Happy New Year!!

What do you mean it’s February 2010???!!! When did that happen?!

First, hope everyone had peaceful and lovely holidays. Christmas in Sarteneja was very mellow, full of time with family and food. Some houses put up Christmas lights. A few had artificial trees. It had finally cooled down, to 70ish from 90s. Everyone mostly went around visiting each other, spending time together, and going to church. Didn’t really seem like gifts were exchanged. Kids got a few things but mostly practical, clothes, etc.

New Year’s Eve was a hoot – the smaller the child, the larger the fireworks she or he was setting off. Everyone went to church til midnight and then walked or rode around (on bikes) visiting. The kids liked to try to set off the fireworks right when you were passing by and thoroughly enjoyed watching the reactions of shock/momentary fright.

January started off with a bang – back in the USA, we sold our family business (the restaurant and motel) of 40 years relatively unexpectedly (we had put it on the market but though it might take years to get the offer we wanted; turns out, we got it in 4 months). So I went to California to take care of the paperwork with my mom. 47 signatures later, it was done. Sorry I didn’t get to see those of you in LA/Rancho, etc. but it was pretty much a drive-by visit. Had to get special dispensation from the Pope, er Peace Corps to go because we’re not allowed to leave the country til 3 months after Swearing In, which was Jan 22. But now I am free to roam! Am starting to plan some trips to Riviera Maya, Mexico and Antigua, Guatemala for Spanish immersion lessons (my Spanish is coming along but slowly, slowly. It’s too easy to revert to English, plus everyone here wants to practice their English). Also planning on going to Honduras and Panama later this year.

That being said, I find I truly truly prefer to be and stay in my village. I had sort of plateaued before the Holidays and felt like I wasn't really meeting new people/more of the Village but that all turned around over the Holidays. I guess everyone figured out I was staying and were curious so now I have people come up to me in the "Big Store" (which is the size of a gas station mini mart) and ask questions, introduce themselves. It's really great.

And things have really started to get busy here at my assignment – a coral reef conversation group is going to base their operations in Sarteneja which means jobs for some of the locals and a stream of volunteers staying at our Homestay sites. Perfect timing since we’re just starting up the Homestay Program. If anyone is interested in coral reef dives/research check out www.blueventures.org

I’ve also started “secondary” projects – things I’m most personally interested in or that I find are wanting in the Community. For example, I’ve been curious about the fact there are a lot of single, old men in the village. Unusual for a Latin based culture. Wondered how they were getting food, laundry done, etc. Spent the last few months just observing and noticed there is an informal safety net, mostly of neighbors, who at some point every month or 6 weeks realize they need to check on the person and bring by food, do their laundry, etc. Rotates among 4-5 other families so the individual is basically cared for and has what they need every day. But again, it’s informal and I know there were some days the men didn’t eat, but they never complain, never speak up …

Then, in asking around to see if I could get more information, stats, learn about social services in Belize, I came across the National Council on Ageing who happened to be conducting a survey of older adults so they can approach the Ministry of Health with data and try to get more programs/support in place. So I ended up conducting the Survey for Sarteneja, well, thanks to a fellow Peace Corps Volunteer who lives in the next town (2 hours away) and is fluent in Spanish. Hopefully the information will be put to good use but regardless, I know now about 10 more people in the village who would welcome a visit and can help me practice my Spanish.

I’m also working with some of the students who are in a special Volunteer program to paint a World Map on a wall here in the village. Well, the wall doesn’t exist yet but hopefully it will by March 20 and then we’ll do the project. I'm sure there will be a story to tell on that so stay tuned ...

