Day 40- Last day in Belize

Last night, all of us loaded up in Dr. L's truck and went to Belmopan for "open mic night" at Perkup.  It was a blast!  Kayla played "Be My Escape" by Relient K on the guitar.  Then, Kayla and Chris did a rendition of "contemporary translation of dial-up internet in an aboriginal setting".  They accomplished this using a keyboard Chris bought here, nick-named the Awesome Machine, and a cardboard tube that Kayla used like a wind instrument to create some pretty cool sounds.  We came home and went right to bed for the next day!

The whole group (minus Steve and me) wore ties/fancy headbands for "formal friday".  I was going to create a tie from pink neon flagging tape, but, the chore of getting out the door with everything spoiled my plans.  The students got Dr. L and tiara and she enjoyed wearing it around the field.  This morning, we went back out to the field and finished up filling in the test pit.  I was on the shovels for a grand total of maybe 10 minutes until Ernesto asked kindly if he could have it.  So, I was on bucket duty for most of the rest of our 1 1/2 hours backfilling.  We finished up right when it started to rain.  Five of our group decided that they were so happy that the backfilling was done that they rolled around and tackled each other in the mud and threw balls of it at each other.  The other six of us laughed at them and some took pics of it all.  We took all the field stuff to a creek at Yalbac and washed it, and then took a smashing group photo with Dr. L's camera.  We took all of this over to Mr. Scott's house (where we got all the field stuff at, at the beginning of the field school, and dropped it off there, after oiling the trowels, shovels and pick-a-hoes.  We got back to Banana Bank before noon and had time to change clothes before going to the river near Banana Bank to clean the truck inside and out.  The river has some fish that eat the dead skin off your feet, so, I waded in and stood still- it was a very interesting feeling to have your feet nibbled at by a number of little fish!

Then, we all rode back to Banana Bank and I started laundry for all my nasty clothes and washed off my boots- which were packed with mud.  At four, we are going to Ernesto's to have one last farewell with the guys.  From there, we will come back and have a final meal at Banana Bank.  We have been sharing Banana Bank the past few days with a hippie wedding party- over 20 of them traveled here.  They are very interesting people and it makes me miss the sunset concerts and my hippieish friends!  Steve and I will share the last of our 5 mangoes for a dollar we bought at the market last week.

We have to meet the taxi tomorrow morning at 7:30 am and he will take us directly to Belize City to the airport.  Several of the students have flights around 11 and then the rest will wait until our 1:55 flight.  Most are going to Miami, and I think two are going to Dallas.  It will be a sad farewell to everyone we have come to know very well over the last six weeks.  I started charging my cell earlier today- will be interesting to readjust to using it so often when I really haven't touched it since mid-May. 

Day 39- Backfilling is not fun

I awoke to the sound of intensive rain on our baypalm roof.  I braided my hair and got into my work clothes and by the time it was time to go, it had stopped.  We rode to breakfast- four of us and a large square table in the back- and it "misted" at us on the way to Yalbac.  It was more like a heavy sprinkle at some points, but, we made it into the jungle and it stopped and we started working. 

I helped Jose (Ernesto's son) and Steve with the shoveling and we loaded up a wheelbarrow that Cleofo dumped in on top of the pit.  It was a pretty substantive pit and we finished it in 1 1/2 hours with the help of Ernesto, Don Luna, Stanley and Hannah throwing boulders and cobbles in and Stanley evening out our dirt mass.  The next pit was pretty much finished when we were done, but Steve and I took shovels over and helped a little anyway.  After waiting for Dr. L to take another photo and some extra digging to be done on the largest pit we had opened (about the size of a small house because that's what it was- a priest house), we started backfilling that one as well.  I found that my physical strength and endurance cannot match that of Steve's and I ended up throwing boulders after about 1/2 hour of shoveling.  It was an incredibly hot and humid day- because of the stormy weather- and it just made it worse.  But, the rain held while we were in the field and I didn't have one mosquito come near me, so, I was thrilled about that!  After lunch, I resumed digging and we worked for about another hour and nearly got it done.  It is so close that we could all taste it, but, not close enough that we were allowed to stay.  Dr. L had to get to town before the bank closed, so, we will come back again tomorrow and finish up backfilling (probably about an hour's work with everyone pitching in, or less- depends on energy and the will to get done) and then cart everything home from the field and sort, clean and organize and pack away for Mr. Scott's house (where Dr. L has her field stuff stored).

So, we got back early and are now on break until Dr. L gets back- around 4.  At that time, we will catalog everything we have here and get it ready to package away until the next field season.  My trip is winding down- can't believe it!

