fruits that fall do not 2germinate immediately and, if dried during . Germination:

storage, they lose the capability. Coconut seednuts germinate easily in warm, humid conditions and sprout and grow naturally wherever they fall. About 3-6 months after the nut matures, the embryo begins to enlarge internally, eventually filling the cavity with a sponge-like haustorium.

This produces the enzymes that convert the oil in the kernel into nutrients that are absorbed to support early plant growth. Within the husk, the growing point of the embryo develops a plumule and young root, which eventually emerge through the mesocarp and exocarp and expand in daylight for photosynthesis to begin. The time taken for emergence depends on the thickness of the husk.

The period from unfolding 3to growth and drying of the leaf can be about . Mature fronds:

27 months. The young leaf which protrudes out of the bud in the centre of the crown as a pointed arrow takes about 4 to 5 months to emerge out of the sheath.

The length of leaves is influenced by factors such as variety, soil, climate and age of palms. A quarter of the total length of the leaf is the leaf stalk. The number of leaflets on a leaf varies from 200 to 250.

stem develops from the single terminal bud 4called theThe“cabbage” which is the only vegetative growing . Stem:

point of the palm. Under favourable conditions, the foundation of the trunk of a young palm reaches full development within three to four years. Stem growth is faster at the early stages,

The root system is adventitious and numer5ous uniformly thick roots are produced from the base of the . Root system:

stem throughout the life of the palm. There are no taproots or root hairs but the palm has numerous roots which bear large quantities of rootlets. The main roots are found within the topsoil. Roots of an adult-bearing palm growing in sandy loam soil are concentrated within a radius of 2m from the base of the palm and can grow up to 30 – 120 cm

in depth. The main branches may grow deeper and extend laterally to as much as 104m, seeking out moisture. The numbers of roots vary from 4,000 – 7,000 in mature palms. age at which the palm flowers varies 6according to theThevariety and management practices. Those . Flowering:

having faster rates of leaf production and are grown under good nutritional and water management tend to flower earlier. Flowering generally begins at 2.5 years after planting out for Dwarfs and 7 years for Tall types.

Once flowering has begun, the tree continues to produce flowers and fruits throughout the life of the palm.

The palm is monoecious, i.e. its inflorescence carries both male and female flowers. The male flowers are the first to open, beginning at the top of each spikelet and proceeding towards the base.

Each male flower sheds its pollen and abscises in just one day but the entire male phase of pollen-shedding lasts about 20 days in most palms depending on season and variety.

A normal inflorescence may have 10-50 female flowers. These remain receptive from one to three days. Depending on the environmental conditions and variety, the female phase may begin a few days after the spathe has opened and lasts 3-5 days in Tall palms and about 8 - 15 days in Dwarfs.

With natural pollination, 50 - 70% usually aborts and falls off, especially those which, emerge during severe dry weather. The remaining flowers develop into fruits, which take about 12 months to mature. The length of the male and female phases is affected by climatic environment and usually do not overlap in the tall types, such that self-pollination rarely occurs. In some Dwarfs, particularly the Malayan Dwarf, overlapping of the male and female phases and between spadices usually takes place, promoting self-pollination. Hence, these Dwarfs are reasonably homozygous. (Contributed by NAREI)

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Chronicle Pepperpot November 13, 2016

National Oral Health Month For years, Guyana has been celebrating the month of November as Oral Health Month.

In addition, the Guyana Dental Association in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health and Colgate Palmolive sponsor a Dental Convention for dental professionals. There are many activities nationwide aimed at promoting oral health.

Eight out of every ten Guyanese above the age of twelve years can read and understand this newspaper. We should be proud of this fact especially when we consider that we are more functionally literate than the majority of the world’s nations including Brazil and the United States. But despite this fact, we have not been taking full advantage of our fortuitous situation generally as regards health guidance and particularly, oral health education.

The American Dental Association recently held its annual convention in Denver, Colorado and I was among the thousands of dentists in attendance. Participants once again emphasized the vital role played by print communication in the fight to minimise dental caries and gum disease. The organisation currently distributes millions of pamphlets as part of its national oral health education programme. Extracts from one of those pamphlets are presented hereunder.

Daily brushing and cleaning between teeth are important to your dental health because they remove plaque. Plaque is a thin, colourless, sticky film that constantly forms on your teeth. When you eat foods containing sugars and starches,

the bacteria in plaque produce acids which attack tooth enamel. The stickiness of the plaque keeps these acids in contact with the teeth. After many such attacks, the enamel breaks down and a cavity forms.

If plaque is not removed with daily brushing, it eventually hardens into calculus (tartar). As calculus forms near the gumline, gums can become irritated and inflamed. They become swollen and may bleed. The gums begin to pull away from the teeth and form pockets that usually become infected. If gum disease is not treated properly, the bone supporting the teeth is destroyed and healthy teeth may be involved.

It may surprise you to know that 50 percent of adults over the age of 18 and 75 per cent of adults over the age 35 have some degree of gum disease. It is never too early to start fighting back. Your dental team can remove calculus from your teeth and treat gum disease that has already appeared. But daily dental care is in your hands. Brushing removes plaque and food particles from the inner, outer and biting surfaces of your teeth. Several different methods are acceptable. One acceptable method for removing plaque is as follows.

Place the brush at an angled position to the gums. Gently move the brush back and forth in short (half a tooth wide ) strokes. Brush the inner tooth surfaces followed by the chewing surfaces. Use the ‘toe’ of the brush for the inner front tooth surfaces. Do not forget the posterior faces of the

Dr. BERTRAND R. STUART, DDS. last molars. Finally, brush your tongue and hard gums.

For general use, select the brush with soft, end-rounded or polished bristles. A toothbrush with a small head size should allow you to reach every tooth. Worn-out toothbrushes cannot properly clean your teeth and may injure your gums. Once the bristles start to turn backwards, it is time to change the brush. Brushes with hard bristles are used to clean dentures.

One way to clean between the teeth is with dental floss.

Flossing remove plaque and food particles from between teeth and the gum line areas a toothbrush cannot reach. The following suggestions may help to learn about flossing.

Break off about eighteen inches and wind most of it around one of your middle fingers. Wind the remaining floss around the same finger of the other hand. This finger will take up the floss as it is used. Hold the floss tightly between your thumb and first finger with about an inch of floss between them. Use a gentle, “sawing” motion to guide the floss between your teeth. Hold it against your tooth, scraping the other side of it, as you guide it gently beneath the gum line.

If none other is, this article is worth cutting out and keeping for constant reference.

Chronicle Pepperpot November 13, 2016

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The Shade is Really Real

#TheShade

During this journey of being Guyana's best makeup artist, in revisiting reviews, posts, comments on social media, thank you notes and cards from clients, fans, friends, and organizations, there's a noteworthy difference.

The bout of assumptions that come with quality work comes with the common denominator that it's too good to be true.

The common misconception, especially with professional pictures of my work, as well as, the name of my business Eye Like Makeup

by Kerry, is that only eye makeup was applied. Or, only powder was applied and the model's face lacks imperfections.

It's hard to believe that a natural flawless look took two hours and eighteen different products to look refined.

It's as if people actually believe celebrities like BeyoncĂŠ "woke up like flawless!" Sorry to burst your bubble but she didn't wake up looking like a magazine cover.

Those enhanced images are meant to be artistic, aesthetic and cultural; it's not the definitive standard of beauty, especially since the beauty being projected changes in every issue of the magazine. #BeatFace The magic of makeup comes with knowing and understanding shades and tones - the beat! A lot of shade is thrown around in the workings of makeup. Beauty industry professionals often mock the extravagant beauty vlogs that take things too far, with makeup.

All of the extra drag queen makeup is often unnecessary and can make a person look older and well...a drag!

It's always best to be subtle with your tones. Aim to blend different shades of product into skin. Makeup should be rhythmic, not noisy.

It should be seen, and not heard. It should be a melodi-

ta...put your past behind you."

Look out for products that ever changing, trends change and consumers respond differently as the market fill its needs.

ous beat.

To achieve the perfect tone, one that matches your skin, it's best to create harmony by mixing foundations of different shades.

You can call your Mary Kay consultant (like me) to help you choose and better advise you on the correct tone.

There's also the misconception that if you want to change your skin tone it's best to buy the colour or shade you want. Then when you apply it you can trick the eyes of the beholder. Unfortunately, that will only make things worse and cause the wearer to look like a clown. Be true to yourself. #BuyerBeware The best way to choose your correct shade is to do your makeup by the window on a warm sunny day. The light that illuminates from the sun, referred to as natural light, is the perfect setting for accomplishing the best possible match for your skin.

Often times, people travel, and visit the Sephora's and

other Makeup stores around the world, assuming the fluorescent light is perfect for choosing their foundation shade. #ArtHistory Makeup isn't paint by numbers -, it's realism. In order to accomplish a realistic perfect look, there should be agreeable symmetry. Balance the beat. It should be dynamic, superfluous and systematic, without a constant rigorous step by step notion.

Imagine hearing the same sound repeatedly, it quickly becomes dull and boring, like the C major scale.

There has to be dynamics, harmony, synchrony, and symbiosis with your look.

Forget the numbers...stop asking for shade NC22 because that's what you bought last year. Companies change their colors to adapt to every possible skin tone and as science and technology advances so does the Makeup Industry with your shade. Remember your last shade as something of the past. And as Timon and Pumba said "Hakuna Mata-

Heraclitus said: "The only constant in life is change." Be aware that as seasons change, and as you age your skin, since it's a biological organ attached to

you, will indeed also change with you. This is a normal phenomenon, and is nothing to be ashamed of in life, your body is a temple. Keep it beautiful.

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Chronicle Pepperpot November 13, 2016

Food, Mood and Mental Health Hello Everyone, I hope this week has treated you well.

I don’t think I have ever mentioned this before but I am a sucker for casual holidays.

I love both celebrating and learning about them. For example, yesterday, Saturday November 12th was World Pizza Day. Of course I ate, enjoyed and then regretted a whole lot of pizza but I also thought about what it did to me. Not physically, that one is obvious – I gained about 15 pounds - but actually what it did to me mentally. It definitely had an impact so today I’m going to talk about how our diet can strongly influence our mental health.

Before any one stops reading, this is article is not about never eating pizza or any fast food again. I could never write such a thing. I believe we all know the basics of how food affects our physical health and well–being. A healthy diet reduces the risk of weight gain, heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and so on. However, I’m not sure everyone knows its profound effect on our mental health as well.

As a psychologist, I haven’t really been trained in nutrition- I simply ask my clients whether they have an appetite or not, thinking that is all the information needed.

But I now know that what they eat is just as important. Diet is now as important to mental health as it is to physical health.

A good, healthy diet decreases the risk of

psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, ADHD and even suicidal thoughts and behaviours. This was found in a new field called nutritional psychiatry. Recent studies in the United States show that the risk of depression and anxiety increase about 80% in children/teenagers with a poor diet. High sugar intake has also been known to increase and worsen schizophrenia and ADHD symptoms.

What you eat determines how your immune system functions and how your body might respond to stress. Basically, foods that are high in refined sugars and saturated fats have a negative impact on brain proteins.

Now, to make things easy, let’s discuss the best foods to improve your mental health. Of course there are the basics such as fruits, vegetables and plenty of water but we can go a little further.

Foods with high iron such as spinach and beef are good as low levels of iron in the blood has been linked to depression. Zinc has been known to regulate how the body responds to stress so foods high in this such as eggs and salmon are also recommended.

Fermented foods like yogurt and pickles help reduce stress, anxiety and depressive symptoms. Food high in Omega-3s such as salmon and walnuts improve memory, thought processes and mood and have been known to reduce depressive and schizophrenic symptoms. Dark chocolate has also

been known to contain antioxidants which increase blood flow to the brain, improving memory and mood.

Lean proteins such as chicken, fish, eggs, turkey etc. help balance serotonin levels- which is associated with happiness, energy and well –being- and therefore reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Deficiencies in folate as well as B vitamins have been associated with increased rates of depression, fatigue, insomnia and depression. Eating leafy greens such as spinach, lettuce and broccoli can prevent/ help treat this.

Overall, unhealthy eating patterns create cycles of other unhealthy behaviours. Think about it. When we eat unhealthily, it directly affects our energy levels, mood and quality of sleep. I know that when I eat fast food, I’m much less likely to go to the gym as I have very little energy, less likely to socialise and my sleeping patterns are directly affected – all of these things together greatly affect my mental health.

The amount of times you eat is also important. Missing meals or eating less than 3 times daily results in low blood sugar which causes irritability, fatigue and low mood.

Finally, and the most common advice of all, cut back on alcohol and caffeine and drink plenty of water. Both alcohol and caffeine decreases levels of serotonin (the happy hormone) in the brain which gener-

ally makes the individual anxious, miserable and sleep deprived over time.

We all know the physical ramifications of limited water such as dehydration, headaches, dizziness etc. However, it also causes fatigue, low mood/ mood changes, difficulty concentrating and so on.

We all know the sayings ‘we are what we eat’ and ‘healthy body healthy mind’ and now we know why we say them. I would like to state clearly that a good diet is not a substitute for counselling or medication.

However, food is an essential part of any treatment plan and healthy eating patterns definitely speeds up the recovery process.

Furthermore, a healthy diet can be used a preventative measure when it comes to depression and anxiety. It’s a small step towards a big difference.

