All Dressed Up With No Where To Go

Having no money sucks. But it really puts things into perspective. Children here grow up having to ask for things and try to sell things in order to survive. I HATE having to ask people to pay for me, even though I know they'll get payed back. However, I can not make myself ask people for money to buy gifts for people. Kim has now also lost a debit card. Looks like I'll be passing out all the pretty shells I've  collected! I hope they are reminders of what my group has accomplished on this trip, the lessons I've learned, and of course, that I was thinking of my friends and family while learning them. Because I just spent the last dollar I could scrounge together on a coke (AKA my lunch). Most the soda here is glass-bottled. My mom would be so jealous!

We finally finished the swings yesterday – the playground looks BEAUTIFUL compared to what it was. The last day of work was optional, but it was satisfying to watch our whole group of eighteen filter in to finish it. It was awesome in an amazing and slightly depressing way to see it done. However, despite we just have the rest of today and tomorrow morning left, I’m sure our work here can’t be done. I have a feeling that Kim will be back soon. (However, not in August as we were originally hoping - hurricane season).  The rest of the day was kind of boring. It is frustrating when no one wants to do what you want to do. Yesterday was one of our guys’ birthday and it was supposed to be an eventful day. However, most of the guys partied pretty hard the night before so when I was ready to go eat and go dancing, everyone else was tired and just chilling. It was also the only night I got all dressed up – I borrowed a dress and even put hairspray in my hair! However, by the time we did get to the celebration, I was just sick of being around people. You know that feeling? All those hours of waiting around had just made me tired.  So I went to sleep around nine-thirty and had beautiful dreams about the top of Cinderella's castle in Disneyworld. Aside from finishing the playground, I felt like it was a pretty uneventful day. TIP #12: When you really have no ability to do what you want to do (ex. In Belize, I'm not allowed to walk around alone), one option is to grab a book, go outside, and let the party come to you. Someone’s bound to notice you eventually, or you’re at least bound to see someone or something interesting to occupy your time. That is what I wish I had done. 

Today, as our last day, has been the day of ultimate chill. It has been an absolutely wonderful way to end the week. I do feel bad though because in San Mateo, the impoverished part of Belize, work on building new non-trash roads is done on Sundays. However, we really have done a TON and it is the last day of spring break. Plus, I'm not exactly the greatest boulder-lifting candidate. It's so strange thinking that this particular journey of mine is coming to a close soon. Some of us are leaving our tennis shoes behind for the soccer team. I am included here. One more night left! I hope it is the best one yet.

I feel like my little pieces of advice thus far, though good ones, are still difficult and I am still working on following them the best I can. Thank you SO MUCH to those who have been following my journey. I have many more adventures to come though! There's the rest of the semester to complete, summer vacation, and hopefully a month long stay in Bali. Let's keep each other updated and adventure on together. 

Love and Peace from Ambergris Caye, San Pedro, Belize,

Debbi

PS: If I get a chance during a flight layover tomorrow, and if anything has really inspired me to do so, I may give another update about tonight's adventures.