Toes in the Sand

Yesterday Natalie, Jeanne, and I began our video about Derrick. This is a sixteen year old guy here on the island who truly has a talent in music. He mainly plays the six-string bass with a high school band and with a group of older musicians at different places. He played at a place called Crazy Canuks and we danced with our toes in the sand! We went to where they were performing yesterday and talked to Derrick about his music, how he learned, and what he wants to do. His goal is to go to a summer camp at Berkley in Boston this summer in hopes to get a scholarship to go to school there after high school. There is a big group of supporters behind him and he also is a very driven, humble guy. He has been fun to get to know and learn from.

This week while we are out of school we are doing community service on the island. I guess it's not all fun and games! But we are helping with an "Easter Camp" at the library. We read to them and do arts and crafts activities. It was great to see all the parents come by and drop off their kids. I do think that children are valued in the culture here, their education not necessarily, but their overall well being. This has been evident through extravagant birthday parties, family involvement, and the constant love for children. When we get back to teaching I hope to get a better idea of how a child's education is valued, if at all. Americans have such a different standpoint on this so I hope to see more of how the Belizeans feel this!

Every Day is the Best Day Ever

Now that school is out for a few weeks we are taking San Pedro by storm! Yesterday we all rented bikes and began the day at Pan Dulce with only the best pastries in town! Navigating the streets was somewhat difficult because the "road signs" are not too visible. That being said there was a lot of turning around and sudden stops, but we got out of town alive and rode on the beach up north on the island to Ak'Bol. This is a yoga retreat that is a very serene place right on the sea. We went swimming in the pool, laid in the hammocks, jumped on the trampoline, and ate lunch. Every day seems to be the best day ever here! I do love Wilmington, but life could not get any better than this!

When we finally woke back up to reality we hopped on our bikes and rode back into town. We had to get ready for "Earth Hour" down here. In Belize people are on their own time and own agendas. So because of that we rode our bikes around the beach and were in search of the "parade," which consisted of thirty people and a drum line. This "Earth Hour" required ice cream and while we were standing outside a young boy who I have befriended came up to me and gave me a big hug. His name is Alex and he and his brother go around town every night of the week to sell necklaces and other jewelry. I asked him how late he would be out tonight and he said somewhere around eleven o'clock because this is a busy time for him. A lot of people are coming onto the island over the next two weeks so this is ideal for Alex and his brothers to find the tourists and sell to them. He gave me another hug and said he had to go back to "work." I always see Alex around town and as bizarre as his situation is to me, it is his life and it is all he has ever known.

I know for Alex that his family relies on him to bring in money every day and therefore he is valued in his family. Other children are valued in other ways as being precious and the hope for the future. Most all children go to school on the island except children with severe special needs. There is no school for them or special services so they do what little school they can and that is it. There are a few students at Isla Bonita with special needs who do what work they can and then usually move on to the next standard so as to get through school faster. My teacher was telling me about all of this and I asked her why there were no services and she said that the people have to beg and beg for things and they are not guaranteed so they do the best they can in the mean time. This made the idea of Belize being a third world country very evident to me.

School's Out!

My first week of school is over! Now we are out for two weeks for the Easter break too bad right? On Wednesday we went to a little boy’s birthday party, which consisted of tents, tables, decorations, fondue, karaoke, plenty of food, and of course a piñata. It was great to see how much effort a family would put into a little boy’s birthday. Friends and family came and of course wondered what all the Americans were doing there. They quickly found out we were teachers and greeted us happily. That’s the key around here- you have to tell people you’re a teacher and they love you and give you discounts.

Thursday was a day for class parties at school. We had Fanta, chips, and dip or queso as we call it! After break we were going a park and I didn’t know where it was, but one thing I did know was that we had to walk on the beach to get there. I loved this class party! We went to park near the toll bridge and the children played in the water and we played games. After plenty of sunshine and laughs we got back in line and walked back to school where the day was concluded with an Easter egg hunt. After that early dismissal I went to my favorite place to eat on the beach Estel’s and relaxed and layed out in the sun.

That night was the Creative Arts Festival at the high school. All the elementary schools and some from other islands came to compete because it’s similar to a talent show. We took tickets from people and sold desserts with other teachers from our school. It lasted for a very, very long time, but we saw some fun dances from the children.

