Christmas spirit alive and well
GUYANESE are generally excited about the onset of the Christmas holidays, with their concomitant extensive preparations, both in terms of decorating and in preparing a variety of delicious foods to be enjoyed with families, friends and visitors. But something seemed strangely out of kilter this year; something was just not right, as try as one might, that joie de vivre was simply not there. Was it the post-elections shenanigans in certain quarters? Or were people uncertain of what the future held, what with all the speculation going on all around them?
Determined to find out what had put a damper on people’s spirits, the Chronicle took to the streets of Georgetown yesterday and pleasantly surprised to find that the customary Christmas feeling was slowly but surely returning, even at this late stage.
Many visitors were openly delighted to spend Christmas in Guyana, and announced that it was something they always looked forward to, regardless of what transpired over the year. Some even noted that with Jesus being the reason for the season, they had nothing to fear and everything to gain.
Colin Benjamin said that the Christmas aura was apparently subsumed in national happenings over a period of time, but the Spirit of Christmas was able to infect Guyana with its effervescence.
“My plans are normal: Walk around, buy couple things for the family, hang out with  friends. Even while it was a bit slow, I feel it coming back slowly,” Benjamin said.
For Treiston Joseph, things are not quite the same when compared to last year around this time, and this is so because of several reasons, though he did not elaborate on the subject. “It is not like last year for various reasons. I think that by now it’s the eve (and) everybody (is) shopping, you now starting to get the vibes; so it’s coming around for me. It’s not there (yet), but it’s coming,” he said.
Sisters Shellaun and Keisha Wickam, who apparently live abroad, both said that Christmas is the time they enjoy the most. They were both excited at being able to spend this Christmas with their families and friends here.
“We are always excited about spending Christmas in Guyana; it’s always good to spend Christmas with our families and friends, and we are happy that we are here in all the excitement, even while we had some minor setbacks because of election. It’s coming back slowly, and we are anticipating a wonderful Christmas here in Guyana,” the sisters said.
Romona Singh said no matter the circumstance, she’s always in tune with Christmas. “It’s a very exciting time for me; Christmas here in Guyana,” she said.
She posited that she was already in the Christmas mood, with all the shopping for presents, among other things. “I am shopping and enjoying it with some friends. (This) Christmas, I just wanted to be with my family, since it’s been a rough year; and I just want to spend time with my family,” Singh told this newspaper.
Sarah Persaud, too, is in the Christmas mood, and has been that way since a child. She has always put her all into the holidays, she said, since it is something that she enjoys most.
“It’s very exciting in Guyana. From the time I have been growing up, I have loved Christmas in my country, and I plan to spend it with my family,” the young woman said.
As for Roy Rai, he’s just as excited as everyone else we spoke with. “Yes! It’s very fun to know, too, that the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is the only reason for the season. I trust that … all my plans for the new year are (fulfilled). Yes! I am definitely feeling the Christmas spirit, and baking the cakes and stuff,” he said.