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!