Last day in Belize

Well, guess this is it....last day in Belize.

Did laundry today (the old fashioned way - pail and faucet and hand). Hope they dry because it's been cloudy today. 6 hours before sleep time, 7 if we stay up late (and that would be 10:37). We tend to sleep early here and wake up with the sun. And that's another flower in bloom. I'd better get my coconuts cracked open so I can drink some coconut water before we go.

Project #3 - Path thru Bush is now complete and a success. Nothing a chain saw and perseverance couldn't remedy. I took a walk thru it to make sure it was indeed a success and I must say, although it was hard work and very good work, I didn't get much enjoyment walking thru. I was too stubborn to put on my long pants so was worried about poison wood branches and leaves. Am waiting to see if I start itching soon! I was confident enough that Jacques was scaring any snakes off the track. Had to fight off little flying insects that swarm your face (thankfully only at the last stretch), and the ants were still managing to climb onto my feet and bite me. I was so happy to know I didn't have to backtrack and ended up almost at the top of our road. Jacques says it goes further but I'll just trust him. However, I'm sure if dressed appropriately, it will be a nice nature walk for some.

Well off to Mexico tomorrow and will spend a night in Playa. We're happy to be leaving because it means we're that much closer to returning. It is so nice here on the lagoon...we couldn't ask for anything more. So, now to anxiously await OUR house!!!

Signing off now. Thanks for tuning in. It's been a blast!

Just another great day

Took a drive with John out to Finca Solana to see Lou's house. Boy, it is going to be massive and gorgeous. He's a bit secluded (long road to get to his place) but nice property on the sea. We then drove out to Consejo and Mayan Seaside. Stopped by Perry and Mischelle's place and the boys were busy working.

Stopped into Miss June's for lunch and Victor was asking about his dance partner. Mom, he's waiting for you so better brush up on the dance moves.

.

Check out my flower already in bloom!

This is an orchid found in our bushes.

Beware of the “Paper” hustle.

We can’t stop laughing about this one. Yesterday we stopped by a Chinese restaurant to buy take-out. While sitting in the car, a young man approached Jacques on his bicycle and started talking him up (first admiring his cowboy hat, then telling him he knows Bill from Four Mile lagoon and that he’s done work for Bill etc). So, he proceeds to say that he coaches a girl’s soccer team and that he plays for the Belize team and not only that, there is a big game tonight, Belize against Mexico, at the stadium. Then came the “can you donate $10 for a ball, Bill donated one too, and you absolutely must come to the game tonight, Bill’s coming too”. Also, he’d have my name printed on his jersey because of the donation. Jacques was very impressed that the team from Cancun (who were really good) were coming down to play. Gotta be an awesome game! So, yes we donated and off he rode on his bicycle. I must admit that when I saw him riding away with his jeans half off his bottom, I had my doubts (not to be stereotypical in any way though).

So, happy for a night out, we got up from our nap and dressed for a night of sucker (I mean, soccer). We drove past what we thought was the stadium and there were no lights on, so we asked for directions to any ball field. Again, lights are out. Well, yes we’re feeling duped now but let’s give Jose (as he calls himself) one more chance so we stopped and asked a local. At his confused and skeptical look at our big soccer game inquiry, Belize against Mexico!, it finally dawned on us so we just laughed, gave Jose a quick curse at his broad-face lie and drove away quickly before embarrassing ourselves any further.

So since it was Monday night (poker night at Jam Rock), we stopped by. We started to tell John, Dan and Rocky (bar owner) our story. The first thing John said was “is he a small guy riding a bicycle?” “That’s Paper!!!”. Apparently Paper as they nickname him is a well-known con man around town, and many have had their experience with him. And the stories they shared from Paper selling lobsters to another inmate while in jail (just a con, no lobster supplier), claiming rights to some coconut trees and selling the coconuts (these are the coconut trees infront of Jam Rock), promising to do mowing because he owned 4 lawn mowers (guy gave him a deposit and sat waiting and waiting for him to return with at least one lawn mower), and I’m sure there are many more. It was totally hilarious. But you gotta say, this Paper is ingenious. Rocky says if he used his talent to do something legitimate, he’d be very successful. Anyway, that was good $10 entertainment value if nothing else.

So, beware of Paper while in Corozal Town and if you’ve already been had, don’t worry, so have a lot of others. Just part of the Corozal initiation.

Would have had a pic to share, had there been a game! Forgot to ask what number he would be, but of course we'd recognize him because my name would have been on his jersey!

Happy Valentine's Day

Went to Jim's for a Valentine's get-together. Jacques I think, found his niche. It was a great time and great music! The guitar will definitely be coming down.

Fruit trees and flowers planting

Carlos and Jose came by to plant our trees and flowers. We have boganvillas (sp?) and hibuscus plants, mango, avocado, banana and almost trees. Oh yes, and an orchid on our tree. Sorry, Deb, no lychee tree to be found. And Mom, no scotch bonnet pepper plant yet. Lime tree to come.

Project #3 - Path thru Bush, has come to a halt. Carlos and Jacques took down a dead tree with the chain saw and it fell blocking the entrance to the bush. And it's a poison wood tree. So it's a defiinite project in distress.

But on to Project #4 - Clearing and burning dead trees etc around the property. Jose will come by tomorrow to assist for a day's pay. Jacques got a head start today. Here's a pic of him hauling the branches into the truck to cart them off to the other side of the property for burning. Do you notice how my little almond tree is trying to stay out of his way? Hmmm.....

Last purchase for this trip

We happened upon a store called Aventura Furniture while in town today. Although we weren't going to bother buying a sofa now (with one week to go), we just couldn't resist. The price was right and they fit the space perfectly.

Status update on Project #3 - Path thru bushes. Progressing well given resourcing limitations and constraints, short workdays, and anticipated interruptions (like time for breakfast). Difficult to assess work completed due to lack of markers (one tree looks like another). Project will be considered a success upon sight of any road other than the entrance to path. Estimated completion time is still to be determined due to lack of necessary tools (ie compass). No cost overruns.

Where the crowds are

Jacques spotted a store where there were line-ups of people (locals) so of course, this meant this was the place to check out. It turns out it is a tortilla factory. $1.25 BZD for 1 pound. There's no way we can eat a pound before tiring of it but we're going at it anyway.





Here is a pic of Jacques' Project #2. He said he had to give me instructions on how to operate it because it was a pretty sophisticated security system. I think it's pretty cool (and the sign is nicely centered too).