Five Months and Still Here...

It's hard to believe I've been here only five months. I've experienced in these last months more changes in emotions, perspectives, and self realizations than I have in my whole lifetime - some bad but I know myself better and, I think, am more accepting of who I am. I wonder what it would be like if I went on a Buddhist retreat where you are out in the elements and alone with meditation. I always thought that would be a great experience but now think I wouldn't do well at all. Enough reflections...

I've integrated into NAVCO - lots to do and much to look forward to strengthening the organization. A little background: as I said before, Belize, a relatively young country, became independent in 1981 from British rule. In its attempt to govern the rural villages, the central government passed the Village Council Act in 1999 that established the National Association of Village Councils (NAVCO) - its role: to help 193 villages where more than half the population live, most below poverty level. The last ten years, NAVCO tried to structure the district and village councils through workshops and training but, still, their infrastructure and organization are chaotic and dysfunctional. NAVCO just moved into a new permanent building last February, 2009, and had a complete turnover of staff within the last year. My counterpart, the chief administrative officer, and the president of the board are great supporters in my role there. In fact, we're requesting another Peace Corps volunteer to assist in our efforts to strengthen local governing of the villages and districts. Lots going on and will continue my infomercial later.

I think as with most third world countries, crime and corruption are not surprising. What's interesting here is that Belize was initially populated by buccaneers or pirates in the olden days of the 18th Century - just like the movie, "Pirates of the Caribbean." Belize City is right out of the movie with the old, closely built houses, the narrow streets, and people everywhere. Tourists are a prime target for theft. After the British took over the country, African slaves entered into the picture - logging industry began with mahogany then log wood. Today, it seems like everything is pirated because everything is imported and very expensive.

Well, I start seriously to learn Spanish this week - three days at Peace Corps and three nights a week for three months at the Venezuelan Embassy. I started learning on a website - anyone interested in Spanish, check out studyspanish.com - it's a great site for self study. My thoughts are to use the Spanish in the villages but I find that Spanish is not the only language - Kechi, Mayan, Garifuna, and all the other dialects and mixtures of English and Creole - it's amazing how many different and diverse people and cultures live here in relative harmony. Unlike other Central American countries, Belize has had no civil strife or war. Anyway, we'll see how I do - would be a shame to finish my stint here and not take away a language.

Reading every one's comments and emails give me the connection I so need right now - I feel like you all are in a fish bowl swimming and doing your own thing while I watch from the outside. Life does go on without me in that fish bowl. I think being an older American makes it a challenging task to adapt to another way of life. Spoiled, spoiled, spoiled are we in the States!!! Prior to coming here, I believed that life is impermanent and change is the natural way of life, thus connections go along that same path. Well, I was wrong - being connected not only to family and friends but to the country and world is essential for me. Thanks for letting me in your lives - it's been wonderful to read what's happening!