Hello Belizean enthusiasts...this comes long after my return from paradise. Re-entry has been more challenging than usual in that I experienced an early morning house fire just days after my return...hence the lateness of my update. I'm happy to report that we are safe and sound and the massive clean up is underway. How quickly our perspectives change when we are faced with possible tragedy and loss...a sobering reminder of what is truly valuable...life!!!
After almost 3 weeks in Belize my conviction is even greater to generate support and funding for education. The response I heard from parents and children all over the country is that they are not able to fund basic educational needs ie: tuition, books & school supplies, and yet the hope of a brighter future still shines in their hearts. I have seen some economic improvement among some of the families I know which is very encouraging. With the approaching end of the Maya calendar on December 21, 2012 and all of the publicity surrounding it, it is my belief that this will generate interest and bring more tourism to Belize, particularly to the Todedo district, the heart of Belize's Maya culture.
The Prensa de Paz church, located on our property, celebrated it's first anniversary. An estimated 400 Ketchi Maya from Belize and Guatemala gathered once again for a weekend long celebration. The women worked tirelessly night and day in the outdoor kitchen making tortillas on the "kumal", preparing "caldo", the traditional Maya soup, making hundreds of "poch", cornmeal wrapped and steamed in a waha leaf, all the while laughing and chatting in their native Ketchi language. We butchered another cow, roasted a pig and feasted on "chicharones", the best pork rinds you've ever eaten! Three church members were baptized in our creek and the church services ran late into the night with music, dancing, singing and prayer. A cultural experience to say the least!!
Construction continues on "Winding Creek Maya Lodge" with a goal of opening for business late in 2012, just in time for the winter solstice and the end of the Maya calendar. The windows are now in, the pipe has been laid for the water, the veranda ceiling and soffits have been finished off with beautiful pine boards, bed frames are being hand-make by Ponciano out of local wood from the jungle...the progress is all very exciting!!
Belize has certainly become my second home. From Caye Caulker to Punta Gorda I am greeted with a warm "welcome back Bonita"! Whether I'm fishing with Charlie at the reef, visiting with Rina and her mom, Ms. Emma, at the shrimp farm, sitting by the seaside with the local PG boys drinking rum & coconut water (yum!), or listening to the night sounds of the jungle while I drift off to sleep, I am wrapped in a sense of belonging and contentment. Given my delightfully precious family here in Maine and the opportunity I have to experience my beautiful Belize, I am truly one joyously blessed woman.
