MISS Guyana Olive Gopaul is back in the country and has no hang-ups about her performance at the Miss World Pageant in South Africa last month.

"What was important was promoting my country and I have done that with pride," the Guyana queen told reporters yesterday.

"I never imagined that I would become so patriotic," she told the Chronicle, referring to the many opportunities she had of telling people about Guyana and pinning countless brooches of the Guyana map on so many persons she didn't know.

Probably expressing the feelings of all Guyanese, the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture had a cake designed with the words "Welcome Home Miss Guyana," while a plaque expressed the sentiments "Congratulations to You Miss Olive Gopaul."

Miss Guyana returned to Guyana one hour before midnight Tuesday and arrived at the ministry on Main Street, Georgetown, just after noon yesterday to a small welcome home reception hosted by Minister Gail Teixeira.

The media contingent was more than the guests for the reception. Guests included local Miss Guyana coordinator, Ms. Andrea McAdam, the queen's father, Mr. Jack Morgan, her mother, Ms. Monica Doobay, Public Service Minister, Dr. Jennifer Westford, Permanent Secretary in the Office of the President, Ms. Jennifer Webster, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Ms. Sonia Roopnauth and trainer Mr. Derek Moore, who accompanied Miss Guyana to South Africa.

In the room, on display, was the gold and ivory gown which the queen wore on the night of November 17 in Sun City, South Africa.

Olive said the Miss World Pageant has allowed her to "grow" in many ways, and probably the best word to describe her experience is "remarkable."

She expressed thanks to all Guyanese who wished her well, and singled out the business houses DM Sales and Fogarty's for special mention.

Looking ahead, she said she will enjoy the holidays at home with her family and in January will get back to her job as a teacher.

She also plans on completing her final year at the University of Guyana where she is pursing a degree in Marketing.

"I'll just continue my normal life," she said. (NEIL MARKS)