February 10, 2011

Hey everyone...a lot has happened since my last installment 2 weeks ago. After 2 days at sea with my new fishing friends Johnny "Too Bad" and "Jilly" I felt renewed and ready to dig in and work on the house. But before I got too serious about work I enjoyed the Punta Gorda Day celebrations...vendors, music, local food and good family fun in the park in the center of town. The celebration culminated in an evening of Garifuna drumming and music in honor of one of Belize's greatest icons, the one and only Paul Nabor. Paul was recognized for his contributions that have been instrumental in keeping the Garifuna culture alive in Belize. He was also celebrating his 83rd birthday and in honor of his life's work the government of Belize awarded him $500 a month for the rest of his life...may you live long and well Paul!

The following day I traveled to Hopkins and spent the day with my Filipino friend Rina...there was a huge party for her Mom's 69th birthday held at the shrimp farm, a 4 square mile farm with shrimp ponds, fruit orchards, fragrant flowering gardens and food galore from gibnut and stewed goat to exotic Filipino dishes, cohune nut salad, king fish cerviche...what a spread!

Now down to business. Early the following week we traveled 4 hours to what is called "Spanish Lookout", a vast Mennonite community that is a slice of America where you can find all kinds of building supplies, groceries, dairy products, animal feed at the most reasonable prices in the country. This proved to be a very worthwhile trip and I was able to buy a front door for the house and select the windows. As luck would have it we found Fransisco who was willing to deliver the door for a mere $12 Belize ($6 US). With the clock ticking and the day of my departure soon approaching we set to work getting the door installed. Johnny "Too Bad" knows anyone who's anyone in Belize and in no time we had a talented contractor installing the door. He arranged for a master electrician to check out the wiring and I can now rest easily knowing the wiring is properly installed and safe...which wasn't exactly the case beforehand...it seems the guy that originally did the job really did some shoddy work.

Next we got the kitchen sink plumbed and have lined up someone to bring water to the house from the existing pump by the road. Using a 1000 gallon cistern, a submersible pump and mother nature's rain water the entire property will be supplied with water...it's so exciting to see things finally coming together!

On the last night in my house on the Papishaw Road, which I have grown to love immensely, I threw a party for my family and our neighbors. Chicken caldo, corn tortillas, hotdogs and marshmellows on the fire (the kids loved that!) watermellon cole slaw. Lots of fun...music, dancing and I wore the traditional Maya clothing for the event! Personally I don't find it flattering at all but those Mayan men love it!

Tearful good byes as I left the following morning and headed to one of the northern most villages in Belize, Consejo Village, a small seaside village and border town to Chetumal, Mexico. My friend Johnny, who traveled with me, grew up there as a child, his dad was English and a customs officer, his mom a Belizean Garifuna. What a delight to meet the people he knew as a small boy. Their gracious hospitality and genuine warmth and affection was profound. I pampered myself and stayed in the only accommodation with a pool and hot water...I figured I was due after a month without running water and a house without windows! I'm not complaining...it was a rather pleasant experience even without those conveniences!

I wrapped up my trip in Belize City with a visit to BC, my long time friend at the Swing Bridge who makes Rasta bracelets. He's getting it together these days and I was happy to see that and am proud of him. One thing I truly believe is that one cannot judge a book by it's cover...so many of the people I associate with in Belize at first glance may appear to be undesirables. And yet when you give them an opportunity to share and recognize their value, the beauty of who they are is wonderful to behold.

I arrived home late last night...it's good to be home and yet my heart yearns for the simplicity and rawness of Belize. I return with a stronger sense of purpose and conviction that Winding Creek Maya Lodge will succeed and that Belize will always be my happy place. By God's grace I will enjoy many more visits to this small yet remarkable country that I now consider my home.

May God bless us all in our way!

Brenda Bonita