Happiness IS . . . walking into Kristen's casa (which is a restaurant on the bottom floor, with a spiral cement staircase up to the sleeping quarters), chatting (in spanish) with her mom and sisters, and feeling quite at home coming in and out any time of the day.
Happiness IS . . . hearing Kristen's voice each morning say "Hanita!" as she walks right into my house and climbs the cement staircase to the roof, where the kitchen is, and joins my sisters and I around the firepit stove while my host mom (Olga) prepares my daily breakfast of a banana pancake and locally grown Guatemalan coffee!! Yesterday during lunch, my little sister Sindy was dancing around the kitchen with a green halloween mask on. In her surprise, Kristen tried to say "Miedo!" (which means Scary!), but instead, she said "Mierda!" (which means shit). That sent the whole family off in laughter for a long while! We are good entertainment for them. Kristen's family in particular delights in giving her a hard time and we feel all the more at home.
Happiness is NOT . . . Chicharron (pork rind). When it comes to food, I'm up for just about anything. HOWEVER, last night was the most difficult meal I have ever eaten. I was served a plate of beans, eggs and a big slab of "puerco" (pork). As I cut into the pork, I realized that it wasn't meat, it was skin. In the US, pork fat is sometimes used to flavor baked beans, but I had never experienced eating it as the main dish. No one in my family was eating with me last night, so I tried to politely ask them in spanish if I was supposed to eat the "puerco" or if it was only to flavor the beans. With my limited vocabulary, I got the hint that I was supposed to eat it, so . . . I started to choke it down, even though the texture was completely unappetizing to me. About halfway through, the neighbor's (live) pig started SQUEALING like crazy. That's when I had to call it quits. No mas Chicharron para mi!
I can´t begin to tell you what a small world I live in. Just moments ago, here at the internet cafe, I ran into a man by the name of Anthony Lobaido. (Megs and T-ra, can you believe it????) The first time I met him was in San Pedro, Belize in fall 2004. MEgan, Tara and I were sitting out on the balcony of Ruby´s hotel, when Anthony nearly fell down the stairs in awe of Megan´s striking beauty. He was in Belize doing a story on military training in the jungle (of which he actually participated in the training). Adventure is his life, and he is currently in San Pedro, Guatemala shooting a mini-adventure series for the Discovery channel. You can imagine the surprise just now when I recognized him, asked him his name, and then before he could answer, it came to me and I said "ANTHONY LOBAIDO!" He was stupefied. Kristen and I are meeting up with him tomorrow.
As Kristen and I are entering more fully into our spanish immersion, it is quite SHOCKING to sit back for a moment and realize that we are carrying on conversations in spanish and surviving each day IN SPANISH! It´s AMAZING!! On the other hand, as our spanish is improving, our english is muy malo (very poor). We are forgetting how to say things in english. For example, yesterday we could not remember the english word for "piña" (pineapple). Our friends here tell us this is a good sign! :)
We send you our love! We have two more days of language school (and homework)and then are headed to Xela, Guatemala to visit the friend of a friend. And so it goes.
La paz (peace),
Hana T.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Monday, January 8, 2007
San Pedro, Guatemala Versus San Pedro, Belize
There is no comparison, only that they are both surrounded by water. San Pedro, Guatemala reminds me a bit of Coeur d´Alene due to the fact of the fresh water lake...it smells like CdÁ.
We made it to San Pedro, Guatemala...chicken bus from Anitqua to Chimal (1 hour), Taxi to Panajachel (2.5 hours), Water taxi to San Pedro (20 minutes), and then after walking around lost for 30 plus mintues, we got another taxi to Casa Rosario, which still left us lost...but eventually we found our spanish school. Last night we weren´t able to move into our host families house, but we stayed at the dorms that the school owns. We found the Buddha bar, which is fairly close to the school, and hung out there for hours last night, eating, drinking and watching ¨Big Fish¨ projected onto the wall. It is COLD HERE! I was freezing in my long pants and warmest long sleeve on. It must be the altitude that is making this place so cold...but the plus side to that is there are no bugs! During the day, the temperature is around 75-80 in the sun, but in the shade it is cold! Maybe I have just climatized to Belize weather and the humidity, who knows! Today´s goal is to find some warmer clothes, maybe a blanket.