Thanking you for reading. Please keep sending any topics you’d like to talk about to caitlinvieira@gmail.com Or come in to see me at: Georgetown Public Hospital: Psychiatric Department: Monday- Friday – 8am- 12pm Woodlands Hospital: Outpatient Department Drug and Alcohol group meetings - Mondays 4:15 Good mental health group meetingsWednesdays 4:15 Say Yes to Life and No to Drugs! Always!

Film

Chronicle Pepperpot November 13, 2016

The Preliminary round of competition for the National Drama Festival (NDF) are well underway and even in the first week of the competition it was possible to pick up various trends, ideas and styles that are going to define this year’s Festival. While critical reviews of the plays are important, it is, in my opinion, more important to be laudatory of anyone who even attempts to enter a play into the NDF simply because so much effort (physical and mental) is required to ensure the smooth production of a play. For this reason, in this week’s column, three of the earliest plays in

difficult to stage a play that has only two characters speaking for most of it as it is to stage a play with twenty characters. The play forces the audience to listen to the duo of the characters played by Morgan and Critchlow as they fight, express love, bicker and channel all their inner rage and

NDF 2016 will be looked at, where their individual beauty and styles, and their points of merit, will be highlighted, and, therefore, Guyanese theatre celebrated.

Coma - written by Jude Idada; directed

by Sonia Yarde This play was performed on the opening night of the Festival and was definitely unique in the way it focused on three central characters, with a majority of the dialogue being spoken by two. Marisa Morgan and Randolph Critchlow play siblings whose mother (Clemencio Goddette) has been in a coma for many months. The brother has shirked all his responsibilities in Guyana and has built a life for himself overseas while the sister, ever dutiful, takes care of their mother despite not being offered the kind of love the brother receives. While it might sound uncomplicated, one must remember that it is as

of being funny and managed to bring near-perfect comedic timing to her lines. Should this play be chosen as one of the finalists of the NDF, then it would occupy a special niche of Guyanese theatre that really should never remain empty.

Tales of a Tortured Woman – written by Lakeisha Adams; directed

by Lisa Adams Tales of a Tortured Woman focused on sexual abuse and violence in several forms – that of a husband meting out sexual violence on his wife, the husband sexually abusing his daughter, and sexual violence between a woman and her boyfriend. The play is strong in its depiction of assault and therefore places itself in that category of plays that focus on the social ills within our society.

The repercussions and long-term effects of such violence are also addressed, especially in the presentation of the main character, Emily, who because of her previous experience with sexual abuse no longer (Lisa Adams, director of Tales of a Tortured Woman)

(Sonia Yarde, director of Coma)

National Drama Festival 2016 (Part 1)

By Subraj Singh

passion over the comatose body of their mother. The drama is an interesting one, anchored, in particular, by the very captivating performance of Marisa Morgan and the assured and confident take on the role

by Randolph Critchlow.

Scheme Yard Affair – written by Runasi Perry; directed by Linden Isles One of the merits of this play was its very earthy, very Guyanese aura which pervaded the whole drama from beginning to end. It seemed to cover everything that one would think of when one hears the term “scheme yard.” The characters that live in the yard seem to be plucked from real life and include: a prostitute, a rastaman, a homosexual, and an ever-suffering mother of many children. The play contains numerous references to things Guyanese and, therefore, should resonate well with a local audience. The script itself is quite funny and some of the actors do justice to the humour in the play. Tikoma Austin, as the prostitute, Delilah, is a good example of someone who knows the art

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(Linden Isles, director of Scheme Yard Affair)

trusts men and has a difficult time forming and maintaining healthy relationships with men. The two actresses who play the older and younger versions of Emily (Althea Douglas and Noshavyah Wolcott, respectively) are both quite strong and despite separation on the stage, it always feels as though they are playing the same person in different stages of her life, as it should be.

Overall, the NDF is off to quite a grand start and there is no doubt that in the weeks to come, more plays, each special and unique in its own way, will appear and continue to feed the rising theatre movement in Guyana.

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Chronicle Pepperpot November 13, 2016

Scrap metal trade and its impact on cultural heritage The Guyana Consumers Association (GCA) is supportive of the ban on the scrap metal trade, or at most its severe restriction. Our reasons for taking this position is that the scrap metal trade has stolen or destroyed a great part of the country's historical heritage in metal apart from stealing machines and equipment from especially the sugar and telecommunications industries.

It should be noted that only a few scores of persons who are fully engaged in it.

Le Repentir Cemetery and other older Church cemeteries had many graves with works of art, and unique grilles with metal plaques with the names of those buried there.

They also had crosses of the various kinds such as the Latin, Celtic, St Andrews, Maltese, Lorraine etc.

All these priceless things were stolen and sold as scrap metal. Their depredations extended to whatever busts and statues they could lay their hands on. One of the greatest historical losses in this regard, which has occurred, is the bust of the Rev John Smith which was stolen from the Congregational Church in Brickdam.

Rev John Smith, Martyr Smith, was an important figure in Guyanese history. The ornate fences of the 19th century houses were almost all stolen. These scrap metal dealers

stole and destroyed most of the ornate metal rails on Georgetown's bridges such as those of the Avenue of the Republic. One of the most brazen thefts was when recently, a great part of the 19th century fence surrounding the Victoria Law Courts was cut away and stolen.

It is quite clear that the scrap metal trade was responsible for the irreparable loss of much of Guyana's cultural heritage in metal.

The scrap metal trade has also attacked industries, especially the sugar and telecommunications industries. In the sugar industry, much of the older pieces of machinery and equipment which could have shown the development of the Industry were stolen. Worse, machinery in use was not spared.

In the telecoms industry, the favourite item of theft is the wires which are cut from the poles or stolen by the rolls. Other industries have also suffered. The losses suffered by industry far outweighs what the scrap metal dealers are paid.

Many of the scrap metal collectors drive around in dray carts in the residential districts

when people are at work and steal not only parts of fences but the foundations of bridges, especially railway lines.

Almost all scrap metal has already been removed and the only way dealers could make up their shipments is by illegal means. Motor car bodies are not required by scrap metal dealers and most of the engines are otherwise utilized. Just before the ban was imposed, some of the collectors had become so impudent that thy tried to remove the Berbice Bridge pontoons and even tried their hands on the Demerara Life and Hand-in-Hand fences!

The only way the scrap metal trade could be permitted, even in a restricted form, is for the scrap metal dealers to take out insurances to cover thefts in which they or their workers may be involved. In working out the modalities of these insurances, representatives from the business organizations should be involved.

Within the last few months, the scrap metal association carried out demonstrations in front of the Presidential Secretariat and the Ministry of Business. They could muster only six demonstrators for one and 20 in the other, evidence that it is a small number who are involved in the trade.

On some of the demonstrators' placards and from statements made by spokesmen, they claimed that billions of dollars are being lost by the ban.

The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) should ascertain the truth and if it is found that the income is small, then it is of no value to keep the trade as compared with the damage which would have been done.

Chronicle Pepperpot November 13, 2016

How to get fit with minimum time and effort

We all need to exercise. But how can we get what we need without spending all the time in the gym?

(BBC) On paper, it seems replace the electrolytes, like like a no-brainer – exercise sodium, that are necessary for regularly and we can look muscle contraction and which better, feel stronger and live are depleted during exercise, longer. causing cramps. And it’s tasty.

In reality, it’s hard for many of us to muster the moWHAT’S THE DEAL tivation to see it through. We WITH ‘HIGH-INTENSITY may start the year with good TRAINING’? intentions, only to find that our If spending most your free determination has mysteriously time in the gym doesn’t appeal, evaporated a few weeks later.

High-Intensity Training (Hit) And even if we do put in the involves short bursts of intense hard work, we may not be able Chocolate milk may be as effective as more expensive exercise, amounting to only exercise supplements, thanks to its ratio of carbs to to see any tangible benefits, a few minutes a session. The protein (Credit: iStock) leaving us with the nagging approach does not work for doubt that we’ve been wasting everyone – there’s evidence ARE WEIGHTS JUST our time with a bad regime. that around 20% of people find FOR ATHLETES AND While there’s no easy way to build a no benefit, while 15% will make huge BODY-BUILDERS? healthier body, science can offer some strides, bringing many of the same benNo. Although regular cardiovascular efits as hours of conventional workouts, answers, revealing which strategies will bring out the best results with the least exercise is important, weight training including improved aerobic fitness and amount of effort. We’ll be exploring the can bring you many benefits that are improved insulin sensitivity. This may science of fitness at the BBC Future’s not just aesthetic. Muscle can regulate be due to genetic differences in the ways World-Changing Ideas Summit in Syd- your levels of insulin and blood sugar, our cells respond to strain. ney on 15 November. In the meantime, helping you to fight type 2 diabetes, WCIS speaker Michael Mosley put here are some answers to your more improving your overall cardiovascular the idea to the test in an article for BBC health and reducing your risk of cancer. News, attempting just a few minutes of pressing questions.

Bulking up may be particularly Hit a week for four weeks. The regime important for the elderly, who are at involved warming up on an exercise DO I NEED TO STRETCH a high risk of losing muscle and bone bike for a couple of minutes, and then BEFORE I EXERCISE? A quick pre-workout stretch cer- mass, with studies showing that regular going full throttle for 20 seconds. He tainly won’t do you any harm, but the resistance training may improve mobil- then repeated the cycle once more beevidence suggests it’s probably not that ity and help to prevent issues like lower fore finishing his exercise for the week. useful either. Three large, randomised back pain and osteoporosis.

In another (slightly more arduous) trials all show that it won’t reduce your experiment, participants trying 15 minWHAT SUPPLEMENTS risk of strain or injury. Nor does it reutes of Hit a week found a 16% drop in SHOULD I USE? duce the tender soreness you may feel their blood pressure and a 17% increase Health food shops are full of in the amount of oxygen in their blood the next morning. If you want to make the most of your time, you'd do better post-workout shakes to help your mus- – a measure of how well their heart and to start and end your session with some cles recover from exertion, but a cheaper lungs are functioning. light aerobic exercise, which will warm alternative may be plain old chocolate Clearly, Hit isn’t for everyone, up the muscles and burn some calories milk. It contains the perfect four-to-one and you would should consult a docratio of carbs to protein, which helps re- tor if you are unused to strenuous at the same time. build the workout tissue, and also helps exercise, or on medication, but it may be a good alternative for people struggling to slot gym trips into their already packed schedule.

Maintaining muscle mass is just as important as cardiovascular exercise, experts say (Credit: iStock)

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Cardamom chicken with INGREDIENTS For the curry 2 tbsp rapeseed oil 1 large onion, finely chopped 4 large garlic cloves, grated 2 tbsp finely grated fresh ginger 12 cardamom pods, seeds removed and lightly crushed 4 cloves 1 cinnamon stick 2 tsp turmeric ½ -1 tsp ground white pepper 1 tsp ground coriander 1 tsp ground cumin 1 red chilli halved, deseeded and finely sliced 400g can chopped tomatoes 1 tbsp mango chutney 2 tsp vegetable bouillon powder 1 aubergine, cubed 12 skinless boneless chicken thighs (about 1kg) 4 small fresh or dried lime leaves 1 green pepper, halved, deseeded and sliced For the spiced rice & lentils 125g brown basmati rice 100g dried red lentils 1 tsp cumin seeds 1 tsp turmeric 1 tsp vegetable bouillon powder

Method 1. Heat the oil in a large, wide pan, add the onion and fry for 5 mins until softened, stirring every now and then. Stir in the garlic, ginger, cardamom, cloves and cinnamon, and cook for 5 mins more, stirring frequently. Add all the remaining spices with the chilli, stir briefly over the heat then add the tomatoes with 1 can of water, the chutney and bouillon.

2. Stir in the aubergine, bring to the boil then cover the pan and simmer for 15 mins. Stir well, and add the chicken and lime leaves. Push them under the liquid and scatter over the green pepper. Cover the pan and leave to cook for 40 mins. Remove the chicken, shred in to medium-sized pieces and return to the sauce.

3. Meanwhile, make the rice. Put all the ingredients in a medium pan with 750ml water. Bring to the boil , then cover and cook for 20 mins. Turn off the heat and leave for 5 mins to absorb any excess moisture.

Serve with the curry. (Recipe from bbcgoodfood. com)

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Chronicle Pepperpot November 13, 2016

How Cassanova’s provocative memoir produced a legend The 18th Century Venetian’s name is synonymous with sexual adventure. But Casanova’s renowned writings reveal a more complex character, writes Hephzibah Anderson.

(BBC) Casanova is code for cad, rake and roué. A ‘Casanova’ is the consummate pick-up artist, a sexual adventurer of the type who was swiping right, metaphorically speaking at least, long before your mobile phone became a singles’ bar. Above all, a Casanova is not to be believed – he’s the kind of guy who’ll say anything to get a girl into bed (and yes, he calls women ‘girls’ – either that or ‘ladies’, with a lothario’s leering emphasis on the first syllable).

It’s little wonder, then, that we tend to forget Casanova was a real person who wined, dined and bedded his way around 18th-Century Europe, retiring to write about his exploits in X-rated detail. But that’s only half the story. The myth that gave birth to the noun, it turns out, isn’t really his creation at all. Moreover, the legacy that he can truly claim as his own is at once less titillating and markedly more fascinating, speaking directly to the heart of how we tell the stories of our own lives and loves in the 21st Century.

