Hello,
this past weekend Jess and I took a trip to Flores, Guatemala to take a sunrise tour of Tikal, a huge Maya site (where one of the shots during Star Wars: Return of the Jedi was taken. You remember, the Ewoks home planet? Those ruins were what we saw)
Before all that though, we had to get there. After crossing the border into Guatemala we were bombarded with people asking us to change money or if we needed a taxi, but we knew where to go and we already had exchanged in San Ignacio. The taxi to Flores we needed was a collective taxi that only cost 10 Belize each! Too catch it, we had to hike up a hill in the border town, Melchor, to the town market. There we found a taxi just leaving so we hopped on. This taxi is a large, van-like vehicle that gets packed with passengers. There were about 15 people in this small cab and we were crammed in ontop of everyone else. It was a long, hot ride, but we made it to Flores in one piece.
There we went streight to the hotel we had looked up, the Jaguar Inn. However, it was not in Flores, but in the sister town, Santa Elena right across the bridge. There we took one look at the rooms and decided we would rather try our luck elsewhere. We decided to go to Flores and stay there for the night. Flores is a town surounded 99% by a lake with one bridge that runs over a thing strip of land conecting it to Santa Elena.
In Flores, we found a hotel for an affordable price with a great view of the lake. There, on the last day of passover no less, we found a large amount of Israelis staying. It was very funny, for Jess in particular, having had no contact with the Jewish/Israeli world and then finding 15 guests staying at the same hotel as us. She was obviously excited.
After settling in, we decided to go to book our sunrise tour of Tikal back at the Jaguar Inn, the place in Santa Elena where we had just looked at. There, we made plans for the tour and paid.
That night we had dinner, set the alarm and went to sleep early. The next day we were to be picked up at 3:30 am to get to Tikal on time! When the time of departure arrived, we found ourselves joined on the curb outside our hotel by a number of other guests. at 3:30 almost exactly one van came by and took about half the guests. The guide checked our ticket and said that we werent riding on that van; another was to come soon. 15 minutes later, another van came and picked up the final guests. Then the driver looked at our ticket and said, this ticket isnt for us, maybe another one is coming after. So we waited around until 4:30 in the morning before giving up. No one came to pick us up! Jess and I were both very upset, but at least we got to go back to sleep. When we woke up again, we went back to Jaguar Inn. We argued with the women who sold us the ticket, saying we had only planned to stay one night and were low on money and needed to be fully refunded and taken care of as a guest. She told us, however that the ride was not included in the ticket that we had purchased and we needed to hop on one of those vans on our own and then pay. Having not had this explained to us, it was very frustrating, however, we did get our money back.
After much debate, we decided to stay in Flores one more night and book a sunrise tour through someone else. To save money, we moved out of the hotel and into a hostel. The owner, Toto was a very nice young man who helped us book a tour and gave us a great rate on a room. He also made us a fantastic, chicken and veggie toasted sandwhich. That afternoon (Saturday), we had extra time to spare so we went to a park and went on a Zip Wire through the jungle. It was very fun, but since we were the only two doing it, it ended very fast. Jess was aprehensive at first, but she ended up loving it. After that, we walked around Flores, up and down the streets and watched the sun set. Flores, to me, seemed a lot like the towns I have visited in Spain: Narrow streets with beautifully crafted buildings.
After our snack/dinner watching the sunset, we started our early morning wake-up routine. This time, we got picked up. It was a long, surprisingly cold, van ride up to Tikal and after a quick walk through the woods, we found ourselves climbing a Maya Temple. At the top we watched the sun rise through the mist. It wasnt as dramatic as I had expected, but it was definitely a once in a life time thing to watch. Verry beautiful.
When the sun was up and the mist wasnt clearing, the tour guide took us around Tikal and told us to return for a panaramic view later. The buildings at Tikal were enormous. They seemed to dwarf all other sites we had been too, except Caan, a Maya building at Caracol. Even though we had heard all the info the guide was telling us already in our class and from other tours, it was quite an enjoyable hike. The best way to explain is by showing you pictures so go check out snapfish! the place was out of this world! I can see why the used it in Star Wars.
So after a wonderful morning in Tikal, Jess and I returned to Flores, packed our stuff, and came home to San Ignacio. It was quite a busy weekend but we had a great time still. I know I sound like a broken record now, but I am exhausted from traveling. Hopefully, after our trip to Antigua, we will be able to relax for the next two weeks in Nicaragua. Before that, though, I have two days of finals and then I am completely done here. This semester went so fast! I cant believe it.
I hope I get to show all of my listeners out there the many pictures I have taken. There are stories behind each one of them.
Hope you have enjoyed my blog. I may not be able to post until I return, but I will tell you all about my final adventures through Belize and Central America.
Stay Tuned!
love,
Colin
Monday, April 28, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Blisters on the Sun
Hello,
This last weekend was chalk full of hard, intensive labor. I dont know if any of you have swung a machet(e) before, but after 900 wacks it becomes tiring.
My project group, as I described before, is working on a project in a town called Arizona. There, our goal was to create a community orchard to sustain the population. After a long period of down time, we finally heard from our project partner 3 weeks ago. She gave us her immediate plan of action: Friday: Clear the land. Saturday: Perform a Terra Preta (bio-char fertilizer) demonstration. Sunday: Dig holes to prepare for planting in the rainy season. We were supposed to do this all with the support of the community members
In a way, we followed this outline, but without the support of the community members. Each day, only 3-4 adults from Arizona came to help. This was disheartening. The exciting part was that at least 10 children came and showed interest in the orchard and some even helped!
So Friday, we got to Arizona not knowing what to expect. Immediately, we started clearing brush and chopping down green. It was hard hard work. The sun beat down on us and our blisters accumulated fast! No one had brought glooves because we thought they would be provided. Luckily we had a few bandanas to wrap around our fists. After clearing a load of land, we started piling up brush and setting fire to it. We were going to make charcoal out of it but the fires burned to hot and we needed to clear the land. After working only half a day, we were exhausted. We took a break for lunch and since we hadnt gotten much help from the community, decided to call it a day. We were dead tired, but we had 2 more days of work.
Saturday, we got out to Arizona and proceeded to do the same thing. There were not as many machetes that morning so some of us waited around. One kid, Benjamin, ran and got us some more. For the next 3 hours, I worked beside him chopping down trees, bushes, and grass. At one point, a heavenly rain came down and cooled us off. However, when it cleared up the humidity was worse than even. Also, on this day, a friend of a project member of ours came to help. It was great having a fresh set of hands to provide work. Since it had rained, the wood didnt burn so well and we had trouble getting fires started. After lunch, we worked a little bit more, digging holes and preparing for the last day.
Sunday we went out, after utter exahaustion the previous two days and went right back to work. This day, we had to dig numerous holes! This was hard work as well. It wasnt as long lasting, but it was more energy draining: ripping up roots, pulling out rocks and even avoiding Tarantula at the bottom of the holes. Overall, this was the least amount of work we had to put in, however, it was the most tiring. After digging holes, we kept on trying to burn the piles of wood as well as collecting material to make Terra Preta. We needed alot of leaf litter and bio mass to mix in with the charcoal and bird manure that Forest, one of the leaders from our project partner, went to pick up. After lunch, we started filling in the holes with the mixture while others went to get community members to do the Terra Preta demonstration. It was great to have a fair sized turnout for that. There were about 10 people who were interested and we were able to teach them this improved way to fertilize the land. Instead of slash and burn, the common practice, we showed them how they could slow burn the green material they had collected and then use that charcoal with the other common ingrediants.