We woke up this morning around 7 am to make it to our host families houses for breakfast at 7:30. Both Hana and I ate a pancake, which tasted so good! I live with Maria, who owns a restaurante just down the street from Hana, who lives with Manuel and Olga. At breakfast, I struggled to make conversation, but pretty much was silent. Our 4-hour spanish class was good. I am put with Christina (due to the fact that we both have the same name, as everyone here calls me Christina). She is 20 years old and has two jobs. She has never travelled outside of Guatemala and has lots of sisters. She likes to swim, cook, and is afraid of snakes. Pretty much we got the basics down in the 4 hours, all the small talk you can think of. Tomorrow I am told that we are going to work on verbs. Much needed, since I only have two in my vocabulary. My head is going ¨loca¨ with trying to come up with the spanish translation to my english mind. We will see if this week will help!
I ate lunch back at my host families restaurante, and ate chicken, mashed potatoes, y ensalada. I sat with Rosa, who is 19 and works in the laundrymat. Pretty much that is all I know of her, other than she used to work in Max Pizza shop. It is hard to be immersed in Spanish, solemente speaking spanish.
Off to go shopping and tour the town with Hana until 6, when dinner will be served. Talk to you in a few days!
Dad- The Chicken Buses are converted school buses that the locals use to get from one place to another...We took pictures and will post them another time.
Christina
We made it to San Pedro, Guatemala...chicken bus from Anitqua to Chimal (1 hour), Taxi to Panajachel (2.5 hours), Water taxi to San Pedro (20 minutes), and then after walking around lost for 30 plus mintues, we got another taxi to Casa Rosario, which still left us lost...but eventually we found our spanish school. Last night we weren´t able to move into our host families house, but we stayed at the dorms that the school owns. We found the Buddha bar, which is fairly close to the school, and hung out there for hours last night, eating, drinking and watching ¨Big Fish¨ projected onto the wall. It is COLD HERE! I was freezing in my long pants and warmest long sleeve on. It must be the altitude that is making this place so cold...but the plus side to that is there are no bugs! During the day, the temperature is around 75-80 in the sun, but in the shade it is cold! Maybe I have just climatized to Belize weather and the humidity, who knows! Today´s goal is to find some warmer clothes, maybe a blanket.
We woke up this morning around 7 am to make it to our host families houses for breakfast at 7:30. Both Hana and I ate a pancake, which tasted so good! I live with Maria, who owns a restaurante just down the street from Hana, who lives with Manuel and Olga. At breakfast, I struggled to make conversation, but pretty much was silent. Our 4-hour spanish class was good. I am put with Christina (due to the fact that we both have the same name, as everyone here calls me Christina). She is 20 years old and has two jobs. She has never travelled outside of Guatemala and has lots of sisters. She likes to swim, cook, and is afraid of snakes. Pretty much we got the basics down in the 4 hours, all the small talk you can think of. Tomorrow I am told that we are going to work on verbs. Much needed, since I only have two in my vocabulary. My head is going ¨loca¨ with trying to come up with the spanish translation to my english mind. We will see if this week will help!
I ate lunch back at my host families restaurante, and ate chicken, mashed potatoes, y ensalada. I sat with Rosa, who is 19 and works in the laundrymat. Pretty much that is all I know of her, other than she used to work in Max Pizza shop. It is hard to be immersed in Spanish, solemente speaking spanish.
Off to go shopping and tour the town with Hana until 6, when dinner will be served. Talk to you in a few days!
Dad- The Chicken Buses are converted school buses that the locals use to get from one place to another...We took pictures and will post them another time.
Christina
Sunday, January 7, 2007
Photo Recap
San Pedro, Belize.
Sailing adventures with Danny and Capt. David on the 44 ft catamaran. Snorkeling at ShaRK/RAY alley.
*Kristen and the Ray*
*I believe I can fly*
Headed to San Ignacio in Western Belize with our London buddy Chris. We got dropped off along the highway and started our trek into Clarissa Falls, the cattle ranch out in the Belize countryside.
*Walking into Clarissa Falls*
Cave ADventure near San Ignacio: ACTUN TUNICHIL MUKNAL
*Cave Entrance*
*Kristen manuevering through cave*
*In the Cave with my Homies*
We had some time just sitting deep within the cave before viewing the bone remains. With everyone gathered around in a circle, I started beatboxing the tune 'At The Club with my Homies' but I changed the words to 'in the cave with my homies!' One of our tour buddies was excited and said 'Now this is what I call true UNDERGROUND hiphop!" ha!
