AFTER two years of isolating and remaining indoors on holidays and other festivities due to the coronavirus (COVID-19), Guyanese can finally revel in the festivities that we have been longing for, as we celebrate Phagwah 2022 the correct way.

Today, WE OUTSIDE!
And I must say it’s a wonderful feeling and on the eve of this holiday, I’d like to reminisce on the glorious memories I would have made in the previous years before COVID-19.
Growing up in the ‘melting pot’ communities of Victoria and Belfield, Holi celebrations were something I always looked forward to.

Whether I was participating or simply just looking on at the younger children in the neighbourhood as their infectious laughter and giggles spread, Phagwah was always a joy.

One of my fondest memories was a tradition a good friend and I shared. Seeing that I’m a bit of an introvert who spends most holidays in my room, my friend, who is a lot more outgoing than I am, would visit my home so we can play Phagwah and share light moments.

This was a tradition we started in 2015, and it continued up until 2019, the year before the coronavirus washed up on Guyana’s shores.

FLASHBACK
It was like any other holiday for me—I was home and had nothing special planned.
I pretty much spent the Phagwah morning of 2015 observing others who participated in water fights and rubbing colourful powder on their faces and hands.

Again, I’m an introvert and large crowds give me anxiety. So, while everyone else was planning to meet at the bigger events held later during the day, I opted to stay inside.

My friend had spent the previous day trying to convince me to go to a Phagwah celebration with her, however, being the stubborn cookie that I am, I insisted that that scene was just not for me.

To my surprise, I received a call from her during the time I expected she would have been celebrating with others at the event. When I answered, she indicated that she was actually in my front yard waiting for me.
I was a bit thrown off by her visit since we both had agreed that she would have gone to the event without me.

Still confused, I made my way down the stairs to meet with her.
Upon my final step, I was ambushed! Drenched from head to toe in water.

And before I could catch my breath, my entire face was layered in purple Abeer powder.
I stood there completely startled and started to laugh uncontrollably. Of course, I did get her back.

And after two minutes of running around the yard with a bucket in one hand and powder in the other, we finally wore ourselves out.

Admittedly, the pandemic over the last two years had dampened our tradition since we both would have remained at our respective homes as a precautionary measure to protect our loved ones.

Nevertheless, now that Guyana is on the road to recovery, I’m excited to start a new tradition of mine. So, I’m hoping to see a few fans or readers of the Buzz today while we’re out in the streets celebrating with everyone else. Happy Phagwah! Shubh Holi! (Naomi Parris)