Day 38- Another day of interrupted rest

We all got up and outside before 6.  But, not all of us left for the field- only a select crew that did not include me.  The select crew did backfilling work and finished up profiling some units.  The crew that remained got to photograph artifacts and label them.  Actually, when we got out at 6, and after the select crew left of course, we went back to bed until breakfast.  Which is where the cleaning ladies found me yet again!  Surprising that I forgot about cleaning day being on Wednesday- haha.  So far, I have been walked in on twice.  But, at least this time they knocked :)

We photographed until 9:30, and then had a break until 11, and labeled until 12, had a lunch break until 1:30, and then worked until 5.  So, basically, a great day :)  I was able to pack up my belongings and get everything ready to go- basically.  I had tomato soup for supper- which is not the greatest thing I could have had ever, but, was full of very deep memories for me.  So, it provided a very interesting reflection.

Tomorrow, we will be going into the field and backfilling 2 more units- these ones rather large.  And then one macho unit- the one that we reopened from 2008.  So, it should be an all-day task.  Then, we have to clean and catalog everything here and at some point wash the work truck!  A big day that will, if things slow or rain hits, carry over until Friday.  But, we are all hoping that it gets all done tomorrow!  Fingers crossed :)

Day 37- Visit to BAHA

My day started when I walked outside in time to wave goodbye to everyone and then walked right back inside again.  Ten minutes later, I was officially up and packing my specimen into boxes for the ag man.  I caught the taxi at 7:45- the same taxi that I always have from Banana Bank to Belmopan.  It's my last known taxi trip into town, and I think he thought the same because he gave me a little souvenir before I left- a little cup with Guatemala on it.  He dropped me off at BAHA (Belize Agricultural Health Authority) with my 2 boxes at 8 and I waited until 8:20 when the man I had an appointment with finally arrived.  He checked over my plants and told me to use a hairdryer to get rid of the bugs- since I had been drying them with a light, the bugs had swarmed to the light and flooded my plants.  Not a huge deal- and he ended up signing a form saying I can leave!!!  He knows one of the guys who runs the farms around Banana Bank- a Coloradan named Nathan.  Luckily, he also gave me a ride into town so I could complete the rest of my errands, and let me keep my specimen boxes in the lobby so I didn't have to pack them around all day.  I finally found mothballs!!!  And a somewhat-expensive but necessary blow-dryer.

I got my errands done and ended up back at BAHA with another taxi a little before 1, when the office was closed, but the door was magically still open.  I got here, got stuff drying again and pressed and then started helping everyone label artifacts, which we did until 5.  The blow-dryer worked like a charm and dried everything right up.  The lamp (drier #1) didn't work really at all, the light bulb and rack (#2) worked mostly, and the blow dryer (#3) worked wonders in a few hours.  It did better than them all- it was incredible!!!

Day 36- Our final week has begun!

Slow Internet, but, it finally let me access my blog :)  We cleaned artifacts most of the day- and actually accomplished more than we thought possible.  Dr. L was ecstatic!  I had ramen for lunch- I am turning into a typical cheap college student when jobs are absent.  I had worried about my drowned ipod- and then managed to revive it just today.  It was an awesome accomplishment and I now worship the ground my beloved ipod walks on- thought I had lost the poor little dear!

We went into town around 3ish and I dressed up again to impress the Department of Ag.  Steve went with me as a "go get this, carry this please" person.  It was great fun!  We ended up being dropped off at the Department of Forestry, then walking into the middle of town again where the Department of Agriculture is (I ordered my Vegetarian Taiwanese food on the way past) and then they sent us back beyond the Department of Forestry again- out of town basically.  So, when we finally got back to Belmopan, we had been walking for over an hour.  I talked to the people I needed to and got an appointment for tomorrow at 8:00 with a guy who will inspect my plants.  The last major hassle before I get to leave the country.  Entering the US.......well......that is a different matter.  Steve found a wild watermelon on our way back to the city- so, all was saved.  I got boxes for my plant specimens- which I will shortly go back and make sure they all fit!

We got to the tail other end of town where the rest of the group was, stopping at a pharmacy to get Robitussin (yuck, but, it was one of the only brands I recognized).  I ordered orange juice from Perkup and, an hour later, decided that since it still hadn't arrived, I should seek another option.  I had been craving a red Fanta and decided to follow up on that.  1 hour and 20 minutes after I placed my order, the waitress who took it suddenly stopped by my chair and said "oh!  you're orange juice- I forgot.  do you still want it?"  The answer was no :)

We left really late from Perkup since no one was ordering dinner from Banana Bank.  And we got home after dark.  Tomorrow, I will lug 2 boxes around town all day (if I can't get the Department of Ag to hold them for me- and I will beg on hands and kness :) and, hopefully, the result will be good and I will be approved to leave!

Day 35- Happy Father's Day!

