LAST Thursday, ‘Wendy’s’ – a huge fast-food franchise – opened its doors to Guyanese in Vlissengen Road, Georgetown.

President Irfaan Ali witnessed the ribbon-cutting ceremony in the presence of the owners and a packed crowd, just waiting to enter the premises and make their purchases.

In typical Guyanese fashion, they subsequently swamped the premises, eager to sample the delicious burgers that Wendy’s promised. In a talk with one of the staff, Alesha, a crew member and the granddaughter of my good friend, Patsy, recounted “de session” on Thursday.

“Auntie Vanessa, if ya see people. They had to lock up the doors three times,” to prevent more people from surging in and to prepare more food.

She said that the President remained several hours there, at one time serving 27 schoolchildren with free meals. He also interacted with the customers in true Presidential fashion.

The crowd was so huge that, “…as fuh de drive thru,” Alesha told me, “…it couldn’t open cause it was packed with people.”

The security staff reportedly did a sterling job of keeping customers reasonably subdued, ensuring that they entered in an orderly manner.

By all accounts, those who were able to make purchases left hungry and happy, no doubt anticipating getting home and ‘digging in.’ But not everyone chose to take away their food. Some of the early arrivals were able to sit in comfort and enjoy their selection.

Alesha arrived at home physically and mentally exhausted, declaring she had never seen anything like it. And she had to do it all over again the following day, Friday, when her shift started at 15:00 hours.

At the time of writing this column, she was busy washing clothing for her five children – 3 girls and 2 boys. A woman’s work is never done. But that is another story.

DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited.