My Central & South American Dream

Last night we went to bed thinking that the storm would be nothing because the wind never picked up. It had been a little gusty throughout the day yesterday, but nothing like the predicted 30 knot winds. However, we woke up in the middle of the night to the wind howling. Barb and I ran around collecting all the clothes and towels hanging up outside and closing all the shutters. By the morning, the wind was still howling and there were white caps even out on the bay here with three foot waves. I could also see the waves breaking along the reef where the waves were six to ten feet. We were supposed to go back to Hopkins around 9am, but there was no way with this weather. So we waited out the storm. For breakfast we had sausage with sautéed peppers, onions, and potatoes in a spicy sauce; and it was delicious! The rest of the day was a lazy day while we waited out the weather. For lunch we ate a delicious conch and rice soup that Dustin made. The winds calmed down little by little thr...

Today was another relaxing day. We went up to the restaurant for our morning coffee as usual. For breakfast, Kim made bacon with French toast that she made from homemade bread that she baked the night before. Most of the morning we all sat out on the dock. Brett and Barb went to read and I decided to go for a swim. There was a predicted front coming in that afternoon between 3 and 6 , so I wanted to take advantage of the sun being out one last time. I also figured I should - and wanted to - conquer my fear of either the cliff or the barracuda before I left. The cliff seemed like an easier fear to conquer and I didn't want to face a barracuda again. Without the snorkel gear and staring right at the edge of a 60 foot drop, it was much easier to swim out over the edge of the island. Dustin wanted me to go poke the barracuda with a stick just to prove that it won't hurt me, but I passed. I'll let the barracuda be. Then, most of the morning entertainment was watching Dustin, ...

Today we woke up in the cabana to overcast skies and a rain shower. We wandered over to the restaurant to get our morning coffee. However, as we sat there, a squall came through. I quickly ran back to the cabana to close all the shutters! I was absolutely soaked by the time I got back to the restaurant. So to pass the time, Dustin, Ama, Brett, Barb and I all played some games. Well, actually, we played every game that they own. We played go fish with four of a kind, go fish with two of a kind, uno, chutes and ladders, close the box, and dominoes. The only one that we did not play was twister which Ama was pretty sad about. But once the rain stopped, Dustin, Barb, and I went out snorkeling again! Brett came too in the kayak as we snorkeled. It was still a little overcast, but it was lightening up and the rain had stopped. Dustin took us to a different reef this time, off of the opposite side of the same island as yesterday. This reef was so different though. The beach was sandy quite a...

Today started out around 730. The sun was out, the wind was blowing, and the seas were a little choppy. Kim made us coffee and a delicious breakfast with pancakes, bacon, and pineapple. A boat with four men came by while we were eating breakfast. Apparently, one was another expat that is friends with Dustinand Kim, and the others were some visitors that he had. After breakfast, we got ready for the day and to go snorkeling. Dustin took Barb and I out to a nearby reef that we kayaked to. He went hunting for dinner while Barb and I went snorkeling. Ama also went with us initally, and she was so cute in her wet suit with her pink star shaped sunglasses and yellow brim hat! At first my mask didn't fit correctly which caused it to leak in one corner and fill half way with water in about a minute. I was freaking out because we're all swimming around, head under water, and over coral - which you can't touch - so I couldn't stop at all to fix my mask! Instead I'm flailing ...

I woke up this morning to another variety of sounds. Birds chirping, people talking, some sort of loud flapping that I think was either sheets or maybe the hammocks being tousled. Either way, I cannot wait to get to the island to have a peaceful nights sleep where I can finally sleep in. After I got up, I had a cold shower, went to the grocery store to get some snacks for on the island, then ate breakfast. For breakfast I had some homemade coconut bread that I had bought from two local boys the night before with yogurt, a banana, and orange juice. The boys had come through the streets and hostel selling it to people for only $1BZD ($0.50USD). It was delicious. Sort of a wheat bread that was mildly sweet. Then, I put on my bathing suit and headed down to the beach. It was already too hot to just sit on the beach, so I waded out to my knees and just walked around watching the fish swim by. There were two other ladies in the water, some people walking along the beach, and a man raking the...

After checking into my hostel yesterday, I went out to explore the town. The beach was beautiful, with clear blue calm water and palm trees lining the shore. As I sat on the beach looking out at the picturesque view, I wondered what makes people happy; truly happy. What makes me truly happy. I'm in this beautiful place and I'm wondering if anything is missing. Is it that special someone? Is it family or friends? Is it the right place? Or the wrong place? Or maybe nothing is missing at all. Traveling by myself makes me think a lot about my life. I have no one to answer to; no one to ask. But I do believe that not all who wander are lost. I feel more confident in myself and where I am in life now than I did two years ago while backpacking through Europe; and that's a good feeling. The town of Hopkins is small,  but has the necessities; a grocery store, an ATM, restaurants, and a beach side bar. I was hoping to find a place with Garifuna Drumming, however the drummer for that ...

Today I took a bus from Belize city to Dangriga where I met up with my aunt and uncle. I left my hostel around 9am, and walked to the bus station which was probably about a 20 minute walk. I walk a little slower with my backpack on, so I left early. I was planning on catching the 10am bus since there is one that leaves every hour on the hour. However, there was one there about to leave, so I hopped on. I met a very nice lady who was sitting across the aisle from me named Sandy. She leaned over the aisle and whispered to me "be very careful, especially traveling alone, don't let people know that you are alone. Try to act like you're meeting with someone and never look lost." I told her that I try, but it's obvious that I'm a tourist - white with a giant backpack. She asked where I'm from and I told her the U.S., which she was too! Although to me, she looked native. Most people in Belize look either African, Spanish, or Caribbean. She seemed like she came to...

After only a day in Belize, it is obvious that is in an early culture. No staying up late, sleeping in type of stuff. Walking around the city yesterday, banks closed at 3, restaurants and shops at 5, and the streets were clear by dusk. Most of us in the hostel went to bed around 9 - which is also very early for a hostel. Then, this morning, everyone was wide awake by 6am thanks to a very loud alarm sounding bird and a pack of dogs running down the street barking at each other. There were also the sounds of trucks going by and people talking on the streets. I had set an alarm for 8am, which I definitely did not need. I went out to breakfast at 8, got a breakfast burrito and coffee ($4BZD) and the city was alive.

After 14 hours of traveling, not much sleep, and a day later - I landed in Belize! Thankfully, my flights weren't full and customs was a breeze. My hostel picked me up from the airport which saved the worry of having to find it or a cab. I ate lunch at a local restaurant where I had a rice and beans salad with stew chicken, which is a common Belize dish. The chicken was delicious, however the rice and beans were a little dry. This was all for just $5BZD($2.5US). Then, I walked up King St. From Albert St. to find the bus terminal. I needed to know the times and where to catch my bus to Dangriga tomorrow. Afterwards, I continued walking around Belize out towards the coast and the Belize sign. I went back to my hostel to relax a bit, where I met Eric, a nice gentleman from Ghana. We chatted a bit, then went out to find some dinner together. By this time, it was 5pm and 90% of the shops and restaurants had closed. We walked down the street and came upon a local Chinese restaurant that ...