Episode 9-From ‘bangees’ to Bobcats
As they walked out of the restaurant, Ryan felt the stares of the other diners. He also noticed that they all wore  smiles. He knew they were reacting to his Uncle’s eating style. While he couldn’t read all of their faces since he was focused on getting to the vehicle, he sensed that their stares and smiles were twofold. Some, like him, were probably seeing such action for the first time, while others, who seemingly were not oblivious to what they saw, were basically surprised that it happened in a posh restaurant. At least, that’s what he wanted to believe. Regardless of what they may think, he was no longer uncomfortable. As a matter of fact, he was thinking of trying the same the next time he eats. He was only going to experiment at home. As they drove off, he reminded his Uncle about what he had asked back in the restaurant. He wanted to know what a “fertilizer child” is. Uncle Benji was only too willing to respond. He explained that back in his time in Guyana, the vegetables were considered “natural” since many farmers didn’t use fertilizer. Cow and chicken manure were utilised instead.

This he explained “mek de boulanger and bora and bhagee more tasty and healthy as against to now-a-days vegetables”. He added that all over chemicals are used to fertilize plants which he believes “mek de vegetables tasteless with no real nutrients. So people who eat de vegetables today, nah gat strength. Dem weak and can’t do hard wuk. Dem a fertilizer pickney”. While he wasn’t clear on the technical terms, he mentioned that “man a now mek ‘greens’ instead a plant am. De ‘greens’ dem big big and de tree lil”. Ryan knew what he meant.

He knows that many countries are using technology to genetically enhance plants to improve yields. This invariably has led to a vast reduction in the sizes of trees, which has resulted in much needed space being available; “grafted trees” as they are called. He knows that the local Agricultural Research Institute is instrumental in fostering such technology which has brought tremendous benefits to farmers. He knows that this administration has provided much financial, technical and infrastructural support to the agricultural sector, resulting in farmers being more productive and prosperous with a less labour-intensive process.

Uncle Benji didn’t stop. He added that “now-a-days all yuh gat fuh use ‘builders’ and drink plenty tonic just fuh stay healthy. That is because de food nah gat nuff nourishment. Everything ah end up in de microwave”. Ryan couldn’t dispute. He takes a vitamin every day and cannot do without a glass of orange juice. He has never taken these for the reasons his Uncle had stated. It was what he is accustomed to. The Guyana he knows is vastly different from his Uncle’s.
“In abee days de vitamin come from ‘bush’ tea. ‘sweet sage’, ‘fever grass’, ‘lime leaf’ and suh. If when we feel lil sluggish, a good dose o’ ‘karila bush’, ‘neem leaf’ or ‘pear leaf’ help. If things get lil more bad, then some ‘senna pad’ or ‘castor oil’ come in handy”.

Again Ryan felt lost. He was unaware of some of the things his Uncle mentioned. He knows about ‘karila’. He hates it; too bitter. He likes pear but is not a fan of lime and is afraid of the consequences of ingesting ‘senna pads’ or ‘castor oil’. He remembered pranks he and his peers played on others. He would never want to be on the receiving end of such even if it’s voluntary. He was now clear about what a ‘fertilizer pickney’ is. He hopes that his Uncle’s impression of him would change with time. He is not too optimistic. Uncle Benji continued to describe what was consumed during his time in Guyana. Ryan listened attentively making mental notes. He was so intrigued that he decided not to go straight home, just drive a bit. Uncle Benji touched on various issues. After a while, he realised that some time had passed and they hadn’t reached home.

“Now all yuh can drive and yuh reach where yuh going quick quick. Now all yuh gat road fuh drive, all dem expensive vehicles meh seeing. As meh tell yuh before, in me days we had few vehicles and it ain’t even had roads fuh dem. Whatever road it had, was sheer holes; potholes. Some o’ de holes was suh big that we use to play ‘hide and seek’. Plenty times we don’t find who we looking for. We had to come off and push de bicycle since de holes was too big. If somebody get lil money and dem buy some sand, de truck had to drop it far away and de people had to use a ‘bangee’ to fetch it”.

He explained that a ‘bangee’ was a ‘jute bag’ with its sealed corners cut out and two sturdy sticks placed from the front through the cut ends giving the appearance of a stretcher used in hospitals. Two persons had to “operate” the “bangee”. He remembered the haggling as to who would be in front and who at the back. He smiled. “Now, de truck can come in yuh yard since de road dem good and all yuh not even using wheelbarrows, all yuh using Bobcats and other fancy machine just fuh spread a load sand. Now look how quick yuh getting from one place to de other. De road smooth”.

Ryan was quietly laughing. This is a modern Guyana. He grew up with advanced technology and machinery. This is what he knows. Who uses a ‘bangee’ now, he pondered. He must ask his friends if they know of the many things his Uncle had mentioned. He can’t wait. Uncle Benji kept talking about the poor conditions of the roads then and the inconvenience people faced. He mentioned the difficulties the rain and potholed roads caused when having a wedding or funeral. He mentioned the difficulties workers and school children faced due to the same factors.

He mentioned the frequency with which the few vehicle owners had to find large sums to effect repairs due to damage caused by treacherous potholes. He remembered some owners not wanting to carry “burly” passengers since the springs were easily broken when traversing the impassable roads. He remembered always seeing Aunty Mavis and Aunty Drupattee walking for the same reason. Ryan explained that all the major roadways and most village roads are now paved and that it takes about an hour to get to Rosignol from Georgetown. A pleasantly surprised Uncle Benji looked at Ryan and said, “dis time really nah lang time. All yuh really gat it good meh ‘fertilizer’ nephew”.
To be continued.