Friday was the last day before Easter break and we did an Award’s Ceremony for all the standards, or classes. All the parents came it could have possibly been the hottest day ever! You know when the locals say it’s a hot day that we Americans are going to die! A rain storm came and rained out the classes presentations of some things they had been working on. My class did all the vowel sounds and made elaborate posters for each vowel. They were so excited to read them for their parents and I got to meet so many more parents in my class. They were so friendly and welcoming of us! We were out for another half day so back to Estel’s we went and celebrated with smoothies on the beach!

British Invasion

Now that I knew what more or less is expected during the school day, I was prepared for a lot of workbooks. All of the children are so joyful and their moms drop them off at school. Their children were talking about the “new teacher” so several of them came into the classroom and I got to meet them. It was great to see how much parent’s care about their children and their education. Although they are about to get out for a two week Easter break, the children are just full of joy.

That afternoon all of us were making lesson plans or emailing at our hostel when all of a sudden sixty-five British Military Officers came pouring in. Were they happy to see all of us wonderful teachers! They had been training inland for a month and had the night off so what better place to come than San Pedro. The only people left at the hostel were us and them. They were above and below us and I’ll put it this way that we did not get much sleep. What a rowdy bunch- I guess what they say about military officers is true!

School Days!

First day at school and of course I have stories! Before I tell you about my day, I have to say that the Belizean people have got the schedule figured out for the school day. We arrived to school a little after eight o’clock this morning and assembly was called sometime around eight-thirty, just whenever they felt like it. Every day is started off when the Lord’s Prayer and the singing of the Belizean national anthem. How do you think that would go over in our schools?!

My teacher was about fifteen minutes late and the principal came into the classroom and told me to just entertain the eleven eager faces staring back at me. A name game it was! We all went around and now I really know my student’s names! My teacher came in and we did a workbook page and wrote sentences then colored in coloring books until our thirty-minute break. We came back in and all the students were busy in their workbooks saying “Teacher Anna Teacher Anna” every minute for me to check their work or help with a question. Very different than any classroom I’ve been in before. We have a great lunch break and we go to the delis around school to try new things. It was interesting to see how laid back everyone was about doing work and instruction. A lot less stressful than anything I’m used to. I could get used to this kind of living!

Belize and the Power Bill

I have not even been in Belize and feel like I’ve lived through more things than I have back home! So Sunday we get back from church and the power is out. No big deal as it tends to flicker off every now and then. Well an hour or so goes by and still no power and now no water. Come to find out that the entire country of Belize was out of power. Now my question was how did we find out that the entire country was out of power if there was no power to receive information! Just kidding.

Think for a moment though if the entire country of the United States lost power for at least five hours. I have one word- pandemonium. But not here in Belize. Everyone acted like this was normal- what?! Instead of that American attitude of panic we did what anyone would do in that situation so we danced, laughed, told stories, acted silly and sang.

It was all fun and games until the sun started to go down. We all got our jackets on or whatever warm clothing we could find and went out on the search for food. Plenty of people were out and about, but when we asked why the power was out the main answer we got was “Belize forgot to pay their power bill to Mexico.” We still don’t know what happened. We finally found a little lady in a “Pupusarria” who was still cooking by fire. Bingo- we got our pupusas, which are like cornflower tortillas stuffed with beans, cheese, and pork. With pupusas in hand we walked briskly back to our hostel. Luckily we ran into some friends who walked with us the rest of the way. My pocketknife out and a friends pepper spray out could have stopped anything, but I guess there is more power in numbers!

We ate our pupusas by flashlights and book lights and finally reached the end of our rope. Just as I decided to go to sleep because what else can you do, the power came back on. There is power in prayer! I guess in the end we at least had a good story!

Wonderful Weekend!

It has been an exciting and adventure filled few days here in Belize. On Saturday we went to “Community Center” for a fundraiser for the High School faculty. We all thought they were going to Orlando this summer for a big conference to learn about new teaching strategies, etc. But no- turns out they go on some kind of vacation every summer to Orlando and that is what the fundraiser was for. The barbeque was good though!

After that, what else to do but get ice cream and lay out on the beach. It’s bizarre because there really is no “laying out” space or people swimming in the sea. I have to figure that one out soon. But there was a wedding on the beach that was beautiful and a marching band doing fundraising. Like I’ve said before- never a dull moment in Belize!