And I spend tons of time every day with the/my co-owned puppy, Pavito (Little Turkey but I call him El Rey, “The King” because he’s so spoiled and acts like he’s King of the World). As you may recall, I was torn up about what to do with the 4 puppies I saw everyday on my way to work, with the family where the father lost his legs (to diabetes, last Christmas) and clearly had no means to support themselves, let along 4-5 dogs. But I didn’t want to create a dependency or been seen as a “rich” American. And I couldn’t justify helping/feeding the dogs when the family was clearly not getting food every day. I was able to use Christmas as an excuse – starting bringing the family some staples: rice, beans, flour, fruits. And dog food. Just let it evolve into always supplying the dog food. First they would invite me over for lunch, as their way to reciprocate. But I knew that was taking food out of their mouths so kept shying away from that, made plausible excuses. Then the mom, Maria, asked if she could do my laundry. Yeah, we came across a solution where I can give them money, it’s not charity, and they are really helping me (trust me, me doing laundry does not get the clothes clean). It’s still not enough, I just can’t generate enough laundry for them to have an income but it’s something. When there are other volunteers around (like the ones who will be coming with Blue Ventures), I’ll be suggesting they use her.

Things sort themselves out. But it's really really hard to come up with viable work, especially for the disabled - just as true in the US as here.

So two of the puppies found a home in the US. But one was hit by a car right before Christmas. So now it’s just Pavito and his mom, who the family has agreed we should spay. They understand and acknowledge that they can’t afford puppies and the reality is they want to do the right thing (spaying) but just can’t afford it.

Since this is an ongoing issue in the village (people wanting to do the right thing for their pets but not able due to distance/money), I’m organizing a vet clinic. Working with local Humane Societies (turns out, one good thing about so many foreigners in Belize, they set up Humane Societies) and vets to have a needs assessment/clinic where villagers can bring their pet, get meds, vaccinations, etc. Then we’ll figure out how to hold some spay and neuter clinics. Don’t worry, you’ll get to help – I’ll be sending out a request for donations soon :-) Amazing though how far the dollar goes here, $6 for a bag of food that lasts a dog nearly 6 weeks (so that’s just $1 a week). More on that coming soon ;-)

So, as I was saying , plenty going on in Sarteneja. Really enjoying taking my time to get to know people, how things are done (it’s all about who you know), the challenges (mostly religious and political affiliation based), and doing what I can/letting go of what I can’t.

Other things I’ve found interesting/entertaining:

Internet – yes, there is internet in the Village but I am pretty sure everyone is connected to the same line (and it may be a phone line) so you can imagine how non-speedy it is. And if anyone, at any of the 4 internet locations, gets on Facebook or downloands anything, the whole system comes down. Which is fine with me, I go to the seaside or ride my bike around (on “patrol” is the joke with my host family). The Internet also goes down when it is sunny or overcast or windy or airless. You get what I mean? LOL

Cable TV – there is cable TV in the Village but it also comes from a single source. Which I’m pretty sure is boot legged, either from Michigan (we seem to always get their nightly news) or Mexico. So we get an ever changing array of channels, some days TNT is on Channel 30, other days gone altogether, then comes back, but on Channel 4. It’s like a roulette wheel of TV viewing. It’s also funny when the messages come up that the bill hasn’t been paid and to call the number below … When my host mom sees that, she says “well I’m not going to pay them if they’re not going to pay their bill” but so far the Cable hasn’t gone out all together.

Of course, I didn’t come here for Internet or TV. Just watching how the weather changes during the day is entertainment enough – peachy, pink skies in the morning, a gentle breeze in the am, birds calling and roaring in the sky. Blazing hot sun in the afternoon, praying for rain or wind or taking a siesta while it cools down. Having some flour tortillas and beans for dinner (I could live on home made flour tortillas and beans) then watching my novella, “El Diablo” (which means most of what I’m learning in Spanish is good for dramatic exchanges, passionate embraces, or cursing others).

And so it goes. Never know what the day is going to hold which is just fine with me.

Hope your 2010 is going well! I so so so appreciate your emails, checking in, letting me know what is going on for you. Sorry if I don't reply in a timely manner but I do get them.

And mail is still welcomed. I have a new address:

Peace Corps Belize

MJP c/o Christen Eure, PCV

Orange Walk, General Delivery

Belize, Central America

(I don't get mail in my village so have to go to the nearest town to pick it up. My friend Christen offered to collect anything for me since it's tough for me to even get to Orange Walk so it will help to put her name on anything sent)

I'm well stocked but would appreciate it if you want to sent any staples for the destitute families: peanut butter, granola bars, canned goods. All are expensive here so super awesome if you send in a care package.