Overall, I think our aid was useful. Even though it will require a lot more input from the community to take care of the orchard than what they gave this weekend, we showed our willingness to help them. If the word spreads from the few who showed up, maybe the rest of the community will be inspired to work on maintaining it.
two days later, I am still exahausted, but excited to think I only have a week left of school/finals! We are very close to the end of this long, hard, amazing journey. This weekend, Jess and I our going to go to Tikal and go on a zip wire! It should be great fun.
There may only be one more blog after this one. I dont know if I will be able to access internet in Guatemala, El Salvador or Nicaragua on my travels in the coming weeks.
I hope you all have a great time,
best wishes,
Colin
This last weekend was chalk full of hard, intensive labor. I dont know if any of you have swung a machet(e) before, but after 900 wacks it becomes tiring.
My project group, as I described before, is working on a project in a town called Arizona. There, our goal was to create a community orchard to sustain the population. After a long period of down time, we finally heard from our project partner 3 weeks ago. She gave us her immediate plan of action: Friday: Clear the land. Saturday: Perform a Terra Preta (bio-char fertilizer) demonstration. Sunday: Dig holes to prepare for planting in the rainy season. We were supposed to do this all with the support of the community members
In a way, we followed this outline, but without the support of the community members. Each day, only 3-4 adults from Arizona came to help. This was disheartening. The exciting part was that at least 10 children came and showed interest in the orchard and some even helped!
So Friday, we got to Arizona not knowing what to expect. Immediately, we started clearing brush and chopping down green. It was hard hard work. The sun beat down on us and our blisters accumulated fast! No one had brought glooves because we thought they would be provided. Luckily we had a few bandanas to wrap around our fists. After clearing a load of land, we started piling up brush and setting fire to it. We were going to make charcoal out of it but the fires burned to hot and we needed to clear the land. After working only half a day, we were exhausted. We took a break for lunch and since we hadnt gotten much help from the community, decided to call it a day. We were dead tired, but we had 2 more days of work.
Saturday, we got out to Arizona and proceeded to do the same thing. There were not as many machetes that morning so some of us waited around. One kid, Benjamin, ran and got us some more. For the next 3 hours, I worked beside him chopping down trees, bushes, and grass. At one point, a heavenly rain came down and cooled us off. However, when it cleared up the humidity was worse than even. Also, on this day, a friend of a project member of ours came to help. It was great having a fresh set of hands to provide work. Since it had rained, the wood didnt burn so well and we had trouble getting fires started. After lunch, we worked a little bit more, digging holes and preparing for the last day.
Sunday we went out, after utter exahaustion the previous two days and went right back to work. This day, we had to dig numerous holes! This was hard work as well. It wasnt as long lasting, but it was more energy draining: ripping up roots, pulling out rocks and even avoiding Tarantula at the bottom of the holes. Overall, this was the least amount of work we had to put in, however, it was the most tiring. After digging holes, we kept on trying to burn the piles of wood as well as collecting material to make Terra Preta. We needed alot of leaf litter and bio mass to mix in with the charcoal and bird manure that Forest, one of the leaders from our project partner, went to pick up. After lunch, we started filling in the holes with the mixture while others went to get community members to do the Terra Preta demonstration. It was great to have a fair sized turnout for that. There were about 10 people who were interested and we were able to teach them this improved way to fertilize the land. Instead of slash and burn, the common practice, we showed them how they could slow burn the green material they had collected and then use that charcoal with the other common ingrediants.
Overall, I think our aid was useful. Even though it will require a lot more input from the community to take care of the orchard than what they gave this weekend, we showed our willingness to help them. If the word spreads from the few who showed up, maybe the rest of the community will be inspired to work on maintaining it.
two days later, I am still exahausted, but excited to think I only have a week left of school/finals! We are very close to the end of this long, hard, amazing journey. This weekend, Jess and I our going to go to Tikal and go on a zip wire! It should be great fun.
There may only be one more blog after this one. I dont know if I will be able to access internet in Guatemala, El Salvador or Nicaragua on my travels in the coming weeks.
I hope you all have a great time,
best wishes,
Colin
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Zoo, Xunantinich and ATM caves
Hello all!
This semester in Belize is winding down, and I am ready to be home for the summer. I am feeling very tired in the broad sense of the word. However, I am still having fun. This past weekend, Jess and I did all the touristy things around San Ignacio that we missed before.
Saturday, our plan was to go to the National Zoo and then go to the inland Blue Hole (a sink hole filled with gorgeous blue water). After getting up nice and early, we took a long bus ride out to the Zoo. It was a hot day and I was already sweating by the time we walked up the road to the visitor center from the bus stop. At the entrance, I had a funny encounter. On my Whale Shark dive in Placencia, Dad and I had met a group of Japanese who came here to Belize to do service work for two years. At the zoo, I met a group of them with the leader of the group I had just gone diving with two weeks prior. On top of that I met with an old guide of mine from La Milpa. He was giving a tour to some British Uni students who were here for a week. This made me realize how small Belize really is. I know lots of people from almost every district and have run into them multiple times now!
The Zoo itself was excellent, after seeing it two years ago at night; it was much different during the day. Many more animals were out in their caged habitat. We saw spider monkeys, tapir, wild peccary, two types of jaguar (normal and black!) and much more. There are some amazing pictures on Snapfish so check them out if you can J
After the Zoo, we hopped on the next bus and decided to call it a day. It was very hot and we weren’t going to have much time to visit the Blue Hole, so we saved that for another day. The one loss of the day was my sunglasses that had already broke, but had fixed with tap. They snapped a second time and were done for good…
Sunday, Jess and I went to Xunantinich (spelled fairly accurately and pronounced Soo-nan-tin-itch). We got very lucky this day with rides. On the way there we took a collective taxi to the ferry for only 4 Belize dollars. Then, on the ferry we met a couple with a pickup truck that we hopped in the back and rode up the one mile to the entrance. There we spent a couple hours marveling over the beauty of the ruins. From the top of the highest ruin you could see all the way into Guatemala and all the way back to San Ignacio, since it was 180 ft tall and on top of a big hill. The view was breathtaking.
On the way back, we started walking down the long mile, but got picked up by a group of people from Punta Gorda who had come up to see the championship soccer game that took place that day. We got a ride all the way back to the Cahal Pech, where we went for a nice long swim. We were supposed to go to the soccer game but we were both tired and just relaxed. The proceeding day was our big trip to the Actun Tunicchil Munical caves!
After another early wakeup, Jess and I got our bags together, ate breakfast and headed to Mayawalk, a tour group in San Ignacio. It was raining, but as soon as we got in the car it stopped. The ride there was uneventful but bumpy. We had been down the same road on our way to the STAND center a month or more prior. Two years ago I had gotten to go on this wonderful tour with Dad and our eco-tourist group on my senior year spring break. It was really fun remembering going into the cave with those people because this was our first real formative experience as a group. There is a 45 minute hike in before you even get to the cave, so by the time you are there, you are ready to hike through the cave in some pretty deep water!
