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FIRST VISIT BACK HOME: A VIEW FROM INSIDE-OUT

Jul 03, 2010 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom

I stood in line at the airport waiting to be checked in. There were quite a few persons in front of us and most of them were traveling with more than one family member. The line was therefore moving slowly, but no problem; there was plenty to time, time enough to strike up a conversation with the passenger behind me who was traveling alone.
She looked as if she was going to a job interview. She had dressed the part. A well tailored suit, accessories to match, shoes that looked as if they had just come out the purchase box, and a lovely black handbag. At the side of her were two medium size suitcases which also looked as if they had not been used.
I decided to break the ice. “Go back to Guyana often?” I asked.
She smiled, a sparking smile. “No this is my first visit back” she replied.
“Oh,” I said, “that’s nice. Hope you enjoy your stay.”
“Thank you!”
A brief look of panic came over her and I saw her pull the bag around her waist and hurriedly open it. She pulled out a plastic container. Inside were a few tablets. She sighed and put it in back.
She looked my way and noticed that I had seen her reaction.
She explained, “It was my anti- malaria tablets. I thought I had forgotten them.”
“Anti- malaria tablets?” I asked. “Are you going into the interior?”
“No, I am staying in Georgetown. No plans to go to the hinterland,” she said with a smile.
“So why the anti-malaria tablets then,” I asked
“You cannot take chances with all the mosquitoes in Guyana. I went to my doctor and he prescribed these tablets. I do not wish to contract malaria while I am there.”
I feigned ignorance. “I did not know there was malaria in Georgetown. I always thought that it was only in the mining areas that you contract this parasite?”
“No!” she said, suddenly discovering the opportunity to tutor me on the subject. There is malaria all over Guyana. This is why I am not taking any chances. I got my shots and I have my tablets. I am well protected.”
Just then I remembered that I had forgotten to walk with my protection; a box of condoms.
I looked at her and told her that she had gone to unnecessary trouble. She did not need to be inoculated against malaria if she was not going into the interior. The most she needed was some protection for her skin from the mosquitoes.
She said, “I also have a few bottles of repellent, along with some water purification tablets.”
Now this ticked me off. “Water purification tablets?” I asked.
By this time, she was in her element and speaking the assurance of a wayside preacher who had an audience. She said, “The water back home is awful. You should not drink that water. You can pick up all manner of diseases.”
“Thanks for the advice,” I said.
The conversations ceased as the line moved forward.
After we had boarded, I noticed that she was seated a few seats ahead of me. She looked tired and was dozing off, but a few hours later when the food was being served she woke just as the hostess had reached her aisle.
She lowered her table and took her food. One of the loaves fell on the ground. Without batting an eyelid, she leaned over picked it off the ground and took a big bite of it. She obviously was not worried about the germs from the cabin floor, but she was deeply concerned about the quality of water in Guyana and the threat of malaria.
When we reached in Guyana she disappeared from view. I saw her next in the arrival lounge. There was a grand welcome with black cake and beverages being served to visitors. It was free.  She had a cup in her hand. I wondered whether she had placed her water- purification tablets into the plastic cup.

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