Things you should know continued...

One more thing about the buses, all buses are actually school buses, not the ones you are used to seeing in the States.

*Between 42 and 46 percent of the population is below the poverty line. Which means they are making less then $2 a day. In some ways this is a problem but don't be deceived. Many of these people do not feel poor, they don't require much money to have a home, food, and contentment. Many of the population that is below the poverty line are Mayan. But the Mayans grow their own food, and everyone builds their own homes, and they are happy with their life they don't feel they need more.

* Everyone speaks some English but other common languages are Spanish, Kriol, Mopan, Ketchi, and Garifuna. Cisco and I learning Spanish (intensely and quickly) and a little Kriol.

* There are a lot of Chinese people and they run all the stores in Belize so the stores are called Chiney's. If you are going to the store you say "I am going to the Chiney or El Chino en Espanol"

* There is a lot of racial diversity and very little racial tension. If a person is black they call them black, if they are hispanic they are often Mestizo. Political Correctness is not something we have to worry about. It is a nice change, people know there are difference and they simply accept them.

* When people die they are buried underground but there is also what looks like a cement casket above the ground, they use it like a decorative temple.

* There are six districts and that is how the country is divided, Cayo, Orange Walk, Corozal, Stann Creek, Toledo, Belize

* In the disticts are villages (the smallest), towns, and cities (the biggest) The cities are still not very big.

* Most popular religion Catholic, next Nazarene, some others: Adventist, Jehovah's Witness, Mormon, Mennonite, Pentacostal, Evangelical, and Anglican. They all exist harmoniously.

* One thing we learned from an excellent and cheap restaurant in a shack called Callahan's. Callahan himself said he didn't appreciate when people thanked him after they ate. He doesn't understand why people pay him then thank him. This is more an individual mentality, we think, then a national one.

* Everyone sells something out of their house, be it snacks, laundry detergent, eggs, anything.

* The only way towns make money is through liquor liscences and fundraising. I am sure you can see why this could be problematic.

* Everyone owns chickens and a dog. Dogs are treated very poorly. If a dog is coming at you and you are afraid bend down and pretend to pick up a rock, 99% of the time they will be gone before you know it.

* There are no trash cans and trash is everywhere, when you finish a coke they throw the container on the ground. We don't of course.

* In some towns the rocks and bottoms of trees, especially by the rivers, are painted white for decoration.

* The outside of houses are lime green, purple, pink, orange, it is very fun and exciting.

That is it for now but of course there are so many other amazing things about this country. We are missing you all but having a wonderful time. We we send our sweaty love:)

Peace,
Kathryn