Photos and interviews by Desilon Daniels
Lovern Blair, teacher: `I spent my Old Year’s Night at church with my family. On New Year’s Day I went over the river with my sisters. I was happy to see the New Year and it was nice having my entire family in church with me on Old Year’s Night.’
Rebecca Alli, salesgirl: `I worked on Old Year’s then some friends and I went clubbing. I reached home five minutes before 12 and spent time with my family. As soon as it reached 12 we set off flairs; it was a lot of fun.’
Kwesi Archer, art student: ‘I entered the New Year in church with some of my friends. We were all decked out for the New Year; I wore my black tux and red shirt. We saw the fireworks from church and I must say GDF did a great job this year. At the end of the service we had our cookup and fish. It was a great start to the New Year for me and I hope all of Guyana strives to continue this year in a great way.’
Galton Adams, vendor: `My Old Year’s Day was great because I came out to sell and by the Grace of God I got money to get some stuff to get the cookup going and some things for my wife and to bake bread. We spent the rest of the night with my daughter and our grandchildren. On New Year’s Day we had a family get-together. We had a New Year’s grandson born too so that just made the New Year even more beautiful.’
Keisha Henry, Churches’ crew member: ‘Old Year’s Night I was at home but I had to work New Year’s. I did normal chores when I got home after 9. I basically did the normal stuff like taking care of my kids. I got up in time to watch the fireworks; we all stood on the verandah and watched. My kids went crazy!’
Askale Wray, hairdresser: ‘Old Year’s Night was spent at home watching the fireworks but I was at work late before that. The fireworks from Camp Ayanganna were really beautiful. On New Year’s Day I spent time with my family and we expressed our New Year’s resolutions to each other.’
Charlene Nelson, businesswoman: `I did my normal housework on Old Year’s Day then went grocery shopping. After that I came back home and prepared the traditional cookup. By time the food finish cook I fell asleep and was awoken by the fireworks. New Year’s Day I slept a lot and visited some family. I’m usually busy so I was more than thankful for the two days’ rest.’
Aubrey Cambridge, vendor: `I worked Old Year’s Night into New Year’s Day. I stop selling about three in the afternoon on New Year’s. After that I went home and ate some cookup. For me, it was a bad day. In my whole life I never see a Old Year’s like this; sales were bad for me.’
Amran Mohammed, fisherman: `I spent time with my family at home on Old Year’s Day. We didn’t go anywhere, we just cook up nice things and eat and bake some things. We ate a lot. On New Year’s Day I did the same thing and enjoyed myself. It was a very nice day.’
Abiola Porter, Royal Castle employee: `Old Year’s Night I was in bed sleeping because I was too tired from working. So, I wasn’t a part of the New Year’s celebrations. On New Year’s Day I wasn’t feeling well again; I had a serious headache so I slept all day. So far, I have no New Year’s Resolution.’
Herman “Dougla” Persaud, snow-cone vendor: `I went to church then I went home with my children and grandchildren. When I wake up the morning [New Year’s morning] I ate the cookup rice that was left back then I drink two beers and played some music.’
Barbara Price, vendor: `[Old Year’s Day] I went and help a friend sell in the market. After that I went home and prepared to cook. I made pigeon peas cookup. I didn’t get to watch the fireworks. On New Year’s I just watched TV and relaxed. It was a quiet day for me.’
