MORE TO COME!!

Greetings from Hastings, Nebraska

I'm home. Home sweet home. Back in cold Nebraska. I'm sure everyone who's been stuck here is enjoying the sun right now but I'm freezing. It's not the same. I've already been harassed by my roommates for turning the heat on too high. But it is nice to be home. I missed my own space, my own bed, and I think most importantly, my own clean shower.

It feels weird to be back in the States. I drove home with another girl from the trip yesterday and couldn't stop staring out the window at all the cement and buildings that surrounded me. Little things like a frozen lake completely caught me off guard. We joked about all of the differences that we saw during the drive.

Our little travel group spent the last four days of our trip at a resort in Cancun. At first, I was shocked at the resort lifestyle and Cancun. Everyone was screaming and hollering about the ocean as we drove up to our resort, but I sort of sat in a stunned silence. It was beautiful, don't get me wrong, but I was very aware of the fact that we seemed like rich, spoiled, American tourists. The feeling wore off about 15 minutes after we'd hit the beach, but it was a completely different change of pace. Overall, it was a wonderful way to end our trip.

The beaches were so beautiful and the sand was so white and soft beneath my feet. The water was clear and I could see all the way down to my feet. I think I could listen to the waves hit the shore forever. I'm from Colorado so I get the question "would you rather live by the mountains or the ocean" a lot and I've always said I'd rather live by the ocean. I think this entire month has reaffirmed that answer.

I was very surprised at the lack of people and life outside. I understand that it's cold and no one wants to head outside to sit on porches to enjoy each other and watch their children play, but I barely saw anyone outside of their cars or a building on the way home. When we arrived at my apartment, I unloaded my bags in a deserted parking lot and walked up to my front door without seeing anyone. Where is everybody? Where are the people? I think I'm really going to miss the friendly atmosphere I became so accustomed to in Belize and Guatemala.

I'll be uploading pictures one of these days. I can't believe I have so many...three full memory cards...so it might take a while, but I'll get them up as soon as I can.

Greetings from Corozal, Belize

Today is our last full day in Belize and I'm already dreading leaving. I don't think that I'm ready to go home yet. I've fallen in love with the area and the warmth-both from the sun and the people. We get a lot of "hello pretty ladies" which can get annoying, but everyone is so friendly. They're always willing to say "hi" or "good morning" when you pass someone on the street. I didn't realize or even think that I was unfriendly at home, but compared to here I am awful. So often we all just walk to class with our heads buried in our coats that we don't stop to enjoy each other or our surroundings. I don't want to stare at the ground or close my eyes to the world around me here. I'm trying to soak in everything...the way the sun reflects off the bay, the way the water seems to change colors every day, the way people are always sitting outside together, relaxing and talking, and the way the clock never seems to control anyone's day. I love it all.



We were warned about experiencing culture shock after a week here, but I think I'm going to experience it after we get back to the States. I'm not ready for the cold weather and the bleak grays and whites that are dominating Nebraska right now. I don't want to give up the varying shades of green, the clear blue skies, the clean air, or the bright colors that are speckled around the town.



Here are some things that I have learned while traveling in Belize:



1. Although their oranges aren't orange in Belize, they are amazing. I think they taste sweeter than any orange at home and I've been eating so many of them. We have a market close to home where you can get 8 oranges and 8 bananas for $1.



2. Cramming 10 girls into one apartment with two bathrooms is impossible. I don't know how we managed to survive.



3. Once again, people are incredibly friendly. I think traveling reassures your faith in the good of people. People are generally good at heart.



4. It's impossible to be unhappy or mad in a place this beautiful. I'm not a morning person but I wake up excited and happy every morning.



5. I think traveling is kind of like getting a tattoo...once you get one, you've got to get more. I know I'm not finished exploring the world.



6. People in Belize seem to consider us friends. They treat strangers like family.



7. It's important to be grateful for what you have.



8. Traveling on a budget is a better experience than anything you could get while staying at resorts. We're here to adapt to their culture, they're not trying to adapt to ours.



9. Showers in Belize really aren't that cold, they're just not the hot that we're used to. Besides, it's so warm no one really needs a hot shower.

10. Eight days in Corozal has managed to give me so many experiences that I cannot ever forget and will stay with me forever. The schools, students, and teachers have touched my heart.

Greetings from Corozal, Belize

Belize National Anthem

O. Land of the Free by the Carib Sea,
Our manhood we pledge to thy liberty!
No tyrants here linger, despots must flee
This tranquil haven of democracy
The blood of our sires which hallows the sod,
Brought freedom from slavery oppression's rod,
By the might of truth and the grace of God,
No longer shall we be hewers of wood.

