By Michel Outridge

IN Roy Gonsalves’ opinion, Christianburg, Wismar, is the best p

lace to live out his last days since he has achieved the golden age of retirement.

As a man of many means to earn, he is satisfied with waking up before sunrise and watching the sunset; and he has a very good view of the Demerara River because his house overlooks it.

Outside his yard, there are wooden benches where one can sit to look at the water and have some quiet moments of alone time.

In and all around his premises there is a variety of plants, trees and flowers that enhance the surroundings and in his yard, he has a small shop where he sells beverages.

In the lower flat of his house, he has a joinery shop where he would make furniture on order and he was putting in the finishing touches on a wooden cradle he had made from scratch.

The 59-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that he would also cultivate the empty plots of land next door with cash crops, but due to the rainy season, he did not plant anything.

Gonsalves disclosed that he is also a livestock farmer, who has some black giant chickens, ducks and pigs.

This effervescent elder in the community is originally from downriver, a small farming village called Gold Hill, but relocated when his mother left their hometown and settled in Christianburg, Wismar.

“My mom left Gold Hill village in the 1980s and that’s how we ended up living here today, because she wanted to relocate and that’s what she did; however, she passed away 10 years ago,” he said.

The father of eight reported that life is very comfortable for him because his children are grown and he lives alone and he does things on his terms with no one to bother him.

Even though Gonsalves had moved away to the city to live for some time, he returned to Christianburg where he has been for the past 20 years and, for him, there is no place like home.

“I would enjoy the calmness of the river, the peace and tranquillity associated with the water and this place is semi-isolated, so it is just right for me here because you can enjoy the niceness of civilisation, plus the quietness of some alone time,” he said.

Life in Dallawalla Village, Demerara River
While speaking to Gonsalves, his friend, Elton Pique had dropped in to visit him, he resides in the riverine community of Dallawalla, Demerara River.

The 61-year-old had come to Wismar to do some shopping to return home to do some construction work and after running errands, he left with his son in his boat in which they paddled home.

Pique told the Pepperpot Magazine that Dallawalla Village has 10 families of mixed races and they are all farmers.

He stated that when they get a good harvest they would come out via boats to Linden and Wismar and sell their produce.

Pique added that they do not have basic infrastructure nor electricity, potable water and things like that, but they enjoy nature at its best.

“Life in Dallawalla Village is like living in the jungle and you have to love animals and the wildlife to like the place, but it is hard work of farming that puts food on the table, but I prefer living here where there are no phones ringing or any traffic or noise to disrupt the quietness and peace,” he said.

Pique revealed that the hardest part of having a farm is to maintain it, but he likes what he does and he is satisfied with a life of isolation in that remote community.

The father of 10 added that he doesn’t mind not having a cellphone, because it is not necessary and he grew up without one and can very well cope without it now.

He stated that he is a very old-fashioned kind of person and he is not tech-savvy and prefers the simpler things in life.

Pique is a Bagotville, West Bank Demerara native, but grew up in Half Mile, Wismar, and had a joiner shop with five employees.

“One day while working I heard a voice and I knew it was not a physical person and that voice said to me ‘go and cut a farm’ and I thought I was hearing things, but then when I realised what it was, I understood,” he said.

Pique went in search of empty land to start a farm but did not succeed, and it was after two years, a friend took him to Dallawalla Village, Demerara River, where he cleared five acres of land and began farming.

He began living the life as a farmer in that remote village in 2000 after he abandoned his furniture shop and thinks it is his true calling in life.

“I have no regrets, because farming has become my first love and joinery my second and I am happy being who I am now,’ he said.

Pique told the Pepperpot Magazine that he eats fresh meats, organic fruits and vegetables from farm to table and that’s the kind of life he prefers.

It takes 45 minutes from Christianburg, Wismar, to Dallawalla Village, Demerara River, via paddleboat.