Think of you all often and fondly and hope this year brings you blessings and tranquility. If not, come to Sarteneja :-)

xoxo

Manissa

PS - photos of my Village:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=133555&id=640467317&l=de1577564d

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hope you had a wonderful holiday and are counting your blessings – like no mosquitos and humidity less than 128% :-)

Internet service has been *very* slow and intermittent so I haven't been able to upload any photos but am working on that. Attached a few so you can see my new Belizean brown, with the Ambassador of Belize/Obama's college roomate, and my awesone purple beach cruiser and my office

Settling In

Things are going quite nicely (especially when I hear some of the horror stories of fellow PCVs). I’ve decide to stay on with my host family for a variety of reasons. For one thing, no one lives alone in the village, and especially not single females. It would be very weird to go that route, especially early on, while I’m trying to integrate. Second, there is a bit of a problem with alcoholism in the village. There are 2 bars (and 11 different churches!) but the men are pretty much out of work due to the decline in fish (due to overfishing), so not much to do except to sit around, drink, and lament the good old days. Given that most female PCVs leave villages due to “unwanted attention”, I’d rather not invite trouble by being on my own. And if I did have my own place, it would have to be a high-security compound, with burgular bars, fences, mean dogs – which would also be really weird in this neighborly village.

Fortunately, my host family has the room – in fact, two. My bedroom has bunk beds so I can have visitors J. I also have the office next to it where we (well, I, one day when everyone was out) reorganized so there is space for yoga and a hammock. They have someone who does the laundry (mine too) and cooks so I have lunch with them everyday. And when my mom makes waffles. Otherwise, I’ll be cooking for myself, which means – send a lot of trail mix!!!

My host parents have been married for 23 years, they have 4 kids, 3 daughters and 1 son. The two older girls have gone off to college and are working in Costa Rica (to get work experience). The younger two are in school but in Belize City, so they come for the weekends but are gone all week. Eslner, the dad, works a lot in other cities (he does land surveying for the government) so it’s pretty much just Mrs. Tomasa (who is a primary school teacher) and I (and Brownie, the dog) most days of the week. We bonded immediately when she asked me one night what I wanted for dinner and I said “ice cream” and that’s what we did!

So I’m pretty much a spoiled, only child – finally, once again LOL

Oh, and my family is basically vegetarian. In the 6 weeks I’ve been there, they’ve had chicken twice and fish maybe 3 or 4 times. And 3 of those times, it was as ceviche which we all know doesn’t count against vegetarianism because it’s just so amazingly good.

We’ve started introducing each other to more fruits and veggies – I introduced egg plant and plums. They’ve introduced me to cassava, Caribbean yam, and “spinach” which tastes a lot like our spinach but grows as a vine-y weed in their yard!

Ms. Tomasa says she’ll try yoga sometime and is going to teach me the cumbia (a form of dance). We ride our bikes around the whole village, about 3 miles, before sunset. In a race against the mosquitoes. I usually lose. But as you can probably tell, no real complaints here

My Placement

So I’m working with some really great people – who definitely keep me entertained if nothing else. I’m working with the Conversation Alliance, the Tour Guides, a Women’s Group, and the Fisherman’s Association. Well, with the fisherman, I’m just try to learn the lingo – never been exposed to fishing terms, let alone in Spanish. Learning about boats, nets, hooks, piers, currents.

The Tour Guides are the most entertainment – a bunch of 20 year olds trying to figure out how to make a living, giving that fishing is not really an option for them. Most do have some education but somewhat limited English. And they are also a little too much into the local bar scene. So I’ve had to put my foot down that we would NOT have our meetings in the bar. Then I had to explain that we wouldn’t go to the bar after working for an hour. Then I had to explain why we wouldn’t go to the bar to celebrate after making one decision 4 hours later … Hilarity I tell you. But good kids.

Oh, this was the other reason I decided staying with my host family was a better way to go – what Sarteneja knows of volunteers is from the “short timers” who come for 2 weeks or a few months and like to party hard, since that’s all the time they have (and I guess they don’t know what else to do here). So I have that association to distance myself from. And, everyone remembers the last Peace Corps volunteer who left, early, pregnant. It was 20 years ago but they act like it was last year. So, some reputation management to handle as well.