Arise! ye sons of the Baymen's clan,
Put on your armour, clear the land!
Drive back the tyrants, let despots flee -
Land of the Free by the Carib Sea!

Nature has blessed thee with wealth untold,
O'er mountains and valleys where prairies roll;
Our fathers, the Baymen, valiant and bold
Drove back the invader; this heritage hold
From proud Rio Hondo to old Sarstoon,
Through coral isle, over blue lagoon;
Keep watch with the angels, the stars and moon;
For freedom comes tomorrow's noon.

Greetings from Corozal, Belize

This week's started off pretty slow. We're back in Corozal to teach at the schools. I left my assigned class last week so I've been going around the town to the other schools. It's pretty interesting to compare the different schools and the different student teachers. Each has a unique way of handling things and I'm enjoying my time traveling. Each student teacher is also very different and no one seems to handle things the same way, which is a good thing. A lot of students are getting the opportunity to actually teach their class for the day, rather than sitting and watching at the back of the classroom. Everyone seems willing to participate and take control of the class. Things can get pretty hectic but I know it's a great experience for them.

I traveled back to Mary Hill yesterday to take pictures of the rest of the elementary teachers and the pre school teachers. I'm having a great time seeing this trip through my camera. I think I'm seeing things that I wouldn't notice otherwise.

I only had to take pictures of two student teachers today so I had the afternoon off. Although I keep saying that things are really relaxed here and I'm not used to a schedule, we've still been traveling around and have had to stick to somewhat of a plan. So today, I decided to walk downtown and enjoy lunch and the bay. Now, I don't eat by myself. I think it's the weirdest thing to sit and eat but I figured if everyone else can do it, I can too. So I sat at this great little restaurant and had lunch. I can't get enough of the Belizian favorite, rice and beans with stewed chicken. I brought my book and it was so nice not to feel rushed at all. In the States, our check is immediately brought out as soon as we're finished eating and everyone stuffs food into their mouths during their short breaks for lunch. I was able to sit and relax and not feel the need to hurry and get out of the restaurant. I don't know if I'll get the same feeling back in the U.S. but it's worth a try.

I'm headed down to the bay to sit at the water and read as soon as I'm done blogging. I've got to soak up all the sun I can right now. Honestly, not much as happened so far this week, but that's okay. I'm enjoying the simple things and the time I have here. I can't believe it's almost over. Traveling makes you think about the life you've been used to and how different it can be in the future. Everyone is in a hurry to finish school and begin a career so they can make money, buy a house, and settle into a routine. That's great if that's something you want to do. That's what I always thought I was going to do. But I've been talking to so many other travelers who have amazing stories. When I tell them I'm so jealous of their lifestyle and the fact that they have the courage just to go travel, they all ask me the same questions...why can't you do it?

Greetings from Tikal, Guatemala

I have so much to catch up on. A lot has happened during the past couple of days and they have just flown by. I have barely had any time to stop and catch my breath, much less sit down at a computer and type a blog. We've finally had some down time to relax and enjoy our hotel so I decided to write everyone back home in Nebraska, which I hope isn't too unbearably cold.

We ended the first week at the schools in Corozal on Thursday. I left my classroom at St. Paul's to travel to the other schools with the other student teachers to take pictures. Thursday was also the day we passed out books and balls to the students. Some of the student teachers took part in a "Books and Balls for Belize" program where they collected books and balls to donate to the schools. Each school ended up receiving five to seven boxes filled with an assortment of balls for recess and books, markers, crayons, and coloring books for the classroom. I arrived with Kirsten, Sam and Annie at Mary Hill Roman Catholic School to begin blowing up balls and I started snapping pictures immediately. Although we arrived to school about a half hour early, most of the students were already running around the playground and the open field in the back of the school. Annie, Sam and Kirsten went to work and the students flocked to them. Some had great big smiles on their faces, but most had a look of astonishment. They were in awe at the amount of balls we were giving them. Each student stuck out their hand in hopes of grabbing a ball to play with. With a ball in hand, they would take off with another group of students and start laughing and screaming in the playground. They looked so excited and I had a blast watching them enjoy their games.

