I’ve decided to reprint this beautiful article which was posted on the Facebook Page of the author, Reanna Nickram, because it does an awesome job of illustrating the beauty, diversity, and richness of this great land of ours. For locals, it just reinforces what we already know. Reanna Nickram is a Guyanese citizen who grew up with her family in Lethem, Region 9. In this beautiful anecdote, she expresses her profound love and patriotism for her country of birth, Guyana.
I left Guyana in 2019 to pursue my bachelor’s halfway across the world in Moscow, Russia. Being Guyanese, especially one from Lethem, is basically what my identity revolves around. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, and I couldn’t agree more. While I was away, my love for Guyana had truly blossomed.
From making cookup, introducing soca & chutney, explaining why I look Indian even though I’m not from India, teaching Guyanese creole, going back and forth with why we’re the only country in South America that speaks English to everyone I came across, and so many more other things that make our culture so confusingly beautiful was definitely something I never got tired of doing. These very things that I took for granted in Guyana became what I missed about home the most. The more people and cultures I got intertwined with, the more I realized how truly special Guyana and its people are.
I’ve been home for almost 4 months now – probably some of the best months of my life. From the time I stepped over the Brazilian border into Guyana, duck curry with dhal and rice for lunch, to partying with my high-school friends like I never left in the first place…to attending CPL games because what else is there to do when cricket is going on?…to staying out at Palm Court till 4 in the morning (sorry mom)…to driving through the Lethem-Linden trail after 10 years…to showing up to my cousins’ house unannounced every week.
That sweet Atlantic breeze…our KFC (that never got zingers by the way)…our black waters…risking your life by crossing a road in Georgetown. The story concerning Roy and big Aunty. Hoping GAW get buy over by Mohammed’s. Enjoying the no-traffic life because Demerara bridge broke down again. Sucking your teeth when somebody eyes pass you.
Guyana – you are me and I am you. So grateful that I’m here to stay. I have loved you and will continue to love you, always.
