By Indrawattie Natram

A visitor’s first-time experience

CHRISTMAS has always been one of my favourite holidays of the year. It is a time when family comes together, friends exchange gifts and an atmosphere of love and togetherness is often created. In 2017, I was fortunate to experience a white Christmas in the United States of America (USA). It was one to remember and this year I have opted to spend Christmas again there. When I say “white Christmas”, I mean it was snowing which is such a new experience for a country girl who grew up on the Essequibo Coast in the Pomeroon-Supenaam Region.

Needless to say, spending Christmas in the States last year for the first time was a new experience for me, especially having celebrated almost 25 years of Christmas in Guyana. After boarding Air India Airlines from India and arrived at the John F Kennedy (JFK) Airport on December 24, the atmosphere created by the staff of the airport was truly magical and by the time I exited to my destination I was already in the Christmas spirit.

Although the place was “freezing” cold, the warmth experienced from the people there was remarkable. Moving from the airport, I keenly observed the new surroundings before I finally reached my destination in Long Island. On my way I noticed the leafless trees standing tall. Interestingly they were all decorated with “fairy lights” adding to the ambience of the cold night.

Christmas Eve was spent with relatives in the Queens, New York. Everyone was indoor viewing Christmas movies, and of course waiting for the clock to hit midnight to get under the Christmas tree to get their respective gifts. Eggnog was served all night and of course, many of the Guyanese living in Queens played some chutney music to end the night.
Christmas Day I was invited to the Goonan’s house in Freeport, New York to spend the Christmas. At the press of the doorbell, I was greeted by my lovely friend, Mala Sharma Goonan and her family, some of whom were Guyanese-born but are now Americans.

The table was neatly laid and it was time for dinner. Prayers were said and then everyone indulged in the American Christmas meal of pasta, chicken, grilled lamb amongst other delicacies. After dinner, gifts were distributed and everyone gathered around the fireplace for warmth. Old stories and fun that happened throughout the years were remembered and laughter was exchanged. It was quite different for me to be indoors since, in Guyana, we would have been in the yard lighting crackers or following the masquerades.

By midnight, I peeped through the window and saw a white substance gushing from the sky. It was snowing. Even though I wanted to go outside, I remained indoors as it would be very cold. I stood admiring the beauty of a white Christmas. It was definitely different from a Caribbean Christmas and it was certainly one to remember!