I got out to the truck this morning to find a couple of the girls with their work shirts tucked in and buttoned to the neck- they declared it "semi-formal friday". We had a good day in the field and had some light sprinkles before lunch that sent everyone scrambling. Then, it officially poured at 12:30 and we all ran for the tarped areas. I saved some artifacts bags that were under the tarped areas but not in buckets, so, the water flowed right to them. We left a little after 1, and the rain was basically done, but, so were we. We didn't finish everything. But, that will just have to be ok.
We went to Ernesto's "bar"- which is really just an open building with a room in the back with soda and some liquor. Ernesto's wife served up cheese sauce and chips and mangoes with cool flavoring. It was great!! We rode home and I started laundry for us girls- we put it off a couple of days because we didn't want to deal with it on Wednesday. The Internet was horrible- but is much improved now :)
Tomorrow, we have to switch rooms. We are trading rooms with some people and moving to better housing, for the same rate because we are special people! However, we all have to be out of the rooms and have our luggage in a central location- both of our groups- so that the cleaning ladies can clean both sets of rooms and then we can all switch. It's rather confusing. But, it was either move now or a little bit later. Now is fine. We are also going to San Ignacio tomorrow to visit the town and the awesome market. I can't wait!!!
Friday, June 18, 2010
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Day 32- Return to the Field
Little notes from previous days I forget to add!
Tuesday: So, I bought a small file folder to keep my money in (you know, the wallet sized ones). And it is tan and I love it, but, it needed a little help getting lively. So, I bought a Sharpie on Tuesday and decorated it!!! It is officially mine :)
Wednesday: While eating at the Taiwanese restaurant, an Amish guy entered and was peddling homemade cheese from door to door. It looked lovely, but, of course, I have no fridge and it would spoil if I tried to keep it. While the cashier was talking the cheese over with her boss, the Amish guy and I carried on a very interesting conversation. He looked in his mid-twenties and was originally from the States- his family now lives in Missouri. He was a red-head with a little beard action and he said that he had been the oldest of 8(9?) and was homeschooled. He had come here as the "black sheep" of the family because he wanted to be more conservative and join the Mennonites. But, because they didn't really believe in baptism by immersion, he was forced out of the community and sought refuge with the Amish. He regained his "ok" status with his family when all of his younger siblings turned liberal.
Today: I actually went back to the field and started working again. I told Cleofo what I needed and, while he scoured the jungle, I helped Hannah map her pit. Then, we started digging up the rocks in the bottom of the pit, and they were so big, and so heavy, and so immovable that I gave up rather quickly when I started finding artifacts in the walls!! So, Dr. L jokingly scolded me for not sticking to task and digging in a different layer than I was supposed to. So, we started then to excavate the area that I had already been excavating and that was the rest of the day. Juan Antonio helped us move some of the bigger rocks on our way down the wall (the ones on the floor stayed) and Hannah and I debated over which one of us spoke more Spanish and could tell him when to stop. It was decided that I did, and somehow, I got the message across. I also remembered another word of Spanish to tell the guy at the restaurant which soda to give me! Score :)
Tuesday: So, I bought a small file folder to keep my money in (you know, the wallet sized ones). And it is tan and I love it, but, it needed a little help getting lively. So, I bought a Sharpie on Tuesday and decorated it!!! It is officially mine :)
Wednesday: While eating at the Taiwanese restaurant, an Amish guy entered and was peddling homemade cheese from door to door. It looked lovely, but, of course, I have no fridge and it would spoil if I tried to keep it. While the cashier was talking the cheese over with her boss, the Amish guy and I carried on a very interesting conversation. He looked in his mid-twenties and was originally from the States- his family now lives in Missouri. He was a red-head with a little beard action and he said that he had been the oldest of 8(9?) and was homeschooled. He had come here as the "black sheep" of the family because he wanted to be more conservative and join the Mennonites. But, because they didn't really believe in baptism by immersion, he was forced out of the community and sought refuge with the Amish. He regained his "ok" status with his family when all of his younger siblings turned liberal.
