Photos by Jules Gibson
This week we asked the man/woman in the street if they’d had a vacation this year and where, or if they hadn’t where they were planning to go and why.
Shirine Reddock, Self-employed:
‘I haven’t been on vacation but I plan to take one this year. My husband is in the US so I’ll be going there to see him and spend time with him. If we could travel somewhere together I’d like to go spend some time in Trinidad. My best friend lives in Trinidad and my husband hasn’t met her so that would give me an opportunity to introduce them. But, to tell you the truth I don’t really think there’s any such thing as a vacation because when people leave for one all they do is spend most of the time on their feet, rushing from one place to the next sightseeing and when they get home at the end of it they’re tired more than when they left.’
Zina Edwards, Assistant Manager:
‘Well, I’m not sure where I plan to go for a vacation this year. I’m due for some time off in May and I just might go to the Cayman Islands to visit my best friend Ulex Atwell. I haven’t gone there before but I’ve heard a lot about the place. The Cayman Islands are beautiful and tourist-attractive; at least what I’ve seen in pictures gives me that impression. For me a vacation is all about kicking back and relaxing. I have a two-year-old so I look forward to the alone time. Besides most of us work hard and at some time we need a break from it all.’
Roslyn Bacchus, Teacher:
‘I wish I’d already been on vacation this year but I plan to visit the Kaieteur Falls later this year because I’ve never been there. I’m not aiming at vacationing outside Guyana just yet because I know there’s still a lot I haven’t seen in my country which are yet to be explored. Besides we have a lot of relaxing spots to offer. I’m not sure why I haven’t gone on vacation yet because teaching is one profession that offers a reasonable amount of time off. I suppose I’m waiting on the August holidays since that’s when we get the longest time away. For me visiting the US or England isn’t really a vacation I think most people go there because they are considering living there.’
Clint Hamilton, Private Sector Employee:
‘I’d like to go to Barbados. I like the beaches and I love the scenery. Besides the place strives from tourism so I definitely know it’s more attractive than here. Guyana needs to get like that. Besides the tour being offered to the Kaieteur Falls is too expensive. You can use that money to hop across to some Caribbean island. I think why Guyanese choose take a vacation out of their country is because the services are simply too expensive. We have good hotels but the locals can’t afford them. I think if places like Pegasus would advertise a weekend package at a reasonable price many people would go there just for a short getaway. I know one thing for sure though before I go to North America for vacation I’d prefer to go regional. I mean the Americans and Europeans pay thousands to come soak in our sun so why do we want to go freeze in the climate they’re trying to escape?’
Johnetta Stuart, Teacher:
‘I’d most definitely like to have a vacation because I’ve had some stressful events to deal with. My father died recently and I got ill for a little while. My job doesn’t help either because I’m a teacher and have a lots of hard work at school and with the shortage of staff we’re experiencing it means I have to do more. Personally, I think people forget how hard teachers work and that we have a life of our own. I have to be a mother, nurse and teacher to the children at school and at the end of it all I have is less energy and stress. So if anyone should take a vacation it’s me. I think I’d like to go to one of the islands just to relax and soak up the different scenery. I’m not sure I can afford it though.’
Lynette Baird, Researcher/Writer:
‘America. That’s where I’m going for my annual vacation. I love going there so every time I decide to take a vacation I end up there. I love the food; I love the clothes and the scenery. But most of all I think I love hopping on the bus in New York and traveling upstate to Albany or New Jersey. I like to sit on the bus, listen to some nice music and look at the pretty houses in those areas. Albany and New Jersey have beautiful houses and looking at them is relaxing for me. Plus the atmosphere on the bus is extremely comfortable. The bus is fully air conditioned, provides proper lights if you want to read and the seats are comfy. Never in my wildest dreams can I imagine Guyana getting public transportation like that. Those buses have no music, so it allows you to hear what you want on your I-pod and there are no immoral slogans in them. Besides in America you get foods from a variety of culture and I love sampling things I’ve never even heard of. I wouldn’t go to Caribbean islands for a vacation because for me that is like driving to Berbice or Demerara.’
Thandeka Watson, Marketing Assistant:
‘October is my vacation time and Jamaica is the place. I’ve seen quite a lot of Jamaican scenery on television and in magazines. I like what I’ve seen. At least I know the ads have captured my attention and lured me to Jamaica. The first thing I’m doing when I get there is getting a general feel of the place then I’m hitting the beaches and the night spots. I’m looking forward to the food as well. I’ve noticed that the Jamaican jerk has become popular here so I want to taste the real thing over there. Actually I was in Trinidad during January, February and March this year and I love it there. The place has an upbeat culture that almost makes you feel as though you’re in New York City. When I got back to Guyana I was so disappointed because the standard of living is way below that of Trinidad and Tobago. We’re way behind when it comes to technology as well.’
Abiose Thomas, Accountant:
‘I would like to visit Rupununi with my family for our vacation this year. But I find that the location is a bit inaccessible for me at the time. Yes there are buses that transport you in there but I’d like to have personal transportation so that I can stop when I want along the trail to snap photos and just enjoy the scenery. Nature is the most precious gift God has given us and that’s what I enjoy most when I’m on vacation. I think I’ll go to Suriname instead this year though. It’s less expensive to travel to Suriname as opposed to Caribbean islands. Besides if you don’t have relatives living on the island you want to visit then you probably won’t be able to cope with rent. I don’t think the average Guyanese makes enough to be able to afford a proper vacation on one of our neighbouring islands.’
Neil Pickering, photographer:
‘Any vacation I take will definitely be out of this country. Anything here is stress. I think I’ll meet up with my wife in Jamaica for our wedding anniversary in August. Besides it’s going to be a learning experience for her too. She works in the music industry and has an interest in the Jamaican music so vacationing there will definitely be her thing.’
Nigel Trotman, Banker:
‘I’ve had some time off this year but didn’t go anywhere out of town. I did lie around and relax though. Not sure if I’m taking a proper vacation this year but if I do I’m going to The Bahamas. I have friends and family living there who I’d like to spend time with.’
