“Guyana-My Eldorado”: T H E L I F E , T H E L Ove , a N D T H E a D Ve N T U R E S of Dr Frank a Haniff, Md.(Aka Abdool Haniff. Ibn-Majeed)

By Xlibris US

I am seventy-six years of age, have had two heart attacks, and am
not really very well.

My memory, though, is fine, except sometimes for names, but I
recall the events as vividly as if they are occurring now. My Far
passed away on June 10, 2013.

Today is Valentines Day and I visited my Far twice. Our home
on 2665 La Veta Avenue is a mere two minutes away. I have just
returned from San Bernardino Community Hospital where I visited
a patient, in my capacity as a Muslim chaplain.

I am not sure who, if anyone, will ever read this book. It is a chronicle
of our wonderful life, but there are many Cinderella stories. This is
not a masterpiece of the English language, nor is it in any way unique.

Writing gave me a great deal of pleasure. I knew I had angels beside
me, and at all times, one seraph. We have had much joy, pleasure,
excitement, much to wonder about, and much to puzzle over.

We have
laughed and cried, nearly just as much, sometimes out of pleasure and
sometimes out of pain and grief; always, we have walked with God.

We have made many mistakeswe are only humanand have
alienated far too many, but never deliberately nor out of meanness.

Those who love us will perhaps forgive, and those who do not
may hopefully forget our transgressions, real or imagined, always
remembering what Jesus said about casting stones. We tried to
make a difference and, with the help of God, we did.
In as much as this humble effort reflects the insuperable challenges
of finding peace and harmony in a small family, I believe it resonates
with the pain and suffering inflicted by man on his fellow man, in
places like Syria, Central Africa, and the Ukraine, and with more
natural disasters such as hurricanes, typhoons, and tornadoes, which
create no less pain and suffering.

As I approach the end of my life, I continue in the Ministry of
Healing, in the hope that the solace and comfort I attempt to deliver
will not be entirely unselfish.

Dr. Frank A. Haniff, MD
San Bernardino, CA 92404
February 14, 2014

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jul 2, 2014
• ISBN: 9781499035001

Book preview

Guyana

My Eldorado

The Life, the Love, and the Adventures

of

Dr Frank A Haniff, MD.

(aka Abdool Haniff. Ibn-Majeed)

Copyright © 2014 by Dr Frank A Haniff, MD.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2014910503

ISBN:                     Hardcover                   978-1-4990-3501-8

                               Softcover                      978-1-4990-3503-2

                               eBook                           978-1-4990-3500-1

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

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Rev. date: 06/30/2014

Xlibris LLC

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www.Xlibris.com

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CONTENTS

CH.

1 1937-1943   ADVENTURE

2 1943-1951   ANNA REGINA

3 1951( Sept)—1953 (Dec)   HIGH SCHOOL

4 1954-ANNA REGINA-GCE-O LEVELS   REGINA GCE O LEVELS

5 1955 (JAN)—MARCH   ROSIGNOL-TEACHING

6 1955 (APRIL)–1960 (MAY)   CAPOEY, ESSEQUEBO

7 1960 (MAY)–-1961 (AUGUST)   INCOME TAX DEPT.

8 1961 (AUG) DEC   AUDITOR-MARLIS LTD PIX AT HAREFIELD HOSPITAL CHICKEN POX.

9 1962 (JAN) 1963 (JUNE)   LONDON PARCEL OFFICE MARRIAGE; PARIS. PIX FINISHES AT HAREFIELD.

10 1963 (JUN)… 1966 (AUG)   LIFE IN LONDON PRE-MED. TOTTENHAM TECH COLLEGE

11 1966 (SEPT)…..1972 (JUNE)   MED SCHOOL; OUR HOUSE; TO BG-67; 68. STU ARRIVES. OHIO; MB. ChB. 1972

12 1972 (JUN)–-1975 (JUL)   YALE- THRU PEDS RESIDENCY. RAB AND JAM; BON IN NY. FLORIDA; FRISCO; BOSTON. FLEX.

13 1975 (JUL)…DECEMBER   3915 VALENCIA. SB. CA

14 1976   OWN OFFICE-#420. FAM REUNION; MAUNA KEA; WEIRD IN VALENCIA; JUGDEO FAM; MUM THEN DAD TO SOS

15 1978…1980   HOLIDAY INN WITH DAD; RAB AND JAM LA VETA; TORONTO; LONDON; PARIS; ROME; CAPRI

16 1981-1988   HYSTERECTOMY ## HAWAII C MUM-1982; MOST STRANGE STU THRU JUNIOR HIGH; FRENCHMAN’S REEF, VI; SCANDINAVIA; CARIB CRUISE; LONDON: BELGIUM; MONTE CARLO; MADRID; MOROCCO; HONG KONG; CARIB. CRUISES; STU’S THRU AQUINAS; HILTON. HI. VIL; WESTWOOD; ACAPULCO.