Anyway, what I’m finding most interesting is just the stuff that comes up, in my head, around being here and what I can vs. should want to vs. want to accomplish (and those are 3 different things).

Right now, there’s my general mental ruminations about “what is helping?”, “what is empowering?”, “what is ‘making a difference’?”, “what is progress?”, “what is development?”, “what is capacity building?”, “what is organizational/community strengthening?”. We had some great lectures in Training about the latter few and of course, it is more complicated than one might think. But as complicated as you would expect because if my village/Belize had these things figured out, they wouldn’t need us. Well, see, even that, I can’t say that they need us. And I can’t even say that the USA has it figured out. So I wonder what it is I have to offer. I can’t honestly say that I think my village should learn to have more structured meetings, to create agendas and write minutes, to prepare reports using standard, accepted accounting and/or business terms, or any of the other myriad of things I can teach them. Frankly, the only reason they have to know it, or do it, is so that they can maneuver in the Big World – funding agencies, government programs, etc. And then my honest thought is, the last think I want for them is to have to answer to funding agencies, government bureaucracies, etc. I get that is how it works but I’m realizing I have a deep problem with that fact and I’m not sure how I feel about being the person who is going to help them “sell their soul” so to speak.

And everywhere you turn, you question, well, I question (myself) more and more. For example, a house near me has a dog who has 4 puppies. They are adorable, of course. And they’re not being starved or neglected but they are at the one of the poorest homes in the village. The dad is diabetic and has lost his legs. These people can barely feed themselves let alone 5 dogs. So everyday I debate about bringing the puppies some bread or tortillas. But I know, for one thing, it would be a bit of an insult to the family, suggesting that they are not providing. It would also cause them some embarrassment. It would also be awkward because they need the food as much as the dogs. So do I bring them something and something for the dogs? But then what about creating dependencies – obviously don’t want the family to start counting on me to feed them. And really don’t want the dogs to rely on it because I can’t keep it up – even if I do so for 2 years, it’s not their whole lives and it wouldn’t be fair to be feeding them for years then to take off. And the reality is, if I start feeding the dogs, the family will stop because I'm taking care of it. And I can’t take 4 puppies to my host family. Nor could I really bring 4 dogs back to the USA … because it would be more like 20 dogs if I get started, this not being the only “I want to help the dog” situation in the village.

So I percolate and masticate and ruminate and all the other things you do when you don’t really know what to do but are trying to do the right thing for everyone.

Mostly, I thank my lucky stars that I get to see beauty all around, glorious sunsets every day, spectacular sun rises, all kinds of birds and fish life, that I’m living with and surrounded by kindness, that I can go really fast on my purple beach cruiser and feel the wind filling my lungs. That I have the means to send you this message. That I have the chance to get to know a whole other world and culture. And that, if I’m very very lucky, I might be able to figure out how to accomplish what I can, what I should want to, and what I want to...

Blessed and grateful

Manissa

There Just Aren't Words ...

First thank you all for the packages and letters! I came back into Belmopan from being at my site and had about 6 packages and letters and all the other Volunteers were soooo jealous he he he. But seriously, it was so great to get the tea and treats and books and notes and know you're thinking of me. Thank you all! I will be back here at the end of November so if you want to send something for me to get by Thanksgiving, please send it by November 7. I'm good on tea now but would welcome trail mixes (especially any from Trader Joes). (Just none with chocolate or yogurt or anything that would melt).

Going forward, I can't really get mail at my site - Peace Corps will hold it at their headquarters and I'll be coming through every 3 months or so and will get items then. I'll be sure to let you know when something arrives so if you send something and don't hear from me within a month, let me know and I'll find out what is going on.

Of course, I totally love and appreicate the emails also, letting me know what's going on for you and well wishes so keep any and all forms of communication coming!!!

