Oh Beautiful New Amsterdam

Feb 04, 2009 Letters

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Dear Editor,
A warm welcome awaits visitors to the enthralling town of New Amsterdam, which is situated on the Eastern bank of the Berbice River, four miles up river from the Atlantic Ocean, and 64 miles from the capital Georgetown.
If one were to have entered New Amsterdam from the New Amsterdam Ferry Stelling, then they would be greeted by the stench, litter and chaotic scene outside and around the stelling.
There are many historical buildings in New Amsterdam — after all it is situated in the so called Ancient County of Berbice.
There are also a lot of abandoned and dilapidated buildings too. Many of them are fit to be called home to vagrants and criminals for them to carry out their clandestine and nefarious activities within the township.
The town boasts its own recycling facility which is at Matthew Alleyene Road. The building, condemned and fully concreted, is jam-packed with literally thousands of plastic and glass containers collected over a period of time, much to the curiosity of passers-by who frequent that road.
New Amsterdam, I estimate in a few decades’ time, will be ready for forestry activities. The Guyana Forestry Commission may be interested in taking a survey of the many bushy and ‘forested’ areas that have evolved around the township.
The Zoological Parks, too, can bring some researchers as there may be many species of birds, mammals and (I am certain) reptiles which make their habitats especially in the Republic Dam — sorry —Road trench. Greenery is not a problem if you plan on living in New Amsterdam, as there is much more than you can handle — too much I think.
Those in charge of the town, I believe, have a mission to convert New Amsterdam from a living environment to another living environment; that is, one where only animals can live, since the current façade of the town will diminish in time.
There isn’t a shortage of livestock in the town. Everyday, at any hour, cows, donkeys, horses, and dogs — tens of them, can be seen wandering around the town, bumping into pedestrians (or running them), defecating on the roadways, and obstructing traffic. It’s a real picture I tell you.
No place to dump your garbage when you come to visit or live in New Amsterdam? No problem.
Just throw it outside on the road or make use of the nearest dumpsite or garbage dump, as there are over a dozen well established garbage heaps around the town – Shoe Lane, St Magdalene Street, New Street, here and there on Republic Road, the Strand, among many others. Just make sure you walk with nose-masks.
Throw your styrofoam boxes and plastic bags in the drains as that will aid in “water accumulation” a great deal. I have also estimated that in a few years’ time, New Amsterdam will become one, big dumpsite which may be beneficial to our country. Who knows?
For recreational activities you may have to make do with the Esplanade Park which should really be called Esplanade Animal Pasture.
The pavilion there is shaky so beware, the gazebos are not the best, and the field may not be ‘A’ Grade but at least the cows, donkeys, sheep and horses which seek their food in the Esplanade Park daily can tell us that the park is good for at least something.
The town has a resting place for all those who have gone to the great beyond. Located among bushes in the Stanleytown area but still visible, one can see the cemetery.
When in New Amsterdam, you’re almost sure of bumping into one or two insane citizens of the township who roam the town among the other citizens showing that sane and insane can blend and mix with a great degree of ease and camaraderie.
Need a place to chill out and relax with your families on Sunday afternoons? Well, the Republic Road was such a place decades ago, with chairs, well-kept parapets, scenic ponds with flowers, etc — was — so that wouldn’t do today. You might very well have to consider the Esplanade Park that I mentioned above. Seize the opportunity while you can before that park, too, becomes the unthinkable (slowly getting there).
Your need for entertainment and staying out late are catered for in the glorious town of New Amsterdam. You can do just this on Christmas Eve night, Old Year’s Night and Town Day night. And when you’re done partying, you can throw your beer bottles, styrofoam boxes, paper, plastic and party items all over Main Street.
It’ll be a vivid reminder when you awake the next morning of a wondrous celebration that happened the night before.
I’m afraid that that too will require nose masks the next day, if you’re going to traverse the town.
The town has bits of history here and there in vehicular forms too. There are over 10 derelict vintage vehicles and pieces of vehicles strewn all over Republic Road.
Whatever your taste, you are sure to enjoy living in the town of New Amsterdam. Life here shall be an exciting one worth living. Things are not right in the town, so many things, but the authorities don’t care a thing so why should you?
Leon Jameson Suseran

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