Suddenly I don't fell so bad for Minnesota.

It has been awhile since I have wrote, but I wanted to before I forgot all of what I have done lately. Last weekend, had a great Friday night enjoying what PG's nightlife has to offer. Saturday was our day of rest because we had to get up early on Sunday. The reason was because we were heading to Lubaantun to check out some Maya ruins and then to Blue Creek from some swimming. The ruins was an amazing sight! This is always something I wanted to do, and I took full advantage of it. At first, the guide we had spoke for what seemed like forever, and all I could do was sit and keep only a glimpse of what was to come. I felt like a kid being held back from a toy store. When he finished and was going to walk around with us, I broke loose and explored! All of the history, the culture, and simply the sight blew me away. I invisioned myself there (or what it might have been like) as people played games, cooked food, and harvested the land. There was also a story of the Crystal Skull. It was said that a skull made of 100% crystal and of perfect configuration to a human skull was found here. It was really interesting to read about since they only had tools made by hand, and certainly nothing that was capable of making this.

From there, we went to Blue Creek which was even better than the ruins! I had no idea what we were in for. We were also lucky enough to grab Garnet from Tulmulkin Village where she is doing her student teaching. We don't see her often so I am glad we were at full strength for this adventure. We followed this trail along a beautiful creek that was truly blue. When we arrived at our destination, it was a gigantic hole in the earth that I could not wait to climb into. It turns out that you swim through the entire thing! It was awesome!!! Perhaps one of the coolest things I have ever done! I know I will be saying that a lot while I am down here, but this was breath taking. As we swam with headlamps through this twisting cave filled with waterfalls we had to climb, unique rock formations, and a crew of 12, all I could do was smile. When we reached the end, the last waterfall was so intense that only a few of us could get up it. Garnet being one of them, reached the top, and I was helping others get up all of a sudden I saw a headlamp go down the waterfall and swirl around the bottom. It was so loud from the rushing water that I didn't know what happened. It turns out she slipped and fell down the rush to pop out where all the rest our team was. She was okay and we laughed about it later. Back to the top of the waterfall though...Four of us got to see the end and it was worth the climb. Three huge waterfalls came spilling out of the walls of the cave as though someone turned a faucet. We swam in there for a bit before realizing everyone else couldn't see us and were screaming for us to come down. Once we regrouped, we started our swim back. It was just as fun because the current was in our favor, and it made it a little easier to swim. When we reached the opening, Jon and I explored some other cave close by before we all jumped in our van back to PG. It was truly a day I will never forget.

As for teaching, I am loving that just as much. I have taught on my own for a full week now, and it is everything I planned for and everything I didn't. UMD really does prepare us well for this, but some things school cannot teach us...hence why I am here. I am learning aspects such as classroom management that I never could have gotten somewhere else. I have had some good classes and some bad ones. Thursday I had perhaps the hardest class ever. They were so energetic that I had a very difficult time controlling them. As I was reflecting on what had just happened to me, that is when I realized that I am glad I am here. The easy teachings do not do as much justice because they are not pushing me out of that sense of comfotability; however, the classes I am not preapred for yet really cause me to pull out the skills that I have learned, and use them in a way that pertains to a situation...in addition to some skills that I haven't learned that I am figuring out! We had our annual 3k 5k race on Friday which went spectacular. I have had a great time watching this culture perform sports because it is much different than how I perform them. For instance, students where running barefoot which I thought was amazing. My feet could never endure that for miles on end. Ouch! But, they all did well as they ran through the rain.

Speaking of rain!! It has been raining here for a week straight! Paradise uh? Well, it still is nice, but the rain has put a damper on everything. Teachings, after school activities, nightly plans, and our weekend have all been changed due to rain. We were going to go to Placencia this weekend, and I am gald we didn't. The roads become just as dangerous as snow covered ones because they get slippery and the pot holes get worse.