Next in terms of being speechless - I can't begin to tell how big of a lucky stick I drew with my Site Assignment in Sarteneja. Let me make you jealous by describing my day:

6:30am - up for breakfast with my host mom, which is often waffles!!!
7am - back to bed
9:15am - up to get ready for work
9:45am - leave for the office
9:49am - turn the corner and see the water
9:55am - walk along the shoreline and arrive at the office

10am - 12pm - check emails, look out the window at the water, think about leadership development sessions for my counterparts, look out the window, chat with some of the fisherman/work on my spanish conversation, look out the water
12pm - head home for lunch which is ready on the table when I arrive. Lunch maybe vegetable soup, flour tortillas, enchiladas, bean soup, fresh squashes ...

1pm - head back to the office or sit in the hammock and watch "Law & Order" (my guilty pleasure)
4pm - head to the small pier for some sunset yoga. Look for sting rays, blue crabs, other sea life off the pier. Watch the children playing in the water. Watch the fisherman bring their catches and boats in for the night

6pm - dinner, my favorite is beans with habanernos (yes, I've gone there) and fresh flour tortillas
7pm - watch novellas with the family or read or work
9pm - under the mosquito net for bed, reading, lights out

I know, sickening isn't it?! I can't believe this is my life!!!

Just to balance it out - here are the not so great parts: the mosquitoes, they are vicious here. But I've discovered the browner I get, the less the mosquitoes seem to bite/find me. Great for the immersion also! Did I mention I have to go snorkeling as part of my work (when we go on patrol in the bay, we do fish population counts)? And I'm going on the snorkeling tours and tours to Mayan sites to help the Tour Guides finalize their programs and prices. Oh wait, I was going over the "negatives" ... There really isn't a beach, you kinda just walk from the road into the water. Which is crystal clear and bathtub temperature. But it's more muddy than sandy. Unless you float out a few feet. Then it's just lovely. mmmmm, ok, any other negatives? There is somewhat of a drinking problem among the unemployed fisherman, but I just stay away from those parts of town (the 3 bars are located right next to each other, by the police station). There are 11 churches all of different denominations (you may recall my last village with the same popluation had 9 churchs, 7 were pentecoastal) and they all have giant speaker systems which they like to blast their sermons and music. Til about 9pm then it's totally quiet and you can see the Milky Way outside, it's so dark. I can also see the lights across the bay to Chetumal Mexico which is suppose to be the bomb for shopping. Will report back on that shortly.

Well, I tried.

Finally, most importantly, I have been match so well with my placement. Not only am I traveling and volunteering (which is what I wanted to focus on at this point in my life) but I am using all the great training and skills from KP with groups and individuals who would never have the opportunity for this kind of interaction/expertise. It's EXACTLY what I hope would happen in joining the Peace Corps! EXACTLY.

And, as of Thursday, I will be sworn in as a PCV (Peace Corps Volunteer) and I will be official. Turns out, the last few months don't "count". Now the 2 years starts. And while I am still under the sponsorship of Peace Corps, pretty much all the DMV aspects are over and I get to be in charge of my life now. Wheeeeeeeee. So I'll be figuring out my living arrangements, daily routines, how I can best help my agencies, and planning my next excursion into Belize.

So blissed out, I can't even tell you. It's just a lovely lovely quiet in my heart and head, I'm exactly where I need to be, doing exactly what I love and wanted to be doing. There just aren't words.

Love you all - will be sending info shortly on the range of options to come visit and see Belize. You HAVE to come, it's cheap, it's gorgeous, and I want to share this great experience with you :-)

xoxo
Manissa

The snail mail option (and mail is welcomed!):
Manissa Pedroza c/o Peace Corps Belize, PO Box 492, 6130 Iguana Street Extension, Mountain View Area, Belmopan Belize

Hint: Use the same address for the return address and it will get to me no matter what!

Oh happy day - got my site assignment today, which is where I'll be for the next two years ...

It's on the COAST Northern Belize, in a small village (about 1800 people)

Working with an eco-tourism alliance. I'll be doing Leadership Development with a wildlife sanctuary, conservation group, fisherman's association, and the local tourism association.

And I'll be trained and rotate on patrols in the wildlife sanctuary WHEEEEEEE

Don't know yet about any ammenities or lack thereof in the village, but it appears I will have internet access at my placement's office...

