A Rainy Day Saturday in Belmopan

Usually, my Saturday or Sunday is spent washing and cleaning - I have a rhythm waking up early to dust, sweep, wipe, mop - the place accumulates a fine layer of dirt along with the bugs, of course. That's one thing I'll never get used to - the variety of insects here - some almost microscopic, you feel them biting legs, arms, and even in the hair. I bug spray the place constantly, usually finish a can in a couple of weeks. So far we had rain almost daily and the downpour has been ear shattering - last night, trying to watch television, the rain pounding on my zinc roof made me feel like I was in a tin can rattling down the road. It rained all night and still raining - not a chance of washing and hanging clothes out.

The ground is saturated to the point that water sits on the surface. Belize has another outbreak of Denge Fever, and the still water is a prime place for mosquitoes. City trucks spray the streets, and the country alerts everyone to keep trash and garbage picked up and contained to avoid infestations of mosquitoes.

Even though I'm busy with projects and work at NAVCO and I want to do so much with my downtime on personal projects, but, instead I feel lethargic and not motivated to do anything...I think the combination of heat and humidity really does affect my mental state.

Since I'm stuck today with being inside and not able to do the wash and clean, here is a glimpse of my place - a starting point to take a walk through city of Belmopan.

The inside of my house - the living room, the bedroom on the right, kitchen to the left. The front area has the dining table with chairs and the font door - the bathroom on the right and the extra room on the left. I use the extra room as my storage and closet area. That room is a challenge because my shoes, clothes get moldy, hard to keep things dry.

The main road in the city is called the "Ring" because it circles the government and business sections. I live at the farthest part of the inner rin

g, the pathway

starts from my place to the main sections of the city.

At the end of the parkway, I walk by government buildings situated on both sides of the parkway.

I proceed to the parking grounds where the farmers'market occurs every Tuesday and Friday.

Not only can I shop for fresh fruits and vegetables, I can buys clothes, mostly overstocked and used clothing. Because I have clothing from theStates that don't fit the life style here, I find decent pants usually $5 to $10 Belizean dollars.and blouses at great prices

Can't beat that even in the States! Along with the Belizean farmers you'll find Taiwanese sellers and Mennonite furniture sellers.

Past the Farmers' Market you'll find the permanent stalls for eating and shopping. There you can sit down at the outdoor tables to eat anytime.

On occasion Jacklin, Mr. Lopez and I will have breakfast and eat fried tacos - a crisp rolled taco topped with cheese and shredded cabbage - really delicious - three for a dollar!

Close to the stalls is the bus terminal where everyone picks up the buses to travel to other parts of the country. The only public transportation are the buses - each line owned and operated privately. The other way of getting around is taking the taxis. I found that since I don't ride a bike, when necessary I will

take a taxi rather than walk long distances in the heat.

Larry, my co-Peace Corps volunteer at NAVCO, rides his bike to work - oh, yeah, he lives across the street from me.

While Mr. Lopez picks me up in the morning and takes me home after work, Larry still rides his bike - quite a guy to ride on the rough roads, narrow highways, and in the rain. I guess in my old age, I know my limits and comforts and riding the bike is not my "cup of tea."