Written By Alex Wayne
EVERY week we visit a different village, and our tales vary depending on population, ethnicity, challenges, and constraints encountered by the inhabitants.

We have heard tales of poor drainage, ethnic divisions, water woes and many other issues, and have also enjoyed juicy little village gossips here and there; but here we were in a quaint little village with striking picturesque beauty; a village that appeared to be resting peacefully as it expectantly awaits the dawn of modern transformation.

We were in the village of Recess, located some 62 miles from the city of Georgetown, and nestled neatly between the larger villages of Calcutta and Good Faith.

Recess is predominantly populated by residents of African descent, but there are indeed a few Amerindians, East Indians and at least two Caucasian residents residing there too.

This is the very first village we have visited where the theme on every tongue was that “Everything is nice in Recess”, as they waited the eventual dawn of modern economic development. We searched high and low for complaints and challenges, but, save for a few minor reports by one resident, things seemed to be bright and beautiful in the village.
Such quiet and peace
On entering Recess from the east, the view was very enticing. Somehow the spread of dense, lush vegetation, shrubs and abundant fruit trees created a dream paradise, and the sedate and homely way in which the posh little houses were nestled amongst the trees lent a striking yester-year charm to the village.

Coconut and tamarind trees swayed lazily in the Atlantic breeze, and juicy looking mangoes and sapodillas hung from several trees, tempting me to climb up and savour their ready sweetness. And there seemed to be a few genip tress that were still sporting their popular fruit, and the legendary ‘whitie fruit’ was in abundance as the branches strained with the weight of their ripened burden.
There was a certain hush about the village as it seemed to slumber in peace, but this silence was not eerie at all. Instead, it seemed as if the village had a mind of its own, and was just enjoying the luxuries of fresh wind and tropical flowers as it looked over gratifyingly at the first few signs of modern transformation that were evolving from within its environs.

Cattle, sheep and goats were grazing quite contentedly in the pastures, and they seemed to be beaming with delight too, taking into consideration the fact that they had a vast variety of juicy shrubs, grass, and other plant species to choose from. Meals for the animals were abundant in the Recess pastures.

Just a few persons seemed to be at home, and those whom we encountered were resting in the cool of their ‘bottom houses’, lying in hammocks, or enjoying the gifts of Mother Nature under the shady branches of fruit trees.

Recess in times gone by
In years gone by, I could remember Recess Village as being a small and very under-developed location where there was just a small number of houses scattered here and there. You see, folks, I was residing in the neighbouring village of Calcutta, and from time to time would visit my close relatives who were residing somewhere in the centre of this village.

I could remember dreading to leave the village if I stayed on until nightfall, since there were no street lights there, and a large section of the village was really a cemetery that was used for burial by residents far and wide.
I was quite a little fright myself, so I would normally walk as quickly as possible, hoping to leave the much darkened section of the village behind. As soon as I got the luxury of flashing car lights, I would spring off in a hundred metre dash, hoping to pass the cemetery before that vehicle passed me.

One night I was riding a bicycle, and luckily the cars were passing up and down like crazy, so naturally there was abundant light. That night, however, a vehicular accident in the nearby Catherine Ville caused a ‘traffic jam’, and for a while cars were not moving in any direction.
I was grinding on that bicycle pedal like crazy when suddenly the chain came apart and I was flung sprawling in the centre of the pitch black Recess Road. As I was getting myself together, a large owl with glaring eyes flapped her dreadful wings, and made a ghastly sound as she flew out of the close by tamarind tree in which she must have been resting.

That was it for me!!! I forgot about the bicycle and sprinted for the next village, letting out blood curling screams as I went. You see, as I ran, I was quite sure I had seen an apparition chasing me. Whether it was for real or it was just my imagination, I never waited around to find out. Of course I was the laugh of the entire village for many weeks after.
There was only one variety store in that village, called ‘Tanto Shop’ and everyone flocked there for groceries, clothing and household supplies.

An effort to build the first hotel in the village was made by popular businessman ‘Jonesie’ during my early teen years, but that failed because it had not the experienced personnel available to manage and operate such a venture. Of course the initiative came to a standstill and the very large building has been broken down and is now reduced to a simple dwelling home.

To date, in terms of industrial evolution, Recess has seen indications of growth along that line since, not so long ago, the village saw the erection of what they call ‘the Birdie’s Saw Mill’. This sawmill has opened doors for new employment opportunities for residents of Recess, Good Faith and Calcutta.

There is now at least one outlet that offers villagers choices in designer clothing, fragrances and accessories, and a very small rice mill which functions seasonally.
‘Chit chat’ with village elder
As luck would have it, my first interview was with village elder Daniel George Madray, 87. I was very surprised to note that his old and fading wooden home which I was accustomed to visiting as a youth was now replaced by a majestic concrete structure. But there he was, seated as always on that very bench he loved so much, and his blue eyes were still twinkling with mischief and merriment like in my teenaged days. And they say some things never change… There he was gulping down that Ivanoff Vodka he adored in the company of a male relative, but he set it aside to greet me.

