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Like my grandmother would normally say…. “Don’t listen to hear say…. Check out the facts for yourself”. That’s exactly what we did, and lo and behold….. We indeed found out that Bushlot was the total opposite of the rumours that were thrown our way. As a matter of fact, since our trips to several other villages, Bushlot is by far the village that exudes ‘ethnic harmony’ to such a high degree that it left us greatly amazed.
History
Bush Lot is a medium to large community in the Mahaica-Berbice Region Five district of Guyana, approximately 56 miles from Georgetown, the capital of Guyana. Rice production is the main business of the population of over 4,000 residents. Bush Lot is a largely ethnically East Indian village; residents are mainly Hindus, Muslim and Christians. Bush Lot contains a Health Centre, Bush Lot Government Secondary, Latchman Singh Primary and Bush Lot Nursery Schools. Its location reads 6°12′16″N 57°15′48″W / 6.2044°N 57.2632°W / 6.2044; -57.2632.
Clarification
There is also a Bush Lot in East Berbice-Corentyne Region 6 which exhibits some of the main characteristics of Bush Lot in Mahaica-Berbice Region 5. The population is mainly Indian. In the past rice production was the main crop. It has a secondary school, a health centre and a horse race track. Their location reading is 6°22′41″N 57°40′03″W/ 6.37808°N 57.66744°W.
Our arrival
The highly commercialized and rapidly developing Bushlot Village
We wanted to enter the village from the East ‘like wise men would do’ and so we travelled to the bordering Hopetown village for refreshments to boost our energy and revive our spirits. Grabbing umbrellas from relatives for protection from the scorching sun, we made our way on foot to Bushlot Village, enjoying the rush of the seemingly fresh wind rushing in from the Atlantic Ocean.
We were still some distance away from the village but were enthralled with its startling close resemblance of the capital city Georgetown. The layout of strikingly posh stores, houses, pharmacies, internet café and numerous variety stores just made us think we were still in the city.
But like they say, every beautiful experience can always be marred by the tinniest of aspects left forgotten, or intentionally ignored.
In this case we realized that the almost perfect commercial aura of Bushlot contrasted with what we encountered as we approached the village sign that read “Welcome to Bushlot Village’.
Garbage
What an experience it was to discover that just close to the welcome sign was another one that read “Do not Dump Garbage?” And lo and behold… Between these two signs there a huge pile of garbage, which from all indication was in that location for quite some times. What a shocking contrast to the otherwise order and cleanliness of the village!
Farmer and business man Tulac Singh was ready to answer our questions about the garbage and he readily noted that the garbage problem in Bushlot has been an ongoing issue. He noted however that that while villagers to a very small extent may have been ‘throwing a few stuff here and there’ it was however outsiders from other villages who would come in the still of the night and dump garbage on the road shoulders and the exact location in question.
However he mentioned that several business owners in Bushlot are very carefree and would dump their garbage wherever they seemed pleased, much to the annoyance of other villagers.
The businessman said that the villagers and related authorities takes pride in the village and would work hard to keep it in tip-top shape. He however noted that it was quite a battle to keep out the keep out the ‘culprits’ as he chose to call them, who would sneak around in the night and dispose of their garbage in areas in Bushlot.
That aside, most of the other areas in the village was ‘spic and span’ saved for the drainage canal outside of the Bushlot Secondary and Latchman Singh Primary Schools.
Tulac Singh explained that the large amount of garbage (mostly plastic bottles, bags and other containers) were thrown into the trench by students of both schools while some of it would have also been washed up into that specific area after being thrown into the trench by residents around the village.
Challenges
Life in Bushlot Village is quite ‘easy going’ and villagers manage to get by quite nicely on a daily basis. But its several rice farmers whom we spoke with that were faced with challenges that either infuriates them or affected maximum produce of their rice and other cash crops.
Dhanraj Balram who has been a farmer for over five years noted that himself and other farmers have suffered greatly because they are unable to have proper access to water and also because of poor drainage. He noted that a main irrigation trench close to their farms is in great need of cleaning to allow the proper flow of much needed water into their farms.
Some of the farmers related that just recently Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Juan Edghill, had visited the village and this issue was raised with him. Some of the farmers explained that the minister had also visited the popular Middle Dam in the village and had promised to look into the issue of having it asphalted since it affords for much transport around the village.
Mr. Balram related that the Mahaica, Mahaicony, Abary-Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA) a while ago had provided a short-boom excavator to dig the drains but it was not adequate. This farmer thinks that a long-boom excavator would properly do the job.
A commercial haven
Bushlot Village is indeed a ‘commercial haven’ that is at its busiest throughout the entire day and even into the late hours of the night. One might want to agree that this little village appears to be even busier than the Garden City of Georgetown, since some of Georgetown’s sectors ‘goes dormant’ after certain time periods.
As we walked through the village residents and citizens from outlying villages were busily engaged in ‘endless shopping’, in the garment stores, boutiques, dry goods shops, and even in the two Chinese restaurants. Young girls were trekking in and out of the ‘J Mobile’ shop, purchasing head phones, cell phone cases, and the latest brands of cellular handsets.
J S Trading Internet Shop and the Cell Phone Wizz entities were other buildings that seemed to attract a lot of customers. And it seemed like Bushlot Village was running parallel with Georgetown since the Chinese seemed to be contributing to ‘business development’ too. Housewives were rushing in and out of the Lai Li Clothing Store, whooping in delight as they cashed in on the cheap bargains and numerous price slashes.
Sexily clad young females from Bushlot and Hopetown villages were popping into the Video and Photo Works Gift Shoppe every now and then to ‘strike a pose for the cameras’.
