Threes Company

The lovely woman I am working for in my organization, Francis, is always looking out for me. She makes sure I get my meals, I have a nice room, and she includes me in on tours if I'm available. She doesn't give this special treatment to anyone else and she's like a Mom and I adore her. We just have a great relationship and its really nice.



As for my Saturday off, she insisted I go to San Ignacio and have a nice day. She knows how invested I am in working in the MH community, therefore, she told me to just,"Go!" 

She sent me off with the MB tour guide Chester and driver, Justin. They were picking up some tourists in San Ignacio and taking them to Monkey Bay.  She jokes that they both are in love with me and will do anything I ask of them. I guess this was partially true. My second day I had to make my presence known. I came back from MH for lunch to find my room invaded my ants. I found Justin and Chester and told them to come quickly. They were standing there and Justin says, "I'm surprised that many got in your room." He is always making the funny comments.  I told them, "Okay boys lets move it out." I knew there were open rooms above the library so I had them move all my stuff. 

Side note:  I switched rooms 3 times at Monkey Bay until I got my perfect room. 

Justin and Chester knew about my funny ways and my high maintenance behavior and they loved it. We all became good friends. 

They are just two nice guys who have worked with the company for over 8 years giving them credibility and loyalty. They just enjoy being acknowledged by a tourist rather than just having forced conversation. Chester mentions how much he loves meeting tourists and getting to know them. 

On the bus, Justin is rocking back and forth to his reggae music and is super content. He's just in love with reggae music. And with the songs in Belize, they basically turn every hit song into a reggae song. It just slows down and has a reggae beat-it's pretty funny. Chester is the tour guide so he is full of information and facts about Belize.

Instead of accomplishing my bus writing goals, I am again sitting there and learning about the country asking a thousand and one questions. This usually why I fall behind- I blame on my beautiful people;) 

To sum up a few facts, Belizians are Creole, which is a mixture of European and African-American. The Creole language sounds like broken English and is quite difficult to understand. The political situation is pretty similar as the same corrupt party is voted in each and every year. Chester says that people don't know any better, which is an insightful and true statement. 

We discuss all the imported items and the few exports including: oil, sugar, bananas, and other fruits. They import everything making the cost of things ridiculously high. It's so unfair for the locals who have to grocery shop and have families to feed.

-When it comes to the kinds of people, Belize is very diverse with many cultures and languages. People speak Spanish, garifuna, Creole, and Mayan. 
- It was originally part of the British empire and became independent in 1980s with Queen Elizabeth II as head of state. Her face is on all of the bills and coins- it's a little strange because you are in Belize.

Chester's random facts

-Belize is the birthplace of chewing gum. Belize has the largest Jaguar reserve( hence the ones outside my room!)

-Hurricane destroyed Belize City, which made the capital move to Belmopan. The tallest building ---  --Belize is a Mayan ruin and Belize has over 7,000 Mayan ruins.
-The islands of Belize are called Cayes and there are around 450. 

The best fact and my own observation- there is NOT ONE Burger King, McDonald's, KFC, or Pizza hut. Go Belize!!!!! Stick to your amazing soul food and forget the American food chains.