Dear Editor,

FAR from the days when we enjoyed most of town and could see the final fete in the National Park. Now it is down Brickdam and stop. We had more energy, less money and more good times back when GuySuCo and all the big companies participated. Life was that sweet. People on the sidelines could join in and enjoy the fete along with the participants, because you would always see somebody you know enjoying themselves in the masquerade band.

The good days when the XM 5-year was the drink of choice, lime rickey was available and everyone would cook up a storm and sit on their verandahs and enjoy the sweetness of Mashramani.

The Sports Hall would be packed for soca competitions and the talk of the town would be on the lyrics of the winner. Usually criticising something that went or was going wrong. Everyone would enjoy a good laugh. All the schoolchildren would get ready for Mass Games and enjoy being proud Guyanese, but still complain about the hot sun. Yet they loved being outside in the fresh air, avoiding class and enjoyed the positive energy of people smiling all the time, because we were getting ready for Mash.
Don’t forget how much money would be spent and memories would be made on the mall. Especially when relatives from overseas come visit and start reminiscing of the good old days and would say how things not that bad, because they were having a good time during Mash. I guess things are too busy for a good time this year.
Miss a year and come back with a miniature display of what others are calling carnival. Please try to do better and bring back a proper Mash-up during Mashramani. We’re not that busy to not have a good time.

Best regards,
Jamil Changlee