That night we went to a fundraiser for a boy named Derek who is sixteen and from here in Belize. He is one of the most amazing bass players I have ever heard! You can tell he really can hear and feel the music. He is going to Berkley Music School in Boston soon and also a music camp this summer in the “States” so that he can be recognized hopefully. It is neat to see the whole town coming around to support Derek and his dreams!

Sunday morning was relaxing! I sat by the pool as pictures slowly loaded onto Facebook and I got some sun. Some of us went to the Living Word church right behind our hostel. Wow- they know how to really do a church service! The first hour was all music, which was contemporary and songs we sing at PC3. There were “back up” singers who were in the youth and it was some of the most beautiful music from young children. I just knew their voices were reaching the heavens. Then the pastor spoke for an hour. That was full of power points and blunt information. It certainly made the hour go by quickly. After the church service the pastor greeted us as well as some others- we do kind of stick out with our “pale” skin and some blonde hair. It was incredible to know that people from all nations can sing the same praises and love the same God- halleluiah!

Good Food and Good Times

I'm writing this as I'm sitting by the pool at our hotel and looking at the most amazing sunset- wow! That is a great way to sum up this day here in San Pedro. We got our classroom assignments at Isla Bonita Elementary School today. I am in an "Infant II" class which is like first grade, which by now I have plenty of experience in. I have twelve students and they were happy with big "banana smiles" to see all the Americans. They called "assembly" for the classes and they all came out and stood in line so quietly until Mrs. Addie, the principal, started talking and we introduced ourselves. Little shouts of joy came from the classes when they heard who would be with them for the next few weeks. It made me feel welcomed and I was excited to be there.

We then had to go take a "food siesta" at one of our favorite places, Estel's. It is right on the beach and they always have live music. What's not to like about that- good views, good music, good food, and good friends. People are starting to recognize us as the "American teachers" around town. This is good and bad and here's why. It's good because most people are very friendly and offer us discounts on food and the toll bridge. It's bad because the little old ladies who run the fruit stands (and sell the best homemade juice) have upped their prices on the fresh fruit. It's a good thing there are plenty of fruit stands!

We all went to dinner last night as a group (and I ate conch for the first time!) and as expected in any third world country children, boys ages nine to fourteen, were trying to sell us jewelry. They knew all the right tricks calling us "pretty ladies" and putting necklaces on us. Some of us finally broke down and indulged these boys. But they lingered around until several of us bought things. It is crazy to think that these boys go to school all day and then their mothers send them out with a bag full of jewelry until late hours in the night to bring home money for the family. It's one thing to see that while you're on a vacation, but not while you are living and teaching here.

But with that said, there are plenty of wonderful things to enjoy about San Pedro. I hope to go snorkeling soon- pictures to come!

New Schools

Finally a warm and sunny day in San Pedro! It is the perfect temperature and therefore a perfect day. We had an early start because we are still getting used to the time change- so six o'clock it was for this girl! After a wonderful breakfast and homemade juice we set out on our journey. We were in search for Ambergris Caye Elementary School. We found it tucked away in a neighborhood spread out in a field with two lunch cabanas and a playground. We walked inside the 6 classroom building with 54 students. It is more like a "rural" school away from the main town. The principal is a passionate medical doctor who is out to improve Belizeian schools. It was encouraging to know that we are now the "experts" in the classroom and hold a lot of resources for these teachers to learn from and hopefully use. Our journey continued to the other end of the island to San Pedro High School and Isla Bonita Elementary School. These really are back to back and considered a "urban" school. There is only one high school on the island so all the children 14-17 go to school here. All of those students were thrilled to see us!

We walk most everywhere on the beach to go places. Tough life right? I feel so blessed to be here and to have this experience. Wonderful people, wonderful place, wonderful life!

First Day in Splendid San Pedro

We finally arrived to San Pedro, Belize. The flight was great, although the "puddle jumper" was something out of Jurassic Park because it was overcast you could not see where you were going. I was just hoping we would make it to some land, much less an air strip. We got in our taxis to Pedro's Inn where we were happily greeted by our new host and former Brit- Peter. Oh this is going to be a good few weeks! Our rooms are like camp meets college dorm and all white. Nothing a few pictures can't fix. After walking around to find Estel's on the beach we ate burritos in the sand. What a great first meal of hopefully many. It's a fun and interesting place where everything has a view or is on the beach- including all the school yards. I think I'm going to get used to this!