In just about the next 5 hours, Belizeans will bid farewell to the year that was 2004 and say hello to 2005. For some it will be a time to reflect at midnight mass while for others it will be a time to party like it was 2005. And as has become a tradition here at 7NEWS we today took to the streets of downtown Belize City to find out about those hard won New Year's resolutions. But before we turn over to 2005, Keith Swift asked about the year that was.
Woman #2: "It wasn't that bad. It was struggling as usual but it was okay."
KS: What would you hope changes in 2005?
Woman #2: "Well the crimes which are going on in Belize. I mean people are afraid to come down here and people even afraid to carry a purse these days."
Woman#3: "It was a rough year for us. Sales was down and the economy was bad."
Man#1: "2004 I lost a lot of money."
KS: Who lost money? You or the country?
Man#1: "Me lost money because business gaan down."
Man#2: "I think the total lack of respect for public institutions, lack of respect for police officers, and respect for vendors. People just take lives just like that and that's very difficult for us and we need to change."
Woman#4: "The best thing this year? Christmas day."
KS: And what was the worst thing that happened to you?
Woman4: "Nothing."
Man#3: "The best thing was to get through the semester at school."
KS: And what was the worst thing?
Man#3: "Well the worst thing...I really can't think about a worst, just the best."
Woman#6: "I will remember it as hard"
KS: Why was it hard for you?
Woman#6: "Too much drama is happening."
KS: In your personal life?
Woman#6: "In the country."
Man#5: "I guess it was probably accomplishing my sixth form degree and then getting a job as soon as I came out of sixth form."
KS: And the worst?
Man#5: "Well I don't think there is any worst thing but relating to what the news is now saying and what is happening around the world I guess that is something that's really touching everybody around the world so that's one of the things I would consider being wrong."
Man#2: "What I would like to see is that we all live in harmony and that the trying times we are going through in particular now with what's happening within politics that things come as one. That is all I want, that we find peace in what we are doing."
Man#1: "I need Musa removed."
KS: That is your new year's resolution?
Man#1: "Yeah that's all. We need a different prime minister."
KS: You told me that you are 83. At your age do you still make new year's resolutions?
Man#4: "My resolution is just to work until you dead and until the good Lord send for you and that's it."
Man#5: "I guess my New Year's resolution is going to be probably help more people and make a change in my life. Personally I am starting working this year and I am looking forward to a fruitful year in 2005."
Woman#1: "I'd a say to work along with people because some people are very difficult to get along with but you know so I will try and do my best."
Female Tourist: "My new year's resolution would be to not fight with my sister so much and lose a couple pounds."