Today: I actually went back to the field and started working again. I told Cleofo what I needed and, while he scoured the jungle, I helped Hannah map her pit. Then, we started digging up the rocks in the bottom of the pit, and they were so big, and so heavy, and so immovable that I gave up rather quickly when I started finding artifacts in the walls!! So, Dr. L jokingly scolded me for not sticking to task and digging in a different layer than I was supposed to. So, we started then to excavate the area that I had already been excavating and that was the rest of the day. Juan Antonio helped us move some of the bigger rocks on our way down the wall (the ones on the floor stayed) and Hannah and I debated over which one of us spoke more Spanish and could tell him when to stop. It was decided that I did, and somehow, I got the message across. I also remembered another word of Spanish to tell the guy at the restaurant which soda to give me! Score :)
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Day 31- Exploring Belmopan, Baby
Update from last night:
Dr. L was so excited about my progress with the Ministry of Natural Resources. So, I was in a super mood for the rest of the evening. She didn't tell me, but, she expected it to be a big hassle and for them to deny me if not seriously delay me. So, everything going wonderfully was really a huge deal that was totally unexpected. Also, on my way home, I got a 27-year-old driver who wanted to sit at the edge of the river leading to Banana Bank 30 minutes and tell me his life story. I keep being convinced that people here are just overly friendly- he even told me about his love interest (Melissa from the Peace Corps). His parents were shot to death in their business and he had to take care of his 2 younger siblings- which he is still doing right now. Since the education here is not free, he is putting his siblings through school. After that, he will try to go back to school. His parents were killed because they were rich, so, after he sold his family's stuff, he was able to buy a place here in Belmopan and start out as a taxi driver, and had to quit school. He says he knows who killed them, because they threatened him too. Then, recently apparently, he met Melissa. It sounds sweet and she wants him to visit her in the US, but, he says she should come here since he can't afford it right now. People everywhere are just willing to give you their ENTIRE life's story. Crazy
Today:
I went to get Dr. L's phone and was met with a chorus of "you staying here AGAIN??" I know it seems unfair that I get to have "all the fun" in town, while they are all working hard in the field. I got the same cab driver to take me to town- the one from the morning. He asked me again if I liked Belize and when I told him I did, he said he would find me a Belizian boyfriend so I will stay here. He also wants to be the one to drop me off at the bus stop on the day I leave- he seemed really excited about that which I found adorably funny (bear in mind that he has a child my age). He also told me that, about 20 years ago, he tried to get into the US- illegally- and was kicked back to Belize and hasn't tried again.
I walked around the market and got a carton of milk and watched a few minutes of the soccer game and then walked toward the Forestry building. As is customary when I am nervous about an engagement, I was horrendously early. I changed shoes outside the building and went inside, sat down on a chair, and started reading my novel- I will finish it today- I PROMISE! They got right on my permit- even though I was so early (about 20 or 25 minutes early) and I got it in under and hour- when they were still working on it when I got there. One of the guys is so excited about my project that he wants to stay in touch and even come out with me next year a bit. He says plants are his specialty. By the time I reached the Forestry Office, I had been talked to by random guys 5 times- I kept track up until that point.
Then, I went to get some pics of the Choc family developed for Dr. L and the guy there (who was about 50 or so) wouldn't call me anything but "baby". Is this what you want, baby? Is this good, baby? Baby, you act just like my Mom (that one was interesting). I was called "baby" again by another guy when I stopped to let him pass on his bike. I got sharpies for Dr. L and the cashier (who gets along with me wonderfully) asked me if I lived in Belmopan. I also got my money back from the bank whose ATM ate it (they trusted that I really didn't get it and gave it to me early).
I went back to the Taiwanese restaurant and got a different, but equally amazing, dish that I finished just about an hour ago (when hunger re-emerged). I was wearing a dress that I got there yesterday and when the owner saw me in it, her face lit up. The girl who worked there said it just fit- and it kind of does- I rather like it. I ate with a bunch of Taiwanese people and felt right at home! Then, I wandered through the shops in Belmopan and saw lots of people and items and bought nothing. Good day! I was told not to be afraid by a couple of guys who obviously had nothing else to say to me. "Hey lady, you don't need to be afraid......" Weird people!
I found a sweet grocery store and then spent the rest of my day here at the internet cafe- lovely day! I got split pea soup- which is more like hominy, potatoes and corn soup- and watermelon juice. Yummy!!! Tomorrow, back to the field with me.
