One Giant Partee
ONE GIANT PARTEE
19 May, 2016
The preparation…..
I have been looking forward to being present for the 50th
Independence Day celebration for two years!
As it is known now, The Golden Jubilee is cause to honor this
country. After being governed and either
enslaved or indentured by French, Dutch and British, by the 1900’s
Afro-Guyanese and Indo-Guyanese political groups began to take over governing
the country. Complete independence came
May 26, 1966 and Guyana joined the United Nations one year after. The time
since has not been easy. There has been
corruption, emigration of many to other Caribbean nations (yes, Guyana is
considered a Caribbean nation), North America and England to create a “brain
drain”. Guyana has just over 750,000
people in the country. Reportedly, there
are more Guyanese outside than in. The free market economy is not without
controversy. The motto of “One Nation, One People, One Destiny” is not
evident. Finger pointing from one ethnic
group to another exists in the villages as well as the elected offices. However, with the 50th Anniversary
pulling people together for a common celebration, it’s an honor to be present
for the history making event. Of course, there will always be controversy and
the way the current government is planning and spending for what is to be a
remarkable occasion it is to be expected. Nevertheless, people will be enjoying
themselves and take pride in what has come to pass.
I am told the hotels in and near Georgetown have been sold
out for weeks. Many Guyanese are “coming
home” for this huge event even though they may be second generation US
citizens! The cleanup efforts have been
massive. The investments to contain
great masses of people have been enormous. The phone systems and other
infrastructure has been beefed up JUST in the present month. Beautification has
been laboriously and painstakingly done not just in Georgetown but the
villages. The roadwork has been
strategically managed and the place is looking neat and tidy as a giant,
beautifully wrapped gift. Regalia is
everywhere. It is exciting and uplifting
to walk around and see how the government, the independent businesses, the
NGO’s the schools and even small business owners are dressing up with the
colors of the Guyana flag!
All of the above are Georgetown properties. New Amsterdam and villages are stepping in line slowly.
I learned through my village host mom that a bus or minivan
would be hired to carry a good number from the area where I live to
Georgetown. The plan: leave early
(before dawn) on the day of the celebration and return late. I told her I wanted on that bus as I had no
intention of trying to find a place to stay! Besides, the rules for a PCV is
that they sleep at home the last 3 months.
I would be in compliance! Well, as it turned out, one PCV after another
wanted on and the bus will be 15 PCV along with host mom, Jenni and her husband,
Desmond! Here I thought I would be
traveling with villagers….it’s a bit ironic!
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