Dear Editor,
NY-based Guyanese have been gearing up for the Christmas holidays with their shopping and party arrangements. But the anaemic American economy has put a damper on their spending as well as on their holiday spirits with people not in the strong party mood of previous seasons.
The holiday season in NY is usually greeted with expectancy by the large Guyanese population, with celebration in the air on Liberty Avenue, Richmond Hill − the hub of Guyanese-related food items − as well as in Flatbush and other neighbourhoods where they are settled. But business has been down in most communities. However, in recent days, the stores and restaurants in the Liberty Avenue area have been teeming with people of different ethnic backgrounds, but still not to the same extent as last year.
Liberty Avenue itself and the stores are well decorated for the season. Multi-coloured lights and other paraphernalia are on display in front of and inside the shops from which Christmas music emanates. The aroma of delicious dishes wafts in the air near restaurants, tempting even filled stomachs to go in for a bite. But people are spending moderately because of short pockets.
The Guyanese ‘village’ of Richmond Hill and other areas where our people are settled are dressed up to welcome the holidays. Going around the neighbourhoods where they are clustered, one can see flickering multi-coloured lights with a variety of designs lining the windows and entrances to homes, and even on trees outside on the lawn. While some homes are well lit on the outside and decorated with Christmas paraphernalia, there is still not the usual massive number.
The more subdued celebration is also reflected in the fact that there have not been as many parties as last year. Many real estate and mortgage offices have gone out of operation, and those still in business have had very small parties or none at all. There has not been the kind of bashes at five star hotels of yesteryear.
But on the streets of Richmond Hill, some Guyanese men are seen engaged in rum- drinking just as they do in the streets in Guyana. And the bars appear crowded with business as usual.
One positive aspect of the season is that as in Guyana, in NY the Christmas festival transcends religions. Virtually everyone partakes in the Christmas spirit with even Hindus and Muslims shopping for holiday items to prepare the cake, beverages and special meals.
Christmas in New York is not the same as being in Guyana. Many Guyanese wish to celebrate Christmas ‘at home,’ and indeed many have made the yearly pilgrimage home. But unlike in previous years, airline seats are not completely sold. When there were four carriers servicing NY-Timehri, seats were sold out. Today with only two carriers, one can still get a seat to travel to Guyana, although the fares are much higher than last year.
Yours faithfully,
Vishnu Bisram