Giacomo Girolamo Casanova was born in Venice in 1725, back when the city was a hotbed of vice, famed for its gambling, its courtesans and its carnival. There’s a reason it was such an essential stop for well-to-do youths set loose on their Grand Tours, and it didn’t have much to do with St Mark’s Basilica.

Casanova’s parents were lowly theatre folk, and at nine, he was sent away from the island to Padua, where he lived with his tutor, whose daughter was responsible for Casanova’s first erotic experience. No slouch, he graduated from the University of Padua at 17 with a law degree, having also studied chemistry, maths and medicine, as well as moral philosophy and, informally though no less assiduously, gambling.

A RAKE’S PROGESS Returning to Venice, he took holy orders and lost his virginity – to two sisters of the non-religious kind. The gambling continued and mounting debts eventually landed him in prison. Shortly afterwards, scandal chased him from his position as a cardinal’s scribe.

He then joined the army but by age 21, had decided to become a professional gambler –

Casanova was born in Venice in 1725, when the city was a hotbed of vice and pleasure (Credit: Getty Images)

another short-lived career move. Next came violinist.

His course was finally set when he saved the life of a Venetian nobleman and won patronage in return. From then on, he roamed across Europe, seeking patron after patron, stopping in Paris, Prague and Vienna, Madrid and Moscow, all the while gambling, carousing and engaging in some eye-popping amorous exploits. He dabbled in Kabbalah, Freemasonry and astrology, and attracted the attention not only of the police but also the Inquisition. At 30 he was arrested, and sentenced without trial to five years imprisonment in a cell above the Doge’s palace. It was supposed to be inescapable but escape he did – back to France where he helped run a state lottery and became a spy.

Each time his debts and lusty scheming catch up with him, he moved on – from France to Holland, England, Belgium, Russia, Spain. A miscalculated prank involving a corpse left a man paralysed; he fought a pistol duel over an Italian actress; he dodged an assassination attempt. By the time he reached his fifties, he’d lost his famed looks and any money that had come his way. He returned to Venice and joined the Inquisition’s payroll.

It’s a breathless, harum-scarum itinerary, and that’s without factoring in his

Casanova’s legendary seductions number over 120, according to his memoir (Credit: Alamy)

the 18th Century’s most influential salons of power and cultural and intellectual clout. Yet had he not ended up there, his name would not be known today, for it was at Castle Dux that he composed his mammoth 12-volume memoir, Histoire de ma vie.

He began the project in 1789 on the advice of his doctor, as a sort of proto-Proustian cure for melancholia. As he told a friend in a letter a couple of years later, he would write for 13 hours a day, laughing out loud as he did so: “What pleasure in remembering one’s pleasures! It amuses me because I am inventing nothing.”

Unaccountably, it ends in mid-sentence, with a 49-year-old Casanova visiting Trieste. Though he shared select passages with friends and failed to burn it before his death in 1798, there is no evidence to suggest that Casanova ever intended the work to be published. Indeed, more than its explicit content, it’s the work’s length and the level of

The lothario roamed around Europe, gambling, carousing and engaging in amorous exploits (Credit: Getty Images)

legendary seductions – quotidian detail over 120 in all, if we’re to clotting its pagtake his word for it. But es that made it Casanova also found time unpublishable. for numerous intellectual It was eventupursuits. A product of the ally released in Enlightenment as much as 1821, after edihe was a son of Venice, tors had wielded his polymath proclivities their red pens. led him to pen mathematThe censors had ical treatises along with a their way with science-fiction novel and his text, too, a translation of The Iliad but even so the into Venetian dialect. He Vatican added conversed with Voltaire, it to their Index Benjamin Franklin and Catherine the Great among Today, much as Justin Bieber has Beliebers, of Prohibited other celebrities of the Casanova has Casanovists (Credit: Alamy) Books. And nor did its notoriety period. diminish. ToIn 1885, penniless and exiled from Venice yet again (this time he’d published a wards the end of the 19th Century, France’s biting satire of the city’s nobility), he found Bibliothèque Nationale kept multiple edihimself in a role almost as incongruous as tions in a special cupboard for naughty his youthful dalliance with the priesthood: books called L’Enfer (Hell). librarian to a Bohemian count at Castle Dux, SEXUAL REVOLUTION in what is today the Czech Republic. Holed Of course, this all helped keep his legend up with his fox terriers, it was a lonely, provincial existence, and in many ways a sorry alive. Today, much as Justin Bieber has Becoda to a sybaritic life spent flitting not only Turn to page XV ►►► between bedchambers, but between some of

Chronicle Pepperpot November 13, 2016

XI

Kwesi Abbensetts – TENDING THE GARDEN OF FRAGMENTED MEMORIES

that I’ve spoken about before. It’s hard works. I feel like they’re important because while they don’t to find a significant number of young necessarily direct the viewer in a fixed way, I do think they practitioners producing really dynamic provide a lot of information to consider. works. Tell me about your experience KA: I chose them to reflect Guyana. I chose them to reflect as a creative person in the U.S., having a certain sentimentality that I have and the memories they been exposed to such a large and thriv- evoke. For example, there’s one called Rice and Stew and ing creative community. that’s a common thing that I grew up with, eating rice every KA: In terms of works that you see in day with stew. Once lunchtime came it was rice and stew, and Guyana versus what we’re producing dinner was the same kind of scenario. With the naming [of the here I guess there’s a broader scope works] I wanted to create a context of identification with Guybecause we’re exposed to broader ideas. ana. So if you were to look at the work and you encounter the Experimentation is something I always name you would have to think about what that name means. try to do every day because I never want What does it reference and why is it important? There’s also to repeat or imitate. We all imitate in one I named No. 64 Village, which is where I grew up. In a a particular way but for me that’s not way it’s distant but it’s also the place that gave me most of where I get my drive. At the same time my foundation in my youth and [shaped] how I grew up in I’m always seeking to move ahead of Guyana which is with what I would call “wild abandon.” So what I’ve done before. So I go back, I try to make the naming [of the works] connecting points look at the old work and I recontextu- because as I Turn to page XII ►►► alise it. Most of my work is really the said this is a process of creating material. That material then becomes an additive to further the work that is made by embellishing, adding or taking out. For me it’s always about trying to dissect and experiment.

“What can I create from my memory?” “What can I create from what I’ve lived?”

In a way I’ve been detached and the name Un|Fixed Homeland, feels Kwesi Abbensetts, No. 64 Village, from the series, Pieces of Land, From that way. My conWhere I Have Come, 2016. Mixed media, painting, and photography on nection in relation canvas, 8 x 10 in. (Photo: Courtesy of the artist) to Guyana feels that way. I’m from The name Kwesi Abbensetts is one that most social media there.

I was living there.

I grew up there savvy followers of contemporary Caribbean art and photography should be familiar with. In fact the works of the most of the time. But in terms of the Guyanese-born overseas-based photographer and artist connection now there is a detachment. I have been featured in a number of high profile publica- wanted to show that with the materials I tions including Afropunk, The Fader, Format Magazine used for example, rice, sugar and some photos I added from when I was last in and ARC Magazine, to name a few.

In a recent interview we discussed some of the mixed Guyana. Those were juxtaposed with the media works he submitted to the now-concluded Un|Fixed painting on the canvas. So I don’t look Homeland exhibition at the Aljira Center for Contemporary at myself as merely a photographer. I Art in Newark, New Jersey; his (dis)connection with “home- would say that I’m an image-maker. land”; how he mines his personal archives in an attempt to Beyond that I’m also an artist where I piece together memories from his time in Guyana; his rela- paint and do all of these extended things. tionship with language and how it factors into the reading of But within the world as it is for me, I’m known mainly as a photographer behis work.

Kwesi Abbensetts, I Am Losing Your Familiar, from the series, Pieces of DH: There’s a gap in the quality of production coming from cause that’s the work I put out.

Land, From Where I Have Come, 2016. Mixed media, painting, and creative practitioners here in Guyana and it’s something DH: Tell me about the titles of your photography on canvas, 8 x 10 in. (Photo: Courtesy of the artist)

XII ◄◄◄ From page XI

patchwork of memory.

DH: Even before seeing your work and reading the titles I had a feeling that language was very important to you. I noticed on Instagram you would post a lot of really interesting words and phrases that most persons wouldn’t necessarily think to put together, and then really interesting things would start to happen.

KA: Language has been an interesting thing to me of recent because generally most people think language is fixed in a particular way, meaning you shouldn’t write this phrase this way or you shouldn’t put that punctuation there. But for me those things are extensions of my creativity. Here I am playing with language, meanings and references and I don’t want to do it in the usual way. When I do it and someone says, “He made a mistake” or “He did this wrong” or “He shouldn’t put it there,” it’s not really about that. It’s more about challenging people to say, “Can you do this?” “Can you create this using language in a free style?” It’s kind of like how we have Patois or what they call broken English.

When you speak broken English it has its form and its foundation but [depending on] how it’s applied it creates a different form of language. For me language is about that.

DH: One of the things I noticed from observing your activity on social media is the fact that you’re very open about your process. Some artists are very shut off or they don’t like to share the mistakes or the experimentations or the trials and errors. But I feel like you’re very open about those things.

KA: I show everything because I want to show whoever wants to be an artist/photographer that there’s a process to this. Most

times people do things in a way where they hide the process and just show the finished product and that’s fine. I don’t have a problem with that but I like to be able to say that there is a story. It’s like giving the reality and the illusion at the same time. The process is like the reality of it all. I’d just rather be able to go through that process to show people that this is how it was done and say, “These are the different stages that this image went through.” My work is like a garden and that’s what you’re basically seeing me doing, gardening. It’s liberating in a way and it allows me a certain type of transparency. I don’t have to hide behind the finished product.

Once you’re a creative it doesn’t really stop.

And why do we do it? Do we do it for our own selves or for people to experience our work?

Growing up in Guyana the idea of being an artist was never something that was talked about. It was never something that I thought existed. All of those things I discovered when I moved away. I had inklings and ideas of things that I wanted to experience and do but all those things came when I was here.

I would love to come to Guyana to do extensive photography work, recording, going all across Guyana and just photographing Guyana. Interestingly that’s a project I’m doing with Jamaica, which is a country I love. I love the way it looks, the people, the energy and even that aggression is special to me in a very interesting way. I’m doing this project in this island and I’m not doing it in Guyana and sometimes people question that. But I guess it will happen in its own time.

Turn to page XIII ►►►

Kwesi Abbensetts, Granny Had A Garden, from the series, Pieces of Land, From Where I Have Come, 2016. Mixed media, painting, and photography on canvas, 8 x 10 in. (Photo: Courtesy of the artist)

Chronicle Pepperpot November 13, 2016

Kwesi Abbensetts, We Will See, from the series, Pieces of Land, From Where I Have Come, 2016. Mixed media, painting, and photography on canvas, 8 x 10 in.

(Photo: Courtesy of the artist)

Kwesi Abbensetts, My Dreams Talk About A Place, from the series, Pieces of Land, From Where I Have Come, 2016. Mixed media, painting, and photography on canvas, 8 x 10 in. (Photo: Courtesy of the artist)

Chronicle Pepperpot November 13, 2016

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Kwesi Abbensetts, You Booked Your Passage, from the series, Pieces of Land, From Where I Have Come, 2016. Mixed media, painting, and photography on canvas, 8 x 10 in. (Photo: Courtesy of the artist)

Kwesi Abbensetts, Rice and Stew, from the series, Pieces of Land, From Where I Have Come, 2016. Mixed media, painting, and photography on canvas, 8 x 10 in.

(Photo: Courtesy of the artist)

Kwesi Abbensetts, Sugar Rum Bleed, from the series, Pieces of Land, From Where I Have Come, 2016. Mixed media, painting, and photography on canvas, 8 x 10 in.

(Photo: Courtesy of the artist)

Kwesi Abbensetts, The Imagination Lives, from the series, Pieces of Land, From Where I Have Come, 2016. Mixed media, painting, and photography on canvas, 8 x 10 in. (Photo: Courtesy of the artist)

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Chronicle Pepperpot November 13, 2016

Stressed out over Trump victory?

Try cleaning out your freezer

(Reuters) Clean out your freezer, try a manicure-pedicure and stay off social media.

Those are some of the tips offered by columnists and others to people dealing with what one psychologist has dubbed Election Stress Disorder, which he said has spiked since Donald Trump won the presidential election on Tuesday.

While many Americans celebrated the election victory of Republican Trump, who received 59.5 million votes, some supporters of Hillary Clinton, who got 59.7 million votes, took to social media to express anger and disappointment.

Psychology Today magazine posted "5 Tips for Coping with Post-Election Shock and Panic," starting with the advice to "do something productive."

"Do something that gives you a temporary sense of having some control, even if it's cleaning out your freezer," columnist Alice Boyes said.

Several other sites imparted similar suggestions. Cosmopolitan magazine offered "14 Effective Ways to Deal With Post-Election Anxiety."

One way is to stay off social media. Another is to "take care of yourself," and it quotes New Jersey-based family physician Jennifer Caudle as suggesting, "If you need a mani-pedi, the day after the election is the best day to get it."

Alison Howard, a Washington-based psychologist, said some of her patients have been talking about the election for months but that since the results came out have been

Debris and signs are left on the floor after the victory party for Republican president-elect Donald Trump New York, New York, U.S. November 9, 2016.

REUTERS/Carlo Allegri

expressing more grief, sadness and fear in a town where 93 percent of the voters preferred Clinton.

