Holiday Break and a New Beginning

Well, I finally took the time to fix my blog photo to fit the page. I looked a mess because of the trek up the ruins but the view was spectacular. I think I'm finally acclimated to the weather, bugs, country, and just living in a new environment. Well...to be honest the temperature is a lot cooler, around 60's, which is chilly for Belizeans. I love it, although I'm not prepared for it clothing-wise - I brought no socks or long sleeve tops and I left my jeans thinking it would be too hot to wear. The cool break will last until February then it'll start to heat up again - this time it will be hotter than the fall temperatures. June begins the hurricane season and will last until fall. I've been watching the weather channel and see that you all are experiencing winter storms and chilly weather. I guess I am fortunate to be here with the mild temperatures.

I spent Christmas at the Peace Corps program director's home - had a lovely dinner with the family. He invited all the volunteers for an open house but I was the only who responded to the invitation, thus it turned from open house to an intimate dinner with one other guest from the US embassy. As everyone knows me, I enjoy small, intimate settings rather than a huge crowd of people.

Saturday, I hopped on the bus to San Antonio to visit with the Canto family - I created a family album on my Mac and had it mailed to Kim in the U.S. I got it in time to take it to the family. As I was riding on the bus, I was again awed with the country landscape - such richness of green hues that stretches from the flat lands to the rolling hills of the rainforest.

Riding the bus is interesting - the bus picks and drops the riders at any point on the road - there are a few designated bus stops but generally anyone can flag down the bus. During the ride, there are police check points looking for illegals. The bus goes to San Ignacio Cayo - a town of good size - where I pick up the San Antonio bus. The whole trip takes two hours plus - if one drove by car, it would take maybe forty minutes. I got there around eleven and planned to pick up the four o'clock bus back. Unfortunately, the bus owner decided to cancel that trip because business was slow. No bus on Sunday and I had to work on Monday. Don Ramon flagged a car down at the Community Center, and I rode down with a couple of people.

Today is Boxing Day - a holiday for the country. I worked a few hours with the training officer this morning. I'm dog-sitting for a PC staffer this week. Maya is a miniature dachshund - this will be interesting.

I made my first flour tortilla the other day - it turned out alright, a little misshapen and lumpy thick but eatable - not bad for a first time. I'm thinking of making papusas next time - that'll be a challenge!

Anyway, thanks for everyone who emailed me and commented on my blog - the last few weeks were tough and having contact with you all really helped me through the holidays. Hard to believe we are entering the next decade - I am excited to see what 2010 will bring both here and in the U.S. Hope everyone is well and happy - if you have time email or comment to update me on life in the big country!