If you think only in a relationship that the word "ghost' applies, haha think again because here in Seychelles, this happens throughout the year. I would rather say solemn and not just quiet, wherein you would rarely see people roaming around, especially during the new year.
We went for a road trip that day and in the main town itself, where you could see their version of Big Ben ( taken this image three days before our road trip thus the timing was different as it was around 9 am and traffic was almost like a tortoise again.) Adjacent to the National Museum, Absa Bank ( formerly Barclays Bank), and on top was a Pizza House. Heading towards the Immigration Office where you could find their symbolic Fish Tails in the roundabout.
At first, I thought there were four but my husband clarified there were only 3 which represent the continents of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Expect a mixed culture here which was a colony of French- British before their independence in 1975.
On the other hand, if you're the kind of person who preferred an island living wherein free from a city's busy and crazy life, perhaps Seychelles might be your other option as there's more room for relaxation especially when the weekend mode is on. And when I say weekend mode, as part of the Seychelloise's lifestyle since time immemorial hence the town looks more serene and calm because most of them would spend time partying on the beach.
So on a new year, as we went to check around, it's not at all surprising to see traffic-free Friday while on the road which seemed like in Doha and that sense of "exclusivity" even tourists and other foreign workers couldn't be seen anywhere. If my memory served me right, there were only a few ex-pats and locals which included the three of us.
You see, here in Seychelles, when I first came four years back, I was surprised that during the weekend especially after lunchbreak on a Saturday, most shops were already closed. Back in Doha, these are the times where shops are the busiest because it's a day off. lol, how can you make more profit in this case eh?
Likewise, when Sunday comes, their main shopping center which is called STC at Boise de Rose would only open until 4 pm unfortunately just recently they announced to have it closed for the whole day. Huh, if you worked on a weekend and you happened to run out of your basic commodities, better buy it on weekdays ahead by bulk.
Although there are small shops open they might not have the item you need for your household.
Also, here in Mahe, as the main island of the country where we are currently living, as soon as Friday after work kicked in, the "chillin mode" is on where everybody wanted to unwind accompanied by loud party island music, especially on the southern part. The northern part which most tourists are staying at the Beau Vallon area was more private and quiet. Pretty much expensive too, lol!
Sharing with you a video I have taken while we went swimming on a Saturday morning, the earlier the better because the beach would be jampacked nearly lunchtime. The town area right after lunch would be back to ghost town effect because Seychelloise's are already heading towards the beach.
What about you guys, is there such thing as "ghost town" effect in your respective country?
Does it help in a way especially during this pandemic?
the idea of having few people in town/city, would be better?
Images used on this post are mine using my phone.
Lead Image was taken at Eden Island
Matalan and STC images were screenshots edited via Canva
badges edited via Adobe Sparks
badges earned by the author and property of Uptrennd University