The entrance is a majestic maw with a river running out of it. Right away, you have to swim in some deep water to get across to the rocks. The cave runs about 5 kilometers deep but we only get to go in about half way. There are amazing geological formations and some very interesting artifacts all over. When you get half way through, you have to climb up some rocks to a ledge high above. There, the cave continues on in another direction, up from the water. That’s where the Maya came to perform their sacred rituals. There are numerous pots strewn all over the cave and even some bones of sacrificed youth! After seeing some more marvelous formations, you climb a latter and view the piece-du-resistance: A fully intact female skeleton.
For me it was amazing seeing the caves again, but it was even more fun to share that experience with Jess. I have a lot of memories of that cave and I don’t believe anyone will be able to enter it soon due to damage caused by tourists. It is one unique experience that may not be here the next time I come to Belize.
This weekend was fantastic. I am glad I got to do all the local stuff. All that is left on that front is to do a horseback ride through the jungle and visit the Blue Hole. Plans are still coming together for the final trip for Jess and I. We are now able to leave on the 2nd of May, giving us more time to see Guatemala and Nicaragua! I am very excited!
This weekend, I will be doing my service learning project in Arizona. Things finally came together with our project partner and now we will be clearing the land on Friday, giving a bio-char fertilizer demonstration on Saturday, and digging the holes on Sunday! It will be a lot of work but I think it should be lots of fun!
On top of that, I have to write the conclusion of our group paper that is due next Thursday, but that cant be done until this weekend is over :-/
Ok, well time to get back to writing my paper, hope everyone is enjoying more spring up!
Best wishes,
Colin
This semester in Belize is winding down, and I am ready to be home for the summer. I am feeling very tired in the broad sense of the word. However, I am still having fun. This past weekend, Jess and I did all the touristy things around San Ignacio that we missed before.
Saturday, our plan was to go to the National Zoo and then go to the inland Blue Hole (a sink hole filled with gorgeous blue water). After getting up nice and early, we took a long bus ride out to the Zoo. It was a hot day and I was already sweating by the time we walked up the road to the visitor center from the bus stop. At the entrance, I had a funny encounter. On my Whale Shark dive in Placencia, Dad and I had met a group of Japanese who came here to Belize to do service work for two years. At the zoo, I met a group of them with the leader of the group I had just gone diving with two weeks prior. On top of that I met with an old guide of mine from La Milpa. He was giving a tour to some British Uni students who were here for a week. This made me realize how small Belize really is. I know lots of people from almost every district and have run into them multiple times now!
The Zoo itself was excellent, after seeing it two years ago at night; it was much different during the day. Many more animals were out in their caged habitat. We saw spider monkeys, tapir, wild peccary, two types of jaguar (normal and black!) and much more. There are some amazing pictures on Snapfish so check them out if you can J
After the Zoo, we hopped on the next bus and decided to call it a day. It was very hot and we weren’t going to have much time to visit the Blue Hole, so we saved that for another day. The one loss of the day was my sunglasses that had already broke, but had fixed with tap. They snapped a second time and were done for good…
Sunday, Jess and I went to Xunantinich (spelled fairly accurately and pronounced Soo-nan-tin-itch). We got very lucky this day with rides. On the way there we took a collective taxi to the ferry for only 4 Belize dollars. Then, on the ferry we met a couple with a pickup truck that we hopped in the back and rode up the one mile to the entrance. There we spent a couple hours marveling over the beauty of the ruins. From the top of the highest ruin you could see all the way into Guatemala and all the way back to San Ignacio, since it was 180 ft tall and on top of a big hill. The view was breathtaking.
On the way back, we started walking down the long mile, but got picked up by a group of people from Punta Gorda who had come up to see the championship soccer game that took place that day. We got a ride all the way back to the Cahal Pech, where we went for a nice long swim. We were supposed to go to the soccer game but we were both tired and just relaxed. The proceeding day was our big trip to the Actun Tunicchil Munical caves!
After another early wakeup, Jess and I got our bags together, ate breakfast and headed to Mayawalk, a tour group in San Ignacio. It was raining, but as soon as we got in the car it stopped. The ride there was uneventful but bumpy. We had been down the same road on our way to the STAND center a month or more prior. Two years ago I had gotten to go on this wonderful tour with Dad and our eco-tourist group on my senior year spring break. It was really fun remembering going into the cave with those people because this was our first real formative experience as a group. There is a 45 minute hike in before you even get to the cave, so by the time you are there, you are ready to hike through the cave in some pretty deep water!
The entrance is a majestic maw with a river running out of it. Right away, you have to swim in some deep water to get across to the rocks. The cave runs about 5 kilometers deep but we only get to go in about half way. There are amazing geological formations and some very interesting artifacts all over. When you get half way through, you have to climb up some rocks to a ledge high above. There, the cave continues on in another direction, up from the water. That’s where the Maya came to perform their sacred rituals. There are numerous pots strewn all over the cave and even some bones of sacrificed youth! After seeing some more marvelous formations, you climb a latter and view the piece-du-resistance: A fully intact female skeleton.
For me it was amazing seeing the caves again, but it was even more fun to share that experience with Jess. I have a lot of memories of that cave and I don’t believe anyone will be able to enter it soon due to damage caused by tourists. It is one unique experience that may not be here the next time I come to Belize.
This weekend was fantastic. I am glad I got to do all the local stuff. All that is left on that front is to do a horseback ride through the jungle and visit the Blue Hole. Plans are still coming together for the final trip for Jess and I. We are now able to leave on the 2nd of May, giving us more time to see Guatemala and Nicaragua! I am very excited!
This weekend, I will be doing my service learning project in Arizona. Things finally came together with our project partner and now we will be clearing the land on Friday, giving a bio-char fertilizer demonstration on Saturday, and digging the holes on Sunday! It will be a lot of work but I think it should be lots of fun!
On top of that, I have to write the conclusion of our group paper that is due next Thursday, but that cant be done until this weekend is over :-/
Ok, well time to get back to writing my paper, hope everyone is enjoying more spring up!
Best wishes,
Colin
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Cahal Pech and San Pedro, Part 2
Hello folks,
Since that wonderful weekend with my family in Placencia not much has happened.
I finished all those papers and got some good grades back and now am in the last leg of this incredible trip. 5 weeks remain before I am on the way home! 3 1/2 before school ends!
But I feel I am ready. It is hot and tiring here. But still, there are things to do.
Last week, Jess and I went to Cahal Pech, the Ruins, for the first time. It was a wonderful morning and afternoon trip, seeing a hole bunch of ruins practically to our selves. There was one man who was painting beautiful pictures of the ruins. He was very knowledgeable and was fun to talk to!
After that, we went swimming at the top of the hill at the pool we went to the second day of this trip. We met up with our friend Rachel and hung out before going to class. It was fantastic.
This weekend we were supposed to go to Chetumaul, Mexico. we had a friend of ours from Galen who was going to drive us. But then he invited too many people and we couldnt fit in the car even though we were the people who wanted to organize the trip. We were unhappy, but we had a plan B: to go to San Pedro
I had already been to San Pedro, but Jess had not. After leaving pretty early in the morning we got to San Pedro at around 11. After a short search for hotels, we decided to stay in the same place dad and I had so we could be right on the beach. The whole weekend we just relaxed and looked around San Pedro. We got to see the Sunset as well. I even got to go diving one last time! I dont know when I will be able to go again...
It was a fantastic relaxing weekend.
