A foreign land through the eyes of visitors

VISITING the United States of America is arguably high on the list of many persons around the world, especially when that vacation period comes around. It’s a country that millions of tourists visit for many reasons, including shopping, sightseeing and even the chance of spotting a few celebrities.

For, Deonaraine Natram and Chandroutie, the country was quite different compared to their home, Guyana. Both, Deonarine Natram and Chandroutie, were born in Guyana and lived almost 50 years at the same address. Both of them were born to Indian parents and live a traditional life in the village of Golden Fleece, Essequibo. They had travelled to Caribbean countries in the past but after acquiring their US Visas they had decided to spend Christmas there, in December 2018.

Deonarine Natram who is a farmer by profession said that the flight on Caribbean Airlines was comfortable but, in his mind, he was just praying to arrive safely at the John F Kennedy Airport. As for his wife Chandroutie, the noise from the plane engine affected her although she had on her earplugs.

The flight finally arrived and relatives came to the airport to uplift the couple and their daughter. It was definitely a much busier and colder place. Having dressed warm, they headed out the JFK airport destined for the Bronx, New York.
“It was just a new experience, the clothing was warm but it was heavy and the walking at first got to me, but in the end, it was all worth it. It was a wonderful experience away from tropical Guyana,” Chandroutie said of her experience.

TRAIN
Catching the train was a rush for the couple, they shared. They entered the Prospect

Avenue train and headed to Manhattan. They were accompanied by a relative who guided them the first trip on the train to 86th Street. They were so amazed by the neatly arranged buildings, the traffic, the Christmas decor and the shopping options. Their next stop was the Rockefeller Centre.
The tall Christmas Tree and other tourist attraction sites were a scene to behold.

WORLD TRADE CENTRE
Going to New Jersey was another memorial experience for the couple. Again, they used the train and had to pass by the World Trade Centre route. It was a huge building that was all white and adorned with wonderful Christmas decorations. The visit to New Jersey was another experience with a different landscape. The food in New Jersey was that similar to Guyana. The Indian restaurants had similar flavours for their curries.

Having grown up on the Essequibo Coast, the couple had opted to take a ride on the Staten Island Ferry. The service was prompt and the boat ride was memorable. On the way to Staten Island, they had a closer look at the Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge. The trip was an evening one and the lights from the city of Manhattan were dazzling, they said
As the days were winding up for the family vacation, the remaining days were spent in Long Island and Queens.

Christmas Day was spent with close family and friends and the remaining hours were spent packing to return home. For the couple, their holiday in the United States of America was indeed quite memorable and the couple said that they would definitely love to visit again in the future.