17 1989-1993   HOT AIR BALLOON; CARIB. CRUISE with CAM; CATALINA; ATHENS & ISTANBUL. STU’S 21st-GAYLORDS; KENSINGTON HILTON; STU’S GRAD FROM UCLA: THE SOPHISTICATES. TAHITI.

18 THRU 2004   CASES; PROPHET-NO HONOR; HONEYMOON SCRAM CAM; STU’S WEDDING; NO MORE: CAESARS; HAWAII.

19 TO 2005   SUMMATION; ARTS TO MEDICINE; WE RETIRE-2005.

20 TO JULY 2012   HEART ATTACKS; NEUROPATHY; STROKES ICU-BRASSWELL’S

21 TO JUNE, 2013   PFH AT HOME; HOSPICE; MUSLIM CLERIC; PFH PASSES

22 TO APRIL 2014   ALONE; NO MORE STRANGE ENCOUNTERS Muslim CHAPLAIN APOSTROPHE

INTRODUCTION

I am seventy-six years of age, have had two heart attacks, and am not really very well.

My memory, though, is fine, except sometimes for names, but I recall the events as vividly as if they are occurring now. My Far passed away on June 10, 2013.

Today is Valentine’s Day and I visited my Far twice. Our home on 2665 La Veta Avenue is a mere two minutes away. I have just returned from San Bernardino Community Hospital where I visited a patient, in my capacity as a Muslim chaplain.

I am not sure who, if anyone, will ever read this book. It is a chronicle of our wonderful life, but there are many Cinderella stories. This is not a masterpiece of the English language, nor is it in any way unique.

Writing gave me a great deal of pleasure. I knew I had angels beside me, and at all times, one seraph. We have had much joy, pleasure, excitement, much to wonder about, and much to puzzle over. We have laughed and cried, nearly just as much, sometimes out of pleasure and sometimes out of pain and grief; always, we have walked with God.

We have made many mistakes—we are only human—and have alienated far too many, but never deliberately nor out of meanness. Those who love us will perhaps forgive, and those who do not may hopefully forget our transgressions, real or imagined, always remembering what Jesus said about casting stones. We tried to make a difference and, with the help of God, we did.

In as much as this humble effort reflects the insuperable challenges of finding peace and harmony in a small family, I believe it resonates with the pain and suffering inflicted by man on his fellow man, in places like Syria, Central Africa, and the Ukraine, and with more natural disasters such as hurricanes, typhoons, and tornadoes, which create no less pain and suffering.

As I approach the end of my life, I continue in the Ministry of Healing, in the hope that the solace and comfort I attempt to deliver will not be entirely unselfish.

Dr. Frank A. Haniff, MD

San Bernardino, CA 92404

February 14, 2014

BIOGRAPHY

DR. FRANK A. HANIFF, MD

MY GUYANA—MY EL DORADO

Chapter 1

ADVENTURE—THE PLACE (1937−1943)

Adventure was a pleasant little town owned by two Brahmin brothers called Narayan with a stable population of about three hundred, mostly Indians. The majority of them were Hindus, although Amerindians were in the interior. The main industry was rice farming and most people lived on the coast, moving west from the Essequibo River. Further inland, a railroad line—no trains, just the track—ran to the sandtop, where a few Indians farmers lived. They farmed the rice fields, owned a few dogs and a few chickens. The main social activity occurred under a gigantic locust tree, where they patiently extracted nits and lice from the old women’s hair, and jiggers from between their toes: these were the result of dog fleas since everybody went about barefooted.

THE SANDTOP

The sandtop was in fact a pleasant sand reef, which extended for miles north and south, and on it could be found many tropical birds and rarely the two-toed sloth or Yasi. There was an abundance of fruit, such as awarraa, fatpoke, and a few cashews. Reptiles were rare but they were there. Sugar apple was a great favorite.

Beyond the sandtop to the west was another set of rice fields and beyond that was virgin forests. The forests provided firewood, ite palms for making walls and trulee palms for thatching roofs. I actually went into the forest once, on my father’s shoulders, while he was prospecting for firewood.

THE RED BRICK ROAD AND THE

GREAT ESSEQUIBO RIVER

Running through Adventure and for the entire coast was a red brick road from Supenaam in the south, to Charity in the north. Supenaam was limited by the Supenaam River and Charity by the Pomeroon River, both of which ran from miles inland and discharged in the Essequibo River. The Essequibo River, unlike the other two major South American rivers, the Amazon and the Orinoco, was unaffected by the Caribbean hurricanes and provided a safe haven for boats. On its right bank, was Parika, and down the river were the Kaieteur—old man—falls, and Bartika. Baritaka was an entrepot town for miners, and housed a convenient customs and immigration office, police station, and a few popular hotels.