As I said, only a few weeks left! I hope I can make the best of them. There is so much left to do!
Anyone have Kansas winning in the Tourny? It was quite a game!
Hope everyone else is having a good spring!
Best wishes,
Colin
Since that wonderful weekend with my family in Placencia not much has happened.
I finished all those papers and got some good grades back and now am in the last leg of this incredible trip. 5 weeks remain before I am on the way home! 3 1/2 before school ends!
But I feel I am ready. It is hot and tiring here. But still, there are things to do.
Last week, Jess and I went to Cahal Pech, the Ruins, for the first time. It was a wonderful morning and afternoon trip, seeing a hole bunch of ruins practically to our selves. There was one man who was painting beautiful pictures of the ruins. He was very knowledgeable and was fun to talk to!
After that, we went swimming at the top of the hill at the pool we went to the second day of this trip. We met up with our friend Rachel and hung out before going to class. It was fantastic.
This weekend we were supposed to go to Chetumaul, Mexico. we had a friend of ours from Galen who was going to drive us. But then he invited too many people and we couldnt fit in the car even though we were the people who wanted to organize the trip. We were unhappy, but we had a plan B: to go to San Pedro
I had already been to San Pedro, but Jess had not. After leaving pretty early in the morning we got to San Pedro at around 11. After a short search for hotels, we decided to stay in the same place dad and I had so we could be right on the beach. The whole weekend we just relaxed and looked around San Pedro. We got to see the Sunset as well. I even got to go diving one last time! I dont know when I will be able to go again...
It was a fantastic relaxing weekend.
As I said, only a few weeks left! I hope I can make the best of them. There is so much left to do!
Anyone have Kansas winning in the Tourny? It was quite a game!
Hope everyone else is having a good spring!
Best wishes,
Colin
Thursday, March 27, 2008
San Pedro, Caracol, Placencia and Family!
Hello,
sorry it had been a while since I have written, even so, I will keep this short. Most of you will hear and see of these extravagent events from my parents so I will provide you with a summary.
2 Fridays ago, Dad arrived here in Belize! I went to meet him for a weekend on Amberguis Caye, but I caught up with him in Belize City, even though he did not know. We both took water taxis at the same time, but he was on the one opposite me and so I waved to him, but he did not see me. He didnt know I had chosen the cheaper boat accross, so there was no harm.
On the Island, we stayed at a beautiful hotel right on the water. Our weekend was scheduled for much diving, but in between we got to relax with rum and coke and some Belikins. Saturday, we went diving with a company just by our front porch. It was dad's first time diving in a while so he was kind of nervous, but everything turned out allright. We even got to pet a Nurse Shark!
The rest of the afternoon was lazying about and swimming, but that evening we went to a fancy restaurent up on the north part of the island. we got picked up and dropped off by a boat from the resort even. Dad had Stone Crab and I had some Red Snapper. Both were amazing. It was a good meal to prepare us for our dive the next morning.
Sunday, we went to the Blue Hole. This was a 2 hour boat ride away (and very choppy) but once we got there it was calm. After we got in the water, we dove down to 140 feet! Down there it was black but there was a slight incline on the wall and there were stalagtites hanging from the ceiling.
We had two other dives that day and a lunch on Half Moon Caye, where we got to see redfooted boobys. They were the reason why conservation began in Belize.
That night we had dinner with one of Dad's work friends and his family. His daughter had just spent a year in guatemala and was very talkative about her aboad experience. It was great comparing notes and hearing about places that I may end up traveling to.
Monday, Dad and I left San Pedro (the town on Amburguis Caye) to pick up mom and Gill from the airport! The first water taxi was full so we took a later one and didnt get to pick them up on time, however it all worked out. It was great having them here! I really felt I could show off my world to them.
Tuesday night was had a group dinner and my dad entertained a bunch of my friends. It was great that they had the chance to meet my family. They were very impressed by them all and said that now they know why I am so nice. :)
Wednsday (last week still) we went to Caracol: a big Maya Ruin. We went with a guide in the car we had rented. Gill and Jess were crammed in the back, but I got to sit there one the way back. The Ruins were enormous. One temple was 135 feet tall and tons of stairs! On the way back we stopped at a cave where we got to explore a bit. It wasnt too long, but the ceiling was high! After that, we stopped at a river where we went swimming. This was one of the most enjoyable things I have experienced in Belize. There were slides, pools and strong waterfalls. It was great!
Thursday, we all left for Placencia. There, we stayed in a gorgeous resort with a pool to the left of our condo and the ocean right out in fornt! It was a fantastic place to go and relax. Friday we didnt do much, but Saturday Dad and I went Whale Shark diving, Gill went to take a beginer's course in diving and Jess and Mom went to a place called Monkey Creek. I cant tell you much about the last two but on Dad and my dive, we got to see a 30 foot whale shark who swam with us! It was fantastic.
That night, we went to a cook out on the beach at the resort up from us. Its food was delicious!
Sunday we went snorkeling at Laughing Bird Caye and in the afternoon, back at our resort, got to go on a treasure hunt, which we won! The prize was a free meal from the restaurent.
Monday, we drove back and Jess and I got dropped off in Belmopan. It was sad to say goodbye to my parents, but I had had a great weekend.
Now I am in a sullen mood. I am without my family and having to do applications for summer work while doing essays for class due next monday. On top of that, Jess's camera was lost on the Ruta Maya and I am at fault because it was in my backpack the whole time. I feel doubly bad because of that.
Still I am enjoying Belize. I am starting to make plans with Jess and others for possible travel after schools out on my way to Nicaragua to meet up with an old friend there.
Hopefully all these things will work themselves out.
I wish my best to all my listeners out there and hope you all had a great easter/purim
This is Colin signing off for now.
sorry it had been a while since I have written, even so, I will keep this short. Most of you will hear and see of these extravagent events from my parents so I will provide you with a summary.
2 Fridays ago, Dad arrived here in Belize! I went to meet him for a weekend on Amberguis Caye, but I caught up with him in Belize City, even though he did not know. We both took water taxis at the same time, but he was on the one opposite me and so I waved to him, but he did not see me. He didnt know I had chosen the cheaper boat accross, so there was no harm.
On the Island, we stayed at a beautiful hotel right on the water. Our weekend was scheduled for much diving, but in between we got to relax with rum and coke and some Belikins. Saturday, we went diving with a company just by our front porch. It was dad's first time diving in a while so he was kind of nervous, but everything turned out allright. We even got to pet a Nurse Shark!
The rest of the afternoon was lazying about and swimming, but that evening we went to a fancy restaurent up on the north part of the island. we got picked up and dropped off by a boat from the resort even. Dad had Stone Crab and I had some Red Snapper. Both were amazing. It was a good meal to prepare us for our dive the next morning.
Sunday, we went to the Blue Hole. This was a 2 hour boat ride away (and very choppy) but once we got there it was calm. After we got in the water, we dove down to 140 feet! Down there it was black but there was a slight incline on the wall and there were stalagtites hanging from the ceiling.
We had two other dives that day and a lunch on Half Moon Caye, where we got to see redfooted boobys. They were the reason why conservation began in Belize.
That night we had dinner with one of Dad's work friends and his family. His daughter had just spent a year in guatemala and was very talkative about her aboad experience. It was great comparing notes and hearing about places that I may end up traveling to.