"I've never seen anything like this before," said Howard, who stressed that such feelings were natural and not a mental health pathology.

Stephen Strosny, a psychologist in a Washington suburb who voted for Clinton, said he started noticing a spike in election-related stress in April, when he coined the term Election Stress Disorder, whose symptoms include anxiety, trouble concentrating and nervousness with resentment. He estimated that nearly half his patients were Trump supporters.

He said cases had surged since Labor Day, when the general election season intensifies, and he has taken four emergency appointments since Tuesday's election for patients who urgently needed a session.

"I would bet anything that alcohol consumption has gone up in the past week, and aggressive driving violations," said Strosny, who sees supporters for both Clinton and Trump.

The Trump-Clinton matchup was particularly stressful because both candidates were seen unfavorably by voters in opinion polls, and both campaigns contributed to stress, he said.

Both members of a couple who came to Strosny for an emergency session on Thursday were against Trump, and their anger led to them to blame each other, he said. The central nervous system is incapable of distinguishing the cause of stress, so people tend to lash out at those closest to them, Strosny said.

Some Trump supporters, many of whom might not have expected their candidate to win given opinion polls showed Clinton in the lead, appeared to be on the opposite end of the emotional spectrum.

Some soaked in their victory by staying glued to election news coverage into the early morning on Wednesday, organizing victory parties at bars and flooding social media with photos of Trump with the caption "Our next president."

In Trump-dominated Pottsville, Pennsylvania, one Trump voter said he did not feel anxious before the election and was dismissive of the stress felt by some Clinton supporters.

"I'm happy about the election, and I believe that some of these people, the millennials, they need to suck it up a little bit," said George Logothetides, owner of Beer-NBurger in Pottsville. "This is not something to be going to see a psychologist over."

Chronicle Pepperpot November 13, 2016

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Discovering the world through GIS Geography plays a vital part in our everyday lives because many things happen in locations around us even when we are not paying attention. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a type of software that captures geographic data which can then be manipulated, viewed and analysed in a desired context. It generally involves compiling information in a database about geographic features such as roads, buildings, rivers, etc. from maps, aerial photos and people. GIS helps us to understand the geography around us and our interactions with the environment.

Though we may not always be aware, our daily lives rely heavily on GIS. Every year, on the third Wednesday of November,Geographic Information Systems (GIS) users around the world unite to celebrate the real-world applications of GIS. This special day falls within the Geography Awareness week of the National Geographic Society.

This international forum

of pollution to see where it is occurring and the sources.

It also helps us to map complaints to respective areas and identify key areas for intervention. We can also analyse the distribution of permitted and non-permitted operations, protected areas management systems, coastal

was first held in 1999 and was founded by ESRI, a GIS company. Indeed GIS applications have benefitted many aspects of society and GIS Day presents a fun day to: celebrate GIS with everyone; discover and explore the benefits of GIS; showcase the uses of GIS; and build and nurture GIS communities.

GIS is no longer an application familiar only to cartographers. Over the years, GIS technology has become much cheaper and offers new and exciting possibilities in a range of disciplines.

Some popular applications of GIS include disaster management, crime statistics, archaeology, urban and rural development, health/ med-

◄◄◄ From page X

liebers, Casanova has Casanovists, a crowd made up largely of devoted amateur scholars whose day jobs in advertising or insurance sales might have flummoxed the man himself. Kathleen Gonzalez is a writer and high school English teacher in California, who first fell under his spell while working on a book about Venetian gondoliers. Bobbing along the Grand Canal, buildings would often be pointed out to her as ‘the house of Casanova’. Could they all be his? Venice happens to be her favourite city and so, following her passion, she set about writing a guidebook to Casanova’s Venice. In contrast with Casanova’s own reputation for playing fast and loose with facts, Casanovists are sticklers for details, she says.

And yet like so many aspects of his legend, that unreliability is gradually being dispelled by historians, who’ve pored over his memoirs and found that the bulk of his claims do indeed stand up. It’s part of a broader reappraisal overturning a myth that, as biographer Ian Kelly notes, “is an accident of publishing”. Because of Histoire de ma vie’sgirth, what got published initially was the erotica, which was first mistranslated from French into German, and then from French to German to English.

“It’s actually a small part of his concern in the memoir”, Kelly says. “For almost every sexual encounter you get more details about the food than positions. He probably would be appalled by his current fame or infamy”.

It is ironic that the unexpurgated version, which was finally published in French and then English in the 1960s, is a good deal less saucy. At the same time, it established Histoire de ma vie as a document vital to social historians, and this in turn – coupled with

ical resource management, and transport. GIS is also a valuable tool to environment agencies and professionals.

As such, it is usually a core module in environmental science education. It can provide several cues and analyses including the prediction of new oil pockets based on existing survey data, landscape features, identification of resources, sources of pollution and trends, environmental impact assessments, and geographic distribution of biodiversity including endangered plants and animal life.

GIS technology also supports many of the functions of the EPA. GIS data allows the EPA to manage reports

new research that depicted the 18th Century as the original sexual revolution – paved the way for Casanova’s transformation from louche wastrel to Enlightenment innovator.

Then, in 2010, the Bibliothèque Nationale purchased the original manuscript for a record $9.6 million (£6.5 million).

As if further confirmation of Casanova’s metamorphosis were needed, the life of this misunderstood libertine will be making its way onto the stage in March 2017 as a Northern Ballet production, based on Kelly’s biography. It’s especially apt given that Casanova himself was described as a dancer, and loved to dance.

What makes his magnum opus so important, says Kelly, is that gives us a new understanding of self, marking the birth of modern autobiography. And even though we need to get over ourselves and stop tittering at its steamier passages, we also shouldn’t discount them. “It shows us an inner as well as an outer person, and one key to that is of course going to be someone’s sexuality. What makes him fascinating is his flawed humanity, which does include his willingness to be very open about his romantic and sexual life, very much to his detriment. He writes quite a lot about sexual failure; he’s the only non-fiction writer I know who writes about what it is to fail a lover by having premature ejaculation, losing an erection. Dear god, it’s not the stuff of his legend! It’s immensely brave and the reality of a life as lived, which is touching in its way”.

And there you have it: in its immense commitment to detail and unfiltered record, Histoire de ma vie anticipates not only modern autobiography, but also every social media update that’s had you screaming ‘too much information’.

zone resources and activities, and other important features of environmental management.

This year GIS day is on Wednesday, November 16 and will be celebrated under the theme ‘Discovering the World through GIS.’ Share your ideas and

questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/O EIT Division, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN, or email us at: eit. epaguyana@gmail.com or you can contact the Agency on 225-5467-9.

folklore

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Chronicle Pepperpot November 13, 2016

By Neil Primus

The Ghost Who Stole THE entire village of White Sands was talking. Ramesh Hossein had been found murdered. Many people believed he had been killed by an angry villager, but nobody had been arrested.

You see, Ramesh was a thief; he stole anything he could lay his hands on. Sometimes he got away with it; sometimes he got a good trashing from the villagers. He had gone to jail a few times, and each time he returned to the community, it was business as usual.

Ramesh came from a good family. The Hosseins had tried to change his bad habits

but failed. They tried counselling, therapy and licks. Nothing worked. They got so fed up with him, that, eventually, they put him out.

Ramesh immediately moved into an abandoned building which just needed a strong gust of wind to send it crashing down around him. When it was windy, you could hear the cracking and moaning of the old boards as if they were begging to be set free from the agony of standing on shaky legs.

Ever since his death, villagers began to experience strange happenings. Old Mother Ifill lost her purse with all her pension money

that she had just collected from the Post Office. She had just come home, put the purse on the table, and dashed into the toilet to make an urgent but necessary call of nature. When she emerged, the purse was gone. In its place were three Buck Beads. She froze in fear.

This was the calling card of Ramesh. Every home or shop he broke into, he always left three Buck Beads. Ramesh’s spirit was still at work in the village.

Tony’s shop was burgled, and three beads left behind. Dianne’s Snackette was broken into; same thing happened. White Sands began to fear that Ramesh was angry about the way he died, and his restless spirit would haunt the villagers for a long, long time.

The Hosseins did a religious work for the soul of their son. They felt guilty about the way their relationship had disintegrated.

After the ceremony, strange things continued to happen. At one point, it seemed as if the village was being held to ransom by Ramesh’s Buck Beads. Every time they appeared, people were terrified.

One night, tipsy Harry-the-village-drunk was staggering home late as usual. He was

so drunk that he had no thought of spirit or jumbie. Well, as he turned the corner near to his home, something small hit him in the face. The small objects fell onto the road with a clatter. Harry leaned over to see what had assaulted him, and immediately got stone-cold sober. Scattered on the ground around him were half-a-dozen Buck Beads.

With a scream that would make Percy Sledge envious, Harry took off like a jet plane.

He disregarded the bridge across the trench in front of his home. That was too far away. The now sober Harry took a radical shortcut: Over water. Some villagers who witnessed this feat swore that the man walked (I mean ran) on water. He got to his gate in record time, and as dry as the Sahara Desert in the midday sun.

As he climbed over the fence, he heard a soft giggle. This gave him more purpose, and he got inside in a flash. Harry started to drink at home only. No more Buck Beads.

Nosey Molly had an even more epic encounter. She heard that Daphne and Stella, her archrivals, were having a big cuss-out. This Turn to page XVII ►►►

Chronicle Pepperpot November 13, 2016 ◄◄◄ From page XVI

she could not miss! She had to get all their files! She dressed, and took her purse along too. On the way back from the big ‘buse-out’, she would buy some groceries.

It was indeed a big battle of words. Molly walked to within good hearing distance of the quarrel. Voices were raised like boom-boxes, and expletives went off like a Fourth of July celebration. She stopped in the darkness under a tree on the road and drank in the sweet, spicy vibes.

Suddenly, little pellets began to hit her, one by one. She spun around, but saw no-one.

Pellet after pellet hit her, and, eventually, she became worried and stepped out into the light. She looked down, and her eyes bulged in horror. Buck Beads! Buck Beads!

Molly let out a screech that would frighten any jumbie. With eyes wide, mouth open to swallow any unsuspecting night flyer that had the ill luck to fly too close, and hair flying crazily in the wind, Molly jumped as high as her chubby body would let her, and took off down the road, screaming at the top of her very adequate lungs. She left in her wake her purse, belt and shoes.

That night, Molly broke a personal best-record. She actually ran more than three steps. Molly ran clear down to the back of the village, forgetting her house as she flashed by, all the time screaming ‘bloody murder’, and waking the entire village. That cured her gossiping for a while. But now, with the arrival of advanced technology, Molly has gone hi-tech: Face Book, Twitter, Yahoo and others are now her mode of distribution.

A village meeting was called. Discussions centered upon the strange incidents carried out

by Ramesh’s ghost. Some people suggested burning the abandoned building so that the spirit would have no place to dwell. The owner, Mr. Parris, said he would welcome the idea, once the villagers would replace it with a new one. That ended talks of destroying it.

Others felt that an exorcism was needed.

The Christians called for a special service to drive out the evil spirit. The Hindus and Muslims felt that spiritual intervention was necessary. Eventually, it was agreed that all three would hold their ceremonies on the same day, starting at the same time.

The next Sunday, all three religious functions were held. There was full attendance, because everyone wanted to be rid of the pesky ghost. When the ceremonies were completed and the faithful returned home, they found that some of their houses had been broken into. There was plenty of Buck Beads to go around. That day, White Sands was a very angry community.

Mrs. Kaladeen worked as a washer woman. She washed for many of the villagers. At 4am, she was up and working. By 9am, the washing was done. She then began cooking for her husband and two children. That day, she prepared roti and curry. After she had finished, she went into the living room and began ironing and pressing clothes she had washed the day before. When this was done, she took a mid-morning nap.

“Mummy! Mummy!”

Mrs. Kaladeen jumped from a deep sleep.

Her eight-year-old daughter was pointing to the kitchen, with tears in her eyes. Mrs Kaladeen ran into the kitchen to see what was wrong. There, she got an unpleasant shock.

All the food was gone, except one roti! The surviving Roti lay in the middle of the table.

In the middle of the roti were three Buck Beads. She trembled, and clutched her crying daughter to her chest.

“Damn you, Ramesh!”

Radica had been seeing Ramesh for more than a year before she gave him the boot. She,

too, had tried to get him to change. It did not work. He was happy to sleep with her, but refused to change his ways. Eventually, she dumped him. She was now going out with Kurt, a friend of Ramesh’s.

A week ago, Kurt had bought her a beautiful golden necklace. She loved it, and wore it all the time. She only took it off when she was having a shower. Radica was taking a prolonged shower. After work at the ‘Fisheries’, she was eager to wash the stench of fish off her. After the shower, she went into the bedroom and dried her skin and hair. This done, she reached for her precious necklace and sprang back as if she had been bitten by a labaria. The chain was gone! In its place were three Buck Beads. She began to cry. Ramesh was still making her life miserable.

Old man Sutton did not believe in ghosts.

He was not afraid of Ramesh, and had been among those who had given him a good hiding. As a matter of fact, he had beaten him to death, because Ramesh had stolen his hidden jewellery stash. He had tracked him down, confronted him, and killed him after getting back his property. He was convinced that something odd was taking place, and sure that it had nothing to do with Ramesh. He sent for his son, who was a soldier.

