It is two days to go before Christmas and the rush is on. If you've been to downtown Belize City you probably know what we're talking about. Today we hit downtown Belize City to ask that ageless question: how di Christmas di come? We found a mixed bag. We begin with Prime Minister Said Musa who on Wednesday told us that the Christmas was going well for him, especially with all the shoppers he saw in downtown Belize City - all of them paying GST.
Said Musa: So far I have been tied up with work of course but I am hoping over this weekend to begin to get into the spirit, the feel. I notice however when I travel downtown Albert Street and Queen Street that there is a lot of spending going on, purchasing power seems to be there. So I feel good about that.
Keith Swift: Have you finished all your shopping?
Said Musa: I haven't started yet.
Michael Finnegan: Terrible, terrible. People out here are suffering. Don't you see that money isn't being spent the way they normally spend. Yes a little bit of money is being spent but it is not being spent the way it normally is. Things out here are rough, times out here are hard.
Arun Hotchandani: I think that overall it turned out to be okay. The whole year the entire economy went through a roller coaster ride but we have to realize that it is realistic, it is not something that we should get worried about. But I must say the Christmas season has picked up last minute.
Samples from Street Interviews:
Man #1: I am feeling the spirit right now man.
KS: Finished all your shopping?
Man #1: Well hopefully today...life kinda rough yes for everybody I would assume but you have to live, you have to struggle.
Woman #1: It is alright, we already did the shopping and everything.
Woman #2: The Christmas is straight right now with me. I have almost gotten everything already so I think everything is straight with me right now.
KS: So you had a lot of money this year?
Woman #2: No, not really. Once you work and you have a job you could provide for the family.
Policeman: Christmas is busy right now for the people, the public mostly. We are just making sure they are safe while shopping.
Woman #3: Not too bad but I am busy right now. I have to go, I live far. I live way in Mango Creek.
Woman #4: Very good, lots of buying.
KS: So you have a lot of money.
Woman #4: Not really...you have to find good prices, good bargains, go to Wagons.
And since Christmas is that time for caring and sharing - today we also gave shoppers an opportunity to shout out family members and other people special in their lives.