Monday, Dad and I left San Pedro (the town on Amburguis Caye) to pick up mom and Gill from the airport! The first water taxi was full so we took a later one and didnt get to pick them up on time, however it all worked out. It was great having them here! I really felt I could show off my world to them.
Tuesday night was had a group dinner and my dad entertained a bunch of my friends. It was great that they had the chance to meet my family. They were very impressed by them all and said that now they know why I am so nice. :)
Wednsday (last week still) we went to Caracol: a big Maya Ruin. We went with a guide in the car we had rented. Gill and Jess were crammed in the back, but I got to sit there one the way back. The Ruins were enormous. One temple was 135 feet tall and tons of stairs! On the way back we stopped at a cave where we got to explore a bit. It wasnt too long, but the ceiling was high! After that, we stopped at a river where we went swimming. This was one of the most enjoyable things I have experienced in Belize. There were slides, pools and strong waterfalls. It was great!
Thursday, we all left for Placencia. There, we stayed in a gorgeous resort with a pool to the left of our condo and the ocean right out in fornt! It was a fantastic place to go and relax. Friday we didnt do much, but Saturday Dad and I went Whale Shark diving, Gill went to take a beginer's course in diving and Jess and Mom went to a place called Monkey Creek. I cant tell you much about the last two but on Dad and my dive, we got to see a 30 foot whale shark who swam with us! It was fantastic.
That night, we went to a cook out on the beach at the resort up from us. Its food was delicious!
Sunday we went snorkeling at Laughing Bird Caye and in the afternoon, back at our resort, got to go on a treasure hunt, which we won! The prize was a free meal from the restaurent.
Monday, we drove back and Jess and I got dropped off in Belmopan. It was sad to say goodbye to my parents, but I had had a great weekend.
Now I am in a sullen mood. I am without my family and having to do applications for summer work while doing essays for class due next monday. On top of that, Jess's camera was lost on the Ruta Maya and I am at fault because it was in my backpack the whole time. I feel doubly bad because of that.
Still I am enjoying Belize. I am starting to make plans with Jess and others for possible travel after schools out on my way to Nicaragua to meet up with an old friend there.
Hopefully all these things will work themselves out.
I wish my best to all my listeners out there and hope you all had a great easter/purim
This is Colin signing off for now.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Ruta Maya
Wow, so everything has been very hectic the last week.
First, on Monday last week, I got a hair cut from Jay! After our group meeting I told him I would like to have my head shaved. He agreed, so now I have a buzz-cut! This is the first time my haircut has really changed since highschool where I wore it a little long for a while, but now it is completely different. After, it was one of the student's (Claire's) birthday. We had a little celebration at a local restaurant because her and Elida (the Galen secretary of sorts) shared their birthdays. That night, Phil almost convinced me to join him and Josh on their solo attempt of the Ruta Maya. However, I eventually turned them down for two reasons: 1 I didnt want to let down my group and 2 it seemed impossible (the 3rd was to stay with Jess)
Last Wednsday before the Ruta Maya, we recieved a ton of work. We had to fill out surveys and have a presentation, do a take home mid-term, and prepare a project presentation on our progress so far in Arizona. and we only had two days to complete it: Thursday before Ruta Maya and the Tuesday after.
Anyways, that afternoon, regardless of the work load, we went out to practice our rescue technics for the race. It was fun flipping boats and trying to get them back up, but we didnt need to do any of that in the race itself. We also got to meet the other volunteers, Robert, Rolph and a French couple, Jordan and Manot.
Thursday, I worked hard on my midterm until class. It was Tom Paterson's first time teaching our service learning class. Jay and Meg had said good bye the night before and Tom had taken Jays place teaching. They are now on vacation, but we will probable see them around town still. It is bitter sweet as Logan puts it. I hope Tom and Susan fall into the same role as Meg and Jay.
There was a little party that night in celebration of the start of the Ruta Maya. Fireworks kept Jess and I up a little later than we would have liked for a 5 am wake up, but it was fine. Friday morning, we got up bright and early! Phil was all ready for the race and got out of bed along with me. After some waiting around the person who led our volunteer group, a full fledged-hippy named Michael, we got started. Jess and I were sent with Marco down to the Low Bridge in San Ignacio where we were to check for the first boat to cross under the bridge. The first team to do so won $500 so alot was riding on our shoulders. First through was Carribean Pride (CPBL) and soon after the other dozens of boats crossed through. Total there were about 90 cannoes in the river at the start. At least 10 pulled out by the end of it.
Quickly, we left that site and moved on to the next at Spanish Lookout and then, when the other time keeping unit caught up to us, on to Iguana Creek and finally to Banana Bank Bridge. There we waited for hours. The first two checkpoints were quick, but this one we waited at for 3 or 4 hours before we saw anyone. Marco left us there without our lunche and Freddy (a Belizean volunteer who drove the truck) came by to pick us up, however, we had to switch into the saftey boat when it came by. Every few checkpoints, our cleanup boat would switch its crew except for the stern man, who was a proffessional racer (his name was Calvin). When our boat came, Jess Heiman and I jumped in for the last 6 miles of racing. After not having any lunch and little water, this stretch was tough! Calvin pushed us hard and fast and I got tierd fast. Jess H kept a good pace but not as fast as Calvin would have liked. I was supposed to do the 45 mile leg the next day, but he switched me off that shift. When we reached the campsite, I was dead tierd, and so was everyone else. It was hot and we got to sit around and do nothing for a while. Dinner was some spaghetti, but the best thing of all was going to sleep. The news of the day was that CPBL held a 5 minute lead over the reigning champions Belize Bank. In this race, that was an incredible amount!
The next morning, the team got ready while a bunch of us ran off to the next few checkpoints. It was a cold ride down the Western Highway and when we turned off of it we were glad. At the next point, St. Paul, we had another long wait until the racers came. It took from 9 am to 2 in the afternoon for our boat to reach us. However, there was some excitment. When the first place boats passed it was neck and neck! Carribean Pride and Reagan International were squeezing Belize Bank so they could not paddle, and CPBL came out in the front. At the end of the day, they would be behind Belize bank by half a boat length. When our boat came, Logan and Jess Brightfeller jumped in and headed off to do the last 10 miles to camp.
At that point, Shaun and Ben, who had gotten off doing the 45 mile stretch at St Paul, were exausted. I was happy I wasnt apart of that, but still felt sleighted that I wasnt deemed good enough to do it. The next day I would get to prove myself. We left St Paul soon after and went to Bermuda Landing, where we would camp. After getting situated, we went to the water to wait for the teams to cross. When Phil and Josh came by we were extatic. It was a heroic effort they were making to complete this race. They got out of their boats and started eating up their dinner, provided to the racers for free, like animals. I was very glad to see them. Their thrid member, Dale, had been cramping up and not pulling his weight so he had bailed earlier. Things wrapped up fast that night and soon everyone was asleep, dispite a big dance going on up the street.