ADVENTURE—THE STEAMER TERMINUS

Adventure itself was a steamer terminus for passengers from Parika via Wakenaam Island and Hamburg Island. It was prosperous and bright and a very airy place with many mango trees, guavas, sugar apples, golden apples, papaya, coconuts, and breadfruit. People lived on both sides of the road, and were happy with the one or two grocery stores and cake shops. There was a short road at right angles to the main road that lead to the stelling.

The steamer came six days of the week, and passengers were greeted by ladies sitting on the roadside and selling mostly fruits. There was one bus, which ran from Supenaam to Charity, and at one time a horse drawn buggy; also, a single car, which could take only a limited number of passengers as far as Danielstown town in the north. The bus fare was about twenty-four cents and the car was about sixty cents, depending on your destination.

ADVENTURE—THE PLACE (C)

A cargo boat also came to Adventure about once a week, yielding my father a few extra dollars by loading and unloading the cargo. Off the stelling road, there was a small cake shop that was known for its small, rosy, delicious mangos, called "table mangos." Parallel to that was the district commissioner’s house, beautifully landscaped with a long driveway. There was a tall breadfruit tree nearby and on the other side lived the Narayans. On the opposite side of the road and facing the commissioner’s home was a grocery store owned by the Sahoys. Beside the Sahoy’s, and separated by a railway line—just line, no trains—there was a long trench (canal) that discharged into the Essequibo River and ran far west and south to irrigate the rice fields. Curiously, the water was not salty and the rice plants tolerated it very well.

WELL! WELL! WELL! HOME AT LAST!

On the west side of the road was an artesian well, which provided clean water, but its taste was not popular for drinking. Beyond the well and passing a few other cottages was our home. It sat on a spacious piece of land, curiously, without any fruit trees and behind it was our latrine and the north to south canal. Our dog "Lion" found a happy home in the backyard. Our house had one bedroom and a "fallback" with a sofa where my father slept. The kitchen was pleasant with a half wall and a gate and a washstand leading out from the far wall. The fireside was a two-burner design with each burner supported by iron bars, well hidden by a mud daubing. The front door led past my father’s sofa to the back door.

OF TROOLIE PALMS, OF A GOLDEN

POND AND OF A NASTY TARANTULA

I recall seeing a tarantula crawling on the troolie inside the house; it was put away quietly without any alarm. It is amazing how the troolie fronds were cleverly placed to overlap each other, and then they were firmly tied with strips of palm bark from the forest called "Mookroo." The roof seldom leaked and was never blown away. There was a small pond in front of our house with colorful water lilies and shrimp grass, and in the dry season, delicious tropical fishes such as "Katakaree" could be harvested.

MY BIRTH

I was born in this cottage on April 24, 1937, a Saturday, and I believe the birth was attended by a public health nurse/midwife. I am told that my father, my grandparents, and, in fact, the entire community greeted my mother’s pregnancy with great joy, because my mother was very pretty and had a number of miscarriages.

My birth would have been celebrated with a (nine-day feast) with "dostie roti" and halwa. This "halwa" was a rare treat, a very messy business, much like poy, but generously laced with black pepper, and absolutely delicious.

Inexplicably, my birth was only recorded on the back of my mamoo’s (maternal uncle) birth certificate. If it were properly, I might have gone on to take "school leaving, gotten into teaching and never met my Far." Was it fortuitous or part of God’s grand design?

MY BROTHERS ARRIVE—CLOSE UPON THE

HEELS OF EACH OTHER—1940 AND 1941

I recall being advised to sit by the pond and watch the planes overhead—it was during the second world war—for the delivery of my brother in September 1940.

My second brother followed my first on December 1941. My father had sold his paddy to the Narayans and came home from the bond with his hat loaded with money.

THE ATLANTIS CINEMA AND

ANCIENT SEA DEFENSES

There was a cinema located in Suddie, called the "Atlantis" some five to six miles away. Suddie was the capital and it housed all the government offices, the public hospital, the police station, and the law courts. The entire Essequibo coast boasted some thirty-eight miles of beautiful sandy beaches, here and there punctured by sluices and kokers for drainage, and long stretches of sea dam.

THE HOSPITAL ALCOVE AND TURTLES’ NEST

In front of the hospital, to the east, was a delightful alcove where the launches landed on Sundays, bringing patients and visitors to the facility. The hospital was jealously guarded by a gateman, the steps were very shallow, and the place reeked of disinfectant. The power station at its northern entrance was a familiar sound to all—far and wide. I believed, as a boy, that if it ever stopped, the world would probably stop also; the sound was so powerful and fascinating. On the beach of this alcove, sea turtles laid thousands of eggs and my mother reported seeing the hatchlings scurrying to the water before the seagulls devoured them. The water was no more safe, unfortunately, as there in lurked even more ravenous fishes and reptiles.