When he realised who I was, the handshakes, hugs and peals of welcoming laughter were abundant.
Daniel agreed that the village was basking in peace and harmony, and reflected on long gone days when he was growing up as a ‘poor little country boy’ to very poor parents. He said that, in his home, hard work and diligence was the motto for eventual success, and he emphasised that he has stuck to what he has been taught all these years.

A few quick questions about his spanking new home took us down a lane where the tale of his struggles and eventual success left me amazed.
“I grew up very poor, but my parents struggled to keep food on the table and to keep us happy, and I admired that. My mother would often tell me that hard and diligent work always afforded an individual with great dividends in the long run, and I believed every word she said”, the man told me.

When he was of age, Daniel embarked on the cultivation of cash crops, which he sold in the market at Central Mahaicony on a small and large-scale basis. Then later he branched into extensive rice farming in the Calcutta back lands, saving most of his earnings. He was able to give his family a good life and build the home he possesses today.

Beaming with glee, he noted that the ‘old people’ had a positive way of life, admitting that they met with many difficulties. However, he emphasised the importance of building a proper foundation and keeping it standing, so as to ensure ultimate success.

He explained that the village, as of old, has always been popular for a very small population, but over time, he has seen a small growth in the area of business, new houses and improved infrastructure.

However, he indicated that there is need for impacting economic and social development, and pointed out that corporate and Government intervention in the areas of family loans, grants and incentives to residents can aid in the ultimate transformation of the fortunes of Recess.

Coping with unexpected amputation
Well I was hoping desperately that I would not bump into a very loud, raucous and ill-mannered relative of mine; but as I left the Madray Residence, there he was on the street in front of me, and I almost doubled over.

And just as expected, he started to mouth foul things and cast imaginary ‘spiritual spells, which really is just a pretext to eventually ‘beg for a small raise’. I was just about ready to fling him a hot retort when my eyes travelled down his left side and I froze immediately.
The left leg was missing!!!

My anger left me, and I took in with great sadness the sight of the two crutches he was using to move around, since the left leg was amputated. Then he started up again, but simmered after I threatened to hit him on the inured leg with a large stone lying by the roadside.

So I took him to a food stall nearby, and he narrated a harrowing story, explaining how he lost the left leg.

On May 18 of this year, while working in his kitchen garden, Ptolemy Bobb Blackman accidentally walked onto a very sharp nail protruding from a piece of wood hidden in the grass. Well, like some persons would, he paid no mind to the little puncture, until it became swollen and painful several days after. To help the situation he administered soft grease, and using a lighted candle, ‘burnt the foot’ as country people would say.

Two days after, he was almost doubling over with pain, and the foot had begun to turn blue in colour. He was rushed to a city hospital, where blood tests revealed that he was diabetic. The doctors tried to save the foot, but to save Ptolemy’s life the leg had to be amputated.

Today, with six children to take care of, he is greatly challenged, since the foot has not healed completely, and he is still unfit to work.

“When I first found out that I was losing a leg, I was devastated. I cried day and night, and even refused to eat at times. Eventually I calmed down, realising that losing a leg meant saving my life.

“Today, I have learnt over the months to cope and accept my new stance in life. Not being able to work has thrown my life in chaos, since I have six children to maintain, and that task is not easy. I am praying for the limb to heal from inside, so as to ensure that I get a job to take care of my family. I have stopped crying because I know (that) to cope with a missing limb I certainly have to be focused”.

My relative also noted that “Recess is a very nice village, and can evolve into something bigger if residents receive much needed support”.

Livelihood and entertainment

With a very small population, the residents of Recess seem not to be too interested in leisure time entertainment. There are just a few youths and grown men in the village, and those that are more adventurous would settle for having ‘a little tups’ in the rum shops, or would venture to the Blue Dolphin Hangout Bar in Catherine Village to relax and unwind on weekends. The majority is, however, more concerned with hanging out on Saturdays at the Menace Nightclub in Calcutta, since this joint is popular for hosting the ‘young people parties’ they so readily desire. Of course a few birthday and wedding celebrations would spring up every now and then; but that aside, residents confine themselves to the comfort of their homes and listen to music or watch television.

There are still a few rice farmers left in the village, and they are desperately trying to keep their trade alive. That aside, a few still manage kitchen gardens, while others would sell food items from small stalls erected close to their homes.

Challenges
Well, what can I say? This is one village that seems to be completely contented with things just the way they are. A small few however thinks that funding should be plugged into the village to improve in the areas of infrastructure, street lighting and sanitary maintenance. That aside, all is well as residents have indicated.

Conclusion
Come prance under moonlight clouds on a starry Recess late year night, or climb into a guava tree and drink in gulfs of Atlantic wind. Give heed to adventure and catch ‘bush fish’ in the muddy backdam drains, or savour the ecstasy of pickled country mangoes, made fresh from trees right in the back yard.

Drink your fill of fresh, cool water coconuts, or gather all you can take of genip, mangoes, and tamarind. Mind you, most of the trees are in the cemetery. Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!

Whatever you do, it would be a shame not to visit and soak up the bountiful treasures of Recess Village.