Head out on Tuesday - will let you know more once I see it then we can really start the vacation visit planning :-)

http://www.sarteneja.net/

my bday and other fun

My bday and other fun

Had a great great birthday, starting with a parade and fireworks at midnight (for Belize’s Independence Day). During the day, went out into the jungle with an expat/local - Wayne who is white South African and self-transplanted to Belize for his interest in Mayan art – and explored three unexcavated Maya burials. The uppermost layers have been looted but there are probably still remains and artifacts lower down (Mayan would lay burials on top of each other to build the temple). It was fun to imagine how the site would have looked in it’s day, probably home to about 1000 Mayans. It was so amazing being in the jungle (Spanish for jungle), as soon as we got off the “road” you’re immediately lost. Every direction looks the same – have to say, would never ever want to get dropped in a jungle and have to find my way out. No way.

We also battled fire ants, an entire side of one temple was covered in them. Boy, talk about motivation to get moving, those suckers HURT. Came across a few more gianormous spiders but didn’t walk into them, thankfully. No other wildlife, unfortunately, the area has been hunted clean. Not even birds are left. But the area is a national park and now under the “protection” of the government and under the management of an NGO so hopefully with time the animals will return.

But I am impressed with how much Belize has done to protect it’s resources – had the opportunity to see the Belize Zoo which is not a zoo like you’ve ever seen, it’s more like a wildlife sanctuary. There is no concrete or bars, it’s more like they sectioned off part of the jungle and let people come in to visit. And all the animals are rescues – either from people who took them as infants and tried to raise them but they got too large and are too imprinted on humans or big cats who start taking cows and sheep and the Zoo will capture them so the villagers don’t kill them. Got some photos on Facebook (link below)

Also went to Caracol last Sunday, which is the largest Mayan site in Belize. Turns out, my host mom’s brother is a licensed guide. You have to have a license guide and armed guard to go into the backcountry of Belize. We went to an amazing cave, then to Caracol, then to some pools on the river and Big Rock Falls (see photos on link below). It was a super fun day!!!

But back to my bday – after trekking around in the jungle, got back home and was whisked away by a fellow volunteer for some bday ice cream. Belize has the BEST ice cream, when you can find it, produced by the Mennoites. Yum. And the store owner gave me a free coca cola.

Back at the house, my host mom had it all decorated with balloons and her sister-in-law who is training to be a cook, made me cake. We had all the children, which included cousins (about 20 total) and about 10 adults. Fellow volunteer Roger played the guitar and we enjoyed papaya and watermelon. We ate the food Antonia had been preparing all day: rice and beans, chicken, pasta salad, and plantains.

Then it was time for the piñata – which was a “Manissa (formerly Dora) the Explorer” in the shape of a purse. Filled with candy and money and gum. I got in the first few swings, then some of the kids, then my teacher, who lives in the village for the 5 weeks also, Frederico, who broke the piñata. Well, broke the handle so then Antonia and I threw the kids the candy. It was so funny.

Then we played games – first musical chairs with the boys then the girls. Then the boys played a game where you run from one end of the lawn to the other, grab a balloon, run back to your seat and whoever pops the balloon first, wins. After the boys, the girls played. Then the three female Peace Corps Volunteers and we literally popped the balloons at the same time. Hilarious. Then the men – Antonia’s brother, Mr. Frederico, and Roger. Augosto won by a large margin but when Roger sat down to pop his balloon, he and his chair fell over. Oh we just laughed and laughed.

Ended the greatest day with cake. With candles that won’t extinguish. Finally got them out, after busting a lung, and then Antonia explained that in Belize, you take a bite of the cake to express your thanks and show how much you are enjoying yourself. I was highly suspicious of this request and tried to take a quick bite. But they wouldn’t let me get away with that! I tried to keep anyone from being behind me and realized that was futile as well. So, I resigned myself to my fate and dropped my own face into the cake. That brought the house down.

It was an awesome day and was so happy to get to see more of this spectacular country last weekend.