The next morning we got up, cleaned up camp and watched the start of the race. It was very intense. There was hardly any space to move and yet no one tipped over. When the boats had passed everyone jumped in their cars and headed for the next checkpoint 10 miles down river. At that point Jess (Cohn) and I were scheduled to switch in so we got ready. As soon as we got there, it started raining so we rushed for shelter. We thought we would be cold out on the river, but the rain turned out to be a blessing. When we got in the boat, Calvin was not happy. He was in last place and wanted to make up some ground. So, thinking we only had 15 miles to go, we dug in and pushed hard for 3 streight hours! There were point on the river where I got tierd and had to keep rowing. Then I got to another level of tierd and felt I couldnt paddle anymore, but had to keep on going. It turned out our seggment was not 15 miles but closer to 30. after the 3 hours we slowed down and struggled with the last 2 hours and 12 miles. We had passed 7 teams shooting up the river but in those 2 hours, 5 of them had passed us back. We were pushed to the brink of utter exauhstion and had to row more. At one point Jess wanted to get off, but as the rescue boat came close, she changed her mind and powered through to the end. I was really impressed by the work we both did, but especially her. She made herself do the impossible and more. For the whole 30 miles and 5 hours, we did not stop paddeling besides one break where Calvin got a cigarette from another boat. That only took 30 seconds though.
So after 4 hours 59 minutes and 30 seconds of rowing, Jess and I were ready for bed. But the rain continued. There was not a dry spot that whole night. At one point, Jess, Freddy, me and the crew of people helping Marco went to the bar and hung out of a while. Calvin was there and so was Marlone, a support member I had talked to for a while at St Paul. It was nice being the only white people in the bar and it was great getting to know the Belizeans who were working with us.
The stretch Jess and I did was amazing, but it was nothing to brag about. It redeemed me from being a complete failure but I have no right to boast. The other people on this race had to do the whole thing without any switches. When Phil and Dale got in that night, I had so much respect for what they were doing. Josh had fallen out of the boat and sliced his finger and left the two of them to finish that day, but he would go again in the morning.
The last day was the quickest. After a night in a tiny tent that got flooded with water, I was ready for this whole experience to end. It coninued to rain on and off all day, but the canoes came by much more quickly and made the wait shorter. At the end in Belize city, we waited for hours for our ride to leave. But as I did, I got to say goodbye to all the people I had met along the way. Even Reynolds from Caye Caulker showed up as we were passing by. I hope to get to see all my new friends again and I may even get a T-shirt of the championship team: CPBL. Carribean Pride's 5 minute lead on the first day was enough to beat Belize Bank. Even though each day they had been first to check out, they only shaved off 2 minutes or so from the monsterous lead CPBL had.
All and all, this was a week of endurance. Endurance of rain, cold, heat, hunger, sleep, and time. There may have been points where I felt like quitting but I feel so much better for being apart of this incredble cultural experience.
It has been a very intense few days, but I have to keep on going. Today I do work, and Friday I go to Amberguis Caye to meet dad! It is almost spring break! This study abroad experience continues to be amazing.
Best wishes to you all,
Colin
First, on Monday last week, I got a hair cut from Jay! After our group meeting I told him I would like to have my head shaved. He agreed, so now I have a buzz-cut! This is the first time my haircut has really changed since highschool where I wore it a little long for a while, but now it is completely different. After, it was one of the student's (Claire's) birthday. We had a little celebration at a local restaurant because her and Elida (the Galen secretary of sorts) shared their birthdays. That night, Phil almost convinced me to join him and Josh on their solo attempt of the Ruta Maya. However, I eventually turned them down for two reasons: 1 I didnt want to let down my group and 2 it seemed impossible (the 3rd was to stay with Jess)
Last Wednsday before the Ruta Maya, we recieved a ton of work. We had to fill out surveys and have a presentation, do a take home mid-term, and prepare a project presentation on our progress so far in Arizona. and we only had two days to complete it: Thursday before Ruta Maya and the Tuesday after.
Anyways, that afternoon, regardless of the work load, we went out to practice our rescue technics for the race. It was fun flipping boats and trying to get them back up, but we didnt need to do any of that in the race itself. We also got to meet the other volunteers, Robert, Rolph and a French couple, Jordan and Manot.
Thursday, I worked hard on my midterm until class. It was Tom Paterson's first time teaching our service learning class. Jay and Meg had said good bye the night before and Tom had taken Jays place teaching. They are now on vacation, but we will probable see them around town still. It is bitter sweet as Logan puts it. I hope Tom and Susan fall into the same role as Meg and Jay.
There was a little party that night in celebration of the start of the Ruta Maya. Fireworks kept Jess and I up a little later than we would have liked for a 5 am wake up, but it was fine. Friday morning, we got up bright and early! Phil was all ready for the race and got out of bed along with me. After some waiting around the person who led our volunteer group, a full fledged-hippy named Michael, we got started. Jess and I were sent with Marco down to the Low Bridge in San Ignacio where we were to check for the first boat to cross under the bridge. The first team to do so won $500 so alot was riding on our shoulders. First through was Carribean Pride (CPBL) and soon after the other dozens of boats crossed through. Total there were about 90 cannoes in the river at the start. At least 10 pulled out by the end of it.
Quickly, we left that site and moved on to the next at Spanish Lookout and then, when the other time keeping unit caught up to us, on to Iguana Creek and finally to Banana Bank Bridge. There we waited for hours. The first two checkpoints were quick, but this one we waited at for 3 or 4 hours before we saw anyone. Marco left us there without our lunche and Freddy (a Belizean volunteer who drove the truck) came by to pick us up, however, we had to switch into the saftey boat when it came by. Every few checkpoints, our cleanup boat would switch its crew except for the stern man, who was a proffessional racer (his name was Calvin). When our boat came, Jess Heiman and I jumped in for the last 6 miles of racing. After not having any lunch and little water, this stretch was tough! Calvin pushed us hard and fast and I got tierd fast. Jess H kept a good pace but not as fast as Calvin would have liked. I was supposed to do the 45 mile leg the next day, but he switched me off that shift. When we reached the campsite, I was dead tierd, and so was everyone else. It was hot and we got to sit around and do nothing for a while. Dinner was some spaghetti, but the best thing of all was going to sleep. The news of the day was that CPBL held a 5 minute lead over the reigning champions Belize Bank. In this race, that was an incredible amount!
The next morning, the team got ready while a bunch of us ran off to the next few checkpoints. It was a cold ride down the Western Highway and when we turned off of it we were glad. At the next point, St. Paul, we had another long wait until the racers came. It took from 9 am to 2 in the afternoon for our boat to reach us. However, there was some excitment. When the first place boats passed it was neck and neck! Carribean Pride and Reagan International were squeezing Belize Bank so they could not paddle, and CPBL came out in the front. At the end of the day, they would be behind Belize bank by half a boat length. When our boat came, Logan and Jess Brightfeller jumped in and headed off to do the last 10 miles to camp.
At that point, Shaun and Ben, who had gotten off doing the 45 mile stretch at St Paul, were exausted. I was happy I wasnt apart of that, but still felt sleighted that I wasnt deemed good enough to do it. The next day I would get to prove myself. We left St Paul soon after and went to Bermuda Landing, where we would camp. After getting situated, we went to the water to wait for the teams to cross. When Phil and Josh came by we were extatic. It was a heroic effort they were making to complete this race. They got out of their boats and started eating up their dinner, provided to the racers for free, like animals. I was very glad to see them. Their thrid member, Dale, had been cramping up and not pulling his weight so he had bailed earlier. Things wrapped up fast that night and soon everyone was asleep, dispite a big dance going on up the street.