Funniest comment of the day (context- it had just started raining and I was on my way to the restaurant and had my umbrella unfolding)-
Taxi driver: You need a taxi?
Me: No
Taxi driver: You need one. You're gonna get wet!
Dr. L was so excited about my progress with the Ministry of Natural Resources. So, I was in a super mood for the rest of the evening. She didn't tell me, but, she expected it to be a big hassle and for them to deny me if not seriously delay me. So, everything going wonderfully was really a huge deal that was totally unexpected. Also, on my way home, I got a 27-year-old driver who wanted to sit at the edge of the river leading to Banana Bank 30 minutes and tell me his life story. I keep being convinced that people here are just overly friendly- he even told me about his love interest (Melissa from the Peace Corps). His parents were shot to death in their business and he had to take care of his 2 younger siblings- which he is still doing right now. Since the education here is not free, he is putting his siblings through school. After that, he will try to go back to school. His parents were killed because they were rich, so, after he sold his family's stuff, he was able to buy a place here in Belmopan and start out as a taxi driver, and had to quit school. He says he knows who killed them, because they threatened him too. Then, recently apparently, he met Melissa. It sounds sweet and she wants him to visit her in the US, but, he says she should come here since he can't afford it right now. People everywhere are just willing to give you their ENTIRE life's story. Crazy
Today:
I went to get Dr. L's phone and was met with a chorus of "you staying here AGAIN??" I know it seems unfair that I get to have "all the fun" in town, while they are all working hard in the field. I got the same cab driver to take me to town- the one from the morning. He asked me again if I liked Belize and when I told him I did, he said he would find me a Belizian boyfriend so I will stay here. He also wants to be the one to drop me off at the bus stop on the day I leave- he seemed really excited about that which I found adorably funny (bear in mind that he has a child my age). He also told me that, about 20 years ago, he tried to get into the US- illegally- and was kicked back to Belize and hasn't tried again.
I walked around the market and got a carton of milk and watched a few minutes of the soccer game and then walked toward the Forestry building. As is customary when I am nervous about an engagement, I was horrendously early. I changed shoes outside the building and went inside, sat down on a chair, and started reading my novel- I will finish it today- I PROMISE! They got right on my permit- even though I was so early (about 20 or 25 minutes early) and I got it in under and hour- when they were still working on it when I got there. One of the guys is so excited about my project that he wants to stay in touch and even come out with me next year a bit. He says plants are his specialty. By the time I reached the Forestry Office, I had been talked to by random guys 5 times- I kept track up until that point.
Then, I went to get some pics of the Choc family developed for Dr. L and the guy there (who was about 50 or so) wouldn't call me anything but "baby". Is this what you want, baby? Is this good, baby? Baby, you act just like my Mom (that one was interesting). I was called "baby" again by another guy when I stopped to let him pass on his bike. I got sharpies for Dr. L and the cashier (who gets along with me wonderfully) asked me if I lived in Belmopan. I also got my money back from the bank whose ATM ate it (they trusted that I really didn't get it and gave it to me early).
I went back to the Taiwanese restaurant and got a different, but equally amazing, dish that I finished just about an hour ago (when hunger re-emerged). I was wearing a dress that I got there yesterday and when the owner saw me in it, her face lit up. The girl who worked there said it just fit- and it kind of does- I rather like it. I ate with a bunch of Taiwanese people and felt right at home! Then, I wandered through the shops in Belmopan and saw lots of people and items and bought nothing. Good day! I was told not to be afraid by a couple of guys who obviously had nothing else to say to me. "Hey lady, you don't need to be afraid......" Weird people!
I found a sweet grocery store and then spent the rest of my day here at the internet cafe- lovely day! I got split pea soup- which is more like hominy, potatoes and corn soup- and watermelon juice. Yummy!!! Tomorrow, back to the field with me.
Funniest comment of the day (context- it had just started raining and I was on my way to the restaurant and had my umbrella unfolding)-
Taxi driver: You need a taxi?
Me: No
Taxi driver: You need one. You're gonna get wet!