Stay tuned for the next big announcement – where I’ll be going for my final Site Placement dun dun dun …

Bday pixs:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=115029&id=640467317&l=78e4508eaf

Caracol/Maya Site:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=115028&id=640467317&l=42edc42d76

novellas de la semana

The Chicks
So one of my host mom’s entrepreneurial efforts is to raise chickens. She got 100 chicks from the Mennonite community and if tended properly, they will be ready to sell in 6-8 weeks to sell for $10 each (which is a lot of money!). Problem is, they are frail things – as my mom says “if it rains, they die; if it gets hot, they die; if they get scared, they die”. Nowhere near as hardy as the local chickens, who are scraggily and take much longer to grow but are indestructible.
Anyway, first night, rats killed 6 of the chicks – we think they were trying to get to the food because rats don’t eat chickens. So we moved into Uber Chick Protection Mode. For three nights, we could catch all 96 of them (and as I have mentioned, chickens are FAST), put them in various buckets and bins and bring them in the house. Then we would put a fan on them, make sure they had water, food.
Her father-in-law fixed up the coop so we were able to leave them outside at night but the first night of that as I went to the latrine, I saw a cat crouching by the side. She couldn’t get in but if one of them wandered too close, she would have been able to grab it. So, back to Uber Chick Protection Mode: my host mom and I put up plastic and bed sheets around the chicken wire to help keep the cat away and tied up the dog (yes, Duffee, my best friend or novio as the 4 year old says LOL) right outside. So far, so good but keep your fingers crossed for those chickens. And, yes, I am struck by the irony of doing all this, helping with all this for the chickens to be killed in a few weeks. Thankfully, I won’t be here for that.

The Bus
Twice a week we are up at sunrise to catch the 6am bus. Goes for 40 minutes into a town, San Ignacio, then we take another bus to Belmopan which takes an hour an a half regular bus or an hour “express” bus. Each bus has 48 seats, or 96 people. Then they allow anyone to stand in the isles which gets us to a total of 115 or so adults, or up to 125 or 130 if it’s kids.
Then, someone pushes their way down the isle to collect the bus fare which is $3BZ ($1.50US) for each leg. It’s quite entertaining to try to maneuver to allow this person to go by without putting all your front or back business in the face of someone seated. And I don’t need to worry about lack of human contact while I’m here in Belize – we get rubbed on plenty just taking the bus with this exercise. So far, nothing inappropriate but I’ll give that time.
The best part is the bus stops anywhere. Anywhere. Whenever you want to get off just give a hoot and it will stop. Even better, is it will stop where ever you are to let you on – the other day, a person got on, the bus went literally 5 feet, stopped, another person got on, went 5 more feet, another person got on. Why those people didn’t just walk over in the time it took for the bus to roll up and stop for the next, I’ll never know.

The Tea
Turns out, when the British left, they took all their tea with them! Can only find Lipton. So if you send snail mail, thanks for including a package or two of tea

Headed into a long weekend for Independence Day and, more importantly, International Day of Peace, and most importantly, my birthday (LOL). We’re having a piñata for the kids, (well, OK, it’s for me) and I’ll be sure to send photos.

Best from Belize!!
Manissa
Anyone can see photos at this link: (updated as of 9/9/09, newest photos start with #31)http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=102016&id=640467317&l=4965dba765

not even here 2 weeks!

See photos at: (updated as of 8/26/09)
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=102016&id=640467317&l=4965dba765

But it feels like 2 months already - it has been so jammed packed! With all the various lectures from 8a-5p each day, my favorite being "Let's Talk About Bowel Movements" which is about WHEN we get diahhera, not IF. My head is spinning with info overload. And then we were shipped off to our CBT (Community Based Training) sites.

I’m now living in a small village, San Antonio, which is about 1.5 hours to the Guatemalean border by bus and 3 hours to the coast. So I'm in the middle of nowhere/middle of Belize. It's a pretty here at least, located in the mountains. There about about 1000-3000 people here. Seems like it’s barely 100 people, which is great, you really get to know your neighbors. But, there is no a/c and no running water. We do have electricity so I have a fan I can run at night which allows me to fall asleep. Staying asleep is another matter. Average temp is mid 90s. All the time. Even when it rains. Which is often.

And my first night here I woke with a start because someone was knocking on my window. Couldn't even breathe or hear anything because my heart was pumping so loudly. Turns out, the "tap tap tap" sound comes from a gecko. A bleeping geecko. Yes, jungle noises are FUN.