Some persons could be overheard, loudly making arrangements to visit the Regency Houses Waterside Park to access the vacant lots and new houses available for sale. This entity is offering a ‘no down payment arrangement’, or allowing clients to pay for lots and houses with monthly, quarterly, or half yearly installments.
And these people are highly religious too, since several house had small mandir in the yards, while others preferred to worship at the Guyana Presbyterian Church branch located on the Bushlot Public Road.
Bushlot also has its own health centre and for a building that is standing for over six years, one has to agree that villagers have kept it in perfect shape.
The School View Ice-Cream Parlour located a few yards from the Bushlot Secondary, Primary and Nursery Schools offers the perfect opportunity for students and villagers to indulge in their ‘ice-cream fantasies’ since it sells all shades and flavous in ice-cream and related products.
The J&S Furniture Store, Danny’s Internet Café, Chandra Prashad & Son’s General Store and a Money Gram Transfer Branch Office all afforded Bushlot Villagers the opportunity to appease all their commercial needs in their own backyard.
B&R Baljit Business Enterprise, a Bill Direct Outlet, the ‘Night Eyes’ CD and DVD Shop, and the A. Goberdan General Store & Agri. Centre all combined, allows villagers to satisfy their every need without having to venture outside of the village. And of course they can stock up on their kitchen and household needs at the N&N Supermarket, or at the many stalls manned by mostly female vendors along the roadside. This village is almost the perfect reflection of Guyana’s capital city.
A DOCOL Representative supplies the entire village with cooking gas.
Entertainment
Seeking word on their entertainment status we were directed to Jerome Ramkissoon who owns the popular ‘Night Eyes CD & DVD Shoppe’ located just a few yards from the Bushlot School Entrance.
He explained that entertainment in the village is most times ‘home produced’ as he chose to put it over. He said that many times groups of friends would come together and host entrainment activities at their homes or sometimes step out of the village to other mega activities.
That aside, villagers eagerly anticipate the celebration of a birthday and most times wedding which allows them to have several days of ‘non-stop sporting’ until they are ‘drop dead intoxicated’.
Presently however, the entire village is greatly anticipating the coming of the annual Bush Lot United season opening horserace meet that is slated for Bushlot Sea View Park. February 03, 2013 is the date set for this event this event showcases a whopping $6M up for grabs in cash and prizes.
As related by Jerome the venue, which has been considered the most improved over the past year and has been gaining in prominence since the club returned to competitive racing two years ago, and has been a hive of activity over the past few weeks.
The businessman related that authorities were busy putting in finishing touches on the track, stands, paddocks and lavatory facilities and with this being the opening act for year.
Some of the hotties (horses) competing are – Sleeping in Town, Diamond Illusion, Majestic Windy Killer, Red and Lovely, Silent Flight, Flying Baby, Diamond Dazzling, Spice and Obama. They will be joined by Score’s Even, California Strike, The Message, Technology, Grande Roja, Got to Go, Home Bush Baby, Settle In Seattle, Third World, Top Of the Line, Captain Crook, Windy War, Serenity, Storm In a Tea Cup, It my Turn, Silent Lizzy, and Another Jet.
Carded to compete also are I want Revenge, Who is on The Case, Wild Grinder, Rosanna, Wonder Flower, Gold Rush, The Girl Them Sugar, Indian King, Fresh Again, Ameera’s Joy, Karina, De Gump, Alana, Secretariat, Mr. Kool, Flying Object, Pixie Fire and Mona Lisa among others.
Bushlot Village for several years have been the ‘pinnacle of excitement’ with regards to horse racing and have drawn in huge numbers from almost every bend and corner in Guyana.
Livelihood of villagers
With the exception of the few that would have left the village to seek employment elsewhere, residents of Bushlot depend mostly on the cultivation of rice on a large scale, and several other cash crops as a means of income.
In the backlands one can find great expanses of rice fields, and in many cases several reasonably sized vegetable gardens. A few farmers grow ground provision while others make a profit on eschallot, celery, and varying thymes used for seasoning purposes. Some of their produce is sold in the village but most farmers take their produce to the city to obtain better prices.
A rice farmer executing repairs to his truck before going into the backlands
On the other side of the coin a large number of persons are engaged either manning their own businesses or working in the businesses of others. Many villagers have sought occupation in manning their own food and grocery stalls along the public road to ensure a steady and sure income.
Ethnic Harmony
All rumours of ethnic differences existing in Bushlot Village should be treated as nonsense and be crushed under foot. If there is any truth to such tales, that maybe would have existed years ago, but with time would have disappeared. If there is any truth to such stories, I am guessing that such a plight would have now been replaced with a ‘racial harmony’ so rich in its intensity that it awakened my very being and sent joyful tremors up my spine.
We had not properly braced ourselves for the impact of such ‘indulgences of the races’ and it just left us with our jaws wide open. Affirming the fact again, that one should not listen to ‘hearsay and fabrications’ but instead get to the ‘bottom of things’ for themselves.
Let’s being with the schools first…
The Bushlot Secondary School, and Latchman Singh Primary were just closing shop for the day and the noisy chatter of students could be heard from a distance away as they conversed on the ‘happenings of the day’ or on possible methods of effectively completing assignments. Of course the bigger girls were giving and getting ‘goo goo eyes’ from some males hot in pursuit, or chomping noisily on chewing gum.
A few school girls ganged up in groups mouthing the latest gossip in hushed tones for fear of the teachers overhearing.
It was a ‘pleasant ethnic fusion’ to feat upon as they spilled into the streets, both Indo and Afro buddies and school chums, laughing their heads of at the comical joke of another. They were indeed a picture of what we would want our beautiful Guyana to be.
It was the same pleasant picture with men liming in the streets, and with housewives catching up on the latest news before jumping into buses and heading to different villages. There were
