Interviews and photographs by Kenesha Fraser
With Christmas just days away, we asked the man/woman in the street on the Essequibo Coast about their plans for this most-anticipated holiday and whether they had completed their Christmas shopping. Their comments follow:
Romario Stoll, miner – ‘I plan to celebrate Christmas this year and I’ll be going to the extreme. I don’t really have anything special planned but whatever there is to do, do I will. Well I helped my mom with the cleaning and so on and I’ll do whatever else there is to do. As for the shopping, I’ll leave that to my mom and sister but if I see something that I like, I will buy it. I think I’m going to go to Georgetown to buy the little things that I need since all the promotions are there.’
Anita Singh, businesswoman – ‘Of course I plan to celebrate Christmas this year as always. My three children are excited and happy for the season and so am I. I started my Christmas shopping two months ago and I bought everything in Georgetown because I had a better deal there. My cleaning started a month back and to make things more exciting for me and my kids, I planned my menu already. For my house, I bought decorations, curtains, gifts for my children and other relatives. I bought a Santa and a Christmas tree.
Shakira Khan, snackette owner – ‘I’ve started my Christmas shopping already because I didn’t want to wait until the last moment to do so. I did all of my shopping right here in Essequibo which was good for me and I can tell you I enjoyed it to the fullest. I didn’t shop for myself but for my mom too. When I went to buy my things, I got a good deal at the supermarket because they have a promotion going on to win a car and I would like to be that lucky person to win that car. I’m really excited about Christmas this year.’
Aleandra Deagrella, cosmetologist – ‘I’m celebrating Christmas this year in full style but my mom will be doing most of the shopping. I did some shopping already and I bought the decorations and curtains for our home. We already started cleaning so there isn’t much left to do. The rest of our Christmas shopping will be done right here on the Essequibo Coast but some of the things we bought before were in Georgetown. I’m hoping to indeed have a Merry Christmas.’
Theresa Rodrigues, shopkeeper – ‘Well I don’t have to do any shopping this year for Christmas because I’ll be with my daughter. She told me that she will do all the shopping since it is not plenty things she has to buy. I’m looking forward to Christmas this year and I’m very excited. It will be much easier on me too because I wouldn’t have to fatigue myself to go and do any shopping.’
Lindsay Gamell, food service supervisor – ‘Well normally, I’m not much of a Christmas lover and as the years go by, I usually admire those who decorate their houses and so on. For this year, I plan on going on vacation away from this community and I’ll be doing something good for my other relatives so I told my children that they will have to celebrate Christmas by themselves. I wouldn’t be doing any shopping this year but I hope others will not be procrastinators and wait until Christmas Eve to start their shopping.’
Selwin Campbell, labourer – ‘This year Christmas should be exciting for me because I’ve already started my shopping and cleaning. I didn’t want to wait until Christmas Eve to shop so I bought all my things early. I bought decorations for my house, curtains and bed sheets. I also purchased some food stuff. I’ll be doing all my decorations myself this year and I hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas shopping just as I did.’
Prema Nandkumar, clothes vendor – ‘Well, I haven’t bought anything as yet for the holidays but I will this weekend. I will have to travel up to Georgetown to do my shopping so I can get my things at a good price. I’m glad that I cleaned already so it will be easier on me this weekend. I know that the place will be filled with persons trying to do their last minute shopping and I might be caught up in the hassle. I still have to buy curtains, house decorations and some other small things so I can celebrate this season.’
Morris Peters, bus conductor – ‘I usually celebrate Christmas but this year will be one with a little difference because I have to do some shopping for my family. I haven’t started any shopping as yet but I plan to do shopping this weekend since Christmas day is right around the corner. I will have to buy curtains, decorations and food stuff. I will have to get some toys for the kids too since it will be Christmas and all children like to play with their toys. It will be very costly if I have to travel up to Georgetown so I will do my shopping right here.’
Collin Sealey, bus driver – ‘I love to do Christmas shopping and this year I’m very excited about it. I have to work every day so I didn’t get the chance to start shopping but I will have to take a day off and do so. I’m going to buy some toys for my kids, decorations for the home, curtains, some wares and other important things for the house. I’m excited for Christmas celebrations this year and so is my family. I will do my shopping right here in Essequibo because if I go up to Georgetown, it will be a whole lot of confusion and I don’t like that. Down here will be more quiet and peaceful to shop.’
