Belize 4: Tourism
Well, today was my last day as a responsible, productive person in Belize. I'm spending the rest of my time here as a tourist. The next two days are paid for by Cornerstone out of my registration fee, and the three days after that I'm doing on my own.
I've spent the last week gluing condoms into informational packets, and stuffing them into boxes. Honestly, it's probably the most useful thing I've done here. But it's terribly boring. N and I were going to take the condoms and boxes out and distribute them around, but it took so long just to put them together and then, today, our ride was busy with other things. So I guess he's going to have to do it on his own next week. Though I may be lured back in and work a little more, myself.
I did my exit orientation with the woman who runs Cornerstone today. Mrs. S said she wished I'd been able to stay for longer, and I agree. I've enjoyed the work I've done here- I feel really useful. I've actually thought about coming back next summer, or over winter break one year. I may do it. I think this was an amazingly valuable experience, and I wish I could have done more.
I also had my last Spanish lesson today. The other two-week volunteers and I had been taking classes with a local woman, Mrs. A. I'd really been the only one who showed up for class most days; the others weren't too interested. But I really enjoyed it. It's been several years since I really practiced Spanish. I was amazed how much I had forgotten. The entire imperfect tense and subjunctive mood, for instance. But I also discovered that I retained enough Spanish that I could make myself understood to a patient and intelligent listener.
Mrs. A didn't speak enough English to have a conversation in it, but she actually turned out to be the single Belizean with whom I had the most significant conversations. We spent today talking about American politics, last time we talked about sex and drugs (!) and we've also had conversations about economics, healthcare and history. She is quite as liberal as I am and she's really smart and thoughtful. Honestly, it's the first time I've been forced to associate with someone primarily in Spanish, and I was amazed to find out that we could communicate.
This weekend, I'm checking out the two Mayan archaeological sites closest to San Ignacio. Next week, I think I'll tour the nature preserve to the south, and maybe do a horseback riding trip. I really want to see Caracol, which is the most remote Mayan site of all. It hasn't even been completely mapped or studied yet- it's like 50 miles from the nearest town. I plan to take a trip down there if I'm not bored with ruins after this weekend- and I don't think I will be!
I reserved a hotel room for next week this afternoon. Finding a place to stay was easy- everyone I asked recommended the same place as the best budget hotel in town, and my guidebook agreed. I paid a few dollars extra for a private bathroom (yay for walking to the toilet naked!) but it still only came to $20 US/night. You would not believe how much I'm looking forward to having some privacy.
But one thing about finding a place to live was tricky, and that was trying to do it tactfully. I could have stayed in Cornerstone accomodations for another few days for $10/night, which would have helped the Foundation's meager funds. But, to be honest, I wouldn't pay to live where I am now. A foam mattress and sheets that have never been washed in hot water, a toilet you have to fiddle with to make it flush, a shower that doesn't drain and a kitchen that's crawling with ants. I'm cool with that as part of the "live like a Belizean" experience, and I have definitely gotten used to it. I wouldn't mind doing it again if I was working with Cornerstone. But if I'm living like a tourist I want to go all the way; given a choice, I'll gladly spend twice as much for cleaner accommodations.
I'm starting to look forward to coming back to the US. There are many people I miss and I am kind of ready to resume my own life. I'll be doing one final whirlwind tour of the Mid-Atlantic in the few days after I get back, then collecting my cat and heading back to Norfolk. I'll try not to subject too many people to "my vacation in pictures and motion" reenactments- that's what the journal's for!
I've spent the last week gluing condoms into informational packets, and stuffing them into boxes. Honestly, it's probably the most useful thing I've done here. But it's terribly boring. N and I were going to take the condoms and boxes out and distribute them around, but it took so long just to put them together and then, today, our ride was busy with other things. So I guess he's going to have to do it on his own next week. Though I may be lured back in and work a little more, myself.
I did my exit orientation with the woman who runs Cornerstone today. Mrs. S said she wished I'd been able to stay for longer, and I agree. I've enjoyed the work I've done here- I feel really useful. I've actually thought about coming back next summer, or over winter break one year. I may do it. I think this was an amazingly valuable experience, and I wish I could have done more.
I also had my last Spanish lesson today. The other two-week volunteers and I had been taking classes with a local woman, Mrs. A. I'd really been the only one who showed up for class most days; the others weren't too interested. But I really enjoyed it. It's been several years since I really practiced Spanish. I was amazed how much I had forgotten. The entire imperfect tense and subjunctive mood, for instance. But I also discovered that I retained enough Spanish that I could make myself understood to a patient and intelligent listener.
Mrs. A didn't speak enough English to have a conversation in it, but she actually turned out to be the single Belizean with whom I had the most significant conversations. We spent today talking about American politics, last time we talked about sex and drugs (!) and we've also had conversations about economics, healthcare and history. She is quite as liberal as I am and she's really smart and thoughtful. Honestly, it's the first time I've been forced to associate with someone primarily in Spanish, and I was amazed to find out that we could communicate.
This weekend, I'm checking out the two Mayan archaeological sites closest to San Ignacio. Next week, I think I'll tour the nature preserve to the south, and maybe do a horseback riding trip. I really want to see Caracol, which is the most remote Mayan site of all. It hasn't even been completely mapped or studied yet- it's like 50 miles from the nearest town. I plan to take a trip down there if I'm not bored with ruins after this weekend- and I don't think I will be!
I reserved a hotel room for next week this afternoon. Finding a place to stay was easy- everyone I asked recommended the same place as the best budget hotel in town, and my guidebook agreed. I paid a few dollars extra for a private bathroom (yay for walking to the toilet naked!) but it still only came to $20 US/night. You would not believe how much I'm looking forward to having some privacy.
But one thing about finding a place to live was tricky, and that was trying to do it tactfully. I could have stayed in Cornerstone accomodations for another few days for $10/night, which would have helped the Foundation's meager funds. But, to be honest, I wouldn't pay to live where I am now. A foam mattress and sheets that have never been washed in hot water, a toilet you have to fiddle with to make it flush, a shower that doesn't drain and a kitchen that's crawling with ants. I'm cool with that as part of the "live like a Belizean" experience, and I have definitely gotten used to it. I wouldn't mind doing it again if I was working with Cornerstone. But if I'm living like a tourist I want to go all the way; given a choice, I'll gladly spend twice as much for cleaner accommodations.
I'm starting to look forward to coming back to the US. There are many people I miss and I am kind of ready to resume my own life. I'll be doing one final whirlwind tour of the Mid-Atlantic in the few days after I get back, then collecting my cat and heading back to Norfolk. I'll try not to subject too many people to "my vacation in pictures and motion" reenactments- that's what the journal's for!