Ho Ho Ho 2

Food plays an important role in defining any occasion. Garlic pork, pepper pot and dark fruit cake laced with rum are traditional Christmas day foods. Exchanging gifts doesn't happen- a lack of money sees to that- but packages of food items are exchanged between work colleagues and neighbours. We have been given slices of fruit cake and a bottle of home made spicy drink called Buko. We have taken bowls with pepper and tomato sauce and a chunk of banana cake to our neighbours.
In the past few days the limited number of supermarkets have been packed, the spending frenzy similar to the UK tradition. The open street markets, with the same displays of seasonal fruits, vegetables and limited non- perishable items are where the majority of people will shop. Here some dried fruits and nuts and expensive packaged western style processed foods are indicators of Christmas. The fresh meat stalls are crowded and business is brisk.
Decorations- far fewer than in the UK- are familiar enough:- they are`all made in China. By day they look dull in the brilliant sunshine under a cl;ear blue sky, but at night the festive lights are cheering and pretty to see.

As the grumbling controversy about the election results dies away, a main concern for many has been the Song and Jingle Competition- a TV talent contest judged by a panel of experts, with the viewers' votes deciding the results. Sounds familiar?  Brandon Harding won the English speaking element last Friday, while the Bollywood segment final takes place on the 30th. Each winner receives a Toyota IST car. The two strand competition reflects the African/Indian divide in Guyanese society.