From Wayo's Beachside Beernet

TIP #3: SUNSCREEN. And don't even THINK of skimping just so you get more of a tan. You will simply get a splotchy burn, everywhere.  


Getting here was awesome. We left a little after midnight on Thursday night, drove to the airport in Minneapolis, flew to Miami, flew to Belize, took a taxi to the shore, took a boat to Ambergris Caye, and dragged thirteen football/baseball bags FULL of sports equipment and books plus our personal luggage across the beach and finally made it to our hotel. On the flight over the ocean, looking out the window felt like the sky never ended. We probably could have high fived God. On the taxi drive through Belize, the cultural music made me feel like I was in a movie. And I'm pretty sure traffic laws don't exist but for driving on the right side of the road. My camera also died as soon as we got here, so I didn't start taking pictures until this afternoon. :( Sad.

Anyway, I'm in Belize. Weather is currently sweet and breezy. There are cute dogs running around everywhere. Everyone rides bikes. There are coconut trees. Holy crap.

Last night, practically as soon as we got here, Kelly, Kim (director) and I jumped into the ocean. As we were swimming around, minding our own business, Kim suddenly ordered us out of the water. Shark. After talking to a local, Jiggy (beautiful Belizian boy), we discovered it's not actually smart to swim at that time of day. Bullsharks like to chill out there and be fed. Then, our half of the group that is here all hung out together, exploring Belize night life. We're such a random combination of people and it was still really fun. They are all athletic and beautiful and fun loving. I'm interested, however, to see how the dynamic changes when the last seven of us arrive tonight. It was hard enough keeping track of eleven people last night that we will probably split up tonight. I will let you know how it goes. It is (obviously) beautiful here. Though I'm still not quite comfortable being myself, I'm having a lot of fun and starting to get to know people. However, these are not the purpose or meaning of this trip!

This morning, we all went down to Holy Cross Primary School (where we will be working all week) and began laying down the foundation for a playground. This consisted of pushing TONS of trash and and branches into a pseudo-swamp land and then burying it in the $3,000 sand we donated. It was hard work and, frankly, I'm not used to hard work. It was very good for me. :)

While walking to and from the school today, I found it interesting that we would walk past a beautiful building, a lot or beach full of trash, a cement building, more beautiful houses and hotels, then more trash lots in-between. Cleaning that will be my personal physical missionary goal while here.

So far, the rumors of Belize are also true. EVERYONE is always smiling. Everyone. I will find their secret and take it back home to you!