adios Belize

well, i'm writing these words at my mom's desk in syracuse. my 2-year belizean adventure has come to an end, and i'm having a hard time envisioning when i might be able to get back for a visit. i had strawberries on my cereal this morning, and the internet connection on mom's computer is blissfully speedy. on the other hand, the sky outside my window is overcast, and i'm wearing socks and a fleece. i find myself missing the noise outside my open window - the incessant background noise that for the longest time felt so overwhelming and intrusive. to call me conflicted would be an understatement. i find myself unsure how to bring closure to this adventure as i feverishly prepare for the next. but i thought i'd begin with a list i started in my journal nearly a year ago. here goes...

Things I love about Belize:

fresh pineapple year round; bus conductors that help small children on and off the bus; the 360 degree view from the top of Xunantunich; mangoes direct from the tree; strangers offering to let small kids sit on their laps on the bus; the Hummingbird Highway between Belmopan and Dangriga (easily one of the most beautiful stretches of road in the world); the fact that when someone’s name is mentioned on the radio, everyone in the room will know who they are, and several of them are probably related to them; that it’s OK for women to breastfeed in public; houses on stilts, painted in brilliant Caribbean colors; the mestizo man's love of Spanish ballad singalongs; that the bus to Dangriga and the bus to PG will stop on the road to swap passengers who otherwise would have to wait an hour for the next bus; terraced almond trees and the mighty (& useful) cohune; that I could step out my door and within a half hour be in Guatemala or on top of a Mayan pyramid; ocelots; Mestizos dancing Punta and Kriols singing along in Spanish; spinach that tastes like it actually came from the dirt; the prehistoric sound of howler monkeys getting territorial in the treetops; seven major languages in a country of fewer than 300,000 inhabitants; that people still speak ancient Mayan languages; plantain and cassava chips, johnny cakes and powder bun; that people say hello to each other when they pass on the street; the view of San Vicente from Josh’s verandah; George and his wonderful family and their delectable south indian food; a million variations on the theme of the fried corn snack (salbutes, garnaches, tostadas, tacos, pupusas, panades…); private dolphin shows just off the Placencia shore; Gustavo, Vi, Alma, Abby, Pedro, Pablo, Diana, Jorge, Brenda, Karina, Vanessa, etc...



gracias a Belice.