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Day 30- Exactly one month in Belize
Today was one of those: it was the best of days, it was the worst of days- actually it was only Tuesday. I woke up with the girls at 530 but refused to leave my bed until 557- the last possible moment to get outside and talk to Dr. L and co. before they left for the field. I gave her a list of plants that Cleofo still needs to find for me and decided upon a day plan. I got "all dressed up" in one of the dresses I had brought and went to order a taxi. I got across the river to the pick-up location about 12 minutes early and spent my 12 minutes playing "who can be the biggest sneak and on-up the other" with the mosquitoes. It kept me busy and I don't think I really got bit- at least none of them drew blood because I squashed pure black mosquitoes.
I have had very interesting conversations with people who really couldn't speak English lately- both of them mad at their ex. My cab driver had come to Belize from El Salvador in 1984. He had three (or four) children ages 14 to 21. His wife is "around here somewhere" and he cautioned me, once he found out I was single, to be very, very careful who I married. The bitterness in the two people toward their ex's (the cleaning lady and the taxi driver) almost makes me want to be a nun! There are enough Catholic churches in the area that I am sure I could get the job done properly and quickly ;)
The taxi rate was $25 Belize dollars (which I guess is normal for the drive). I got all of my extended copies made to turn in to the Forestry people in hopes that I am able to leave the country and went to find breakfast. Dr. Lucero had really told me where to go, but, general directions are never enough for my brain and I got lost trying to find the "Bull Frog Inn". I mean, I knew exactly where I was, but, I had absolutely no idea where the Bull Frog was. I walked down the street I was convinced it was on (since I had seen the sign with an arrow pointing toward the Inn on that street a couple of weeks ago) and then walked back up it again. I passed by a B&B and a white guy was standing outside and I asked him for directions. Luckily, the random tourist knew right where it was and I was on the right track again. I landed at the Bull Frog and sat across from a 50/60ish couple. I was also happy that the tv in the dining area was set to the World Cup game- so I saw the Portugal/Cote de Ivoire when they were at 0:0 (and apparently this status didn't change). The couple came over and talked to me- actually I was in the middle of filling out paper work when the guy leaned on my table and casually asked "may I ask you what you are doing here?" So, I responded, quite naturally, that I was having breakfast. Come to find out, they do Archaeology in the Middle East, Israel. So, that was an interesting conversation; and then they randomly left as randomly as they had spoken.
I finished everything and walked back to the Ministry of Natural Resources- where I was convinced the Forestry Office was. Well, it wasn't, and the kindly secretary told me where to go. Again, general directions never do me any good and I returned after 15 minutes of searching to have her draw me a map. I finally figured it out and started there- it happened to be a pretty long walk (at least a mile I would guesstimate). On the way, I passed a tree that served as a bus stop and experienced not the only collection of staring males, yet one of my only cat-calls of the day and my only "Good morning, Beautiful!" You would be surprised, if you were a white woman in a dress walking alone down the streets of Belmopan, how many times you get stared at, said "hi" to, and smiled at. I finally found the Forestry Office and had about a 30 minute or so conversation with the man in charge, who told me to just go back to the Ministry of Natural Resources, pay my bill to be able to leave, and then come right back with my receipt. Naturally, I wasn't exactly thrilled about the walk there and then back and it was about the hottest part of direct sun of the day. But, I found relief in changing shoes- I wore a pair of walking flip-flops and kept the "impressing" one in my backpack. I also found a Vegetarian Taiwanese restaurant (about half-way through my walk) and was able to get my favorite drink ever- milk tea. I had been missing it sooooo much! So, I was revived for my journey.
I got all of that taken care of and had lunch at the Taiwanese restaurant and also picked up some "Asian-looking" clothes there too. I had my favorite soup ever- mushroom ball soup- and an awesome glass of soy milk and I was in heaven for about an hour. Two ladies came in and, since the restaurant had 3 tables and I was occupying the third alone, they asked to sit with me. Come to find out, they were also from Taiwan and we began to talk Taiwan, where I had been, where they are from, where they are now, how long they have been here, good places to get Taiwanese food here, the phrases I could speak in broken Mandarin, and they even gave me one of the traditional dishes they had gotten from the market in Belmopan- which they are having today because it is a Taiwanese holiday. Life was wonderful- especially when one lady told me that I should continue to keep up with my Mandarin and learn more because I have a good accent! Personally, I just think she has been in Latin America for too long and the heat is getting to her!
