Finally, the Mash (pronounced ‘Mosh’ – as in mosh pit) blog. As I stated in a previous blog, Mashramani is Guyana’s Independence Day. I think. There seems to be a bit of confusion on this point because there’s an Independence Day and a Republic Day. Which one Mash is, I’m not too certain. Regardless, it’s always a huge party.
The day begins with people finding a prime spot on the parade route. Vendors line the streets as well, selling local food including cook-up rice, curry, and my favorite, eggball. One by one the floats slowly make their way along the parade route and finally end up at the grand stand in the National Park where they are greeted by over a thousand people and the float judges. This process takes the entire day. Sometimes there is quite a waiting time between floats as they are coming ‘just now’.
No one seemed to mind as they waited for the next display to drift by. There was plenty of visiting, eating and dancing to be had. Every city block had it’s own wall of speakers that belted out the soca and dance hits.
For the most part, Dawn and I hung out with our friends. We watched the parade for a bit and then sought out shelter from the rain and loud music. We had another BBQ dinner and went to the grandstand to watch the final float make it’s entrance.