When his son, Roy, arrived, he told him all that had taken place. The young man listened intently. He was a Military Intelligence officer, and used to hearing strange stories from errant soldiers. Each time his investigation led to a simple solution. Very often, the soldier had made up the story to hide his own error or wrongdoing. Roy decided to conduct an investigation.

He interviewed every person who had had a strange encounter. They all retold their stories, and answered all his questions. When this was completed, he sat and analyzed all the information. Money, jewellery and other valuables were stolen. Classic burglary. Food was stolen. Now, that was strange! No one had ever seen the ghost. Even stranger! How did they know it was Ramesh’s ghost? This was very odd! One thing stuck in his mind: Old Mother Ifill had told him that she found footprints in the house after her purse was stolen. This was even more interesting!

Roy walked through White Sands, checking out all the buildings. Somewhere in this village, there was a clever thief, ghost or man.

He would find out which.

His survey revealed that the only likely place for any such person to use as a base was the old abandoned building. He decided to stake it out.

Two evenings later, he was rewarded with noise and movement in the old building.

He crept stealthily forward. The voices were coming from a room on the ground floor. It was the only one with four walls still standing, and a working door.

He slipped silently into the house and drifted noiselessly towards the room. There was light in the room; and several persons, too.

“Okay. Tonight we going for Coleen’s shop.”

“You and Ralph will hit Salim’s Grocery.”

Roy peeked cautiously around the edge of the door, and nearly died of shock. There, standing in the middle of the room, were four teenage boys. What was even more shocking was that one of them was handing out Buck Beads.

As they collected their share of beads, they were laughing in a knowing way. Their plan was an excellent one: Feed off the fears of the villagers. Nobody in their right mind would ever suspect four teenage boys, aged 13 to 15.

Roy stood outside the room, gathering his thoughts. He was angry at the lads, but more

angry at the villagers for not realising they were all being duped. Tonight, it would all come to a climax.

Roy silently took off the heavy army belt he wore, and stepped into the room, closing and locking the door behind him. Four shocked faces stared at him as if they had just seen a ghost. He let the belt hang loose, and

XVII advanced on the ghostly thieves. Tonight they would wish they were home sleeping.

Wax! Ply! Pow! “Ah! Ow!” “Ouch!”

Jumbie lash was passing.

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Chronicle Pepperpot November 13, 2016

Logos Hope book fair returns to Guyana Logos Hope, the world’s largest floating book fair which offers over 5,000 different titles of books at affordable prices, will be visiting Guyana in December for roughly two weeks.

During their last visit in 2009, over 40,000 visitors were welcomed up the gangways during their 20-day stay. This time, the ship will be stopping in Guyana before continuing on to Trinidad and Tobago, Curaçao, etc.

Logos Hope will be opened from December 22, 2016 to January 8, 2017 and will be berthed at the La Penitence Wharf.

The books usually cover a wide range of subjects including science, sports, hobbies, cookery, arts, medicine, and languages.

“With children’s titles, academic texts, dictionaries, atlases and more, the book fair

is something the whole family can enjoy.

The rest of the Visitor Experience Deck is also open for the public to explore. From the Welcome Area that introduces the new vessel through a short movie and interactive display, to the International Café which has ice cream, drinks and snacks for sale. There’s sure to be something for everyone,” Project Coordinator Boyd Srisakunphaet has said.

Captain Chris Hughes (UK) offered: “We are looking forward to the visit to Georgetown. We believe books change lives, and we are excited for the opportunity to welcome many on board to meet our international crew and staff. We’re already anticipating being able to share our life stories, as well as the experience of the book fair and International Café, with many who

will come and visit. Welcome on board.”

MV Logos Hope is operated by GBA Ships e.V., an international, charitable organization registered in Germany. Since 1970, the organization has welcomed over 45 million visitors up the gangways in over 160 countries and territories around the world.

The opening hours here will be as follows: Tuesday – Saturday: 10am – 8pm; Sunday: 2pm – 8pm. The ship will be closed on Mondays.

On December 24th and 31st, it will be opened from 10am – 2pm; and on December 25th and January 1st, it will be closed.

The entrance fee is $100 and children under 12 years old will enter for free, provided they are accompanied by an adult.

Chronicle Pepperpot November 13, 2016

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XX

The uplifting power of The Canadian singer and song-writer had a reputation as ‘the godfather of gloom’.

But that was a nickname he spurned, says Arwa Haider.

I didn’t kill myself when things went wrong I didn’t turn to drugs or teaching I tried to sleep but when I couldn’t sleep I learned to write I learned to write what might be read on nights like this by one like me (from Leonard Cohen’s poem Marita, Please Find Me, I Am Almost 30) Canadian poet and singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen had long proved his power to make grown men and women cry, before his widely mourned death this week, aged 82. Cohen’s reputation as ‘the high priest of pathos’ stemmed from his rich catalogue, spanning 1960s poetry and 21st-Century songs: his recently released 14th album, You Want It Darker, won praise for its moody strength. The spiritual tone of Cohen’s work was sealed by his unmistakably deep and battle-grizzled vocals – but it was also rooted in genuine faith: his Jewish heritage and Buddhist practice. The so-called ‘godfather of gloom’ openly tired of such nicknames, his bleakest expressions spiked with a sharp wit and his most melancholy melodies lifted by surprising end-notes. In an interview with

Leonard Cohen

Cohen met his muse Marianne Jensen on the Greek island of Hydra; she is pictured next to him, left, with her son Axel Jensen Jr in October 1960 (Credit: Getty Images)

always a direct sentiment, as if he’s holding a conversation and telling you something, him doing all the talking, but the listener keeps listening.”

Cohen never sounded afraid to rip his heart out or reveal ugly truths in classics

Leonard Cohen

BBC Radio 2, he said: “You get tired, over the years, hearing that you’re the champion of gloom.”

The ‘prince of darkness’ refused to linger in the shadows. In his 1992 track Anthem, Cohen famously intoned: “There is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in”. His openness about personal challenges, from rejection to a long-standing depression, created a life-affirming kind of warmth and empathy, and a heightened intimacy even when he was playing to mass audiences. High-profile fans such as Bob Dylan have admired this quality: “I see no disenchantment in Leonard’s lyrics at all,” Dylan told the New Yorker. “There’s

Chronicle Pepperpot November 13, 2016

such as 1988’s Everybody Knows (“Everybody knows that the war is over/ Everybody knows that the good guys lost”). Yet there has always been an elegance to his murkiest lines, and ultimately, a sweet resilience. Interviewed by British singer-songwriter Jarvis Cocker in 2012, Cohen explained: “when things get really bad, you just raise your glass and stamp your feet and do a little jig, and that’s all you can do”.

SUNNY SIDE UP In the same interview, Cohen cited Zorba the Greek as an inspiration: an unusual reference, perhaps, but not an entirely unex-

pected one, given the sun-drenched Greek island retreat that the artist had bought when he was 26. Cohen’s natural habitat was in the sunshine, as his son Adam fondly explained in the 2016 essay collection My Old Man: Tales Of Our Fathers: “He will find a patch of sun and sit in it, like a big cat, following that sliver wherever it goes.” By his late 60s, Cohen had also found an inner peace in his own kind of style, residing in a Californian Zen Buddhist retreat (but maintaining his love of coffee and, back then, cigarettes, happily describing himself as “a sloppy monk”).

Cohen’s humour and self-deprecation have sometimes been overlooked. In the same essay, Adam said: “There was always laughter. Despite his notoriety for, I quote, ‘having a voice like the bottom of an ashtray’, for being ‘the prince of darkness’, for being famed for his lugubriousness, he is one of the most quick-witted men, and he is generous with his humour. The guy is hilarious.” That humour has shot through countless works in his catalogue; take the ice-cold romantic ripostes of One Of Us Cannot Be Wrong from his 1967 debut album, or his lines about a fling with Janis Joplin on Chelsea Hotel No. 2 (1974): You told me again you preferred handsome men but for me you would make an exception And clenching your fist for the ones like

us

who are oppressed by the figures of beauty, you fixed yourself, you said, ‘Well never mind, we are ugly but we have the music’ There was always a power in being an outsider, and a kind of rapture in the fall – perfectly captured in the much covered Hallelujah (originally released on Cohen’s 1984 album Various Positions). Talking to BBC’s Stuart Maconie, Cohen said: “The word ‘hallelujah’, of course, is so rich – it’s so abundant in resonances. It’s a wonderful word to sing, and people have been singing that word for thousands of years. It seems to call down some kind of beneficial energy… in the face of the kind of catastrophes that are manifesting everywhere, to say ‘hallelujah’ – to praise the energy that manifests both as good and evil, just to affirm our little journey here. It’s very invigorating to sing that word.”

Even in his last decades, he transformed personal trauma into triumph; his hugely successful 21st-Century return to the fray was prompted by financial struggles after his former manager and lover stole millions of dollars from his accounts.

More than anything, Cohen faced mortality with beauty – and perhaps this became more apparent than ever in his final year. At the recent funeral for his old flame and muse Marianne Ihlen, Cohen read his incredibly affecting farewell letter to her: “Know that I am so close behind you that if you stretch out your hand, I think you can reach mine”.

Cohen summoned the most heart-wrenching passions in his music and poetry, yet his refuge for tortured souls was also a place of redemption, and ultimately, peace. “I’ve always been into self-dramatisation,” he told an LA playback party for his latest album, a few weeks ago. “I intend to live forever.” (BBC)

Chronicle Pepperpot November 13, 2016

XXI

Aishalton girl aims to be int’l powerlifting champion

Doing ‘burpees’ at the Crossfit competition

Tineisha Toney takes a break for a photo at her gym this week

By Vishani Ragobeer Entering the powerlifting platform just in March 2015 and trying her luck in the Crossfit Games just this past Sunday, Tineisha Toney, a 16-year-old CAPE student, is aiming to be a world powerlifting champion one day.

Born on December 19, 1999, she is the second child of five siblings.

She attended the Aishalton Primary School in Region Nine where she then earned herself a position at St. Stanislaus College in Georgetown. She wrote 11 subjects at the CSEC examinations this year and achieved nine grade ones, one grade two and one grade three.

It was never her intention to start either powerlifting or taking part in the Crossfit Games. However, she joked with her mother, Jacquelyn that they were both gaining some weight and decided to try out the gym.

They joined the Life Gym at LBI on the East, where Billy Mack, their trainer and father of famous young powerlifter Britny Mack, encouraged the young Toney to try out powerlifting.

“It was really easy,” Tineisha declared.

“I went to gym five days a week.” Despite this, she said it wasn't that much of a challenge juggling her academics and powerlifting. Attending Queen’s College now, she is writing five subjects at the CAPE level and is still engaging in her five-day gym regime.

She explained that powerlifting encompasses three different exercises- the squat, bench press and the deadlift. Her personal powerlifting record includes 137.4 kg in the deadlift and 111.1kg in the squat. She mused that the bench press is the most challenging for her because she has “a

weak chest”.

For the year and few months that she has been powerlifting however, she participated in four national powerlifting competitions and gained two second positions and then two first positions.

During her most recent competition- the inaugural Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Association “Barbell Wars”, she said she was the “champ” for the female category.

After beasting out in powerlifting, she decided that she would attempt the Crossfit Games, which required endurance rather than the raw strength required for powerlifting.

“It just seemed fun,” she said.

Toney noted that her specified training for the Crossfit Games began two weeks prior to the competition, which was held last Sunday.

At this, her first Crossfit competition, she surprised herself by copping second place.

Addressing the issue of the gender stereotypes plaguing both powerlifting and the Ccrossfit games, she stated: “Girls can do anything they want.” Powerlifting is something that Toney loves and she disclosed that not only is she trying to break these gender-based stereotypes, but she is working towards becoming a World Powerlifting Champion one day.

Currently, she has returned to powerlifting training where she is prepping for her next competition which will be on the 27th of this month.

Tineisha underscored that that transition from endurance training for Crossfit to the strength training presented some difficulty, but she knows perseverance is the key.

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Chronicle Pepperpot November 13, 2016

‘It is what I call an honest dollar’ The GT roadside mechanics

By Alva Solomon It is a profession which will perhaps never lose customers with its its practitioners are always in demand.

Hence, the sixteen mechanics who operate along High Street opposite the Ashmin’s building are considered some of the most sought after professionals in the country.

For years, vehicles have been lining up along the sides of the roadway in the area; some persons request an oil change, others call for a servicing of their brakes while entire engines are sometimes overhauled at the location.

“You name it, we fix it,” said Dexter Smith, considered the man in charge.” He always has the final say as to when a task is considered done. “He got to say if the work well done,” said a customer.

Smith has been working at the area for past 10 years. He told the Guyana Chronicle that he was among the first who started

working at the site. “It’s like a mobile workshop; anywhere you break down - if you going to Mahdia, Puruni anywhere in town - we find you,” Smith said.

The trade at the location started with the buses which ply the Hinterland routes from the capital city including the route 72 and 94 buses which travel to Mahdia and Lethem, respectively. They would be serviced at the location before they leave for their respective destinations. But as time rolled by the services offered at the site saw all types of vehicles rolling–up to be fixed.

As the midday sun beamed on the area on Friday, a Toyota Rav 4 pulled up, the driver of the well-polished vehicle requested a service and he is told to park across the road as a young mechanic readies his tool kit.

Further up the line, three buses which ply the Georgetown-Mahdia route were being fixed; the mechanics are all young men in their teens and some in their mid-twenties.

At the moment there are seven “trainees”

at the site, young men who recently left school or persons who seem bent on learning the trade. “The boys like who now done school come around and catch a lil knocking”, Smith said.