I actually still have some lunch in a bag looking at me that I plan to eat for supper! That just makes my day. I then walked back to town, got some supplies at the store, went to the bank, used the money to buy a UTM map and etc and went to another bank for cash. Unfortunately, I didn't get my money out in time and the ATM ate my cash! I stood in line waiting to get a verdict on my situation, while getting to watch North Korea and Brazil at the half at a 0:0 face-off. The announcers were shocked that the World Cup stars were getting licked by a surprisingly tough competitor. I found out a few minutes ago that they weren't able to hold out in the second half and Brazil won 2:1. But, I watched bits of 2 World Cup games today! Which is a new record for the tv-less. I have a little over $6 to my name right now- as I sit in a cafe drinking the cheapest thing on the menu- orange juice (which is incredible) and try to recover from the heat. My day goal is to go to another bank and try to get more money (while waiting until tomorrow for the money from bank #1 to get to me) and grab a taxi home!
I have had very interesting conversations with people who really couldn't speak English lately- both of them mad at their ex. My cab driver had come to Belize from El Salvador in 1984. He had three (or four) children ages 14 to 21. His wife is "around here somewhere" and he cautioned me, once he found out I was single, to be very, very careful who I married. The bitterness in the two people toward their ex's (the cleaning lady and the taxi driver) almost makes me want to be a nun! There are enough Catholic churches in the area that I am sure I could get the job done properly and quickly ;)
The taxi rate was $25 Belize dollars (which I guess is normal for the drive). I got all of my extended copies made to turn in to the Forestry people in hopes that I am able to leave the country and went to find breakfast. Dr. Lucero had really told me where to go, but, general directions are never enough for my brain and I got lost trying to find the "Bull Frog Inn". I mean, I knew exactly where I was, but, I had absolutely no idea where the Bull Frog was. I walked down the street I was convinced it was on (since I had seen the sign with an arrow pointing toward the Inn on that street a couple of weeks ago) and then walked back up it again. I passed by a B&B and a white guy was standing outside and I asked him for directions. Luckily, the random tourist knew right where it was and I was on the right track again. I landed at the Bull Frog and sat across from a 50/60ish couple. I was also happy that the tv in the dining area was set to the World Cup game- so I saw the Portugal/Cote de Ivoire when they were at 0:0 (and apparently this status didn't change). The couple came over and talked to me- actually I was in the middle of filling out paper work when the guy leaned on my table and casually asked "may I ask you what you are doing here?" So, I responded, quite naturally, that I was having breakfast. Come to find out, they do Archaeology in the Middle East, Israel. So, that was an interesting conversation; and then they randomly left as randomly as they had spoken.
I finished everything and walked back to the Ministry of Natural Resources- where I was convinced the Forestry Office was. Well, it wasn't, and the kindly secretary told me where to go. Again, general directions never do me any good and I returned after 15 minutes of searching to have her draw me a map. I finally figured it out and started there- it happened to be a pretty long walk (at least a mile I would guesstimate). On the way, I passed a tree that served as a bus stop and experienced not the only collection of staring males, yet one of my only cat-calls of the day and my only "Good morning, Beautiful!" You would be surprised, if you were a white woman in a dress walking alone down the streets of Belmopan, how many times you get stared at, said "hi" to, and smiled at. I finally found the Forestry Office and had about a 30 minute or so conversation with the man in charge, who told me to just go back to the Ministry of Natural Resources, pay my bill to be able to leave, and then come right back with my receipt. Naturally, I wasn't exactly thrilled about the walk there and then back and it was about the hottest part of direct sun of the day. But, I found relief in changing shoes- I wore a pair of walking flip-flops and kept the "impressing" one in my backpack. I also found a Vegetarian Taiwanese restaurant (about half-way through my walk) and was able to get my favorite drink ever- milk tea. I had been missing it sooooo much! So, I was revived for my journey.
I got all of that taken care of and had lunch at the Taiwanese restaurant and also picked up some "Asian-looking" clothes there too. I had my favorite soup ever- mushroom ball soup- and an awesome glass of soy milk and I was in heaven for about an hour. Two ladies came in and, since the restaurant had 3 tables and I was occupying the third alone, they asked to sit with me. Come to find out, they were also from Taiwan and we began to talk Taiwan, where I had been, where they are from, where they are now, how long they have been here, good places to get Taiwanese food here, the phrases I could speak in broken Mandarin, and they even gave me one of the traditional dishes they had gotten from the market in Belmopan- which they are having today because it is a Taiwanese holiday. Life was wonderful- especially when one lady told me that I should continue to keep up with my Mandarin and learn more because I have a good accent! Personally, I just think she has been in Latin America for too long and the heat is getting to her!