*Mayan pottery, left as it was found*
*Stalactites and stalagmite formations near the grand chamber*
*Chris, Hana, Kristen prior to swimming out of the cave*
*Cave Exit*
And now we are in Antigua, Guatemala, hanging out with our new friend MaTT. He took us on a dessert adventure last night and while hunting for cheesecake, we came across the central park decked out in white Christmas lights. AFter dessert we had a mini fireworks show!! As soon as I finish this entry, the three of us are heading to San Pedro, Guatemala for this upcoming week of language school!
*Matt, Kristen Hana in Central Park, Antiqua*
Sailing adventures with Danny and Capt. David on the 44 ft catamaran. Snorkeling at ShaRK/RAY alley.
*Kristen and the Ray*
*I believe I can fly*Headed to San Ignacio in Western Belize with our London buddy Chris. We got dropped off along the highway and started our trek into Clarissa Falls, the cattle ranch out in the Belize countryside.
*Walking into Clarissa Falls*Cave ADventure near San Ignacio: ACTUN TUNICHIL MUKNAL
*Cave Entrance*
*Kristen manuevering through cave*
*In the Cave with my Homies*We had some time just sitting deep within the cave before viewing the bone remains. With everyone gathered around in a circle, I started beatboxing the tune 'At The Club with my Homies' but I changed the words to 'in the cave with my homies!' One of our tour buddies was excited and said 'Now this is what I call true UNDERGROUND hiphop!" ha!
*Mayan pottery, left as it was found*
*Stalactites and stalagmite formations near the grand chamber*
*Chris, Hana, Kristen prior to swimming out of the cave*
*Cave Exit*And now we are in Antigua, Guatemala, hanging out with our new friend MaTT. He took us on a dessert adventure last night and while hunting for cheesecake, we came across the central park decked out in white Christmas lights. AFter dessert we had a mini fireworks show!! As soon as I finish this entry, the three of us are heading to San Pedro, Guatemala for this upcoming week of language school!
*Matt, Kristen Hana in Central Park, Antiqua*
Saturday, January 6, 2007
Kristen's Entry, "When all Else Fails, Just Laugh"
I am amazed by our journey so far. I was spoiled by the cruise I went on before this trip, and the two wonderful weeks in San Pedro, Belize. We were taken into the community of San Pedro, and it was so comfortable. It was relaxing and down right just fun! We got to know people more than just their skin surface, and made some new quality friends. I couldn't have asked for a better time, and great way to kick off the journey.
After leaving the island, we were into the hustle and bustle of the world. We had to get from here to there in one day, and on our own. It is amazing how small you can feel. Thankfully we met another co-heart in crime to help us get to San Ignacio, and spend a couple days with us so we found another small community to help us transition. I have to admit, I was feeling a little down and out, and not really social. I was bummed about leaving San Pedro, but with seeing new sights and some crazy adventures...I got into this part of the trip...real traveling and exploring. The Mayan Ruins, Cave Spelunking, and crazy bus rides are a trip. Sometimes I could only sit and laugh at where we are and how we got there. Times would be so hectic, that is all we could do. For an example, when we were trying to exchange money and buy the bus ticket to Guatemala City, Hana and I were at such a lost for spanish words and translations that we just lost it in front of the poor sap. We made it though...
People just tend to come into our travels at just the right time. I keep thinking to myself...it is amazing how things just work out. Meeting Chris traveling to San Ignacio, helping us decide on what to do the next day. Elsa, for explaining that the taxi from San Ignacio to Tikal is the best option, (which saved us some huge hassle at the Guatemalan boarder). Adrian and his buddy on our all night bus ride from Flores to Guatemala City, who saved our butts at 6:00 in the dark scary morning...helping us catch a taxi to the next chicken bus to Antiqua and pointing us in the right direction in town...and our new friend Matt, who helps us navigate Antiqua and finding our Hostel. People just happen to come at the right time to guide us where we need to go.