“We work from 8 in the morning to 5 in the afternoon, no vehicle don’t sleep over,” Smith said. He said the job is completed in a day and according to him the prices are reasonable. “ A normal service for a car around town is $4500- $5000; we catch a reasonable piece work yea”, he said, noting that the men work daily except Sundays when they operate until midday .

He said space is a problem at the area since there has been an overwhelming increase in customers in recent years. “This officer from Eve Leary call me since this morning, somebody else call, so work deh“, Smith said as he listed the number of duties each mechanic performs.

Nearby an old yard was being used for the disposal and storage of parts. The man

in charge there said that he admires the mechanics at the site. “These men work hard; it is what I call an honest dollar,” he said.

He noted too that the area provides spinoffs to two other professions since mobile spare parts dealers and food-handlers would remain at the site for most of the day. “Food gah eat and the customers now gah bring the parts but we got a man or two who sell parts right here”, said Smith.

Interestingly, it was noted that some of the professionals at the site are the products of the established workshops around the capital city. “He use to work at Ramesh them by Green Ice and couple others come through the ranks,” the owner of the disposal yard noted.

As this publication toured the area, the men gleefully gathered when asked to take their pictures. “We work hard so we glad people can see,” said Smith as his young brigade returned to complete their duties before the 5 pm knock-off time.

The mechanics and spare parts traders gathered soon after sharing their views on their job

Chronicle Pepperpot November 13, 2016

XXIII

Dexter Smith attends to a car as a customer looks on

Smith and one of his mechanics share a moment

Buses being attended to at the location outside Ashmins

A young mechanic looks at the camera while fixing a customer’s car

THIS WEEK’S PREVIEW: Nov.6 -13, 2016 Cow deh a pasture he nah remember seh dog and butcher deh till he see am.

Cecil be on your guard!!!!

The Village Council is planning their next step in identifying the flag and symbols for the region when they are rudely interrupted. What is the cause of this disturbance?

Coretta and Wong have an intense discussion about Ignatius and Wong makes up his mind. What will he decide?

June suggests counseling to Cecil to resolve his and Lucille’s mar-

ital problems but what he discloses to her about Sister Patsy leaves her dumbstruck!

Don’t miss this week’s episode.

You can also listen on www.merundoi.org Member of the Street Theatre Company, Nathaya Whaul poses with a little lady of the Lethem Community who turned out at Heritage Day to view their Street Theatre performance .

This was a IOM-Merundoi collabo r a tion.

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Chronicle Pepperpot November 13, 2016

The village divided by a border

Without social media or mobile phones, estranged family members exchange recorded video messages on flash drives, sent by post.

The village is now part of India, but the Pakistani border is just down the road (Credit: Ariel Bardi)

(BBC) When the first tourist arrived in Turtuk, a tiny farming village nestled between snow-topped mountains in India’s far northwestern region of Ladakh, he was greeted with baskets of ripe apricots, shimmering silk scarves and a choreographed folk dance.

The year was 2010.

“At that time, everyone was very much happy,” remembered Ismail Khan, 35, proprietor of Ismail’s Homestay, one of the 20 or so accommodations that now fill the once-isolated village. “It was the first time we had seen a foreigner.”

Claimed by Pakistan after the end of British rule in 1947, Turtuk was annexed to India in 1971 during the Indo-Pakistani war, when the province of Baltistan was partitioned between the two countries.

As a military border, it remained closed to outsiders – even other Indians – until locals, weary of their long isolation, petitioned for the remote, scenic valley to

open up.

As curious visitors, drawn by Turtuk's geopolitical allure, began to trickle in, they found themselves in one of India’s last rural idylls.

For years, Turtuk was kept secluded not only by the government, but by its uniquely imposing geography: cradled by the Karakoram mountains, it’s a hard, un-shaded trek from surrounding villages.

Yet the predominantly Muslim province of Baltistan – an anomaly within mostly Buddhist Ladakh – once served as an important gateway to the Silk Road, the ancient trading route that connected India with China, Persia and Rome. The mixed backgrounds of Turtuk's villagers, who are of Tibetan and Indo-Aryan descent, speak to Baltistan’s once important role as a connector of goods, cultures and people.

Today, with no wifi, few businesses, limited electricity and a distinct local

language (Balti), the largely self-sufficient border village retains the feel of another age.

I was determined to see Turtuk for myself – no small feat, considering the full day journey from Leh, Ladakh’s major city, includes a vertiginous climb over Khardung La, the world’s highest motorable pass at 18,379ft.

My shared jeep descended rock-strewn roadways, the mountain glaciers turning into flat, white desert. Craggy mountains, marbled with purples and greens, protruded from vast dunes. Passes were so narrow that our car lost a side mirror when another vehicle streaked by.

A final leg of sandy road hugged the roiling Shyok River (literally Death River in Uyghur, named in the Silk Road-era) all the way to Turtuk. Just a few miles down the same road lies the border with Pakistan.

Carsick and besieged by thirst, I ar-

Without internet, estranged family members exchange video messages on flash drives, sent by post (Credit: Ariel Bardi)

rived awash with relief.

It was not hard to feel instantly enamoured with the picturesque village. The Karakoram mountain range, home to K2, the world’s second-tallest peak, hovered over Turtuk’s 300 or so stone houses, as surreal as a painted backdrop. Mustard-yellow barley fields glowed under the late afternoon sun.

At Ismail’s restaurant, a short walk from his homestay down a knot of narrow footpaths, I replenished with chapattis and ginger tea. A little girl in a charcoal-coloured hijab called me over. Carrying fruit in the folds of her kurta, she gestured for me to take my pick. I bit into a fleshy, sugar-sweet apricot, breaking into a genuine grin. It was deliriously tasty.

“Have more!” she shrieked, seeing my smile. I asked where she had collected them. “Come,” an older girl replied. “We will show you.”

I followed them outside, panting up an old stone staircase flooded with water from the glacial runoff that irrigates the village. Tall, spiky trees shaded the path.

Soon, the steps gave way to a flat, verdant field. At this height, we seemed almost level with the adjacent mountain range.

The girls, tiptoeing across a crumbling stone wall, reached with both hands into the treetops.

“Here!” they cried, clutching armfuls of pale yellow fruit. “Take more! Take more!” I asked if I could help gather apricots. They waved me aside. “It’s too dangerous for you,” the little one chided.

Balti hospitality is the stuff of legend, which I saw again when altitude sickness hit on my second day – a lingering effect of Khardung La, no doubt. Ismail and his nephew snuck me into an army hospital in a military buffer zone closer to the border, which is usually off-limits to tourists. For 10 hours, they remained smiling while the doctor, clad in olive fatigues, administered three IVs. When I recovered over yak butter tea, I asked Abdul Kareem Hashamt, 65, one of the village elders, how Turtuk first came under Indian control. Hashamt became a math teacher in Turtuk's first primary school in the 1970s after India introduced roads and schools.

“At first, people were a little bit scared of India,” he told me. But Colonel Rinchen, the Indian Army officer leading the campaign, who hailed from a nearby village in Ladakh, said, “Don’t be afraid.

We are with you. We’re all human beTurn to page XXV ►►►

Chronicle Pepperpot November 13, 2016 ◄◄◄ From page XXIV

ings.”

Women and children sought refuge in Turtuk's mosque, while the men whispered negotiations.

“After the colonel talked to them they were very happy,” Hashamt said. “They put on dance shows for the soldiers to welcome them and presented them with crates of fresh apricots.”

It was probably one of the softest conquests in history.

However, villagers studying or working in Pakistan before 1971 remained stuck there after Turtuk became part of India. While their relatives became Indians, they remained Pakistanis. The Indian government has now made it possiLocals are incredibly hospitable, ble for villagers to visit from and happy to see foreigners Pakistan, but only with a lot (Credit: Ariel Bardi) of expense and paperwork.

Without social media or mobile phones, estranged family mem- mer summer home now serves as Turtuk’s bers exchange recorded video messages only museum, cataloguing eclectic relics on flash drives, sent by post. Hashamt’s like an antique snow leopard trap and a college-aged son, Ishmael, played me one lapis lazuli-encrusted sword.

Many descendants of the royal clan on his laptop that he had shot for a local still call Turtuk home. On my last affamily.

“I’m fine. A little bit sick,” an old ternoon, the dynasty’s youngest heir, man with long white beard and beige 17-year-old Shahnavaz Hassan Khan, woollen cap said onscreen. “We remem- gave me a tour of the museum grounds. ber you in our dreams. In every moment.” Flanked by artefacts, dressed in a muscle Last year, Ishmael's own uncle visited tee and denim cargo shorts, Khan cut an Turtuk for the first time in 43 years. I incongruously modern figure.

Like many younger villagers, he is watched footage of the reunion with his pleased that, 45 years after joining India, mother, who was stooped over her cane Turtuk has become even more globally in tears. Both gripped each other fiercely.

Ishmael looked reflective. “It’s not connected.

“People are coming from all different good, a lot of relatives who live on the countries,” Khan said. Before, villagers other side,” he said. “I can’t explain to “didn’t travel.

They weren’t seeing any you, what’s the feeling of it.” new things.”

Before modern borders, Baltistan The opening of Turtuk to tourists was a separate kingdom. Until the 16th has surely influenced local culture.

Century, monarchs from Turkistan ruled over the united province under the Yagbo But as a Muslim village, in a Buddhist dynasty, a Central Asian empire whose region, within a majority-Hindu counreign, lasting from 800 to 1800AD, saw a try, Turtuk’s mixed ancestry already flourishing of poetry and arts. Their for- spanned borders.

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Chronicle Pepperpot November 13, 2016

Donald John Trump A one-man brand HE IS part of a financial elite, but is still viewed as an outsider. He has billions of dollars, owns swathes of Manhattan, and has self-funded his presidential campaign, but is still most popular with low income, blue collar voters.

Many Americans see Donald Trump as a breath of fresh air; others as a dangerous threat to global security. How did a young man from the suburbs of New York rise to become a powerful real estate tycoon and the Republican contender for the White House?

BORN IN QUEENS Donald was born into a substantial mock-Tudor home on Wareham Street,

Queens at the height of the post-war ‘baby boom’. Real estate was in his blood.

His father, Fred Trump, was a self-made real estate broker who owned two chauffeur-driven limousines. Trump’s mother, Mary, was a Scottish immigrant whose father had been a fisherman. It was a strict house, wherein swearing was forbidden. Despite their wealth, all the Trump children were forced to make their own money through paper rounds and summer jobs. Donald was a rebellious child: In elementary school, he punched a teacher “because I didn’t think he knew anything about music.”

Donald and his father, Fred Trump Snr., outside the Plaza Hotel in 1988

TRUMP THE TEENAGER When his father discovered a switchblade in the 13-year-old Donald’s bedroom, he packed him off to military school to be straightened out.

New York Military Academy was a tough boarding school with a strong emphasis on discipline and physical fitness. Donald ex-

celled as captain of the baseball team and winner of the ‘Neatness and Order’ medal, but made few close friends. He graduated in 1964, and, already strongly attracted to the limelight, flirted with the idea of going to film school. Instead, he attended Fordham University, and transferred after two years to Turn to page XXVIII ►►►

Chronicle Pepperpot November 13, 2016

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XXVIII ◄◄◄ From page XXVI

Wharton Business School at the University of Pennsylvania.

MAKING IT IN MANHATTAN Three years after graduating from college, Donald moved into an apartment in Manhattan, on Third Avenue and 75th Street.

As a suburban boy from Queens, he was an outsider on the Upper East Side, but his audacity still astonished many developers there. In a complicated deal, which included financial aid from his father, he bought the crumbling Commodore Hotel on 42nd Street for $70M and gutted and renovated the building. He relaunched it as The Grand Hyatt Hotel in 1980. It was a great success, and with Donald having maintained a 50% interest, the money started pouring in. Trump the tycoon had arrived.

TRUMP TOWER

Trump Tower is now an iconic feature of the Manhattan skyline, but Donald stirred up a lot of controversy during its construction.

Undocumented Polish labourers were an essential part of the operation, and The New York Times criticised Trump for demolishing two irreplaceable Art Deco features on the original site. However, once the 28-sided building was complete, 700 guests, including New York Mayor Ed Koch, joined Donald for the ‘topping off’ party; 10,000 balloons were released over Madison Avenue in celebration.

The building literally cemented the Trump name into Manhattan; he still lives and works there today.

ART OF THE DEAL ‘The Art of the Deal’, Trump’s first book, was published in November 1987. Donald offered readers the chance to learn the secrets of his success.

It spent 48 weeks on the New York Times best-seller list, 13 of them at No. 1. Not only

Chronicle Pepperpot November 13, 2016

did the book generate millions of dollars in royalties, it expanded Donald’s renown far beyond New York; made him a global icon for business acumen, and promoted his image as a self-made man. Revenue for The Trump Organization went through the roof. In the coming years, he would launch Trump Airlines, construct hundreds of new buildings, and generate enough profit to buy his own yacht, ‘Trump Princess’.

TAKING A KNOCK For Trump, the 1990s began with a costly divorce from his first wife, Ivana, after she discovered his affair with Marla Maples.

Donald’s finances were undercut by the 1990s recession which ripped apart the New York real estate market. Trump missed the deadline on two-thirds of his interest payments. In 1991, Trump’s Taj Mahal in Atlantic City filed for bankruptcy. It was followed by Trump Plaza in 1992, bringing his reputation as a business genius into question.

