THE unusually large amount of snow in New York this winter has made Guyanese American youths developed a likeness for the cold white stuff frolicking in it. They get to be off from school when it snows heavily and they get to develop an appreciation for winter sports. So while most Guyanese New Yorkers would hate the brutally cold winter which has been disrupting their lives, including this writer, Guyanese American youngsters seem to like the snow. As heavy snow walloped the NY area over the weekend and turned into ice, Guyanese youths had a fun time sledding or sliding on the icy material on the ground. It is a positive development for Guyanese youths imbibing sporting activities of their American peers suggesting they would like to join mainstream winter sports which tend to attract mostly Whites as seen on TV in the recently concluded Winter Games.  There is a lot of money to be made from competitions and endorsements in winter sports and they can even play for their country in the Olympics. Some Guyanese youngsters from Berbice had previously represented and or participated in trials to represent Canada at the Olympics. Other Guyanese youngsters in North America should give winter sports a shot.

The US has been one of the snowiest winters in several years with snowfalls in places that hardly ever receive snow like Florida, Louisiana, South Georgia, etc. Washington DC has had more snow in a month than it had in several years combine.  The city was closed down for an entire week because of the huge amounts of snow fall. The month
of February alone saw some 37 inches of snow in NY.  The entire winter usually doesn’t have that much snow. It was one snow storm after another. Besides the snow, there were sub freezing temperatures and high winds which make going outside treacherous.  It was blizzard-like condition bringing back memories of blizzards in the late 1970s and again late 1990s when the city was inundated with several major storms leading to perennial complaints from Guyanese Americans (as well as others).

The continual barrage of snow irritates people because it disrupts their routine and takes income away from them with businesses closed. The heavy snow of last Thursday, Friday and Saturday kept many at home from work and it was a challenge to stay warm raising energy bills.  It also required Guyanese and others to check up on their older siblings making sure they have heat at home. Because elderly people seem to be relatively insensitive to moderately cold conditions, they can suffer hypothermia without knowing they’re in danger. Children, the elderly and those with heart disease are at special risk; many people get heart attacks around this time because of the thin air. Doctors say that as people age, their ability to maintain a normal internal body temperature often decreases.

Fortunately, there were no Guyanese victims of the snow in the NY area. But Guyanese

complained that they suffered from back pains shoveling so much snow which is quite an arduous task.  They note that the snow storm of last week was bigger than the one a week earlier with mountains of snow.  The city had to use trucks to cart it away in dump heaps. The snow plows and snow removal trucks worked all the time. Flights were disrupted.  Roads and highways were closed in several places.  Some roads were impassable and dangerous.  Tree limbs snapped and even some trees fell under their own weight with the soil being water clogged.  In fact, a fallen branch killed one park person at the famed Central Park. Electrical wires were down in several places making movement dangerous.  Many people were without electricity especially in outlying areas. It was blinding to drive and trains service for commuters was interrupted. Most taxis were out of commission.  People
were seen slipping and falling all over the place hurting muscles and limbs.  Kids fell down and got up right back to play in the snow.

In NY, young Guyanese didn’t seem to mind the snow or the danger that comes with it. Public school was shuttered twice in the last two major storms to attack the city. The Guyanese students, like their American peers, were quite pleased with the school closures giving them time off to play computer games or watch DVDs. But many used the free time to sled and slide on cardboards, plastic garbage can covers, and sleds.  Many engaged in snow ball fights.  Some built snow man and snow angels which began to melt in the rising temperature of the following days.

So although the snow made life difficult, many Guyanese American youths love the snow eagerly looking forward for more forecasted for the coming days hoping like children everywhere that schools will close.