Sip it Sucker...

It has been far too long since I last updated my blog. The truth is, not much is new here. But I realized I haven't shared much on Guyanese culture on this thing. So that is why I've decided I shall dedicate this blog to sipping. One of the many awesome aspects of Guyanese Culture

The Guyanese people have perfected the art of "sipping". I'm sure you're thinking to yourself "sipping? you mean taking a gulp of a beverage?". Oh no dear reader. In Guyana sipping takes on a whole new meaning. Walk down any street in this country and you will observe the phenonmenon of sipping (especially if you're a white girl with big boobs). It's the Guyanese version of "cat-calling" but it so much more than that! Men are usually the ones who "sip" but women do it too. To get your attention they make an abnormally loud kissing sound. Once you look at them (which for some reason, I still can't help but look) they have some interesting, and often offensive, thing to say to you. Usually they say things like "Hey white gyal, you're beautiful! I love you! Will you marry me?", or "good afternoon princess, you are looking fine today" and if you're really lucky they call you "white meat" instead of "white gyal" or "princess". My friend Jillian, a slef-proclaimed "fat-kid" has gotten the best sips since coming here. Once, while walking down the street, a man who was cutting grass turned off his electric cutter, took off his protective goggles and face mask and said " WOW! You! I love you fat gyal! I love you! WOW!" My favorite was "Hey white gyal, you look like a thick can of condensed milk!". Another friend of mine walked to the market one day and she encountered a man making gagging noises. When she asked him if he was alright, and he said "Yes, just making room for your white meat!". The best one I've ever gotten (and dad I think you'll appreciate this...) "Hey! That girl not white, she pink! Hey pink gyal!". So that, my friends, is sipping in a nutshell and even though no woman in her right mind enjoys being sipped at, the men refuse to stop and I refuse to stop laughing at the ridiculousness of it all.

AND...
Here are some creolese terms I have learned, and actually use!
oh me mo ma!: oh my goodness!
just now: a time frame ranging anywhere from now- 3 hours.
wah happen you?: are you alright?
how yuh do?:how are you?
you gettin' tru?: do you need help with anything? (note: th is pronounced t here)
take a five: to take a nap
coolie gyal/bai: term for Indian girl/boy
auntie/uncle: term of respect for elderly women/men

So life is good. I'm slowly getting comfortable in my site and home. I promise I'll update this thing more often. And I tried uploading pictures, but I couldn't figure out how. They're up on my facebook page so check em' out!
Peace and Love,
The Pink Gyal