Lush, appealing greenery floated by in a speedy blur as the seemingly maddened minibus driver darted in and out of traffic. My heart lurched in my stomach as he sped around sharp turns with a deafening screech of tyres, grinding on his breaks as he guffawed and poked at a female in the front seat beside him who kept plastering Maybelline on her face at every possible interval.

Folks, I was headed for the village of Soesdyke which I was foretold is an appealing location where residents lived by humble means, and did every possible positive thing to make their existence comfortable, if not

luxurious.
Soesdyke located on the East Bank Demerara has an average elevation of two metres above sea level. The area is not very densely populated with about 30 people per square km.
This village is populated by a large percentage of Africans, but there is also a striking fusion of East Indians and other mixed races that make up the population which is about 3,000, according to some villagers. It is bordered by the much larger Timehri on the west and Coverden on the east.
Soesdyke is situated just about 18 miles (or 29 km) south of the capital city of Georgetown with readings that suggest Latitude- 6.5333° and Longitude-58.2333.

Natural Hazards
Soesdyke, as history would dictate can have low impact earthquakes (on average one every 50 years). When an earthquake occurs, it may be felt indoors by many people, outdoors by a few people during the day. At night, some people may be awakened. There is a low occurrence of periods with extreme drought.

Nature

Soesdyke has a humid (> 0.65 p/pet) climate. The land area is still not much cultivated today, and most of the natural vegetation is still intact. Its landscape is mostly covered with mosaic crop lands/vegetation. The climate is classified as a tropical wet (no dry season), with a tropical moist forest bio-zone. The soil in the area is said to be high in acrisols, alisols, plinthosols (ac), acid soil with clay-enriched lower horizon and low saturation of bases.

Touching Down
I touched down in the village at about 12:15 hours when the sun was at its best and in minutes I was ‘wringing wet’ with perspiration as the sun bore down

on me with cruel intensity.
However, I must admit that the warm welcome I received from the villagers took away greatly from the discomfort brought on by the sweltering sun. Also another factor that had me focusing less on the humid heat was the arresting ambience of this village.
In spite of the blistering heat a few young children hopped about here and there, apparently running chores for their parents and guardians. Young men were seen liming in groups by the roadside, while young girls giggling gleefully were rushing off to ‘God knows where,’ swishing their hips suggestively and rolling their eyes heavenward when the boys gave them ‘goo goo eyes’ or the cat calls that signalled they were the objects of their attention.
The boys who were too bold in their advances or were just too ghetto with their salutations were met with a fiery ‘cuss out’ by some young ladies who ‘minced no matters’ in expressing their disdain.

And then as I walked alongside the public road I had the scare of my life as speeding sand trucks almost ran me over as they attempted to overtake each other, desperately trying to be the first to sell a load of white sand in the city. Keeping a safe distance on the curb of the road after, I continued my treks around the village.

Soesdyke in times gone by
I was very much impressed by the modern look that this village sported and equally surprised at the large amount of posh looking houses and businesses there.
But I wondered about the likes of the village before its modern turn around and there was the elderly Miriam Semple to shed light on this aspect. Mrs. Semple has lived in Soesdyke all her life and explained that as a kid the village was mostly a dense overgrowth of bush and foliage, and a few scattered houses here and there. She said there was no electricity in most areas and many sections of the village were pitch-black after dusk falls.

She related that during that time the area was plagued by a serious drainage problem in many areas, and the very few farmers who cultivated cash crops in the back lands suffered immensely as a result of flooding from time to time.
As she related, during the early 1970s the village began to show signs of development and it started with persons who began to erect a few small shops and stalls. Access roads were created to gain access to the village from various angles, and things began to look a little ‘bright around the gills’ so to speak.
As the years rolled by, a few well established businesses sprung up lending a certain impressive ambience to the village and today this fuses quite nicely with the colourful array of houses, dense, lush green foliage in some areas, bubbling waterways and colourful fruit trees in almost every yard.
Today villagers can almost satisfy all their necessities in the village since there is water and electricity supply everywhere.

The village also houses a very vibrant looking St. Mary’s Primary School, a Neighbouring Democratic Council (NDC) office, the always busy Patsy Beepat Food Court emitting aromas that causes the stomach to growl in anticipation, and the Shawnie Service Station. There is also the Hand in Hand Mutual Fire & Life Insurance branch office, Rubis Gas Station, Pacesetters Barber Shop, an internet cafe and more.
And for a little fun time folks can trek down to colourful Cozy Nook Hangout Bar on weekends to have a ‘lil drink’ and talk off their stress and worries over some good bottles of El Dorado Five Year Old Rum and other beverages.

Contented people despite challenges
The most endearing pleasantry about this village is that despite the fact that it is still transcending into ultimate evolvement but has minor challenges like any other village.
Everyone there is so pleasant and contented, that it left me awed and amazed.

Sharon Forde a vendor spoke of the beauty of the village, and vows that she would not give it up for anywhere else.
“Soesdyke is really a very quiet and nice village, and it’s my only home I have known for 48 years now. I have been happy here all these years and have been living in quiet and peace and will not trade it for anywhere else.”
Addressing the issue of proper drainage Pamela Lynch explained that the workers assigned by the NDC body there would often do ‘wishy washy jobs’ that infuriate residents.
“This is a very nice village sir, and we have just a few problems here and among them is the issue of our drainage. While the NDC is trying to clean up the village they are doing a bad job because the workers they are using are not responsible enough. All they do is clean the front drains and do nothing to the drains in the back of the village. And persons that live in these locations are flooded out as soon as the rains come.”