At one point, Donald gestured to a homeless man in the street, and claimed to be $900M poorer than he due to his immense debt.

MISS UNIVERSE Despite the pitfalls of the early 1990s, Trump took drastic steps to balance his books.

He sold his yacht and Trump Airlines.

Then, making an unexpected move into mass entertainment, he bought the Miss Universe franchise (which included the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants). He even managed to capitalise on his financial trouble by publishing his second book, ‘The Art of the Comeback’. His second best-seller peppered the story of overcoming his debts with anecdotes about his short marriage to Marla Maples, from 1993-1997, which gave him his second daughter, Tiffany Trump.

FATHER DIES Frederick Christ Trump died at the age of Turn to page XXX ►►►

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93 on June 25, 1999, leaving behind an estate of $250-$300 million.

Six hundred and fifty people attended the funeral at Marble Collegiate Church. In his speech, Donald said it was the toughest day of his life. Donald received a letter of condolence from John F. Kennedy Jr. who advised, “No matter where you are in life, losing a parent changes you.” Things were bad, too, for the family of Donald’s predeceased older brother, Fred Jr, who died of alcoholism in 1981. They had been cut out of the inheritance.

REFORM PARTY Trump’s campaign against Hillary Clinton is not the first time he made an attempt to enter the White House.

In 1999, he actively pushed to be the Reform Party’s 2000 candidate for President, and said Oprah Winfrey would be his ideal running mate. His policies included a one-time 14.25% tax on the super-wealthy to reduce the federal deficit, amending the 1964 Civil Rights Act to ban discrimination against gays, and universal healthcare funded by increased corporate taxation. However, he pulled out in February 2000 due to infighting in the Reform Party, which he dismissed as “A total mess.”

THE APPRENTICE At the start of the millennium, Trump was approached by producer Mark Burnett with a new TV format.

Burnett pitched a bold idea, wherein contestants would compete for a job with Donald by performing a variety of executive tasks. The series presented the Trump Organisation as a desirable place to work, and Trump as a financial sage. It gave the tycoon the chance to make even more money through presenter fees and an Executive Producer credit.

The first season finale had the highest ratings on television that year after the Superbowl, and earned him a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2007.

TRUMP UNIVERSITY A mere four months after his wedding, Trump launched a controversial educational enterprise called Trump University.

It offered “graduate programmes and post-graduate programmes” in real estate to the general public, offering to teach the secret of Trump’s business success. It subsequently closed, following lawsuits from students who alleged the scheme was a racket. The New York Attorney General’s Office warned the company that it was breaking the law by calling itself a university (it had no charter). Ronald Schnackenberg, a former salesman for Trump University, went on record, calling it “a fraudulent scheme”.

SCOTTISH GOLF COURSE In 2006, Trump gained his first bit of notoriety in the UK when he arrived in Scotland to build a golf course in Aberdeenshire.

Trump claimed the project was in honour of his Scottish mother, Mary. It turned out to be one of the most difficult real estate projects of his career, due to clashes with sections of the local community and environmentalists. Although the local council rejected Trump’s initial proposal, an intervention by First Minister Alex Salmond (on whose MSP constituency the course was being built) allowed construction to begin in 2010. The course officially opened in 2012.

PRESIDENTIAL BID At a press conference at Trump Tower in June 2015, Donald came down the escalator with Melania and announced his bid to be US President.

He vowed his campaign would be self-funded, so he would never be beholden to lobbyists or donors. He also expressed the opinion that many Mexican immigrants were rapists and drug dealers, and laid out policies to defend the Second Amendment, build a wall along the Mexican border, repeal Obamacare, and renegotiate foreign trade deals. His controversial statements did not go unnoticed; within weeks NBC, Macy’s and Univision all issued statements distancing themselves from the campaign.

REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE On a hot summer’s day in July 2016 in North Dakota, Trump discovered that he had beaten the 16 other contenders to become the official Republican nominee.

He had recently announced Indiana Governor Mike Pence as his running mate, and his win was an astonishing achievement in the face of stark internal criticism from the Republican Party.

Trump was officially selected as nominee at the Republican Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, surrounded by Melania and his five children. He delivered his speech to a crowd who brandished ‘Hillary for Prison’ and ‘Make America Great Again’ signs, and reinforced his promise to build a wall along the Mexican border.

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‘Richie Righteous’ delivers! ‒ as ‘Gospel Hip Hop’ goes to Cliff Anderson’s

By Tamica Garnett

number seemingly struck a chord with several of the young couples present, as they could be seen holding hands as they sang along.

the big support from Linden, a few Lindeners, on invitation, got GUYANESE were last Saturday night to share the stage with Richie for a brief reminded that God is indeed alive as they dancing session. rocked out to the sounds of internationalThough it was not his first time perly-acclaimed hip hop artiste, Richie RighMONEY’S WORTH forming in Guyana, it was Richie’s first teous, backed by an impressive line-up of The crowd was, quite surprisingly, a mix time performing on such a big scale; local gospel artistes at the Cliff Anderson of both the young and the old, and people of and when The Buzz caught up with the Sports Hall tarmac. all different races; and everyone seemed to be Guyanese-born singer in the wings, just The cornrowed brethren made it out to the enjoying their money’s worth. before he took to he stage, he disclosed stage just after 22:00hrs, and that he was somewhat got the crowd hyped up with ‘I was a bit nervous because of the type of music I do, and what sceptical as to how well an opening skit portraying the the response would’ve been like. And so far, it’s been great; his music would be received, devil being defeated. Then it that Guyanese were I’ve been loving it; enjoying the people. “The concerts are believing was time for the music. not all that into Gospel Hip Though a few chairs were great, but meeting the people; seeing some faces that knew me Hop. Boy, was he wrong! The available, and persons were and knew my parents when I grew up, it’s been great’ crowd loved every moment of seated earlier, when Richie –Guyanese-born Gospel Hip Hop artiste ‘Richie Righteous’ it! And he, of course, could came out, ain’t nobody had not resist loving the vibe he time for that! They were all too busy jumping, Richie, who had toured a few churches a was getting from the Guyanese people. waving, dancing and screaming their lungs out few days prior to the concert, really connect “I was a bit nervous because of the type as Richie belted out several of his hit songs, ed with his audience. He even threw a few of music I do, and what the response would’ve including “Who You Represent”, and the dancing instructions into the mix, as he had been like. And so far, it’s been great; I’ve been endearing “Proverbs 31 Girl”, which latter the crowd hooked on his every word. Noting loving it; enjoying the people. “The concerts are great, but meeting the people; Part of the audience at last seeing some faces that knew me Saturday’s Gospel Concert and knew my parents when I grew up, it’s been great,” Richie told The Buzz as he sat with popular local artiste, Kester D, both waiting their turn to perform.

Nonetheless, he promised: “I’mma be authentic to the music, and I’m hoping to give them a genuine New York Hip Hop experience.”

Kester D had his moment, performing just prior to Richie’s entrance, and he, too, was getting in on some of that Christian Guyanese love from the audience.

Other local artistes on the roster included well known acts such as Solid Youth, Radikal 1, Shawn English, Philip Barton, Disi, Ryan Patterson and Allan Petty.

And, of course, no local gospel concert worth its salt can go on without the performance of psalmist, Samuel Medas. They were all well received, naturally, but it was acts like Solid Youth, Medas and Shawn English that really had the crowd animated.

TESTIMONIALS The event was chaired

by Deputy Mayor, Sherod Duncan, and Ruimveldt Life Improvement Centre’s Jasmine Harris.

Sherod took the opportunity to share his testimony of going from being just another simple Richard Ishmael student to becoming the Deputy Mayor of Georgetown, challenging those in the audience to remember not to let their starting A few of the local artistes that circumstances define just were a part of the night’s line-up. how great they could be.

From left are: Radikal 1, Shawn The night was also English, Philip Barton, Disi, Solid punctuated by a number Youth, Ryan Patterson of other testimonies; in-

Hip Hop Gospel artiste, Richie Righteous at last Saturday’s concert at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall ground

cluding one from the ‘Righteous’ man himself.

Richie spoke of witnessing his family’s lives being threatened by thieves when he was just a young boy still living in Guyana.

The thieves apparently thought that because Richie’s father was a pastor, he had money, presuming that he harboured his church’s offerings and tithes; but the disappointed thieves left almost empty handed.

He also spoke of battling, and overcoming, his own temptations and sexual immorality, and touched on other controversial issues facing the church, such as abortion and homosexuality.

Earlier in the night, during Kester D’s performance, the organisers were left scrambling to figure out what was wrong when technical difficulties descended, and the stage lost power. But these pumped-up prayer warriors were having none of it! One woman began to vehemently pray against the works of the devil; others called for Samuel to be brought back on stage in the interlude. And, “In the Mighty name of Jesus”, the electricity was restored amidst screams and shouts of jubilation.

Richie Righteous T-shirts and CDs were on sale, and at the end of the concert, patrons flocked to secure a purchase. Many patrons could be heard saying how satisfied they were with the concert as they made their exit.

Last Saturday’s concert marked a string of gospel concerts popping up over the next few weeks as the Christmas season draws nigh.

For instance, yesterday saw the return of Jamaican Reggae Gospel artiste, DJ Nicholas, among others, at the “Way Up Yes To Life” concert, also slated for the Sports Hall. And, Guyanese will also get the opportunity to see the return of beloved local gospel singer, Eddie Neblett. Then, on December 3, the Comfort Zone Entertainment puts on “The Reveal Album Launch and Live Concert”.

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Short Story…

Little boy in the rain

By Margaret M Burke Once upon a time, there was a terrible rainy season, and it rained so heavily and for so many hours that many people were afraid to go outside. But there was this little boy whose name was Franco, who was a very brave and bold boy.

One afternoon during the rainy season, it was very chilly for everyone, even those who were in their homes. For this reason, Franco’s dad went home much earlier than usual, took a quick snack, and went straight to his bed. Though Franco seemed to be very cold himself, he was still hanging out of the window, trying to catch the rain with his hands, while looking outside.

“Franco,” his mother called out, “are you looking for something or someone out there?”

“No, Mom, I am not really looking for anything, but at the same time I am seeing a lot of interesting things; a few children playing and so on.

“And look at this one, Mom; two little boys in the rain, sheltering with a really fun umbrella! “Come and see them,” he called out to his mother.

He went on, “And Mom, would you believe it if I tell you that I feel to be outside there right now, playing in the rain?” His mother looked at him, and before she could say anything, he said, “Yes, Mom, please allow me to go outside and play a bit, just for a little while, Mom!” Franco’s mother smiled and said, “A little rain is good sometimes, but too much of it could cause you to get ill.” Then she said, “Franco, I was thinking of

Dyeing for some colour

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asking you to go on the road...” Before she could even finish her sentence, Franco piped up, “Yes Mom; yes Mom; please, I would like to go.” When she was allowed to speak again, she said, “I would like you to go down to the shop and buy me some fresh bread. We need some for tonight, and also for breakfast in the morning. Walk in the corner and come back quickly.”

Franco replied, “Yes, yes Mom!” Franco was excited by now. “Just give me a few minutes, and I will be right back,” he promised. He took the money and a bag from his mother and ran down the stairs. But he did not obey his mother fully; she’d told him to walk in the corner, but instead, he quietly unlocked his cycle, which was in the garage, hopped

on it, and down the road he went.

When he left home, it was barely raining, but by the time he was about halfway to the shop, the wind started to blow heavily. And with that, it also started to rain very heavily too.

It was just as if a rainstorm had begun. His mother rushed to the window to see what was really going on. She was worried.

Did Franco make it to the shop before the rain came down? Find out next week.

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Environmental Matters‌

Global warming and Ozone depletion Continued global warming will accelerate ozone destruction, and increase stratospheric ozone depletion. Ozone depletion gets worse when the stratosphere (where the ozone layer is) becomes colder. Because global warming traps heat in the tro-

posphere, less heat reaches the stratosphere, which will make it colder. Greenhouse gases act like a blanket for the troposphere, and make the stratosphere colder.

In other words, global warming can make ozone depletion much worse, right when it is supposed

maze

to begin its recovery during the next century.

THINGS THAT CAN BE DONE Global warming is, no doubt, a grave problem, but there are little things we can do to make a big difference. Remember, conservation of energy is the key word.

Driving your car, or using electricity is obviously not wrong, but just try to use it more sensibly. Car-pooling is a smart option.

Use a bicycle whenever you have to travel a short distance. It

nace clean.

Planting trees is a great way to reduce greenhouse gases.

Trees absorb carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, from the air.

Recycle cans, bottles, plastic bags, and newspapers.

Recycling used materials uses less energy than making new ones.

Sunlight is a verita-

has twin benefits: Your cycle does not add to the pollution, and you get your regular exercise.

Don't forget to turn off the lights when you leave the room.

Turn off your computers when not in use. Less electricity will need to be produced, and so, less coal, oil and gas will have to be burnt in power stations, which means less air pollution and less carbon dioxide!

Talk to your friends and family in order to create awareness about global warming, and listen to what they have to offer as solutions.

Offer to help your parents keep the air filters on your AC and fur-

ble source of energy. Make good use of solar energy to heat homes, buildings and water, and to make electricity.

Global warming is the greatest environmental challenge of the 21st Century. It’s about time we get conscious of our responsibilities, and perform our duties to combat this environmental hazard.

