|
Who Am I? | Site Map | Music | FAQ | Contact Me |
The Chain Gang, Part Dos The library was next to the Succotz elementary school, and as we worked on the library foundation Monday afternoon, the cute students in their sparkling clean blue uniforms would occasionally peer out the windows, bewildered by the crazy Americans slaving away in the hot sun. The schools in Belize are a lot different than in America and are, by American standards, quite primitive. A school is typically a long, concrete building with simple wooden partitions to separate the different grade classrooms. The lighting is often dim, windows are usually without glass or screens, and of course, there’s no air-conditioning. Despite these conditions, every teacher and student I met had a good attitude, was appreciative of what they had, and greatly valued the importance of education. The main reason I came to Belize was because of my father’s work with the schools in Latin America years ago and I was starting to understand why he was always so committed to this area.
We quit our work on the foundation around 4 p.m. and, after getting a cold soda at a small store ("Coca Cola muy frio, por favor"), we piled into the van and rode back to Chiclero. After a quick shower, I walked up to the veranda and shared stories with the other group, who had worked all day at the school San Antonio.
A young Mayan boy came by as we were talking, selling tamales out of a bucket for 50 cents each and I bought one and enjoyed it immensely, along with my cold Belikin. He didn't have any more chicken tamales so I got a beef tamale. But when I bit into it, it tasted a lot like chicken so I made the old joke, "Hmm... these beef tamales taste like chicken." As I discovered, it WAS chicken and Bruce and Claire got a big laugh. Relaxing on the veranda every afternoon would become a daily tradition and it was a great way to wind down after a hard day, sharing funny stories with good company and getting to know folks. Of course it helped that we had a terrific group and that everyone got along.
Later that afternoon I walked alone into San Ignacio, a bustling city of about 20,000, and took lots of photos before dinner, something I would do every afternoon that week. Being one of the few Caucasians in town, I got a lot of curious stares but also some handshakes and many smiles. I was amazed at the poverty in San Ignacio, conditions that I'd never seen before, but it's a vibrant city, the people were friendly and I felt very much at home.
The next day, Tuesday, was more of the same at Succotz but with a different group. My body was getting used to the hard labor and I wasn't nearly as exhausted at the end of the day. Instead of eating at Chiclero that evening, we all walked across the road to a resort to have dinner, and everyone had a great time talking and laughing on the outdoor patio. After walking back to Chiclero that evening, the regulars went for ice cream while I sat on the veranda overlooking the twinkling city lights, enjoying a few hours of quiet solitude and thinking about this amazing country.
Above left: The kindergarten teacher invited us into the class to hear the students count from one to ten in English. Muy bien! Above right: Cute kids, huh?
Above left: For the camera I shoveled a FULL scoop. Above right: Michael showing us how to use a water level as we continue to fill the foundation.
Above left: Cecelia and Jonny checking on our fallen comrade, Mary, who suffered a detached retina Monday morning. Sadly, Mary had to fly back to the U.S. on Tuesday but she's doing much better now. Above center: By Tuesday afternoon, we had "filled-and-tamped" our way almost to the top. Above right: Urban guiding in another load of dirt on Tuesday afternoon, but we were too tired to celebrate.
Above left: Every day after work I walked through San Ignacio (also known as "Cayo"). Above right: Colorful buildings in San Ignacio.
Above left: I bumped into my fellow co-workers, Laurie and Coleen. Above center: Sad to say that Belize has one of the highest rates of AIDS in Latin America. This is a sign in San Ignacio. Above right: The poverty in some parts of San Ignacio was stunning.
Above left: Local guys played basketball on the town's public courts every evening. Above center: Cecelia giving an impromptu speech at our dinner on Tuesday evening, praising our work so far. Above right: Here's Forrest, Michele, Coleen and (with head buried) Cecelia enjoying a group back rub at dinner, with Sheryl on the right. As you can probably tell, after just a few days in Belize we had all become good friends.
|