Finally, Friday night we went to a tribute to Andy Palacio. He was a man who came from a village in Belize and brought Garfuna and Belize music to the world. He was well on his way to becoming a very famous muscian world wide when he suddenly past away. Belizians really care for him and appreciate everything he has done for this country, so to honor his death, they paid tribute in PG last night. It was great! We all sat there and watched as they recited poems, danced to Garfuna music, listened to some of his band members as they played on stage, and even danced to traditional beats. I was mesmerized by all that was surrounding me. It seemed all too surreal. I know Lana got some great photos of this, so I will be sure to grab them from here later!

Keep reading for the latest, and thanks to all that have been reading. It is nice to hear your comments and glad to hear people care!


stay dry...or warm...or just happy!

eddie

The Farm!

Hey everyone! I perhaps saw the coolest thing ever the other night! I went out to my families farm, and was it a sight to see. As we pulled up there was two houses on stilts. One was a two bedroom house, and the other just a one room shack. Surrounding the place was coconut, banana, lime, all-spice, and bread fruit trees! There was also these other two trees that had strange fruit on them, but were all good! From there, we took a walk back into the beginning of the jungle where they own hundreds of acres. We also saw the Gibnut a.k.a. the Royal Rat. They call it this because when the Queen came to visit, they feed this (basically) a giant rat. All I know is that it is part of the rodent fam, and the ones we saw definitely had royal status. They were huge! We watched as they walk across the bean fields and into the jungle. We cut some coconuts off of a tree and cut one side of them off. We then drank all of the water that was inside of them. It was amazing!! I couldn't get enough of it. I drank so much of it! (not good for the stomach though...) The we cut them in half and scooped the jelly out of them and ate that too. They should call Belize "Big Sky Country" because you can see so much, and the moon is so close to your face. Soon it will be full here, and from what I hear, it is the best full moon on the planet. Yeah...I couldn't ask for a better night.

School is going well after the first week. On Wednesday, they have basketball games that they make the whole school come and watch. That day, one of the teams didn't show up so they had a staff vs. Toucans game. It was five of us versus there team. Of course...we took it to the house. Actually, we only won by two the first game and one the second game. It was a great time and a great way to meet all the students. I am also coaching a thrower in track and field. Last year he won the national championship, but throws it completely wrong! I introduced him to the spin (which he had no idea about), and since he has wanted me to couch him to throw like this. Already he has improved so I am excited about his results come March. Monday, I start teaching my first classes, and I cannot wait! The first week was just observation, but I was starting to get bored. This should be an adventure...

Tomorrow we are heading to some Mayan ruins and going swimming in this cave. More details next!

Hope all is well for whoever is reading this, and from what I heard, there is a lot of snow in Minnesota. Bummer!!! It rained here the other day...felt pretty good. I have to rub it in a little.

noche, Eddie

First Day of Teaching

Alright, today was my first day at Toledo Community College! It was interesting to say the least. I am with the head of the Physical Education and Sports Department, his name is Peter Castillo. He is an amazing dude. At TCC they have "forms" instead of grades. 1st form = 9th grade, 2nd form = 10th grade, and so on. I will be teaching all of the 2nd and 3rd forms (each class averages 40 students!!) The whole time I will be teaching (8 weeks), we will be in our football (soccer) unit. This is perfect since I love football and it is the most popular sport in the world. Not to mention it is the national sport of Belize and the students love it. I originally thought I would be teaching many subjects in P.E., but this is equally as fine. Plus, I only see a class once a week (although I have 12 different classes), this means I only need to make two lesson plans per week! I think I will will get to introduce softball before I leave, but we will see. The food at the school is amazing of course. I will send pictures of what it looks like soon, along with the other pics. I had stew beans with coleslaw and some fired plantans. So so good! Like I said, there are a lot of students and most of them come from Mayan villages, so they must travel greta distances to and from their homes. This means less homework otherwise they just won't do it. Doesn't really matter for my subject, but you get a better picture. Mr.Castillo (Cas) and I played some basketball after school in the local sports complex. This place is awesome. Nothing facny, but that is what I like! After that, I ran to the pier to get a swim in with the crew. From there we went to the Reef Bar, had a few drinks, and then I went home to eat with my family.