Peter Ramlall opined that there is need for a proper bus shed in the village since the one there was almost falling down.
“Bass we need a bus shed he tuh…. Look at dis wan heh. The whole thing mek out ah zinc and does drive suh much heat yuh does roast up inside when de hat sun come out. It nah get no seat fuh sid down and them iron raikls does mek mattash wuss fuh we.”
Beverly Pilgrim spoke about their water supply and called on the GWI to intervene and rectify the quality of water they were receiving.
“Our water pressure here is good most times, but the scent of it is ‘fishy’ and soon as they water settles in the containers, a thick, shiny substance appears on top. My father said the water has too much iron in it and GWI needs to fix this problem, if they are sending us monthly hefty water bills”
Some villagers reflected on the flooding of the community during 2008, especially at Kallicharran Sand Road where some 20 homes were flooded leaving behind dead poultry, damaged household items and water-filled outhouses.

They were of course refereeing to the flash floods which had resulted because of clogged drains and waterways.
Villagers came together during this period to clear a main irrigation trench to help the situation.
Today villagers are resorting to the same self-help indulgences to clean their drains to prevent flooding in some sections of the village. But a small group of women related that some residents are just ‘plain lazy’ and would allow vegetation to clog the drains in front of their homes and would not even bother to clean them during the spring tide or when torrential downpours may arrive.

Livelihood

Well it appears as if almost everyone is employed in Soesdyke and the majority seem to be attached to Sharma’s General Store, Shawnie’s Service Station and a few other entities
But that aside, many housewives are making a fast dollar from their fast food stalls and fruit stands, located in front of their homes. And of course there a few farmers who remain contented with their farming in the back land regions, and at least three of them related that f bad drainage in areas like Adams Road caused their crops to suffer during spring tides that raise the nearby Demerara River.
However a few youths mentioned that they have unemployment problems since a major lumber yard there that offered job opportunities for all is now out of operation.
There seems to be no garbage problem in the village and many are contented with burning or having the garbage trucks dispose of their refuse.

Picturesque beauty
One striking factor about this village, that leaves a lasting impression, is the arresting tropical beauty of the location.
The cluster of very colourful houses and building fuses almost majestically with the abundance of flower plants, fruit trees and other greenery. This is

further accentuated with youngsters liming about the village or happy children darting about, their merry laughter filling the midday skies.
Fruit stands sporting juicy looking pine apples, mangoes, cashews, genips and soursops, mingle impressively with neatly stacked vegetables and ground provision. Then there are the water coconut vendors bellowing their bargains for thirsty commuters, and young girls swing in hammocks as they wait for seasoned customers to purchase DVD discs that allows enjoyment of the more rated movies.
At the busy Soesdyke Junction there is a pretty array of flowers as the road swerves sharply to allow access to the majestic Soesdyke/Linden Highway.
This quite stirring feature allows for a mind boggling journey up beckoning sandy hills, marvellous tropical valleys with sandy dunes and alleys made naturally by the elements of wind, rain and sunlight. Vast valleys with sometimes scanty vegetation sprawl wide on both side of the road, allowing one to see the mongoose, lizards and other reptilian species as they frolic and dart about in the scorching sun.
Pond flies and other insects flutter about, their translucent and colourful wings beating a heady rhythm as they soak up the refreshing breeze available in the environs of Soesdyke. This place is surely a ‘Tropical Wonderland.’

Enticing harmony
Since the olden days according to aged residents, Soesdyke has always been a village where harmony flows naturally amongst dwellers. As we traversed sandy streets and passed animals grazing lazily in the hot sun, housewives could be seen chatting from their bedroom windows, peals of feminine laughter renting the air as they exploded mirthfully at their very suggestive jokes and girlish gossips.
With their chiselled bodies shining as the sun struck them, men bellowed at each other in ‘mock wrath and anger,’ as they argued and chided each other over disagreement on politics and social issues.
Youngsters hopped about gleefully in open yards, tumbling over each other as they engaged in games that are associated with adolescents
Conversations at the few grocery and vegetable stalls were merry as mothers stocked up on their kitchen supplies and goodies for the kids. And the indulgence of the races was certainly refreshing.
Young girls going on errands were in pleasant conversation, pausing every now and then to showcase their ‘gesticulating sauciness’ as they discussed ‘boyfriend topics’ and hot sensual gossips quite loudly without a care in the world.

Sporting Potential
Soesdyke is indeed the home to very talented upcoming sports personalities and villagers feel that more focus should be placed on developing sports and the theatrical arts in the village.
In July 2014 Soesdyke was among the victorious teams when the inaugural Schools Circle Tennis programme began.
Soesdyke overcame Timehri in their encounter. However they were later dethroned by Supply.

Conclusion
Come visit a village that will appease your every exploring and travelling fantasies. Come folic in the sun and enjoys the fruitful gifts of Mother Nature. Come taste of the tropics in abundant fruits, jovial festivity, and refreshing camaraderie of villagers.
While you are at it, make sure to stop sample some delicious ‘bush fish’ as you enjoy the pleasant gifts and offerings of Soesdyke.

(By Alex Wayne)