The next morning we got up, cleaned up camp and watched the start of the race. It was very intense. There was hardly any space to move and yet no one tipped over. When the boats had passed everyone jumped in their cars and headed for the next checkpoint 10 miles down river. At that point Jess (Cohn) and I were scheduled to switch in so we got ready. As soon as we got there, it started raining so we rushed for shelter. We thought we would be cold out on the river, but the rain turned out to be a blessing. When we got in the boat, Calvin was not happy. He was in last place and wanted to make up some ground. So, thinking we only had 15 miles to go, we dug in and pushed hard for 3 streight hours! There were point on the river where I got tierd and had to keep rowing. Then I got to another level of tierd and felt I couldnt paddle anymore, but had to keep on going. It turned out our seggment was not 15 miles but closer to 30. after the 3 hours we slowed down and struggled with the last 2 hours and 12 miles. We had passed 7 teams shooting up the river but in those 2 hours, 5 of them had passed us back. We were pushed to the brink of utter exauhstion and had to row more. At one point Jess wanted to get off, but as the rescue boat came close, she changed her mind and powered through to the end. I was really impressed by the work we both did, but especially her. She made herself do the impossible and more. For the whole 30 miles and 5 hours, we did not stop paddeling besides one break where Calvin got a cigarette from another boat. That only took 30 seconds though.
So after 4 hours 59 minutes and 30 seconds of rowing, Jess and I were ready for bed. But the rain continued. There was not a dry spot that whole night. At one point, Jess, Freddy, me and the crew of people helping Marco went to the bar and hung out of a while. Calvin was there and so was Marlone, a support member I had talked to for a while at St Paul. It was nice being the only white people in the bar and it was great getting to know the Belizeans who were working with us.
The stretch Jess and I did was amazing, but it was nothing to brag about. It redeemed me from being a complete failure but I have no right to boast. The other people on this race had to do the whole thing without any switches. When Phil and Dale got in that night, I had so much respect for what they were doing. Josh had fallen out of the boat and sliced his finger and left the two of them to finish that day, but he would go again in the morning.
The last day was the quickest. After a night in a tiny tent that got flooded with water, I was ready for this whole experience to end. It coninued to rain on and off all day, but the canoes came by much more quickly and made the wait shorter. At the end in Belize city, we waited for hours for our ride to leave. But as I did, I got to say goodbye to all the people I had met along the way. Even Reynolds from Caye Caulker showed up as we were passing by. I hope to get to see all my new friends again and I may even get a T-shirt of the championship team: CPBL. Carribean Pride's 5 minute lead on the first day was enough to beat Belize Bank. Even though each day they had been first to check out, they only shaved off 2 minutes or so from the monsterous lead CPBL had.
All and all, this was a week of endurance. Endurance of rain, cold, heat, hunger, sleep, and time. There may have been points where I felt like quitting but I feel so much better for being apart of this incredble cultural experience.
It has been a very intense few days, but I have to keep on going. Today I do work, and Friday I go to Amberguis Caye to meet dad! It is almost spring break! This study abroad experience continues to be amazing.
Best wishes to you all,
Colin
Sunday, March 2, 2008
South Water Caye
Hey folks.
This weekend was incrdible! I feel like I am saying that alot, but it is true. Friday we left around 9 oclock on a interesting tour vehicle for South Water Caye. Tom and Susan, the two faculty members who are replacing Jay and Meg for the second half of the semester, came along too. This trip took us back through Belmopan and off to Dangriga. Along the way, we stopped at this downhill spot where "gravity is reversed". The driver threw the clutch into neutral and we started drifting up hill! There is much speculation to weather this actually occured or if it was an optical illusion. It will have to be tested again.
The rest of the ride was rainy and we were not sure if it would clear up for our boat ride out to South Water Caye. However, when we entered Dangriga it cleared up. We hopped on a boat (much better than the one out to Tobacco Caye) and skimmed over to the island. It was relatively small, but it was gorgeous. The accomdoations for the kids (us) was in the bunk room. Originally, it got randomly divided up between girls and guys, but Emily Falta and I switched by accident. Some of us lazed around for a while, due to an overcast, rainy sky, but others of us decided to go swimming. It was cold walking to the beach, but when we got in the water it was warm. Again, we were right next to the reef so we could snorkel a short distance and see the coral up close.
That night, we played a trivia game with Tom and Susan and afterward we played a group game of pictionary. It was incredibly funny as people tried guessing whe each person was trying to draw. However, the girls team won. It was alot of fun had all around. Sleeping was very hot that night and there were many bugs who caused me to itch. It was a rogh night sleep, but I was prepared in the morning.
After breakfast on Saturday, Phil, Emily Abbot and I went diving. It was Emily's first time since her training at UVM over a year ago. However she did great. Phil and I, having dove together before, were already well prepared. On the first dive we saw some amazing things. There were huge schools of fish, large manta rays and eagle rays, a moray eel, a turtle, and a bull shark! When we were swimming up to it, the bull shark looked like it was about to make the turtle its lunch! But as soon as it saw me and the dive master swimming at it fervrently, it swam away. We were the only two to catch a glimpse of him, but the turtle hung around in gratitude and showed off its 4 foot shell to us. That was probably my favorite dive this trip. Maybe of all time! The dive went along the side of a ridge (trick ridge). To the right there was a beautiful coral cliff, that dove down into oblivion. To the left was nothing but a deep blue ocean.
Our second dive was much like our first, except along the shelf of the ocean. We didnt see as many cool animals, but I felt very comfortable in the water.
After we returned and went to lunch, we went out snorkeling. It wasnt so great. The water was shallow, the waves were rough and there werent many fish. After that trip, we got to play beach volleyball! It was a majority of boys but some of the girls joined in the second game. It was pretty intense and after warming up the week before, I was the best player. I was throwing down blocks left and right and getting some fairly good kills! Plus I had a height advantage. My team won two streight then we tied after changing teams up. It was pretty evenly matched going into the third game, but when we got to 15 we didnt want to stop and just kept playing. All that was left was the boys after 7 streight games and we were sweaty. After one final game we took off for the dock and jumped in. That was a great way to finish off the day. A very refreshing occasion. After the swim, Susan and Tom taught us this card game called Golf. There were 8 of us and it turned out to be an incredibley fun game. We may have to try it back in the US.
That night we learned about the island. Jen, the person who owns IZE (the place we were staying) had alot of information to share about how to be sustainable on the island. The IZE program doesnt do much of its own research, but it educates students like us about the reef and runs mini projects in the area. It turns out the Smithsonian owns an island less than a mile south of us where they do experiments and the like. It was pretty cool hearing that I traveled all the way to Belize and the museum in my backyard was also down here studying.
That night, we opened up the doors and windows and got a much better breeze. I slept well and only got bit on my hand dangling over the edge of the top bunk. The Emily Abbot, who slept below me, was scared I would break the old bunk and fall through onto her. She is still alive so everything turned out ok.
In the morning, Jess got a rude awakening of sorts. The night before "the boys" put a tub of water above the door and left it adjar. When Jess wen to go to the bathroom it fell and hit her in the back, getting her fairly wet, but mostly annoyed. It woke everyone else up.
