Interviews by Sara Bharrat and photos by Jules Gibson
This week we asked the man/woman on the street about their dream place to travel.
Paul Ramlochan, private sector employee: ‘I would like to travel to Canada, that’s my dream place, because most of my relatives are there. I miss them and I’d like to see the place they call home. While I want to go there I only want to be there on vacation and not to live. I love Guyana and my dedication is to this country. I know I’ll get there but I’m not ready just yet. Maybe later in the year I’ll go. I definitely want to see a bit of Canada’s landscape because I hear it can be beautiful especially during certain seasons.’
Dhanraj Ramroop, public sector employee: ‘It’s not a dream of mine to travel anywhere but there was one time quite recently when I really wanted to go to another country. My mother died in the United States last November and I wanted to be there like any son should for her funeral. However, I was denied doing this duty of mine because I was turned down by the US Embassy when I applied for a visa. I had the assets, the finance, everything they required but I still didn’t qualify. All I wanted was 7 days or even less if they were willing to give so that I could be at her funeral. I believe that once you’re a human being you should be allowed to be in any part of this world you want.’
George London, private sector employee: ‘I don’t dream of going anywhere because of the state of our country. Financially things are getting increasingly hard and I don’t know where I’d find the money to travel. I mean no one would want to leave their family here to face financial difficulties while they leave to go see some part of the world. However, if I were to be honest if there were one place I could travel to that would be the United States because I have relatives there. Besides it’s an English speaking country and I would be able to communicate better.’
Martin Braam, private sector employee: ‘I don’t particularly want to go anywhere because I like my country just fine. I mean look at how many Guyanese are getting deported these days from various countries. They are going out there and giving all of us a bad name on the international arena. But I suppose if I could travel to some place it would have to be the United States and that too only because I have relatives there. While people are excited by places like India and China I don’t want to go there because both those countries are over populated. I would like to visit the Kaieteur Falls. When you think about it Guyana has everything. We have Chinese and Indian food, many cultures, we have the perfect blend.’
Cedel Softley, private sector employee: ‘Jamaica now that is definitely the dream place for me. I’ve heard that it’s a very relaxing place with some of the best and most beautiful beaches. The whole Jamaican atmosphere attracts me. I want to experience the real Jamaican music and try the food. I can’t wait to have some real Jamaican jerked chicken. I have friends and relatives who have been there and they’ve said that the place is busy but wonderful to experience. I’ll get there soon because I’ve already started to save for the trip. While I really want to there it’s only a few weeks of time off for me because I’m coming back to Guyana my first love.’
Delon Brandt, private sector employee: ‘I haven’t really travelled a lot in Guyana I don’t really know where I want to go. Travelling has never really been something on my mind but whenever it pops up I think of going to New York because I’m fascinated by what I’ve seen on television of the place and the things people have told me. I’m not sure if I’ll there though.’
Lisa Gray, student: ‘My dream place to travel is right in Guyana. That’s the Kaieteur Falls because the pictures and video clips I’ve seen of it are so beautiful. I don’t know my own country well and I’d like to see here first before I begin thinking about visiting anywhere overseas. I guess prices and lack of knowledge about how to make travel arrangements cause a lot of people to not travel. Not sure when I’ll get to go to my dream place. I’m not even aware of how to arrange such a trip so I will have to do some research.’
Fiona Lall, student: ‘I’m not sure what my dream place would be to travel because there are so many beautiful and exotic places to choose from. But when I think of travelling I immediately think Barbados, London and Hawaii. Hawaii would perhaps be the choice because of their pretty scenery, blue water and peaceful beaches. The food would definitely be something to try as well. When I think Hawaii I think exotic but I don’t know if I’ll ever get there.’
Marian Dodson, self-employed: ‘Holland is my dream place to travel. I have family there and the pictures they’ve sent me have me dreaming of visiting the place. Besides going there would be a whole new experience for me. I’d get to experience a new culture, new weather and just see something different. Sadly we don’t always get the things we want so I am not sure if I will ever see Holland.’
Malika Hinds, student: ‘The land of opportunities America is my dream place to travel. However, I don’t just want to travel there I want to live there because it provides a faster way to make it in life. But while we are still in Guyana we must fight to get a proper education and make the best of what is available for us here. It might not be much but it still is something. America is my dream because Guyana is too slow and makes you feel like you’re stifled.’