So here we are in Antiqua, Guatemala. It is a beautiful city that reminds me a lot of European towns. There is the cobble roads and the cute little cafes all over the place. Not to mention, the three huge volcanos that surround the town...one being active! I am a little sad that we don't get to explore this area some more...but we are in DIRE need to go to this language school in San Pedro, Guatemala. School starts on Monday, and we are taking tomorrow to travel from Antiqua to San Pedro, which includes more chicken buses and a water taxi. We have a full week in San Pedro, living with our own separate host families and our own private spanish teacher...one on one help. I am excited and nervous for our next adventure. I can't wait to spend a full week in another place, to get to know the community, but very nervous to be apart from Hana and learning Spanish. As one friend told me...when you feel yourself becoming too comfortable...change something. So, I am changing and going out and immersing myself into the culture. Stepping outside of the box.
Hopefully the next time I write...it will be full of spanish words!
Also, a welcome to all my new friends who are added to this e-mail and blog!
Hasta Luego,
Kristina
After leaving the island, we were into the hustle and bustle of the world. We had to get from here to there in one day, and on our own. It is amazing how small you can feel. Thankfully we met another co-heart in crime to help us get to San Ignacio, and spend a couple days with us so we found another small community to help us transition. I have to admit, I was feeling a little down and out, and not really social. I was bummed about leaving San Pedro, but with seeing new sights and some crazy adventures...I got into this part of the trip...real traveling and exploring. The Mayan Ruins, Cave Spelunking, and crazy bus rides are a trip. Sometimes I could only sit and laugh at where we are and how we got there. Times would be so hectic, that is all we could do. For an example, when we were trying to exchange money and buy the bus ticket to Guatemala City, Hana and I were at such a lost for spanish words and translations that we just lost it in front of the poor sap. We made it though...
People just tend to come into our travels at just the right time. I keep thinking to myself...it is amazing how things just work out. Meeting Chris traveling to San Ignacio, helping us decide on what to do the next day. Elsa, for explaining that the taxi from San Ignacio to Tikal is the best option, (which saved us some huge hassle at the Guatemalan boarder). Adrian and his buddy on our all night bus ride from Flores to Guatemala City, who saved our butts at 6:00 in the dark scary morning...helping us catch a taxi to the next chicken bus to Antiqua and pointing us in the right direction in town...and our new friend Matt, who helps us navigate Antiqua and finding our Hostel. People just happen to come at the right time to guide us where we need to go.
So here we are in Antiqua, Guatemala. It is a beautiful city that reminds me a lot of European towns. There is the cobble roads and the cute little cafes all over the place. Not to mention, the three huge volcanos that surround the town...one being active! I am a little sad that we don't get to explore this area some more...but we are in DIRE need to go to this language school in San Pedro, Guatemala. School starts on Monday, and we are taking tomorrow to travel from Antiqua to San Pedro, which includes more chicken buses and a water taxi. We have a full week in San Pedro, living with our own separate host families and our own private spanish teacher...one on one help. I am excited and nervous for our next adventure. I can't wait to spend a full week in another place, to get to know the community, but very nervous to be apart from Hana and learning Spanish. As one friend told me...when you feel yourself becoming too comfortable...change something. So, I am changing and going out and immersing myself into the culture. Stepping outside of the box.
Hopefully the next time I write...it will be full of spanish words!
Also, a welcome to all my new friends who are added to this e-mail and blog!
Hasta Luego,
Kristina
Hana{s Entry, "When all else fails, just take a chicken bus!¨
If there was one piece of consistent advice that friends gave me for this trip, it was to AVOID SECOND-CLASS NIGHT BUSES!!!
Well, after a LONG night and day of (unintentionally) traveling the Guatemalan highway (CA13) on second-class NIGHT buses and chicken buses, Kristen and I have arrived safely in Antigua, Guatemala - a very beautiful town surrounded by volcanoes. By the grace of God, our connections and transitions thoughout the entire trip thus far have been timely and smooth. And people keep showing up in our lives at exactly the right moments. On our night bus, two young German guys somehow knew we were headed to Antigua, so they took us under their wing when we arrived in Guatemala City at 5 o'clock this crazy mawnin and quickly got us the heck out of the city to Antigua. We are now settled into the Black Cat hostel with a new friend, Matt (from Seattle) - my first experience of communal hostel living!!
To back track a bit . . .
