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A Truck for Ramon Being "older folks," we didn't party too hard on New Year's Eve, so we were fresh the next morning and again I split our crew again into two work groups. That day my group headed off to San Antonio, a beautiful village nestled in a lush and gentle valley located about 20 miles from San Ignacio. I had worked in San Antonio the previous year and was looking forward to seeing the village again, as well as the many friends I had made there.
I love San Antonio and it was wonderful to be back. Within a few minutes I met up with my buddy Ramon, a pastor in San Antonio who I'd worked with the previous year. Some Belizeans like Ramon have a distorted view of Americans and think we're incredibly wealthy with money to burn. That afternoon, Ramon told me that he enjoyed carpentry and wondered if I could send him a router after I got back to America. "Umm… I'll see if I can do that," to which Ramon replied, "That would be wonderful. And could you also send me several power drills?" I told him that I'd have to see.
And then I joked with him, "Hey Ramon, how about if I send you a truck? Would you like that?" Not realizing that I was joking, he got excited and his eyes lit up, "Oh yes, a truck would be wonderful. Please send me a Toyota truck!" He thought I was serious but I hope he understood I was only joking. If not, I think he understands it by now. I'm not making fun of him but mention this story because it illustrates the misperceptions that many people in developing countries have about Americans. Ramon is a wonderful person and very generous, and I always enjoy seeing him.
I spent much of that day working with Kelsey, the college student from upstate New York. Though still in college, Kelsey is mature beyond her years. She had taken the previous year off to hike the entire length of the Appalachian Trail, a 2,000-mile journey from Georgia to Maine.
Kelsey and I repainted the large map on the wall of the Pentecostal school in San Antonio, which I enjoyed since I make maps for a living. We chatted for a while and then Kelsey said, "Del, you remind me so much of my older brother." I joked with her, "Oh, he must be a real jerk, huh?" and she replied, "No, he's wonderful. And he's my best friend." Awww... shucks. Kelsey was a gem and warmed the hearts of everyone in our group.
I really enjoyed working at San Antonio again and seeing my old friends there. That includes Bryant, the elementary school principal, who taught me a few words of Mayan. He was having some problems with his computer, the school's only computer, so I took a look at it but, alas, the solution was far beyond my expertise. It amazed me to think that this school, with over 200 students, has but one computer – and an antiquated one at that. This is, unfortunately, what you call a "digital divide" and it got me to thinking about, maybe, someday, doing something to help bridge that divide. We'll see.
Our group returned to Log Cab-Inn late that afternoon and, after a quick clean-up, everyone got together on the patio and swapped stories about their experiences that day over cold Belikin beers. Then we enjoyed another delicious dinner, courtesy of Ina, the fabulous cook at Log Cab-Inn. Afterwards, folks drifted back to their cabins, but Alyssa stayed with me out on the patio and we talked until about 11 p.m.
Alyssa and her mother, Marlynn, had joined the PCC group because they both liked to travel and they were having a good time in Belize. Alyssa is a senior in high school in Portland and plays the trumpet in her band, and she's a very sweet girl. And surprisingly enough and despite our age difference, we had a lot to talk about, mostly involving travel. I told her a few times, "You don't have to sit here with me talking. You can go to bed if you want." But she just wanted to talk, which I thought was nice.
After Alyssa went to bed, I stayed on the patio alone and in the darkness for another hour, looking up at the stars and savoring the sounds of the jungle nearby.
Above left: The ever-cheerful Kelsey, the master cartographer (no wait, that's my job). This was the most enjoyable day I've had in months and it was great to be back in San Antonio. Above right: That's my buddy, Ramon the pastor. It was good to see him again. He likes Toyota trucks, by the way.
Above left: The teachers served us a delicious lunch. It was simple but very memorable and I was humbled by their hospitality. And boy, that cheese dip was awesome! Above right: This is the seventh grade classroom in San Antonio School. In 2008 we built the white drywall extension on top of the partition, to reduce the noise between the classrooms.
 Above left: Chalkboard in the seventh grade classroom. Above right: Ramon, the pastor, and Bryant, the principal of the San Antonio elementary school. So long, guys. See you again!
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