An American family discovers an unspoilt environment
Stabroek News
July 21, 2002
For North American Airlines pilot Robert Lewis the tragic events of September 11, led him to discover the beauty of Guyana and its people.
At around 9:00 am on the morning of September 11, 2001, Robert Lewis was flying a North American Airlines flight out of Guyana through the cloudless skies over San Juan, Puerto Rico.
It had been an uneventful flight after taking off from Timerhi earlier that morning. Then air traffic control told the cockpit there had been an accident at the World Trade Center and the plane would have to be diverted to Baltimore.
Just a few minutes later controllers advised him that no more flights would be allowed into the US. Robert and his co-pilots had the choice to land at San Juan or return to Georgetown. They headed back to Timerhi and the mood became increasingly sombre in the cockpit as the three men heard snippets of information about another plane crashing into the Pentagon and yet another going down in Pennsylvania.
Despite having flown the Georgetown-New York route countless times, Robert Lewis had only ever spent a few minutes each time in Guyana since the flight would simply touch down and take off again. But with the catastrophe in the US, he and his crew would eventually be waylaid for four days. Robert recalls that this presented a quite basic problem since they had not packed clothes for such a long stay. However, he says the staff of Le Meriden Pegasus were very gracious and even gave them shirts from the hotel gift shop along with doing their laundry. He was very touched by their hospitality and became curious about a country he had previously just flown over, but had not had the time to learn more about.
Some Guyanese employees of North American had told him how beautiful the country's interior was, and so he decided to bring his family here for this year's summer vacation. This consisted of Nanette Rutledge and her two children, Wesley and Alexander, and Robert's two boys, Bobby and Jason, all aged between 11 and 15.
Nanette, who is a corporate flight attendant, says for her it was an opportunity to get back to nature, to get away from the hustle and bustle of modern living and slow it down. She and Robert had both noticed that their children were so fixated on Nintendo and television they thought this trip might open their eyes to a different, more real experience.
Meeting them by the Pegasus Poolside at the end of their trip, it seemed to have been a great success. The boys were busy cavorting in the water and a sun-tanned Nanette and Roger were suitably laid back but also bubbling with enthusiasm about their adventures at Shanklands where they had spent seven days.
They had chosen the overland route to the Essequibo resort and this had been quite an experience, with the vehicle tilting precariously in great puddles of mud, much to the boys' delight. Once at the resort, with no television they were initially worried the children would suffer withdrawal symptoms. In fact it was Nanette who found it tough going without a hairdryer! But there was so much to do, and Compton, a guide at the resort, took the boys under his wing, with fishing trips for piranhas and walks in the rainforest where he would point out various fauna and flora.
The family also took a trip to the nearby army base which during World War II was a base for US flying boats. There are still some remnants of the facilities. By coincidence, Nanette's father had been stationed there so the family took pictures to show him. Even the simplest of sights was a pleasure, including the sunset migration of parrots across the Essequibo. Guyana's pineapple was rated the best in the world and the family thoroughly enjoyed the traditional meals prepared by the resort.
They also took a trip to Kaieteur and were suitably impressed by the spectacular falls and the "orange bird" - the cock of the rock. They were grateful to their guide who helped the boys with any questions.
Paul, their pilot, gave them a grand tour of the interior and at one point they flew low along the Essequibo.
Even in Georgetown they enjoyed seeing the old architecture especially, St George's Cathedral, but were saddened that many of the buildings were deteriorating. They had heard about the July 3 incident at the Office of the President, but were not concerned for their safety and did not feel they should cancel their trip. They said there are protests all the time in the US, sometimes with terrible results. When walking around the city they never felt in any way threatened.
Most of all, the couple were impressed by the completely unspoilt environment of the Essequibo and the authentic hospitality of the people. Though they have travelled all over the world this vacation was truly unique and they plan to return, but next time with about twenty of their family and friends.
Meanwhile, they are taking countless brochures, and as people in the airline industry, you can be sure they will be preaching the gospel according to Guyana to everyone they meet.