So we left San Pedro with broken hearts . . . much like leaving family back home. There was hardly a spare moment as we caught the water taxi and bus to San Ignacio. We were dropped off along the highway in Belize alongside a sign that said "Clarissa Falls" and pointed several miles down an old country dirt road. The three of us walked along in the glowing evening light and found ourselves in the midst of a herd of free roaming humpback cattle. Upon arrival at the ranch, nestled in alongside one of Belize's rivers, we met the owner Chena. She is a dear friend of Gary Chamberlain and the Seattle University students. It turns out that right now is the busiest season for Clarissa Falls, but when Chena heard that I was associated with Gary and SU, she said she just couldn{t turn us away!! (Gary - Chena sends her love and wants you to know that they will miss you dearly, but are excited for you in wherever it is that your journey leads.) ANd thank you to all my SU buddies who encouraged me to stay at Clarissa Falls - it was a new adventure for me in Belize.
Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) - a compelling cave tour - hands-on and AWE-inspiring every step of the way... to SWIM parts of the way, clambor through narrow passageways, climb rock elevators, ascend ladders up to burial sites deep within the cave, turning out our lights and sitting in the utter darkness for a few moments of silence... I am intrigued by the Mayan culture. Mindful of their history and curious about the mysterious collapse of their dynasty. Mindful that this cave was sacred space for them - it appears that sacrifical offerings were made, with bones remaining from both infant and adult sacrifices. Traces of fire pits in the great chamber. Was there dancing? What rituals occurred here and why? Do spirits still dwell in here? Approximately thirty tourists are allowed in the cave per day. Yet the Mayans do not eagerly enter - the space is intimately entwined with their heritage, yet I wonder why they do not return... if it is out of respect or fear of what occurred in the caves, or what presence remains in the caves? I do not know, but I wonder. At first encounter, the cave was seemingly lifeless, but as we began to explore and observe, I noticed life energy throughout - bats, crickets, spiders, WATER, energy continues to circulate - to create and destroy - stalactites and stalagmites are forming as we speak, though very SLOWLY (1/16th inch/yr) and bat guano slowly dissolves large bat holes into the limestone that are scattered spontaneously throughout the chamber ceilings. It is it's own ecosystem, very much alive. I can't believe I was allowed to be a witness.
Well, after a LONG night and day of (unintentionally) traveling the Guatemalan highway (CA13) on second-class NIGHT buses and chicken buses, Kristen and I have arrived safely in Antigua, Guatemala - a very beautiful town surrounded by volcanoes. By the grace of God, our connections and transitions thoughout the entire trip thus far have been timely and smooth. And people keep showing up in our lives at exactly the right moments. On our night bus, two young German guys somehow knew we were headed to Antigua, so they took us under their wing when we arrived in Guatemala City at 5 o'clock this crazy mawnin and quickly got us the heck out of the city to Antigua. We are now settled into the Black Cat hostel with a new friend, Matt (from Seattle) - my first experience of communal hostel living!!
To back track a bit . . .
So we left San Pedro with broken hearts . . . much like leaving family back home. There was hardly a spare moment as we caught the water taxi and bus to San Ignacio. We were dropped off along the highway in Belize alongside a sign that said "Clarissa Falls" and pointed several miles down an old country dirt road. The three of us walked along in the glowing evening light and found ourselves in the midst of a herd of free roaming humpback cattle. Upon arrival at the ranch, nestled in alongside one of Belize's rivers, we met the owner Chena. She is a dear friend of Gary Chamberlain and the Seattle University students. It turns out that right now is the busiest season for Clarissa Falls, but when Chena heard that I was associated with Gary and SU, she said she just couldn{t turn us away!! (Gary - Chena sends her love and wants you to know that they will miss you dearly, but are excited for you in wherever it is that your journey leads.) ANd thank you to all my SU buddies who encouraged me to stay at Clarissa Falls - it was a new adventure for me in Belize.
Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) - a compelling cave tour - hands-on and AWE-inspiring every step of the way... to SWIM parts of the way, clambor through narrow passageways, climb rock elevators, ascend ladders up to burial sites deep within the cave, turning out our lights and sitting in the utter darkness for a few moments of silence... I am intrigued by the Mayan culture. Mindful of their history and curious about the mysterious collapse of their dynasty. Mindful that this cave was sacred space for them - it appears that sacrifical offerings were made, with bones remaining from both infant and adult sacrifices. Traces of fire pits in the great chamber. Was there dancing? What rituals occurred here and why? Do spirits still dwell in here? Approximately thirty tourists are allowed in the cave per day. Yet the Mayans do not eagerly enter - the space is intimately entwined with their heritage, yet I wonder why they do not return... if it is out of respect or fear of what occurred in the caves, or what presence remains in the caves? I do not know, but I wonder. At first encounter, the cave was seemingly lifeless, but as we began to explore and observe, I noticed life energy throughout - bats, crickets, spiders, WATER, energy continues to circulate - to create and destroy - stalactites and stalagmites are forming as we speak, though very SLOWLY (1/16th inch/yr) and bat guano slowly dissolves large bat holes into the limestone that are scattered spontaneously throughout the chamber ceilings. It is it's own ecosystem, very much alive. I can't believe I was allowed to be a witness.
Thursday, January 4, 2007
Hablas Espanol?? Aye Aye Aye!
(New Years!)New years Eve was spent pretty low key. San Pedro was sooo packed with tourists that we couldn't even move in our local bar, Fidos...we spent the turn of the new year in beach chairs watching the stars...keeping away from the noisy scene. Agh...just as well...that is exactly how I wanted it! New years day was spent all day pool side soaking up the last rays!
(Hana and the rest of our buddies in San Pedro!)
(Last night in San Pedro...our new friends)So we have left San Pedro, and are now in San Ignacio, Belize. San Pedro was amazing...and it was very very very difficult to leave. I can't explain it all due to the fact that I don't have free Internet anymore...but let's just say it was the time of my life! We caught the water taxi at 11:30 am...with a direct boat to Belize City. But, just 10 minutes left on the boat ride...it broke down...We were stranded in the open ocean. It only took them 10 minutes to fix it and we were back on our way. We walked our way to the bus station, and happened upon catching the bus just as we arrived...amazing how that happens. But again...just a few miles out of town...one of the tires blew...must have not been that bad because we didn't stop or slow down. Crazy! We met Chris, from London, on the bus we he decided to join us at Clarissa Falls Resort just outside of San Ignacio for the night. It was beautiful there!
(Chris, our new friend from London...just as we got to the Clarissa Falls turn off road...)The next day...we came into town and tried to figure things out. It took us awhile to decide if we were going to go this cave tour...or go to Rio Dulce in Guatemala...because we had to pick one or other other due to time. So...I finally made the executive decision to do the cave tour the next day and skip out on Rio Dulce. We booked the tour with Chris and made our way to some local Mayan Ruins in town. They were awesome! It felt like I was back in Europe looking at the old castle ruins! Crazy how we don't have anything that old in the states! The energy of these old places is so unique and all three of us ended up sitting in the quite for awhile...reflecting. After getting eatin' alive by bugs...we headed out.
(The new "trio" at some ruins in San Ignacio)Oh...the ATM Cave tour was well worth it! Amazing and I don't quite have enough time to explain all that is to be explained. We crossed the river three times by foot...had to literally swim into the cave entrance...once inside, we had to swim, crawl, climb, and maneuver through all these intricate caverns, while hiking upstream. Something that would never be allowed in the states! We got to see many mayan pottery that was still located where it was found...and old bones! It was crazy!
(Mayan Skeleton)
(Just before enter the Cave!)So...with running out of time...I will say that we are heading out of Belize tomorrow...and off to Tikal Guatemala for some more ruins...I guess the biggest around! Tomorrow night we are staying in Flores, Guatemala...eventually making our way to San Pedro, Guatemala to our Language School starting on the 8th. Goodbye beautiful Belize and welcome to Guatemala! I am ready for some cheaper costs, but I sure will miss Belize! Agh...how will we survive the Spanish?
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Do One Thing Every Day that Scares You
"Now here was I, new-
awakened, with my hand
stretching out and touching
the unknown, the real
unknown, the unknown
unknown."
-D.H.Lawrence
Though the past week has been filled with lots of rest and relaxation by the pool, I have experienced several liberating moments for my body and soul . . .
First, one evening as the sun was setting, we were laying out by the pool when we saw a torrential downpour moving towards us across the Caribbean sea. Within minutes, the rain hit us and it hit us HARD. My spirit longed to be out in the rain, but my mind kept rationalizing me to duck and cover. After a few minutes of internal bickering, I ran out on our roof and let the rain soak me!!! It was a wonderful feeling of liberation!
