It was evident that Guyanese from all walks of life had put aside their many burning controversies and differences and regardless of political persuasion came together in true Guyanese fashion to celebrate the country's 34th Republic Day anniversary.

From before sunrise Mashramani morning, buses, cars, trucks and pickups filled with passengers and loaded with tents, hammocks, drinks and food blazed into the city from as far as Linden, Parika and Berbice.

According to reports reaching Guyana Chronicle, traffic on the East Coast Demerara Highway was reduced to a crawl as hundreds of vehicles headed into the capital city.

Others travelling from more remote locations and from overseas opted to travel a few days earlier and checked in at a hotel or bunked with relatives and friends.

Meanwhile, families from Georgetown and in close proximity came out early as they competed for space at prime spots on the greens of the National Park, in the Botanical Gardens and on Merriman's Mall and other advantageous spots along the route where the float parade passed.

While some women remained at home putting the final touches on family delicacies, the men served as scouts using tents, hammocks and their vehicles to mark off the family boundary for the day.

The Guyana Chronicle observed bus drivers, conductors and clothes vendors trying to get in some extra bucks early yesterday morning; taxi drivers had quite a busy day and few cars were seen on the parks.

Under the theme "Unity, Beauty and More in 2004" thousands turned out for the annual event which had excellent weather with no clouds in the sky nor showers. The atmosphere was hot and humid.

But one local newspaper jovially contended that this year's theme should have been "Bust, boobs and more in 2004" as portrayed in a recent cartoon.

However, the general public that jammed all day was the best judge to determine which theme accurately reflected Mashramani 2004.

Guyanese had a frolicking time, as they jammed together under massive speakers towering into the air emitting explosive booms of popular road songs.

Revellers clad in colourful pieces took the city by storm as they tramped behind their respective floats. While some revellers' attire could be described as modest others were quite revealing and daring to say the least.

Mother Sally, Mad Cow and the Masquerade Band of course turned up in their colourful costumes and fancy foot works much to the delight of the crowd and the dismay of the todlers, a tradition that seems as old as time itself.

The Golden Arrowhead received its due credit, as our National Flag. While small flags were tucked in baby prams, other citizens and foreigners prominently displayed larger ones on their vehicles and of course the Golden Arrowhead fluttered proudly from countless floats and in the hands of many revellers jamming through the city under the hot tropical sun.

While some viewers lined the roadway along the police barriers to see the costumes, others were contented with relaxing in the shades or just browsing on the countless booths that sold beverages and Guyanese delicacies which included souse, white pudding, wild meat, roti and curried chicken and a wide range of food.

The smoke and tantalizing aroma from several bar-b-que grills awoke hunger pangs in many. Booths also offered children's fun toys and one was set up like a photo studio.

When the official costume parade had concluded yesterday afternoon, families packed up and headed for home, while others prepared for fete part two heading for a club or one of the many hangouts to wind down the event.