After breakfast, Jess, Jen, Tom, Jay and I went out fishing on th second trip. After a slow start catching sardines for bait, we cast out our lines (a small piece of ply wood with twine wrapped around it and a hook... not very much). The afternoon before, others had gone fishing without much success, but today, the ocean was bountiful. At the first spot, I pulled up maybe 10 fish, 4 of which were keepers. Other people had some luck, but the fish were too small. Jess caught the first one and I got a good picture of her. The second spot was much the same, but Jay caught an enormous makeral! After catching only 6-10 inch fish, this 2 and a half foot fish was monsterous! It was the catch of the day. Between Jay and I we had 15 keepers and over 30 fish total. Besides us, jess had a ton that she had caught (two contributed) and Wilford, the fisher who took us, had a good number. Tom and Jenn didnt do as well, but they still had fun.
After returning, Jess and I went on one last snorkel and had lunch (our fish!). After lunch, I found Lloyd hanging out around the bar. It was funny seeing him again just a week later from meeting him on Tobacco Caye. Of course, we had to play volleyball again before we left, so Lloyd joined in. Our team was Lloyd, Bitsy Dan and me and we dominated the otherside. After getting some poor sets to Lloyd, I finally placed it perfect and he had a great kill. It was very enjoyable. The second game, Emily Falta and Jess joined. This made the teams more even (because Jess is so good :) ). However, our team came from behind with the help of Lloyd and won it. We had one last swim, said goodbye to Lloyd and jumped on the boat.
For me, this weekend was very satisfying. Now, I have to get back to work on a presentation for my Business Law class tomorrow! It is the last class with Jay so it is a bitter sweet ending. I hope Tom and Susan are as much fun as Jay and Meg.
Hope you all have a good week! I will be doing the Belizean river race next week: the Ruta Maya! That will be yet another story in this saga of incredible weekends.
take care!
Colin
This weekend was incrdible! I feel like I am saying that alot, but it is true. Friday we left around 9 oclock on a interesting tour vehicle for South Water Caye. Tom and Susan, the two faculty members who are replacing Jay and Meg for the second half of the semester, came along too. This trip took us back through Belmopan and off to Dangriga. Along the way, we stopped at this downhill spot where "gravity is reversed". The driver threw the clutch into neutral and we started drifting up hill! There is much speculation to weather this actually occured or if it was an optical illusion. It will have to be tested again.
The rest of the ride was rainy and we were not sure if it would clear up for our boat ride out to South Water Caye. However, when we entered Dangriga it cleared up. We hopped on a boat (much better than the one out to Tobacco Caye) and skimmed over to the island. It was relatively small, but it was gorgeous. The accomdoations for the kids (us) was in the bunk room. Originally, it got randomly divided up between girls and guys, but Emily Falta and I switched by accident. Some of us lazed around for a while, due to an overcast, rainy sky, but others of us decided to go swimming. It was cold walking to the beach, but when we got in the water it was warm. Again, we were right next to the reef so we could snorkel a short distance and see the coral up close.
That night, we played a trivia game with Tom and Susan and afterward we played a group game of pictionary. It was incredibly funny as people tried guessing whe each person was trying to draw. However, the girls team won. It was alot of fun had all around. Sleeping was very hot that night and there were many bugs who caused me to itch. It was a rogh night sleep, but I was prepared in the morning.
After breakfast on Saturday, Phil, Emily Abbot and I went diving. It was Emily's first time since her training at UVM over a year ago. However she did great. Phil and I, having dove together before, were already well prepared. On the first dive we saw some amazing things. There were huge schools of fish, large manta rays and eagle rays, a moray eel, a turtle, and a bull shark! When we were swimming up to it, the bull shark looked like it was about to make the turtle its lunch! But as soon as it saw me and the dive master swimming at it fervrently, it swam away. We were the only two to catch a glimpse of him, but the turtle hung around in gratitude and showed off its 4 foot shell to us. That was probably my favorite dive this trip. Maybe of all time! The dive went along the side of a ridge (trick ridge). To the right there was a beautiful coral cliff, that dove down into oblivion. To the left was nothing but a deep blue ocean.
Our second dive was much like our first, except along the shelf of the ocean. We didnt see as many cool animals, but I felt very comfortable in the water.
After we returned and went to lunch, we went out snorkeling. It wasnt so great. The water was shallow, the waves were rough and there werent many fish. After that trip, we got to play beach volleyball! It was a majority of boys but some of the girls joined in the second game. It was pretty intense and after warming up the week before, I was the best player. I was throwing down blocks left and right and getting some fairly good kills! Plus I had a height advantage. My team won two streight then we tied after changing teams up. It was pretty evenly matched going into the third game, but when we got to 15 we didnt want to stop and just kept playing. All that was left was the boys after 7 streight games and we were sweaty. After one final game we took off for the dock and jumped in. That was a great way to finish off the day. A very refreshing occasion. After the swim, Susan and Tom taught us this card game called Golf. There were 8 of us and it turned out to be an incredibley fun game. We may have to try it back in the US.
That night we learned about the island. Jen, the person who owns IZE (the place we were staying) had alot of information to share about how to be sustainable on the island. The IZE program doesnt do much of its own research, but it educates students like us about the reef and runs mini projects in the area. It turns out the Smithsonian owns an island less than a mile south of us where they do experiments and the like. It was pretty cool hearing that I traveled all the way to Belize and the museum in my backyard was also down here studying.
That night, we opened up the doors and windows and got a much better breeze. I slept well and only got bit on my hand dangling over the edge of the top bunk. The Emily Abbot, who slept below me, was scared I would break the old bunk and fall through onto her. She is still alive so everything turned out ok.
In the morning, Jess got a rude awakening of sorts. The night before "the boys" put a tub of water above the door and left it adjar. When Jess wen to go to the bathroom it fell and hit her in the back, getting her fairly wet, but mostly annoyed. It woke everyone else up.
After breakfast, Jess, Jen, Tom, Jay and I went out fishing on th second trip. After a slow start catching sardines for bait, we cast out our lines (a small piece of ply wood with twine wrapped around it and a hook... not very much). The afternoon before, others had gone fishing without much success, but today, the ocean was bountiful. At the first spot, I pulled up maybe 10 fish, 4 of which were keepers. Other people had some luck, but the fish were too small. Jess caught the first one and I got a good picture of her. The second spot was much the same, but Jay caught an enormous makeral! After catching only 6-10 inch fish, this 2 and a half foot fish was monsterous! It was the catch of the day. Between Jay and I we had 15 keepers and over 30 fish total. Besides us, jess had a ton that she had caught (two contributed) and Wilford, the fisher who took us, had a good number. Tom and Jenn didnt do as well, but they still had fun.
After returning, Jess and I went on one last snorkel and had lunch (our fish!). After lunch, I found Lloyd hanging out around the bar. It was funny seeing him again just a week later from meeting him on Tobacco Caye. Of course, we had to play volleyball again before we left, so Lloyd joined in. Our team was Lloyd, Bitsy Dan and me and we dominated the otherside. After getting some poor sets to Lloyd, I finally placed it perfect and he had a great kill. It was very enjoyable. The second game, Emily Falta and Jess joined. This made the teams more even (because Jess is so good :) ). However, our team came from behind with the help of Lloyd and won it. We had one last swim, said goodbye to Lloyd and jumped on the boat.
For me, this weekend was very satisfying. Now, I have to get back to work on a presentation for my Business Law class tomorrow! It is the last class with Jay so it is a bitter sweet ending. I hope Tom and Susan are as much fun as Jay and Meg.
Hope you all have a good week! I will be doing the Belizean river race next week: the Ruta Maya! That will be yet another story in this saga of incredible weekends.
take care!
Colin
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