A KARANAMBU WEDDING!

We first met Alisa, when we  arrived at Karanambu in January, 2010. She was 15 years old at the time.  She had her eye on a young man from Massara Village, Guy Brown, who was making clay bricks at Karanambu.  I can still remember Alisa saying, "See that boy? I am going to marry him!" Alisa Mandook Brown was born at Karanambu.  Her father, senior birder, Kenneth Mandook, was also born at Karanambu. Alisa's grandparents and the entire Mandook family have been apart of Karanambu from the very beginning. So when Alisa came to us and asked us if Karanambu would host their wedding, we were all excited. 

The last wedding that took place at Karanambu was her parent's wedding.  So this was truly a special occasion!

The students who come to Karanambu every January from the University of Missouri, St. Louis were here and they jumped right in, 

decorating and helping with everything! 

Thank you so much guys!!

Alisa wished for a real wedding gown, with a cathedral veil!  Our dear friend Polly Rothstein, who has been coming to Karanambu for 20 years heard this wish and and magically the most beautiful dress appeared. Aunty Susie who is a supreme dressmaker, made all of the alterations by hand. And the dress fit perfectly!

The day of the wedding was filled with excitement.  Alisa and her bridesmaids all got dressed in our house.  The giggles and laughter as we put on make-up and perfume. 

Miss Arianna got all dressed up in her purple flower girl dress!

There was such excitement as the crowd outside was growing!

And then it was time...

Kenneth escorted his daughter the Bride to meet the Groom

Guy's sister escorted him to meet his Bride

And the wedding began

The papers were signed

Vows were made

Rings were exchanged

Alisa's father Kenneth brought Andrea a rough diamond which he had been saving for many many years.  He asked Andrea to take the diamond to Georgetown and have a wedding ring made for his daughter.  Andrea took the diamond to our friends at TOPAZ Jewellers. The wedding rings made by Dominc Gaskin, Master Goldsmith!  A Guyana diamond set in Guyana gold.  Just perfect!

And then they were married!

And the party began!

The Karanambu Family was BEAMING!

The Bridal Party

THE CAKE!

The cutting of the cake

The sharing of the cake

The toast!

The music started and the party began!

FOOD sharing for ALL!

The students had their first taste of Cari

The Party was in FULL Swing!

Leon, Salvador and Kenneth

Salvador, Andrea, Dr. Godfrey & Dr. Carol

Salvador & Ronica DANCING UP!

Arianna with Granddad!

Father & Son!!

Salvador & Ryol

Andrea, (piglet kitten), Dr. Godfrey & Dr. Carol

AND THEY DANCED INTO THE NIGHT

CONGRATULATIONS ALISA & GUY!

WITH LOVE,

YOUR KARANAMBU FAMILY!!!

Cousin Tim Mew McCartney comes to Guyana

Tim Mew McCartney, is technically Cousin Tim Mew's (Cousin Maggie's brother) grandson Timmy!  We knew he was coming to Guyana, because Maggie always keeps us up to date on all the news!  She told us he was coming to make a movie here.  You can't imagine what happened....

Andrea was in Georgetown for the THAG (Tourism Hospitality Association of Guyana) Executive Board meeting. She had just been elected Vice President of the Association. 

Madame Vice President

She had tried to get in touch with Tim.  They exchanged a few emails, but the timing just didn't work.  His work schedule and her meetings were just too crazy, so they had just about given up. 

Andrea was in the Board Room of the Ministry of Tourism. The Executive Board was meeting with the Minister of Tourism, The Honorable Minister Irfaan Ali. The Minister's secretary came in with a note for the Minister.  He read it and nodded his head.  His instructed his secretary to "Bring them in".  Minister proceeded to explain to the Executive Board that we had a film crew in Guyana filming a new movie about a couple from L.A., who decided to move off the grid to Guyana.  At which point about 10 young film makers, crew and actors walked into the Board Room.  They had just come from filming with no time to change.  Andrea looked across the room and saw Tim. She had never met him before, but recognized a young Salvador and she immediately knew who he was.  She couldn't stop grinning, because he was dressed in a black sleeveless vest, short pants, tattoos and bead and HAIR! All she kept thinking was, "How on earth did they ever allow him into the Ministry with our Guyana dress code very much IN FORCE!." 

 

Salvador with his Mom

Timmy with Andrea

Minister asked that the Executive Board introduce themselves. First, Mr. Shaun McGrath - President, then looking straight at Timmy, Andrea said, Mrs. Andrea de Caires - Vice President!  "NO WAY!!!!" he yelled!  And the Minister turned to Andrea and said, "He family to you??"  She replied, "Yes Sir, he most certainly is!!"  Minister slapped the desk with a laugh and said, "Boy, you got family here????"  She responed with, "Technically he is

Salvador's first cousin's grandson." Everyone laughed. Andrea and Timmy were able to spend a few minutes together and he promised to try to come into Karanambu.  

Timmy arrived that Saturday Morning. We had the most wonderful time....old friends from the first moment!!! 

He took some amazing photographs of life at Karanambu!

We took him to see a Giant Anteater

The Cattle

The Savannah

Savannah Grass

Savannah Tree

Slaughtering on a Cattle Ranch is a way of life

Child's play

We took Tim on the River

Into the Ponds

he captured all of the details

and the beauty and the light

 Tim also brought his drone helicopter 

and took some amazing shots over Buffalo Pond!!

Can you find the boat in this one???

It was an amazing visit.  A new connection, that didn't seem new at all!!!  

We can't wait for the next time!!

xoxox  Thank you Timmy