MY FATHER’S WHISTLE AND CRICKET BAT

To provide their own entertainment, my father and his friends formed a cricket club and the well-known drama group, called "Inder Sabhah." In it, he was a policeman and sported an elegant uniform and a delightful whistle.

ST. JOHN’S ANGLICAN

At about four, I started school at Johanna Cecelia walking the three or four miles and escorted by an older boy called "Takam," who I again met in Capoey as James Harkah. His father—a wee, small man with a perpetual smile, was the village tailor.

At the same time, I started learning Arabic from Mr. Shaw. He was most kindly, had a very fascinating dry goods store, and a son who was a postman; later he wanted to adopt me. I guess people liked me a lot at that time. He was very pleased when we went to the mosque at Huis T’Diren, (which lead to Spring Gardens and then finally to Supenaam), and I performed "wuzu" impeccably.

LARGE BOWELS ON THE LOOSE!

RUN! IN DOLLIES’ TOWN

While at the JC school, I was hit by a nasty case of dysentery; absolutely horrible, Arrow Root Pop, and all. I was chosen for the lead role in a play called Dollies’ Town, and the whole village came out to see the performance, which it seemed, was a smashing success.

MANGO LEAF AND MY ASTHMA

I use to play with my friends under a huge mango tree—never saw any mangos on it—along with a few dogs and cats. The sand below was always damp and I had a few nasty attacks of asthma. My parents would burn mango leaves and try to get me to inhale the smoke. Unbelievably, that seemed to have done the trick.

MY BROWN BELT KATA

One day, I wrapped a string around a brick and spun it happily around in a vertical circle. The brick flipped off the string and landed on the thatched roof of an old lady’s house. She was called "Sukya Graanee and lived alone, but raised such a hue and cry" that I earned a thorough trashing from my father, even while I was running away toward my grandparents’ house. My mom cried a lot, and she soaked the blisters with hot water and for days tried applying Canadian healing oil.

IT TASTES LIKE MUD

Another time, I went to a Ramayan—a Hindu festival—and played around disrespectfully with my friends. When I came home, my father punished me by making me lick the mud floor. I learned proper respect after that, for sure.

MAMOO’S AMORE

During our lives there, my mamoo—maternal uncle—was courting a girl from Spring Gardens. I chaperoned them to the cinema and disgracefully threw up all the soda and nuts. They never took me out with them again, but I was the "Syballa"—ring bearer—at their wedding and was handsomely dressed in the Muslim costume. The bride was very pretty but used to dash out onto the streets every evening with her jewels in her bosom. Alas! The marriage did not last.

MY PLAYBOY CHACHA

It seemed that my chacha—paternal uncle—also used to live at Adventure. Reports have it that he was something of a playboy, and many husbands were after his hide. He fled to Anna Regina and my father was left to face the music. Luckily, and most amazingly, my nanee—maternal grandmother—saved him.

GUBBIE CHACHA VISITS

My Gubbie Chacha from Rosignol, Berbice, paid us a surprise visit. I had never seen him before, but he was a jolly sort, and I thoroughly enjoyed his visit.

SHAD’S SEIZURE

Before my nana and naanie moved away from the Sandtop, to their house near to ours, they held a Quran Shareef. This was an Islamic tradition of readings from the Holy Quran with a grand "feed up" after, and were always held on Sundays at the hottest time of the day. My brother, Shad, had a frightful seizure, but no one panicked. They merely pulled off all his clothes and burned them. The smell of burnt clothes was the only known cure for seizures there and then. Anyway, it worked.

ITURIBISCI INCIDENT—1941

While my father was escorting a group of students from St. Stanislaus College to the Ituribisci Lake, a suitcase got a sudden gust of wind and flew into the lake. My father immediately plunged into the water and tried to retrieve the suitcase, which was floating away in the wake of the launch. He got into severe difficulties before one of the two Indian students—the others were Portuguese—realized that the boat was drifting away in the opposite direction. He swiftly turned the boat around and my father and the suitcase were thankfully rescued. The other Indian students lent my father a pair of shorts and a shirt, so at least he could gasp and pant in dry clothes. This lake lies hidden deep into the forest, behind Adventure, and is famous for having water of hot and cold temperatures within a foot or two of each other; it is, in consequence, often referred to as the hot and cold lake. I have never seen any written explanation for this phenomenon, but I had heard various theories such as underwater springs, geysers, etc. Needless to say, it is one of the many famous tourist resorts in Essequibo.

EL DORADO

It is widely believed that Essequibo once housed the city of El Dorado. In El Dorado, it was reported, the streets were paved with gold and the king bathed with gold dust. Sir Walter Rally, at the cost of his head, was never able to find this fabled city for her royal majesty.

GREENHEART

Essequibo is also famous for its medicinal plants, such as