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The Seven Wonders of The Ancient World Our world is a beautiful place to dwell in. It is further beautified with some of the most spectacular natural wonders and manmade structures which are quite exclusive of kind, and rare to find. The phrase 'Seven Wonders of the World' means that some of these exclusive sites and locales are being arranged chronologically, according to the level of beauty and magnificence they portray, so that their beauty is duly respected.

First, we give you the Seven Ancient Wonders, the first known list of its kind that was ever made; it was based on guidebooks popular among Hellenic sightseers, and only includes works located around the Mediterranean rim. The number seven was chosen because the Greeks believed it represented perfection and plenty, and because it was the number of the five planets known anciently, plus the sun and moon. Many similar lists have since been made; but apart from the Pyramids of Giza, most of the ancient wonders do not exist anymore.

Take a stroll through time, and marvel at the architectural skills of the past.

THE GREAT PYRAMID OF GIZA The Great Pyramid of Giza (also called the Pyramid of Khufu and the Pyramid of Cheops) is the oldest and largest of the three pyramids in the Giza Necropoli, Egypt.

Visitors at The Great Pyramid of Giza

It is the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the only one to remain largely intact. It is believed that the pyramid was built as a tomb for fourth dynasty Egyptian Pharaoh, Khufu (Cheops in Greek), and constructed over a 20-year period, concluding around 2560 BC. The Great Pyramid was the tallest man-made structure in

the world for over 3,800 years. There have been varying scientific and alternative theories about the Great Pyramid's construction techniques.

Most accepted construction hypotheses are based on the idea that it was built by moving huge stones from a quarry, and dragging and lifting them into place.

The Great Pyramid consists of an estimated 2.3 million limestone blocks, with most believed to have been transported from nearby quarries. The Tura limestone used for the casing was quarried across the river. The largest granite stones in the pyramid, found in the "King's" chamber, weigh 25 to 80 tonnes, and were transported from Aswan, more than 500 miles away. Traditionally, ancient Egyptians cut stone blocks by hammering wooden wedges into the stone, which were then soaked with water. As the water was absorbed, the wedges expanded, causing the rock to crack. Once they were cut, they were carried by boat either up or down the Nile River to the pyramid.

At completion, the Great Pyramid was surfaced by white "casing stones"; slant-faced, but flat-topped, blocks of highly polished white limestone. These were carefully cut to what is approximately a face slope with a seked of 5½ palms to give the required dimensions. Visibly, all that remains is the underlying stepped core structure seen today.

There are three known chambers inside the Great Pyramid. The lowest chamber is cut into the bedrock upon which the pyramid was built and was unfinished. The Queen's Chamber and King's Chamber are higher up within the pyramid structure. The Great Pyramid of Giza is the only pyramid in Egypt known to contain both ascending and descending passages. The main part of the Giza complex is a setting of buildings that included two mortuary temples in honor of Khufu (one close to the pyramid and one near the Nile), three smaller pyramids for Khufu's wives, an even smaller "satellite" pyramid, a raised causeway connecting the two temples, and small mastaba tombs surrounding the pyramid for nobles.

Several mystery shafts extend from the king's and queen's chambers. Neither airshafts (they were sealed) nor hallways (they are too narrow), they may have been designed to allow Khufu to travel to the stars in his afterlife.

A blocked shaft from the queen's chamber was penetrated in 2002. Archaeologists discovered another stone blocking their way.

The interior of the pyramids included narrow corridors and hidden chambers in an unsuccessful attempt to foil grave robbers. Although modern archeologists have found some great treasures among the ruins, they believe most of what the pyramids once contained was looted within 250 years of their completion.

All the pyramids can be seen from thirty miles from Giza itself. The site is truly spectacular. The walls are covered in fabulously incised hieroglyphics. From the outside, if you are standing right next to the pyramid, you will not be able to see the top. It is a pity to see that the Great Pyramids are in danger because of its neighbor, the ever-growing metropolitan city of Cairo. The pollution is causing the pyramids and the Great Sphinx to slowly deteriorate.

It is now illegal to climb the pyramid, but you can go inside. A separate ticket is required to enter each pyramid. Only 300 tickets are sold each day, 150 in the morning, and another 150 in the afternoon, after 13:00hrs. Tickets are on sale at 08:00hrs & 13:00hrs. No photography is allowed inside the pyramid.

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Aries You'll be focused on money matters early in the week, but by the weekend you'll surely make time for sweet love. On Saturday Venus, the ruler of your partnership sector, will embrace Neptune, the planet of unconditional love. You might find yourself yearning to enhance the spiritual connection between you and your mate. Or, it's possible that you'll want to recharge each other's spiritual batteries. Why not schedule a couple's massage? You'll enjoy the boost Taurus Either you or your partner might be so passionate about a religious or philosophical view that it might come across in an almost intimidating way. While you or your mate may very well intend to be inspirational and helpful, remember that forcing one's ideology onto another can never work. If it resonates naturally, then the both of you will likely make great strides this week in your relationship as your bond ultimately strengthens. If this is not the case, however, it might be a red flag that requires your attention.

Gemini This might be a profitable week for you and your sweetheart. One of your joint investments might have matured, and if so, you'll discover that it did so quite nicely. Another possibility is that you and your partner are ready to take the plunge and make a big-ticket item purchase together. This might be a home, car, or anything else you consider major. In terms of intimacy, the two of you are on a whole new level this week. Wow! Cancer You won't have any light and fluffy interactions with your mate this week. Nope, that's just too boring and predictable. Instead, the two of you appear more interested in kicking things up a few notches and adding a significant depth of flavor to your love life. Exploring a taboo sexual fantasy might be one way to quench this thirst, but it doesn't have to be anything out of the ordinary. You might simply share a part of each other that you never have before. Sometimes a naked soul is sexier than a naked body.

Leo You and you lover will have a unique ability this week to share your most imaginative ideas and then find a way to make them real. Mercury is currently touring your romance sector, improving communication with someone you're dating. Mercury will link up to both Jupiter and Saturn this week, allowing you to support each other's most heartfelt thoughts by backing them up practically.

There won't be any pie-in-the-sky idea the two of you can't bake up together.

Wonderful!

Virgo Matters of the heart are rich, powerful, and transformative for you this week. A luscious Venus-Pluto conjunction will peak on Friday in your romance sector. If you're dating someone, expect an all-or-nothing situation to crop up in your relationship. Either you or your lover are in it completely, or you'll realize that you're both wasting your time. What's more likely is that you'll feel a possessive pull toward each other that's both magical and intimidating all at once. Go with it.

Libra Matters of the heart are rich, powerful, and transformative for you this week. A luscious Venus-Pluto conjunction will peak on Friday in your romance sector. If you're dating someone, expect an all-or-nothing situation to crop up in your relationship. Either you or your lover are in it completely, or you'll realize that you're both wasting your time. What's more likely is that you'll feel a possessive pull toward each other that's both magical and intimidating all at once. Go with it.

Scorpio A deep conversation with your partner might lead to a life-altering decision by the end of the week. The two of you might decide to move to another state together, to support one person's decision to go back to school full time, or stand behind a choice to leave an unfulfilling profession. Another possibility is that you will deepen your relationship, and if you are not yet living together or married, make a stronger commitment to one another. Whatever happens it'll be intense -- and will link you closer together.

Sagittarius You and your partner can make serious progress this week fleshing out a shared aspiration. Perhaps you'll enlist the help of a mutual friend or will seek to expand your social network together in order to achieve this dream. Making connections that can have a positive impact for both of you is quite likely now, so consider attending meet-ups or other get-togethers that will support this possibility.

Capricorn You might be obsessing over someone, and if so, it's going to become quite obvious to him or her this week. Perhaps you have no reason to feel ashamed of your intense affection for this person. If he or she is single and interested in exploring what might be a major attraction, then you're in luck. If, however, you end up feeling rejected, it might be a difficult blow to recover from. That's only because you're likely to be extremely public about this fixation. Rethinking that approach might help you save face if things go sour.

Aquarius A secret crush might become more than you can handle. If you are having a less-than-savory relationship with someone, then this might be a difficult time. Falling for a person who is otherwise committed or who doesn't feel the same as you do can be heartbreaking. By Friday, you'll know for sure if you're wasting your heart on this person or if there's really a chance. If you're already in a healthy relationship, then you and your partner might have a top-secret business venture going. It looks promising.

Pisces An undeniable fascination you have for one of your friends might take an unexpected turn. The two of you might realize that the level of passion you feel for each other is pointless to ignore. A deep and intense affair might begin, and quickly develop into something more meaningful than either of you anticipated.

Feelings of possessiveness, jealousy, and even obsession are likely to crop up.

While exciting, it could also be difficult to manage. Handle with care.

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English 2016-11-13

STUDY SUCCESS Dear Student, The following reading activities can be useful to you.

Do a lot of voluntary reading along with recommended reading. Read print whether you are passing it at full speed or slowly, or even if it has some letters/words obliterated - this helps memory become more alert. Be aware that reading will help you keep your job later in life – specific jobs need greater reading confidence, quicker reading, and very efficient reading. Be wise.

Love you.

COMPREHENSION The pork-knockers accepted the fact that death could cut a man off from his dreams of wealth, his friends and his family. To most of them it meant only that a man had dropped out of the carnival crowd. Death made them uneasy but not sad, for they were born gamblers.

James Wellington had meant very little to me whilst he was alive. He had been a silent man who did his work well. He could have gone his way after the claim was worked out and I might never have set eyes on him again. I told myself. But I kept seeing images of him in my mind. I remembered the way he had of standing so still that I had to notice him, and when he moved, he did so deliberately as if a dynamo inside controlled his rope muscles. Perhaps my youth died with James Wellington and some of the romantic visions I still clung to were stripped away. His death made me see myself as I was an ambitious selfish individual who had been helped by many people but who had helped no one in return.

I realised too that I was no better than the white man who had caused my father’s death. Learning had made us not more human, but less so. Learning had not increased our knowledge of good and evil, but intensified and made more rational and deadly, our greed for gain. I could have warned Wellington as the illiterate Woody Sam had done, and he would have heeded my warning. I did not do so because the

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Difficult or easy, pleasant or bitter, you are the same you: I cannot live with you – nor against you.

MARTIAL (b. A.D. 43), Epigrammata XII.xlvi (xlvii)

diamonds were rolling in. The white man had done the same thing as I had done. But I did not have as much conscience as he had. I would not go up and down the coast to look for Mr Wellington’s wife and children, for in a few months’ time I would forget them. If they had been nearby I would have given them all I had in the first flush of my guilt, but I was a man who went with the tide and I seldom looked back. I asked myself, “Who is the better man, the white man or me?” and I could not bear to answer the question.

[BLACK MIDAS] The Questions 1. Who is James Wellington? What was the relationship be-

tween him and the “I” narrator?

2. Describe both the physical and social aspects of setting in the passage.

3. What does the statement: “The diamonds were rolling in” means?

4. It is said that death to someone close affects the person in one way or another. How did the death of James Wellington affect the “I” narrator?

Respond in one paragraph.

5. What does the statement: “I was a man who went with the tide” mean?

6. Give a title to the passage.

Justify the title.

GRAMMAR Looking at progress: how much do you know?

Choose the correct verb in each instance. Compare with your study partner’s.

1. This coat, as well as my shoes and hat, (is, are) newly arrived.

2. (Was, Were) Hazel looking for me at the benefit concert?

3. There (was, were) very

few of my friends shopping down Regent Street.

4. The biggest problem (is, are) the absentees from Bible Study.

5. Our group (has, have) won the ‘best dressed’ prize three times already.

6. News (is, are) scarce on that matter.

7. Either those girls or these boys (volunteers, volunteer) each season.

8. That evidence (doesn’t, don’t) make any difference in this case.

9. Each of the eucalyptus bushes (has, have) differently shaped blossoms.

10. He is one of those workers who (is, are) always challenging authority.

11. A number of changes (has, have) taken place since.

12. Vera’s attitude, not yours, (is, are) the one I criticise.

[Answers: 1. is; 2. was; 3. were; 4. is; 5. has; 6. is; 7. volunteer; 8. doesn’t; 9. has; 10. are; 11. have; 12. Is.] COMPOSITION Even though we have been looking at various ways of developing a paragraph, it must be noted here that most paragraphs today that appear in books and magazines are not developed by any single paragraph method.

They are a mixture of several types.

The various organizational skills are good to inculcate especially for exposition. Here is a paragraph with a regular pattern.

Developed by Repetition When I look upon the faces of the experienced, every emotion of envy dies within me; when I read the books of those who want to share their knowledge, every inordinate desire dies out; when I meet with episodes of the suffering, I consider the vanity of grieving for those whom we must quickly follow to the great beyond…. I reflect with sorrow the astonishment of the little competitions, cliques, and debates of mankind….

STUDY PERIODS If you feel that your current time-table is effectively planned and effectively executed stick with it. Efficient execution depends upon efficient study tactics as it does help if you apply appropriate study skills to a planned work-time.

Use short study periods (like ½ hr spans) for odd activities as sorting notes, checking booklists, internet, sketching outlines, and such short chores. Periods ranging from 1-3 hours can be spent on tougher exercises. Here you’ll have a warming up then a settling down to work conscientiously. There may be a break or two but there is always a peak position.

Try working at a steady or fair pace as concentration on any one point too long may cause stray thoughts to overcome you and spoil study. Tackle tough points head on during your best study times.

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