I flew back to Denver for my best friends wedding in Denver last week. It was truly amazing and I was so excited to be apart of it all...crappy weather and all! It was COLD! I was happy to not be sweating balls the whole time though! It was also wonderful to see my parents and college friends again! I got to enjoy some of the amenities America has to offer...flushing toilet paper down the toilet, sitting on the toilet seat, hot showers, clothes that fit me right...but ironically I missed alot of Mexico too! Mainly the food! Sorry America...but your food SUCKS! Mexican food is so much better and tastier! It was fabulous to spend some time with my mom and dad as well who were super excited to see me and to prove it...bought me stuff! I'm pretty lucky to have such a GREAT family!
After a one week stay in Denver, I flew back into Cancun and hopped on a bus back to Playa del Carmen. Mi amorcito Lalo was waiting for me at the bus stop and had dinner and wine waiting for me in the hostal. It was fabulous! One week apart after months of non-stop togetherness did us some good! The bickering is cut in half...hahah!
Pretty much as soon as I arrived in Mexico, we left for BELIZE! My whole life I have always wanted to go to Belize without knowing really anything about it! We hopped on a a bus from Playa to Chetumal which is the Mexican border town...not really much to see there! We crossed the border in an old American school bus (warning placards and all) not really knowing at all what we were getting ourselves into...
The border agent was unfriendly and very firm only giving us 15 days in Belize...probably best since now that I am here I could see staying for awhile!
Pretty much as soon as we crossed the border into Corozal, an extremely sleepy little Belizean town, we realized we were not in Kansas anymore (or Mexico). The people mostly speak English (think Bob Marley rastafarian English) but also creole and Spanish. The people themselves are mutts (I mean that in the best way!) They are a beautiful mix of pretty much every surrounding country near or far...including Asian, African, French, American, Mexican, Guatamalan, European...it's a truly unique mix. We stayed in a cute little guest house and spent most of our time relaxing. After about three days we decided to move on to Belize City...
The way most Belizeans talk about Belize City you expect to be murdered the moment you step off the bus. Because the country is only about 300,000 people any crime that exists is heavily reported. Just like any major city, crime can be a problem but fortunately we didn't experience any. We found another guest house for around $17 per night with plans to leave on the ferry for San Pedro or Caye Caulker in the morning. We met a French Canadian on the bus in the way in who followed us to the hostal and we all shared a traditional meal of stewed chicken, rice and beans along with several Belikin beers (the national beer). We met several locals who were extremely friendly! The Belizean people have been EXTREMELY friendly (almost over the top!) We have been welcomed to their country about 176 times! and everyone is eager to offer advice or services. It's quite refreshing but I must admit I was a bit weary at first expecting people only wanting to take advantage. I think in a country of 300,000 they realize tourism needs to be a big draw! Especially on the islands...
Our first glance at Belize didn't quite fulfill my fantasies...until we got to Caye Caulker. It is a small island of about 2,000 people, only a 40 minute ferry ride from Belize City. The island, although a bit rustic, has such an extreme caribbean laid back atmosphere I can understand why people come and never want to leave. Although our "guest house" (as hostals are called here) is lacking in many amenities...including water that doesn't reek so bad of sulphur you have to hold your nose...we are quite enjoying ourselves! Tomorrow we are going on a snorkeling tour of the reefs just off the islands!
Belize has brought new challenges including understand the "English" (a mix of rastafarian English and Creole) and translating for Lalo who asks about every 2 seconds "que dice" or what did they say?? It is frustrating for me because before I can even process what they are saying he is asking me what they are saying...I am the "TRANSLATOR"! We're practicing English and working on the "que dice"...hahah.
So once again I have found myself adapting and changing in a new environment. I quite like it! My first feeling any time we go somewhere new is that I want to go back to what I know...but after 2 days or so I feel much differently. Travelling truly has been a lesson in adaptation! It's a challenge...but just the other day I thought to myself..."I'm never going to be the same after these experiences!"
Adios...Besitos...Nos Vemos Pronto!
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