All in all it was a good day, but lots of work ahead. It will probably be awhile before my next post, but stay tuned!

noche, eddie

First Day in Punta Gorda

Hello everyone!! I am sorry this took so long, but all has been chaotic these past few days. It is only Sunday, but I have done so much that I feel like I have been here for a week already! The flight out from Minneapolis was early, but all went well as we (7 of 8, Andrew was missing this whole time) made our way to Belize City. From there, just as we were leaving from Belize City to Punta Gorda (PG as the locals call it) Andrew showed up! We took a small charter plane, which was so fun, to PG. As we arrived, Celia, my host mom and her family was out on the cayes for the weekend. So, her brother Cesar picked us all up and delivered us to our host familes. It was very confusing at first since nobody knew what was happening...even Cesar. Needless to say, everyone made it safely and are doing well. That night everyone went to their homes, and my roommate John and I went with Cesar around town. We went to a bar call the Upstairs Lounge where we shot pool and drank some Belikin (the local beer). It was a good time and a great way to get to know and see the community right away! While Celia was gone, tia (aunt) took care of us until she came back. She speaks like 99% Spanish, so it was interesting communicating with her. I have actually learned a lot of Spanish already...mostly because I have to.

The next day (Saturday) Celia wouldn't arrive until 4:30, so we walked around town, went to the market where they sell amazing fruits and vegtables. I can't believe so many people say "Stay away from that stuff, it could get you sick. The way I see it, if the locals do it...I am going to do it. From there we went swimming (the ocean is two blocks from my house) basically until Celia arrived. That night we went to a local resturant where I had grilled Snapper. It was amazing. My host dad Pual said Belizians eat everything...including the head. So, to stay true to my philsophy of being a local, I ate it all...meat, brains, and even the eyes!!! It was so good, and they said now I pass. Last night, Cesar took us all out to his brithers bar, where we played pool (once again) and sang kareoke all night. Seven of us went out, and we took turns with the locals singing our favorites and theirs. They never heard Sweet Caroline, Piano Man, and some others we were singing, but we rocked it and they loved it. I also met Rip, Cesars rasta friend, great guy.

Today, we went swimming once again (rough I know), and then prepared for a kayak tour up the Joe Taylor Creek. It was by far one of the coolest things I have ever done! It started off a wide river, and as we entered the rainforest, it got so narrow only one kayak could go at a time. We had a tour guide, two double kayaks, and four individual ones. It was deep in there too!! There were so many thick roots, and trees overhead...just like you would imagine a rainforest would be! We saw a monkey, iguana, hawks, lizards, crabs...pretty much the gammit. Tonight, I had fresh baracuda for dinner (fish again...I love it!). This was so good, definetly up there with some of the best fish I have ever had. Bold statement I know (sorry Scott), but the fish here is so different and amazing the way they prepare it. So, I have had rice and beans every day...most of the time twice or three times, fish everyday, these little bread things that are heafty but really good also, and some fruits and veggies. My home (pics to come) has our house and tias house on the lot. It is fenced in with a little yard and a garden where a lot of our food comes from. They also have a farm where they have even more food!!

I guess my family is pretty popular with the government which is evident in town with all the locals. I am not quite sure what this means yet, but I know Paul (host dad) has meet the Queen, is a Master of the Parliment? and the rest of their family is pretty political. The minister of somewhere, I can't remember, came over to out house today which was a big deal for me, but they acted like it was normal. Paul also gave me some "Turbo" to try last night. It is a brandy mix with ginger and other greta roots from the forest. It soaks in this huge jar, and the bottle is stuffed with the things it is soaked in. The name says it all. It is definetly strong and used to give you energy. You also drink it at night to relax. I think he is pouring some right now!!! He is going to teach me how to make it, and I will be sure to make some when I get back.

Tomorrow I start my first day at Toledo Community College (TCC), and I am pretty nervous. We still don't know esactly what we are doing or what grade I will be teaching. More on that later.

So...there it is, everything that has happened to me in the past few days. I will update this regularly, so all of you reading this make sure to check back frequently for the latest skinny.

noche, eddie