Goshen, a satellite community of River’s View Village, is situated in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), though it is across the Essequibo River from Bartica, which is in Region 7 (Cuyuni-Mazaruni). Home to no more than 100 residents and curious jungle cats, Goshen is also a popular camping ground for several churches.
To get to Goshen, I took a speedboat from Parika that was destined for Bartica. The speedboats usually stop at Goshen and other villages along the route to drop off passengers. Goshen is some 10 to 15 minutes from Bartica and when the speedboat got there the tide was too low for it to stop at the stelling. I was among the few passengers who were forced to jump from the bow of the boat onto the beach to joyful shrieks from children and members of the Church of the Nazarene who were using the Baptist Church campsite. Some of the folks stood under the giant trees enjoying the view of the Essequibo River while keeping their eyes on the children playing on the beach. Nearby, three boys were up a mango tree tossing down fruit to others standing below.