Finally, I'm on!!

Hi Everyone,

It's been a trial to set up communications with everyone via Facebook which didn't work as I expected - so here I am with my own blog. I'm still learning but looking forward to documenting my experience in Belize.

As most of you know, I was invited to Belize through the Peace Corps program. The application process for Peace Corps was long and extensive. I applied May of 2008 but knowing that I planned to retire in 2009 it was good timing. After moving out of San Francisco in May, I spent my time between Kimberly and Ryan's place preparing for the transition. In June, Ryan and Amy married in Switzerland and we all traveled there and I was able to spend time with Ayla. I'll pictures of that trip on Flicker when I can organize and get settled.

August 19, Ryan dropped me off at the Denver airport at 6 in the morning. I got to Washington DC at 1 pm and began the registration and staging process with the volunteers going to Belize. There are 41 volunteers selected for four program projects: Health, Education, Youth, and Business. I wasn't surprised to see that I was the only asian among the group. The staging ended at 7 pm - gathered at 1:30 am in the lobby to shuttle to the airport. We had one stop in Miami, then reached Belize at 10 am. The total flight time was about four hours but we gained two hours because Belize time was Mountain time. In the flight I sat next to a little Belizean girl and her mother - she was five years old and fun - she got frustrated with me because she was speaking Kriol which is a pigin mixture of english and african - I got about half her words - the mother helped and we had a great time listening to my Ipod.

August 20 - Peace Corps volunteers cheered when we disembarked the plane in Belize City - we were welcomed by the Country Director then shuttled on the bus to Belmopan, an hour away from Belize City and the capitol of Belize. Our first meal was lunch at an open restaurant under a thatched roof. Baked/grilled chicken, beans and rice, and macaroni salad which reminded me of the Hawaiian version - I thought it yummy but not everyone agreed. I'm finding that my San Francisco tastes and coming from an ethnic background helps me enjoy all the things offered to us.

Belmopan, the current capitol of Belize is a much smaller city than Belize City which previously was the capitol. The government moved to Belmopan for fear of the coastal hazards of hurricanes. I'll have pictures as soon as I have time and access to the computer. Right now I'm competing with 40 other volunteers for access.

Each day is intense training at the Peace Corps office - the staff are competent and well organized. They are very cautious and want to make sure there is a fit for all of us.

Howard was right. There are asians all over the place - most from Taiwan - they have markets, restaurants, hotels, etc. Of course, everyone thinks I'm from an asian country or Taiwanese. These people are poor along with the rest of the country but they do have a foothold in the economy.

Garden City Hotel, the hotel is probably similar to a hotel in the San Francisco Tenderloin - bare, cold water until just a couple days ago, no tv, cobwebs, ants, etc. But...I do have air conditioning. The hotel is only 10 minutes away from the Peace Corps office so walking is not bad.

Well, I got here at 6 am this morning to access the internet and now the volunteers are coming - we have breakfast at 7:30 then start at 8. I'll post again and continue my description of my experiences. Hope all is well with you and look forward to any comments.