Some interesting things about Belize...
One thing that we still haven't got used to is how early and quickly it gets dark here. By 6-6:30pm it is pitch black. There are lots of street lights to bike or walk home by. But you lose track of time, you feel so tired, but look at the clock and it's only 7:30!
Many of the brothers and sisters here are very industrious, making different foods to support themselves. One family gets up at 2am to make 'Johnny cakes' - a meat or bean filled biscuit - that they then sell at the bus stop. They also make Ideals, fruity homemade freezies. Another brother makes a drink from seaweed, peanuts and spices. It's actually really good and high in protein. He also said some claim it is a male 'enhancement' drink - but I'm not commenting on that one! He bottles and sells the drink and coconut water from a cooler mounted on his bicycle. Another sister makes and sells tamales - and yes some of them come filled with a chicken foot!
We are still trying to get our ears tuned to Belizean Kriol. But some words and expressions filter through into their english as well. For example, kids are pikni, wi (we) for us - 'do you want to come with wi?' - and carry for take or bring - 'carry your car to the garage'. Just a few examples.
Oh and it's still really hot. With all the rain, it's actually been more comfortable. But some Belizeans find it chilly. I caught one of the pioneers putting on a jacket after the meeting Thursday night before riding home - it was still at least 25C!
Almost all the grocery stores are run by Chinese immigrants. The stores carry a wide variety of stuff - from food to school supplies to washing machines. There is no air conditioning so it's pretty stifling hot in the aisles. They kind of feel like a dollar store at home.
It's really weird to not see any familiar stores or businesses. Apparently Belize has no copyright laws so no franchises set up here, everything is locally owned.
Remember in the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding, the cure-all for anything that ails you was a spritz of Windex? Well in Belize, if you have a itchy bug bite, an achy muscle or anything else put on some Vick's Vapo-Rub. The Vix Fix! It actually has helped take the itchiness and redness out of my bug bites!
Just a few odd and interesting things we have noticed about Belize.
Love,
Carlee
Fascinating!! Thanks for sharing!! Hugs...the Oakes
ReplyDeleteI don't know what we are doing wrong, but not always does our comments get posted. Well hopefully this one does. We look everyday for new updates from you guys so that we can share your experience with you. Thank you soooo much for doing this. It is nice to see that you can see the silver lining behind the rain. It is cooling things down a bit. But also it gives you free hotwater that you wanted. We can't wait for you to make all those interesting meals for us. We love you and miss you dearly. Especially I miss Dana my sounding board. Interesting things happening back here and we are looking forward to sharing them with you. See you soon. Love from the Mundays
ReplyDeleteThis is SO interesting- thanks for sharing Carlee. When you hear the comment 'world apart' it really is true. After reading your entry it is a world apart from what greeted me this morning- frost so thick it looked like snow. It was -3 last night. What a difference from what you're experiencing!! It's been a busy few days here. This morning Eleanor, Terry, Bill and Tina helped Marilyn load the last of her things in the cars and left here around 9:15 for her new apartment in Herring Cove. It's a nice place- I was down with her on the 19th with Matt and Cory for the big move. We going to miss her in the congregation. It just won't be the same here without her being next door- a fantastic neighbor, sister and friend. November is going to be a busy month with the tract distribution which starts tomorrow and our CA in less than 2 wks. I'm so encouraged by all your experiences- except for the one about the chicken foot- a wonderful diet incentive:) Looking forward to having you home and hearing more about your adventure. Hugs from all of us here. Love ya.
ReplyDelete