I actually still have some lunch in a bag looking at me that I plan to eat for supper! That just makes my day. I then walked back to town, got some supplies at the store, went to the bank, used the money to buy a UTM map and etc and went to another bank for cash. Unfortunately, I didn't get my money out in time and the ATM ate my cash! I stood in line waiting to get a verdict on my situation, while getting to watch North Korea and Brazil at the half at a 0:0 face-off. The announcers were shocked that the World Cup stars were getting licked by a surprisingly tough competitor. I found out a few minutes ago that they weren't able to hold out in the second half and Brazil won 2:1. But, I watched bits of 2 World Cup games today! Which is a new record for the tv-less. I have a little over $6 to my name right now- as I sit in a cafe drinking the cheapest thing on the menu- orange juice (which is incredible) and try to recover from the heat. My day goal is to go to another bank and try to get more money (while waiting until tomorrow for the money from bank #1 to get to me) and grab a taxi home!
Monday, June 14, 2010
Day 29- Banana icees, plastic chair, Bad Romance
Up again after a night of heavy rain. It was my first day of 530 in a long time, but, with work this entire weekend, I wasn't in a foul mood to be out working again. It was a very pleasant day and I spent it all sitting around Cleofo's yard/garden- taking pictures of his plants, documenting them, etc. It was a grand day because I didn't have to wear my long-sleeved shirt to keep the bugs away and I didn't acquire 1 new mosquito bite and I didn't even spray up!
My awesome moment of the day was when Cleofo and I were sitting in one part of his yard taking a break. We drug his plastic chairs around us so we could sit and document everything- it was very relaxing. And, we took a break around 9 when one of his daughters brought us both a plastic cup filled with a slushy of iced bananas- it was one of the most awesome frozen pops that I have ever had! So, there we were relaxing in our plastic chairs, eating from plastic cups of awesomeness, when the neighbor next door's radio (who was listening to American pop music) started playing Lady Gaga's new single "Bad Romance". It was an ironic and perfect moment.
Cleofo and I, once our surveys were done, talked over the plant names I had so far and I tried to write them down in every language he could think of: Spanish, English, Maya, Keche (Maya dialect). I tried the "repeat after me" thing and all I got was laughs from Cleofo's wife and daughter. I got done at Cleofo's a little after 1 and flagged down my very own bus to take me back to the Banana Bank turnoff. I walked from there 2 miles down the rock road with my stuffed backpack back to Banana Bank. It was quite the walk- in the full sun. But, another good thinking opportunity.
I pressed all the specimen from today's work and then started work on forms that I need to go into town to turn in tomorrow. So, another jungle-less day, and a day that requires me to dress to impress the people I am going to see. So, I will have to pull off the "in charge but classy" look. Should be a challenge!
My awesome moment of the day was when Cleofo and I were sitting in one part of his yard taking a break. We drug his plastic chairs around us so we could sit and document everything- it was very relaxing. And, we took a break around 9 when one of his daughters brought us both a plastic cup filled with a slushy of iced bananas- it was one of the most awesome frozen pops that I have ever had! So, there we were relaxing in our plastic chairs, eating from plastic cups of awesomeness, when the neighbor next door's radio (who was listening to American pop music) started playing Lady Gaga's new single "Bad Romance". It was an ironic and perfect moment.
Cleofo and I, once our surveys were done, talked over the plant names I had so far and I tried to write them down in every language he could think of: Spanish, English, Maya, Keche (Maya dialect). I tried the "repeat after me" thing and all I got was laughs from Cleofo's wife and daughter. I got done at Cleofo's a little after 1 and flagged down my very own bus to take me back to the Banana Bank turnoff. I walked from there 2 miles down the rock road with my stuffed backpack back to Banana Bank. It was quite the walk- in the full sun. But, another good thinking opportunity.
I pressed all the specimen from today's work and then started work on forms that I need to go into town to turn in tomorrow. So, another jungle-less day, and a day that requires me to dress to impress the people I am going to see. So, I will have to pull off the "in charge but classy" look. Should be a challenge!