(one of Kristen's many talents)
Second, while sitting at the swim-up pool (after taking numerous pictures of Kristen jumping into the pool), I struck up theological conversation with a Belizean man named Bambo. Turns out he is Muslim! He was SHOCKED that a young American tourist, sitting in her suit and towel by the poolside while on vacation, was willing and open (and smart enough) to talk theology!! I was delighted and in my element! Turns out Bambo is also an excellent chef, and being that our Muslim sisters and brothers are celebrating Eid right now, he came over last night and cooked up an incredible Belizean feast. We invited a few friends to join us and thoroughly enjoyed feasting and new friendships. Bambo sends his regards to all my Muslim sisters and brothers back in da states! Asslamo alaykum.
Third, Kristen and I headed to south Fido's (restaurant, outdoor pool and bowling) for dinner with our energetic friends from San Francisco. The restaurant is a palapa hut on the seaside with no walls. In the midst of dinner, another torrential downpour hit us. As we all ducked for cover, Melody and Tara got the great idea that this was the PERFECT MOMENT for someone to run out into the rain and do a CANNONBALL into the swimming pool. My spirit leapt at the thought of it, and I was ready to go in clothes and all!! But my mind justified against it. All it took was for Melody and Tara to put money on the line and I peeled off my layers of clothes and cannonballed into the water! It was so LIBERATING!! For those who know me, I am in my ELEMENT when I am in the water. So once I was in the pool, I couldn't help but SWIM -- lap after lap of freestyle and butterfly. My spirit soared at the freedom of da wata. Water has been a significant symbol in my spiritual journey, in my understanding of God, and in my understanding of myself -- so to be in the water was very LIBERATING for body and soul!! And about the wager . . . the experience itself was rewarding enough for me, but in the end Melody and Tara very generously bought both Kk and I's dinner. Happiness IS.
Lastly, After dinner KK and I went to Fido's for live music like we usually do. But this night was different . . . I am someone who constantly feels the gravitational pull to DANCE . . . BUT, I always "need" at least one other person to join me and get my feet on the dance floor. Without all my dance buddies (Ian, Mary, Joey, Beline, Tuseef, Wes) I had not been dancing the past few nights. THIS PARTICULAR NIGHT, however, I found the freedom within my SELF to go out there, alone, and dance. WOO HOO!! I even went so far as to ask someone to dance with me. He knew how to swing dance very well, so I danced with him for the rest of the night!
I feel my spirit re-energizing as I'm learning to live out of my Self and not out of my ego (trying to please others). There is freedom in this transition and I'm loving it!
Hana T.
PS. Remember how I would say "DO ONE THING EVERY DAY THAT SCARES YOU??" Well yesterday KK and I did just that. We jumped off a palapa bar and got in close with a crocodile! The whole adventure began when we met two gals by the pool, Tracy and Amy. They wanted to rent a golf cart for the day and invited us along. It ended up being a WILD (and muddy) ADVENTURE!
(Wild golfcart ride)
We headed up towards the north end of the caye to the Palapa Bar, where Megs, Tara and I had jumped off back in fall 2004. I found where we had signed our names on the ceiling and decided that it was time to jump off the palapa bar once again. Kristen and Tracy joined me and were initiated in!
(We jumped off a palapa . . . and survived)
Then we headed to the south end of the caye, and happened upon the crocodile lagoon. It turns out that some of the local boys were just about ready to feed one of the local crocs (Flora), so we pulled in to watch. One of the other tourists there went across the street and bought a whole, frozen chicken. The local boys tied the chicken to a rope and threw it in the water for Flora. I was quite fearful of the crocodiles at first, fearing they would chase our golf cart for some gringo grub. But as I observed the local boys actually petting the 8 ft + croc, I gained some confidence and got in close with them. ay yi yi!!
(Flora the crocodile)
Well friends, thanks for following up on our travels! I'll be sending you peace and adventure as we bring in the New Year!
Luuv yu moa.
awakened, with my hand
stretching out and touching
the unknown, the real
unknown, the unknown
unknown."
-D.H.Lawrence
Though the past week has been filled with lots of rest and relaxation by the pool, I have experienced several liberating moments for my body and soul . . .