So I have my own room, sorta – the house is one large square about 26 feet wide by 32 feet long. My room is in the southwest corner, by the "kitchen" (which has a sink with no facuets and an electric stove/oven). It is an 8’x10’ space made out of boards supported by bungee cords and a credenza. It is open at the top to the ceiling (about 3’ of open space) so I can see the geckos when they come in from the roof. The family sleeps in another "room" caty corner to mine. There is a "living room" with a TV and DVD player, not sure if either work.

We have a latrine in back by the pigs (there are 9 of them, one is pregnant), which is past the chicken coops, about 100 feet away from the house. There are three dogs, one is pretty protective and my host mom has been very worried he would go after me. So I haven’t gone out at night for the bathroom. But I’ve started bringing him a cracker each time I do out during the day and I think he’s almost decided I’m OK so I might be able to go at night now.

My host mom, Antonia, is a very hard working woman. She takes care of her family (2 kids under the age of 4 and her husband who is gone quite a few days a week for work at a local resort which is 2 hours away) and is involved in the Women’s Group in town. They make clay products, embroider, jewelry but are struggling with power politics. The founder doesn’t want to share information and after 7 years it’s starting to grate on the others. Ahh, so good to know issues of power and control and the resulting nonsense is the same world over.

I help Antonia to wash the dishes (after each meal) - we use rain water and a lot of Dawn. I sweep the floor and learned how to do laundry on Sunday. Happily and luckily, she has a machine that agitates the clothes which then we double rinse in bins by hand then the machine does a spin cycle. Then it only take about 20 minutes for the clothes to air dry on a clothes line, if it’s not raining. Which it does. Often.

During the day, we (there are 5 volunteers here) are in “school” six days a week (about a 20 minute walk) with language (spanish) in the am starting at 8a and Tech Training in the pm, til around 4p. The language is a little too remedial for me but that's OK. I usually read ahead or look up vocab. The Tech Training is pretty good – things like how to do conduct community assessments in a way that will build trust. Includes SWAT and other tools and approaches I’m very familiar with. So all that feels easy.

Just not sure about the rural living for 2 years. It's just as tedious and wearing as I remember from India and Africa. But my final Site Assignment remains a question, won't know that until Oct 2, then I really know what's in store for me ... though I could guess based on the community based/practice run I'm going through right now.

One of the best parts of San Antiono is the daughter here at my host family. Julissa aka Julie. She’s adorable, four years old, a lovely Kamryn (my USA niece) substitute. My language skills are right at her level, we can have quite lengthy conversations. Especially about naming body parts and animals, counting, colors, etc. And my Spanish is pretty darn good if I may say so myself. At least it seems so in my head/to my ears. My host mom even said “sometimes when I hear your Spanish, it’s quite good”. That was after I had just said something to the 2 year old, ha ha ha.

The town is very religious. Of the 7 churches, 5 are Penecoastal. There is one Catholic Church and one Jehovah Witness temple. For the Penecoastals (my family) Fridays is church for the ladies. Sunday for the men. Wednesday for the kids. Saturday for the youths. A lot of church but at least I get to "practice" my Spanish by listening to it. Oh, and everyone here (and pretty much all of Belize) speaks at least four langugages: English, Mayan, Spanish, and Kriol (Garifuna is closer to the coast and German in the Mennoite communities). And they code switch without blinking any eye. Makes it real fun to try and keep up.

Food is OK - mostly beans and rice. Or rice and beans. With tortillas (homemade yum). Or rice with veggies. Or rice and a sort of stir fry. And hot dogs. With eggs. Or a veggie burger which is a bun with lettuce and tomato. Quite an array of fruits and veggies - squash, cassava, plantains, watermelon, mango, avocado!!!!, papaya, peanuts, sweet limes, starfruit, grapefruit, and a bunch of others I'm still learning. We can eat the fruits right off the tree...

Es una vida simpatica, y facil, mas or menos. Having the predictable moments of frustration and irritation but they pass. Would give anything for a hot shower (yes, my usual refrain) and mail since internet is hard to come by {hint LOL}

Adios, con mucho amor y besos y abrazos

MJP