Dear Editor,
On Saturday, November 9, five of us departed Linden town to join with the people of the Island of Leguan to celebrate Leguan Day. Two of the group members grew up on that island and they refer to themselves as Leguanian or Islanders.
We arrived at the Parika ferry wharf about 15:30 hours, and while awaiting to board the ferry MV Sabanto, I witnessed the high and rough waves of the Essequibo River and the small passenger boats moving very fast which made them look as though they were airborne and sometimes under the waves.
It seemed very dangerous to me who is unaccustomed to it, but, to those regular travellers it’s just a way of life.
I must admit our visit was very short but we enjoyed all the hospitalities extended to us and it’s only fitting for us to say thank you, thank you and thank you to the Islanders.
Meeting people for the first time, the fun and frolic and the stage show, especially the Miss Leguan pageant, were exciting.
On the following day we were taken on an extensive tour of the island by a member of our team who wanted to reacquaint himself with friends and relatives after many years of absence. I must admit during our tour I felt as if I was a visitor inside another country far from Guyana.
The economy of Leguan is based heavily on rice farming. It also has a rich history which should be properly documented and made public, for example, the St Peter’s Anglican Church, the seawall, which is a massive structure, and many other landmarks.
On our way back to Linden town, while waiting to board the ferry at the Leguan wharf, sudden rain came and passengers within the waiting room became very uncomfortable owing to water seepage from the roof and windows. It is necessary for the authorities to have that situation corrected urgently; it was said to have been like that for a long time. I want to say to the people of Leguan, keep on farming and producing and to other Guyanese, agriculture is the way forward, start now!
Yours faithfully,
B Winslow Parris
