I needed to write something, anything, so this here is a beginning of a series called south road, the next part will have as its main theme the love and friendships formed on the road, stick ups--you get the idea.
When I think of the word south, several memories from all my experiences rush into my mind.
So I will start with the memory where I was first aware of the meaning of the mystical word south.
I was 12 years old and it was my first year in Secondary school, a private institution called school of the nations in Georgetown. After my first term, I returned home for Christmas, Dad, Mum and my brother picked me up at the airstrip in Lethem. I remember launching myself on my brother, knocking the wind out of him. Anyway—“ Just now we going right babes.” My father said to me. Yup. At 12 I knew what this meant…I had heard that phrase all my life, was to hear it a lot more and I’m sure will hear it for the rest of my life. Oh Rupununi’s famous—just now.
We drove home that night and my dad says “ Babe-see the southern cross” I stare at where he is pointing, just above the Kanuku range to the south I see the four stars making up the southern cross. “South, babe—welcome home”. When I think of this memory, I remember the ecstatic joy I felt when we started to drive out of Lethem and the south road stretched ahead in front of me winding its way around the Kanukus through the Savannah and bush…I was going home.
I’m 18 years old. Just returned from my first year in Vancouver. Sitting at an intraserv bus stop with some friends… “ South is it—girl you going home!, C. says. I hadn’t heard that phrase before but it was one to repeated all through the years. I’m nervous. It’s the longest time I have been out of the rupununi. One year, I didn’t know what had changed…what to expect—did I change?. I couldn’t sleep that night and stare out the window of the bus, excitement hits me when we get to the Essiquibo crossing. I KNOW when we cross that river and head through that forest corridor; we come to a sudden opening into the Savannah and sky — heading south. All fears forgotten I bounced quickly in my seat and stifle a little yelp of excitement and we emerge into the North Savannah—South, keep going south. Country Roads by John Denver play in my mind and I start to think of all my friends.
I’m 23 years old, sitting at a bus stop in Vancouver, its freezing and I just missed the bus. I stare at the mist coming out of the Molson brewery and the Burrard Bridge willing the bus to come. A fresh wind blows at me, whipping off my hood and whistling around my ears, I see a feather floating on the wind and look up to see geese flying over head honking. South for the winter—and this poem was a result:
And Just like that the time soon came
Winter with the northern winds blew in
And with it strange whispers in the rain
Head south-Head south!
the whispers proclaimed--
Float on the wind with the feather
Follow the paper heart blowing in the wind
The journey's not too long you'll find
My friend soon you'll be among your kind
I’m 24 and there’s so much more. Sing it Neil Young. Living alone in a paradise that makes me think of two. Well in the south paradise, you’re never alone—even when you want to be (but that"s another meditation-in a city among millions-you can be very alone--in a place with a few hundred--you always have company--even if its a chicken). When I start to feel Lethem closing in, I look South East and see the Kanuku stretching out. Anytime I want I can head south-south is it. And that’s a feeling I love.
