Story and photos by Mario Joseph
Whether it’s a hot sunny day or a cool afternoon, sweet ripe coconut water is always on sale at Priestman’s coconut stall on the edge of Friendship, on the East Bank of Demerara. Located immediately on the public road, the Rastafarian who is formally known as Euriel Williams stands with his cutlass in hand ready to cut the coconut and drain the water for those wishing to be refreshed by nature’s rejuvenator. If the customer is willing to finish their drink on the spot, they can enjoy the delight of eating the jelly, after watching Williams’s masterful demonstration of chopping the coconut in neat thirds.
Williams who lives in the squatting area just down the road from his stall says all is not well for the poor living in his community.