Trip to the Cayes and More

Let me being this post by responding to some of the comments I received from the last post. Apparently, I came across a bit negative in my description of things. I'm not going to argue that everything is perfect here--or anywhere for that matter--however, Kathryn and I are very happy being here in Belize and have overcome the vast majority of difficulties we experienced in the first year of our service. So please don't worry.

On to current business. Last weekend, Kathryn and I got away to a small island off the coast of Belize called Tobacco Caye. It's about a quarter-mile squared and literally a stone's throw from the barrier reef. We made sure to go with our friends Clifton and Alyson since they recommended the caye to us and because their service will be ending in the next month. Also, in planning for our trip, we found out that another volunteer, Jenna, was planning a trip at the same time with her visiting mother. So the six of us spent an idyllic weekend together hanging out and enjoying Caribbean sun (and by the way, it looks like it will take the remaining year of my service for me to spell Caribbean with the appropriate number of b's and r's). Speaking of the sun, part of the reason we relished it so greatly was because of its absence during our trip to the caye. Friday morning we caught the water taxi in the rain and enjoyed a good soaking during the 45-minute ride. However, the rain didn't last, and we took the opportunity to snorkel later that afternoon. The aquatic life we saw--from fish to coral to sting- and eagle-rays--was astounding. It's hard for me to fathom that I share the same world with them. Another excellent part of the weekend was the lack of distractions. The caye's size forced us to relax. So apart from snorkeling, looking for conch shells, reading, and talking, there really wasn't much to do other than lay in the hammock and listen to the waves hitting the reef. Blissful.

Returning to the workweek, things are simply plodding along--for me, at least. I hope to finalize the lesson-plans for my first camp this week, and Elsie and I visited some of the schools to do some advertising. All in all, nothing terribly taxing. Kathryn, on the other hand, worked as the lone librarian on Monday before tutoring two students, planning and directing her reading programs, meeting with the scout parents, planning this weekend's scout overnight camp-out, meeting and planning for this Sunday's party for the girls at the children's home, and, spectacularly, going with our neighbor to the hospital when she went into labor yesterday. Apparently there was no one else that could stay with her, and Kathryn simply jumped in the back of the pick-up truck and went. She said the entire process, from leaving to baby-being-born, took about 30-45 minutes. Talk about in-and-out. I spend more time than that waiting at the bank! I'll spare the details, though, and let Kathryn recount this tale in her own words.

Finally, an update on Erebos. The little monster terrorizes us on a daily basis and generally adds excitement to our down-time at home. In the past few months he has spent about as much time outside as he has in. Recently we've been leaving him out at night in order to avoid him waking up bored at 2am and pestering us until we let him out. It's working well, except the rainy season finds me getting up every time there's a shower to give him shelter. Anyway, last night I put him in the space above our ceiling where we've been hearing rats rooting around. They don't come inside anymore, but they're still a nuisance. Well, not only did the gato negro kill one of the rats, but he also learned how to climb up and down the ladder leading to the crawlspace. Finally, owning him is paying off!

I think that'll about do it for this edition. Thanks for the comments; keep them coming!

Peace,

Cisco

And We're Back

So I'm not going to make a big fuss about the lack of posts here. Instead, let me just say I'm going to try to be diligent about writing more frequently but less quantity. Anyway, you're not too concerned with that, I'm sure.

So May was a trial--less "trial and error" trial, more "trial and tribulation" trial. I ran into a variety of disappointments and felt a bit cynical as a result. However, following Elsie's return from vacation, the start of the rainy season, and the swearing-in of Peace Corps Belize class of 2013, my spirits are rising. Likewise, Kathryn and I both are gearing up for summer camps, and the thought of working with youth really excites me.

On the personal front, we spent Monday having our mid-service physicals. The good news is that we're healthy. The bad news is that we have some work to do on the dental front. Coming into Peace Corps, I had never had a cavity. Monday, the dentist found two. I guess my record still stands, though; technically, I have never had a (singular) cavity. Kathryn had a similar dental record--her first two cavities were discovered during out pre-service dental check-ups. Unfortunately, this time the dentist found six more, on top of the fact that she lost one of her previous fillings. I don't know if it's the water, the Coke with real sugar, the pastry shop across from my work, or the copious amounts of chocolate people send in our packages (I'm looking at you, Dad), but we need a bit of a change. So, two dentists appointments, five fillings, and four hours later, we were both cranky and vaguely numb from the whole experience. I hate going to the dentist.

On a separate note, in less than 15 minutes, I will be traveling to the primary school where I have my girls soccer team to gather them for our end-of-year party. We'll come back to the centre to watch a movie, eat popcorn, and generally celebrate the time we've spent together. They have been one of my greatest joys and my biggest disappointments thus far. Playing with them is fun, and talking and joking with them has been cathartic on many levels. However, due to poor planning on the part of tournament sponsors, their tournament, which was meant to be in May, was finally scheduled for this past Tuesday. Unfortunately, because of exams and graduation practice, none of the girls were able to attend. I'll end my time as their coach without ever seeing them play a game. C'est la vie. I don't regret a moment I've spent with them, and I hope this party will cap a wonderful time for us all.

I think that's all I have time for, for now anyway. I do need to pick the girls up soon. If you're still checking the blog, thanks. Your patience and steadfastness is much appreciated. Look forward to hearing from us again soon.

Peace,

Cisco