Rain on roses and whiskers on kittens… – “My Favorite Things” (1959) by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein – Sound of Music
Not everyone will agree with the legendary musicians Rodgers and Hammerstein about their likes. But there’s one thing we know, our favorite things are the ones that make us feel good. No, not just good, warm and foggy inside; they fill us with universal satisfaction that makes us smile at the world. And everyone knows what happens when we do that.
For many of us, Christmas is one of our favorite things. We have all witnessed the over-commercialization of this season and to be honest, it gets worse every year. And yet, you’d have to be the biggest Scrooge there to hear Carols, see the Masquerade bands, Christmas trees and decorations, toys, books and Santa’s parade and not feel a bit of a buzz.
There is anticipation. For Christians, who celebrate Christmas as it was originally meant to be observed, the season is preceded by Advent (the coming), a period of waiting and pregnant preparation for the Nativity. Even non-Christians stay and prepare, albeit for different reasons.
But regardless of your religious persuasion, once you are Guyanese, Christmas is a time of giving (and receiving).
It is a time when we give of ourselves, our time and material things. We give to loved ones, strangers and to charity. Filled with favorite things, this issue of Lifestyle is our gift to you this Christmas. Our cover photo comes from the lens of smart photographer Kester Clarke and is one of her favorite pictures. Two others are inside. Although how Kester can determine favorites from the hundreds of excellent photos he has taken is beyond me.
In our main story, Oluatoyin Alleyne talks to Chris and Stacy Rahaman, the couple behind the Visit Guyana Facebook page, which makes us fall in love with Guyana once again. One of their least known favorite places in Guyana is Shell Beach and once you read about it you will find that it is well worth a visit.
For our food feature, we stepped outside the box this time and Oluatoyin Alleyne asked an upcoming quartet of chefs to tell us about their favorite dishes. We made no conditions and none of the chefs went the traditional route. But the dishes are all interesting. Recipes are included so you can prepare them and decide if they will now be ranked among your favorites.
For sports, we went back to the basics. Enthusiasts will tell you that the Christmas season feels wrong if there is no boxing on Boxing Day. So Emmerson Campbell has asked four sports fans to talk about their favorite local boxing game ever. Not all of them agree, but thankfully they didn’t come to fisticuffs over their choices.
Whatever your likes, we hope you enjoy them this Christmas.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Cheryl Springer
Editor