WITH this year’s Mashramani route commencing at Thomas Lands to east along Vlissengen Road, many vendors who were accommodated said that the new set up allowed them to receive much business.

We met up with sisters, Debra Cooper and Marva Adams, who said their sales of Bar-B-Que chicken, roti, puri, curry and much more were going so fast that they would have time to finish selling and join the party.
“Our stand is going very good so far, business is great! We were preparing from 3 o’clock this morning. We set up our stands since 8 o’clock last night. It looks like what we bring out will sell out and this is our first time out,” Cooper said.

With a number of beverages on sale, Malcolm Lewis, earlier in the morning said that although just a few persons were passing by he had hopes that his sales will eventually “pick up”.

“There are not much people. Not as yet, they’re just walking, sometime later down in the afternoon it might pick up. This is the first time we come out selling, but I believe this will be a good Mash. I’m always feeling the vibes!” Lewis said.

The Edge Prophetic Dance Ministry of Albouystown was also out on the road, selling food by means of tickets which Rhondel Weever said was going well.

“Today has been going well so far and we’re expecting more sales. [The Mash route] is working out pleasant. Persons are coming out to buy. We came out here since this morning, very early…,” Weever said.
Also on the road were a number of foreigners, many of whom were experiencing Mashramani for the very first time.

A Brazilian working in the gold sector in Guyana, Ademir Krefta, told this newspaper that it was his first time. He had set up a bar and grill to sell during the Mashramani season, along with a group of his Brazilian friends.

“I am here from 2002. [The Mash is] perfect, everything good! I like last year too but its only problem was the roads, it was too narrow. Here is better!” Krefta said as he turned to the meat steaming on his grill.

We spoke with husband and wife Godis Accra and Hyoumi Accra. Hyoumi who is from the United States but moved to Guyana, said that it was her first Mashramani experience, one which she was enjoying thoroughly thus far.

“I really enjoy it so far. I mean, I haven’t been here for more than an hour or so, but I’ve seen a number of really colourful costumes go by. I love the fact that employees of different ministries are really getting into it because I just started working at the Ministry of Finance…I would love to be a part of it,” she said.

“It’s been really great to watch. I love seeing the other side of people and knowing that it’s not all business here, but people can get really into it, have fun, let loose…I learnt that Mashramani means enjoying yourself after hard labour,” Hyoumi Accra said.
A group from the United States hailing from states such as California, New York, Alabama and Seattle, Washington, to name a few said that their first experience of Mashramani was a visually pleasing one.

“I like it. I’ve been following these last three bands for the entire route now and I really like the Indigenous Affairs and their big eagle…that was pretty cool. I like all the speakers, I like the music!” said Hunter Stafford.
Meanwhile, his friend, Derick Matthew, said: “I love the first, third and 14th floats specifically. I like the designs mostly, for sure.”

Coming all the way from Norway, but staying one day extra for the celebration, Edwin Aalders said that 2018 was his first Mashramani experience which he said was very interesting but could use a little more music.

“It’s very interesting. I was expecting a little bit more music, but it’s nice, it’s fun,” Aalders said, advising that Guyana bring out “more steel bands “for a livelier Mashramani!” “My favorite part is definitely the dancing. I would definitely come another year, for sure! Mash in the future,” he said.

Meanwhile, Chewynn Masur said: “It’s a lot of fun, it’s my first time to Mashramani! My favourite part is definitely the dancing. I would definitely come another year, for sure!”