I woke up to a room flooded with natural light- my bad is surrounded on 3 sides with basically floor to ceiling windows.  It was lovely, but, since I had no exact wake-up time, I didn't feel much like enjoying it.  But, it allowed me some time in bed- awake-before I had to face the world of "are you ok"s.  So, I looked awake when I actually got up out of bed.  The most exciting part of the last 24 hours has been moving into our new residence.  On top of the bigger and nicer space (without a staircase to the top), there was HOT WATER!!!!  I cannot stress that enough- HOT WATER!!!!!!!  As the first one to take a shower last night, I turned on the hot water knob and cold water rushed out as always.  I reached for the shampoo and found that, after a few minutes, the water was hot enough that I had to quickly turn on the cold knob!  Amazing.  It was the first announcement I brought to the girls after showering, and their faces both lit up.

I now have a cold- which is annoying.  But, I know it will clear up eventually.  Luckily, it is my last week!  My worst fear is that I will go into the Department of Agriculture on Thursday and, as I am about to shake the man in charge's hand, I will sneeze all over it.  Haha.

The Internet has been perfect all day- allowing me to chat with people, reply quickly to e-mails, fill out forms and e-mail them for approval, and even keep up with the latest World Cup game!!  *sigh*  Internet hasn't been this good since we first got here.  I heated up a canned lunch and Steve got the meatballs from my spaghetti-o's.  I am almost through my latest novel: Murder She Wrote.  It is very interesting, although somewhat close to home.  There is a murder and kidnapping that takes place on the roads of Mexico by banditos!  Luckily, that is a whole country away ;)

I got a chance to talk to my Dad on the phone!!  The International phone has been shot since week 2, so, we have been calling on the office phone.  I started (and finished) a brand new phone card today.  I thought it was funny especially since it took me the other 5 weeks to work through the 1st phone card of the same amount.  I was also able to chat with my brother today- which made my day as well.

At 4 our time, we have to move Dr. L from her place to another one (just like we had to move ourselves yesterday).  Should be an intense process since she has so much equipment and artifacts she is responsible for.

Tomorrow will be my last Monday in Belize for about a year.  It feels good to be so close to being done on this end.  I just have to get all of my stuff back to Belize (fitting it all into my suitcase will be somewhat of an interesting ordeal......... and then tote it around with me all day, check it in 2 different airports, pass through 2 sets of customs inspections, and then I will be home sweet home!!!  I am missing my family soooooooo much!!  Now, all I can think about is how lovely of a time this has been, but how good home will be.

Day 34- San Ignacio Market

Everyone was getting up early and I thought I was missing something.  Worried that I was already supposed to be up- we were moving and we were going to town after all, I still continued to snooze until the very late hour of 7:30.  I finally got up when other people started coming into my room other than the ones who stayed there.  I did the sit on the edge of my bed and look spacey until Elle asked what was up and then I managed to convince my body to try to look awake.  I packed up what I could into my luggages and then the rest in bags and plant presses and my plant drier stuff in a bucket.  So, I was set to go- only about 10 items to drag downstairs and to Dr. L's car.  I didn't manage to load it all and I carried some over to one of the new huts while the other 2 we would be moving into later were cleaned along with our old rooms.

Dr. L drove us to the gas station up the road from Banana Bank and then we waited at the bus stop for about 1/2 hour until it came by.  Then, we traveled about an hour to San Ignacio.  The first stop was the market and I ended up staying with Steve and Hannah and we convinced one of the vendors to make us a cheese and beans fried patty instead of including meat.  It was delicious.  I found an Asian booth and bought tofu- except it is frozen fried so I am not sure what I will do with it, but, we will see.  We wandered around town and ran into Bob again (recall Guatemala) at his shop and I managed to find some instant dinners (canned and ramen) for the times I refused to order meals from Banana Bank.  Hannah and I had frozen lattes in a little cafe overlooking part of the city.  It is run by a guy who is from Boston originally but hated the snow so he moved to Belize.  We met up with the rest of the group and proceeded to talk to Bob some more.  I also ended up having food at a random Italian restaurant owned by a European couple with a little girl about 7 or so.  It was good and I finished it up as supper.  Steve and I bought 5 mangoes for a dollar ($.50 USD) and we had one over supper.  It wasn't exactly all the way ripe, but, it was still very good.  Steve and I walked home from the banana bank turnoff on the road (a little over an hour) and it went well- no nasty mosquitoes to speak of.

I moved into our new hut- and it is really neat.  I get a whole area to myself, complete with another full-size bed and area to put all my stuff in.  Unfortunately, there was no outlet except for in the bathroom.  So, my plant press moved, but, no worries- it is all totally safe!  My bed has a boxed mosquito net around it instead of the hanging one of before that was easy to get tangled in.  So, I can't wait for the freedom to move and not create a gape in my netting.  There is no Internet over there though.  So, I am currently sitting in the office using the Internet while Steve attempts the desk computer.  Hopefully, the Internet holds for a bit!  Another relaxing day tomorrow and then lab day on Monday.  I am hoping everything I have dries correctly so I can take it in to the ag office and have it approved mid-week.  Cross your fingers that none of my diagnostic specimen have mold, mildew or pests!!!