Dear Editor,
Golden opportunities are sometimes sitting staring us in the face and we’re so engrossed in other pursuits we’re oblivious to them. This week, for example, we are seeing the world press and social media agog over the startling young man in Canada, with a famous name, who, as his father before him, is suddenly the Prime Minister of that country. Justin Trudeau has come along like a shooting star with his movie star appeal and breezy personality; he is big news, and in the midst of that, via social media video we are learning that he can take care of matters on the dance floor with his Indian Bhangra moves and the soca gyrations. As an East Coast taxi driver put it, “De bhai is a natural.” In parallel to that, I am just hearing that Justin’s father, the late Pierre Trudeau, had chosen our Kaieteur Falls for his honeymoon trip. So here’s the opportunity.
Our President should call up Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, offer the standard congratulations, and then invite him and his family to visit the Kaieteur his father loved, as Guyana’s guest. Okay, the new PM may be too busy and all that, but can you imagine the explosion of prime coverage from around the world that would follow? The combination of the majestic Falls and the cultural entertainment we would provide for the Trudeaus, along with the flair of the Canadian star, would put us on the front page of newspapers everywhere, and television coverage will not be far behind.
We could have Tourism Minister Cathy Hughes make all the arrangements: add some modern furnishings to the guest house at the site which was originally built to accommodate his parents; provide some cultural items, such as the Sand Creek Amerindian dancers, the Shastri Strings, or Camo with his mellow tenor pan during dinner. Judging by the online videos, the Canadian PM may even get up and dance at some point (he seems to have all the appropriate garb) and he may even get our own President Granger to join in. I’m excited just thinking of the flood of photo and prime time video resulting. We might even bump Trump in prime time.
Mr. Trudeau is too busy for that, you say? I say, think positive. In the first place, by the time all the pieces are put together, it will likely be early January before this could happen. If you’ve been to Canada, you know January is the time when many people become “snow birds” and head south seeking warmth, so there is that pull. In the second place, Minister Hughes would stress the activities we know the Prime Minister loves – dancing to Indian and Caribbean music. In the third place, it will be a delicious break from all the stressful and laborious political gyrations facing him in Ottawa, and the Trudeau children will get a free pass from about a week of school. It’s a no-brainer.
What would it cost us? You must be kidding. Caribbean Airlines would happily bring them for free and the local airlines would do likewise for the Kaieteur trip. Guyanese companies would happily provide all the food and drink and the mosquito repellent. And as for the local entertainers, Minister Hughes would emphasize the world-wide exposure they would get (Shastri could end up getting expensive gigs in New Delhi, and Camo in Nigeria) so they would donate their services, and I’m sure Damien Fernandes would waive the usual tour guide fee at the Falls.
In case my presentation seems a bit light-hearted, be assured that I am completely serious. Sure there may be other obstacles preventing the visit – this is an extremely busy man – but when one considers the public relations benefits that Guyana could reap here we should not let this opportunity pass.
After all, when again are we going to find someone elected Prime Minister of his country whose father honeymooned at Kaieteur Falls?
Yours faithfully,
Dave Martins
