This Christmas Eve, Likoni feels unusually quiet. While the street shops are usually lined with twinkling lights and the air filled with the scent of festive meals, this year, many residents are staying home and opting for a simpler, quieter celebration.
The reason? Rising prices and a general sense of fatigue that has dampened the usual Christmas cheer.
At Shelly Beach, a popular spot for relaxation, snack vendor Omar Gili shared his thoughts on dayβs low sales.
Gili, who sells boiled eggs, potato fries, and other snacks, said business has been much slowerΒ compared toΒ past Christmases.
βItβs not as busy as other years, but Iβm hopeful things will get better later,β he said. βMost people come to the beach in the evening, so I might still make some sales.β
The tough economy has forced many families to spend cautiously, cutting back on big celebrations.Β ButΒ safety concernsΒ areΒ alsoΒ keepingΒ people indoors.
Over the past months, Likoni has experienced more robberies and other crimes, making many residents avoid going out, especially at night.
βEven if things werenβt so expensive, people are scared. It doesnβt feel safe to be outside for long,β Gili added.
For some, staying home is a way to avoid high costs and potential risks. βTraveling to visit family is too expensive this year,β said Merlin Peter, a resident of Likoni.
βOn top of that, it doesnβt feel safe being out. Weβve decided to stay home and have a simple day with family.β She added.
The usually busy streets and public areas are much quieter this Christmas, with fewer decorations and activities. ManyΒ peopleΒ have focused on smaller, private celebrations, avoiding crowds and unnecessary expenses.
As theΒ day approaches to an end, Shelly Beach may see a few more visitors looking to relax in the open air.
For vendors like Gili, the beach offers a small chance to recover some of the dayβs losses as families spend time by the shore.