First, one evening as the sun was setting, we were laying out by the pool when we saw a torrential downpour moving towards us across the Caribbean sea. Within minutes, the rain hit us and it hit us HARD. My spirit longed to be out in the rain, but my mind kept rationalizing me to duck and cover. After a few minutes of internal bickering, I ran out on our roof and let the rain soak me!!! It was a wonderful feeling of liberation!
(one of Kristen's many talents)Second, while sitting at the swim-up pool (after taking numerous pictures of Kristen jumping into the pool), I struck up theological conversation with a Belizean man named Bambo. Turns out he is Muslim! He was SHOCKED that a young American tourist, sitting in her suit and towel by the poolside while on vacation, was willing and open (and smart enough) to talk theology!! I was delighted and in my element! Turns out Bambo is also an excellent chef, and being that our Muslim sisters and brothers are celebrating Eid right now, he came over last night and cooked up an incredible Belizean feast. We invited a few friends to join us and thoroughly enjoyed feasting and new friendships. Bambo sends his regards to all my Muslim sisters and brothers back in da states! Asslamo alaykum.
Third, Kristen and I headed to south Fido's (restaurant, outdoor pool and bowling) for dinner with our energetic friends from San Francisco. The restaurant is a palapa hut on the seaside with no walls. In the midst of dinner, another torrential downpour hit us. As we all ducked for cover, Melody and Tara got the great idea that this was the PERFECT MOMENT for someone to run out into the rain and do a CANNONBALL into the swimming pool. My spirit leapt at the thought of it, and I was ready to go in clothes and all!! But my mind justified against it. All it took was for Melody and Tara to put money on the line and I peeled off my layers of clothes and cannonballed into the water! It was so LIBERATING!! For those who know me, I am in my ELEMENT when I am in the water. So once I was in the pool, I couldn't help but SWIM -- lap after lap of freestyle and butterfly. My spirit soared at the freedom of da wata. Water has been a significant symbol in my spiritual journey, in my understanding of God, and in my understanding of myself -- so to be in the water was very LIBERATING for body and soul!! And about the wager . . . the experience itself was rewarding enough for me, but in the end Melody and Tara very generously bought both Kk and I's dinner. Happiness IS.
Lastly, After dinner KK and I went to Fido's for live music like we usually do. But this night was different . . . I am someone who constantly feels the gravitational pull to DANCE . . . BUT, I always "need" at least one other person to join me and get my feet on the dance floor. Without all my dance buddies (Ian, Mary, Joey, Beline, Tuseef, Wes) I had not been dancing the past few nights. THIS PARTICULAR NIGHT, however, I found the freedom within my SELF to go out there, alone, and dance. WOO HOO!! I even went so far as to ask someone to dance with me. He knew how to swing dance very well, so I danced with him for the rest of the night!
I feel my spirit re-energizing as I'm learning to live out of my Self and not out of my ego (trying to please others). There is freedom in this transition and I'm loving it!
Hana T.
PS. Remember how I would say "DO ONE THING EVERY DAY THAT SCARES YOU??" Well yesterday KK and I did just that. We jumped off a palapa bar and got in close with a crocodile! The whole adventure began when we met two gals by the pool, Tracy and Amy. They wanted to rent a golf cart for the day and invited us along. It ended up being a WILD (and muddy) ADVENTURE!
(Wild golfcart ride)We headed up towards the north end of the caye to the Palapa Bar, where Megs, Tara and I had jumped off back in fall 2004. I found where we had signed our names on the ceiling and decided that it was time to jump off the palapa bar once again. Kristen and Tracy joined me and were initiated in!
(We jumped off a palapa . . . and survived)Then we headed to the south end of the caye, and happened upon the crocodile lagoon. It turns out that some of the local boys were just about ready to feed one of the local crocs (Flora), so we pulled in to watch. One of the other tourists there went across the street and bought a whole, frozen chicken. The local boys tied the chicken to a rope and threw it in the water for Flora. I was quite fearful of the crocodiles at first, fearing they would chase our golf cart for some gringo grub. But as I observed the local boys actually petting the 8 ft + croc, I gained some confidence and got in close with them. ay yi yi!!
(Flora the crocodile)Well friends, thanks for following up on our travels! I'll be sending you peace and adventure as we bring in the New Year!
Luuv yu moa.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
