Guyanese tourist encourages travel to the wider world

THIS year, 26-year-old Jeckeim Pitt scratches ‘Visit Dubai’ off her bucket list and following her experience, calls on Guyanese to visit more exotic countries, to be surprised by the similarities and to appreciate the differences.

Just last month, what started off as a trip planned for three family members turned out to be a 32-person journey halfway across the world, as word spread that Jeckeim was going on a one-of-a-kind adventure.

Afterwards, not only were there Guyanese getting ready for the trip but there were Mexicans, Americans, Panamanians, Virgin Islanders and Canadians, all heading to see one of the world’s most advanced cities and economies
No one truly knew what to expect but based on videos seen of the country with its Ferrari cars for basic transportation and cheetahs, lions and tigers for pets, the group knew disappointment was out of the picture.
Being transported by the famous Emirates Airlines where there were unlimited food and champagne, even in economy class, was just a sneak-peak into the lavish lifestyle of what was to be seen ahead.

From March 18-27, the group spent nine days eight nights at the five-star Park Regis Kris Kin Hotel and they were able to take part in one to two activities daily.
They visited the man-made Palm Islands, the luxury Atlantis Hotel; the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa; manned the Desert Safari on 4X4s, saw the ginormous Dubai Mall Aquarium and took pictures at the biggest picture frame on the planet, the Dubai Frame.

MYTHS DEBUNKED

Knowing of the stereotypes that exist about the Middle Eastern country due to what’s depicted on television, Edward Prince who refers to Jeckeim as his “unofficially adopted daughter” says many of these stereotypes have never been or are no longer the case.
“If I spotted four Ferraris that would be a lot, they drive regular cars,” Jeckeim chuckled, adding: “I didn’t see any tigers and I was literally looking (out to see them)…these are things you see on TV, you hear about it and then when you get there, there are no big luxury cars to be seen constantly down the roads,” she explained.
This is because since January 2014, private ownership of wild animals has been outlawed in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
When it comes to clothing, Jeckeim said that not much was different from the clothing worn in any other tourist destinations, save for when visiting a place of worship.
“You’re allowed to wear anything that you want. The only place that’s restricted (dress code wise) is when you’re going to the mosque,” Jeckeim said.
Meanwhile, Prince added, “The Dubians do dress different to the North Americans but they do not try to impose their dress code on the visitors.”

HOME RULES
However, there are still some rules which visitors are expected to adhere to in respect for Islam and Arabic culture and laws.
For example, when using the train or metro transportation system, men and women do not ride in the same carrier and are separated by lines and can be fined 100 Dirham if crossed.
The group was also warned that they shouldn’t take photos of certain government buildings and other restricted areas.

The UAE is the region with the highest number of immigrants in the world with immigrants representing some 3.5 million of the population, while some 70 per cent of Dubai’s population are non-nationals.

Immigrants largely influence the food of Dubai as it is home to an accumulation of cultures from over 200 nationalities.
The group was told that the poorest Dubian owns three cars and most, if not all, nationals hold white-collar careers as doctors, lawyers and engineers while immigrants perform other blue-collar jobs.

NEW WORLD

Comparing cultures and lifestyles, the two Guyanese told the Pepperpot Magazine of some of the things they saw which they hope could one day be emulated in Guyana.
Despite the high number of immigrants, the two said that they saw no beggars on the street, no garbage, very little obesity, and there was not an overwhelming presence of law enforcement nor did there seem to be a need for it.
“I didn’t even notice the police cars like how we have police. You get a sense of security like you’re safe. You can literally walk any hour of the night and not be afraid,” Jeckeim said.

Noticing similarities too, Prince said that the Old Dubai market operates much like several of Guyana’s local market who utilise bargaining to make purchases.
“In the Old Dubai, they have a market just like Bourda Market where there is bargaining there. If somebody says $100 for the calaloo, you can say I’ll give you $80. They expect you to bargain they do not expect you to pay the full price,” Prince explained.
Due to the high level of immigrants, the food is also as spicy as Guyana’s with a mixture of ethnic influences much like their home.

Jeckeim says it costs each person less than US$2,000 including return airfare from New York, hotel stay and tours and she is willing to help other Guyanese arrange similar trips so they too can see the diversity of the world apart from the typical locations.
“It’s a place that people should go and see. Everybody growing up in Guyana wishes and always wants to go to New York, they want to experience that, but I think they should go to places like Dubai. Go see something different, like China. To me, those are places worth going to see,” Jeckeim advised.

Speaking of China, come 2019 the young woman intends to continue her exotic adventures by taking a larger group of persons, including interested Guyanese, to visit the East Asian nation while a second trip is planned for Dubai’s Universal Exposition in 2020.