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Day 28
I made it to breakfast this morning and got the full Banana Bank meal deal, so to speak. I pretty much had a relaxing, not too much work day. I did a couple of things, but, it wasn't too terribly taxing. The worst part of the day was the Internet connection. At least it was there though! I tried to watch the soccer game, and it wouldn't load. And then none of my sports friends were online so I couldn't bug them for info- and it was the Germany vs Austrailia game for crying out loud!!! Oh well, the Germans beat them up pretty good anyway. The Aussies were not on top of their game. It took me about 2 hours to finally be able to talk to my Mom on Facebook, but, the phones were working so I was able to call her today!! I got so frustrated at my Internet connection and the fact that I couldn't talk to anyone that I amused myself by listing out the names of Presidents. I know I missed lots, but, it kept my mind off of the Internet so that was good :)
The rest of our group came back by around 5 and our Internet completely shut down so I took a long nap and woke up just in time for supper. It has been raining on and off all day and the heavens are completely open right now. Don't know what that means for our field work this week. Hope we can all finish up. I am working on a survey around Cleofo's house tomorrow. So, a bit more relaxing I hope!
The rest of our group came back by around 5 and our Internet completely shut down so I took a long nap and woke up just in time for supper. It has been raining on and off all day and the heavens are completely open right now. Don't know what that means for our field work this week. Hope we can all finish up. I am working on a survey around Cleofo's house tomorrow. So, a bit more relaxing I hope!
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Day 27- Waking up to an open door
I meant to wake up at 8 today, honest I did. But, I was still asleep at 7:54am when the lock on my door jingled and then the door itself swung open. With my other 2 roomies gone, and it being a Saturday morning and all, I didn't expect any visitors. I lay there processing all this in my groggy state, staring at this lady walking into my room- her figure shielded by my mosquito curtain. Once she said "sorry" but continued to wander around the other side of my room- leaving the door open which let in the sunlight- I began to realize that this was the cleaning lady. She left without my sheets- which I bundled up for her and delivered to her after I woke up and got going. She came back in a couple of hours later and I discovered that she could only speak limited English, and I no Spanish, so, it was an interesting time. Somehow, she managed to convey to me about her kids and husband and I could tell that I could have gotten an even longer story if I had only remembered more Spanish!
I got more work done today and managed to watch Soccer in FIFA, while chatting with my soccer-fanatic/sports fanatic friends to help me fill in the blanks left behind by the online play-by-play. Could you believe that USA vs. England game?! Also got to talk to my Granny for the first time in ages!!! Missed her so much- and Grandpa Jay too :( There are things that I am now becoming very homesick for, along with other things that I am thankful to be in Belize for! Life is funny like that.
I went to supper and Mr. Carr, who owns Banana Bank with his wife and is good friends with Dr. L, saw that I wasn't eating the chicken enchiladas and had the cook make me some stir-fry veggies- all for me! And I also got some banana bread. He was worried that I hadn't had enough to eat- I guess he didn't realize that I have been eating like this all field school and doing just fine :) My vegetarianism launched him into questioning how long I had been "eating healthy" and that he wants to start an organic garden and help people in Belize get over the obesity epidemic and that I would be a good one to hire since I am skinny, etc. He is a very funny man.
I got more work done today and managed to watch Soccer in FIFA, while chatting with my soccer-fanatic/sports fanatic friends to help me fill in the blanks left behind by the online play-by-play. Could you believe that USA vs. England game?! Also got to talk to my Granny for the first time in ages!!! Missed her so much- and Grandpa Jay too :( There are things that I am now becoming very homesick for, along with other things that I am thankful to be in Belize for! Life is funny like that.
I went to supper and Mr. Carr, who owns Banana Bank with his wife and is good friends with Dr. L, saw that I wasn't eating the chicken enchiladas and had the cook make me some stir-fry veggies- all for me! And I also got some banana bread. He was worried that I hadn't had enough to eat- I guess he didn't realize that I have been eating like this all field school and doing just fine :) My vegetarianism launched him into questioning how long I had been "eating healthy" and that he wants to start an organic garden and help people in Belize get over the obesity epidemic and that I would be a good one to hire since I am skinny, etc. He is a very funny man.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)