I headed into Kirsten's kindergarten classroom to take pictures of her teaching. We were waiting for the teacher to come to class when the school secretary walked in and told Kirsten her teacher had called in sick. Instead of bringing a substitute teacher into the class to take over, the secretary told Kirsten she would be in charge of the class. I saw a look of panic quickly cross over her face, but then she smiled and gladly accepted the job. Kirsten is going to make an amazing teacher. She was energetic about her lessons and made an effort to get the students involved. It was apparent that there had previously been little order to the classroom and Kirsten made attempted to teach her students about respect. They seemed very receptive to her as a teacher, but there were 30 students in her class. I think it is impossible to control 30 four and five year olds for an entire day. I offered help to Kirsten and ended up staying for the rest of the day to help her out. I was supposed to travel to some of the other classrooms to take pictures but I wasn't going to abandon Kirsten. I have a new respect for my kindergarten teacher. By the end of the day I was slumped in my chair because I was so exhausted. The day took a lot out of me but I think Kirsten did an amazing job to take control of the classroom on her fourth day of student teaching.

It was an early night because we were going to leave for Guatemala on Friday. Plus, I was exhausted and asleep within the first five minutes after I laid down. Each day I am so tired when I head to bed. You know how we always wish we could fit an extra three or four hours into each day? I'm pretty sure they have found out how to do that in Central America. My days are so full and I am exhausted by the time the sun dips below the horizon, but I never feel rushed. It is an amazing feeling, but I think I am getting too comfortable with it. It is going to be too hard to get back into a routine with a schedule and clock when I get back home.

We left for Guatemala early on Friday and stopped at the Belize Zoo along the way. The zoo was not like the ones we are used to in the U.S. It was completely natural and there were no cement buildings and sidewalks and the animal habitats were natural with only a wire fence separating the people from the wild animals. We saw a tapir, a jaguar, plus monkeys, birds, and other native animals. Awesome.

After the zoo we continued to drive to Guatemala. Once again, we had to get out of our bus and walk across the border. I can't believe how we have already been in three countries this quickly. It takes planning and a couple of days to drive to a border from Nebraska and it has only been a days drive to get across two borders. Guatemala is beautiful. It doesn't have mountains like Colorado, but it does have some lush, tree covered mountains. They are gorgeous and I couldn't stop staring out the window. We drove past people washing their clothes in the river and saw the most amazing lakes. They were huge and by the time we were passing them, the sun was low in the sky and the water sparkled. I couldn't believe how much it glittered.

We arrived at the Jaguar Inn late on Friday and headed to bed to be up at 4:00 a.m. for sunrise on the ruins. We climbed through the middle of the jungle in the pitch black darkness to sit on the side of a Mayan ruin. It was the most amazing, unforgettable experience. Who can say they sat on the side of a 20 story Mayan ruin to watch the sun rise? I have never felt so unbelievably connected to Earth and everything in it. When we first arrived at the ruin, it was dark and the stars seemed to be within an arms reach. We all sat in silence and enjoyed what was before us. I couldn't stop taking deep breaths, I just wanted to breath in all of the fresh, clean air that I could. It was a great release.

While we were on the side of the ruin, we saw the jungle slowly lighting up and things come to life. We heard birds and howler monkeys. I couldn't believe where I was and the things that I was hearing. I sat in shock and probably had a dumb smile across my face the entire time.

After we were done at the first ruin, we trekked through the jungle to the next ruin sight. It was about six square miles and had the most amazing ruins. We climbed up and around everything. These ruins weren't as tall the last one, but they were just as great. I kept thinking about the fact that we were walking in the same area that other people had hundreds of years ago. Life was so different back then.

After climbing the ruins, we headed back to our inn and go ready to go zip lining through the jungle. Wow. It was such an adrenaline rush. We went through eight different lines and each one got better than the rest. I had such a great time zooming over the forest below me. It went by too fast. I even got to go down face first. Unfortunately, when I got to the end, I couldn't seem to get up and everyone watched me scramble around trying to grab the cable or somehow manage to get my feet on the ground. I felt like an idiot but it was pretty funny.

I think I've caught you up on everything that you've been missing out on. This weekend has been incredible and a wonderful experience away from Corozal. I almost feel like a completely different person here. It is impossible to be upset or angry when the weather is this beautiful and the people are this friendly. I feel a sense of youthfulness that I haven't felt in a while. I laugh and play like I'm a kid again and it doesn't feel weird or out of place. Everyone seems to be having a great time and laughs and jokes around with each other. I'm loving it. So, so, so, so much.

Greetings from Corozal, Belize

First off I have to apologize because I've been spelling Corozal wrong this entire time. I've been thinking that it was spelled with two A's but I guess it's actually two O's. My bad. I finished up my time in the classroom today. It was depressing leaving the school and all of the students. I know I've only been around for a couple of days but the children made me feel so welcome and showed so much love and compassion it was hard to tear myself away. I promised to e-mail the teacher all of my pictures, which I think the students will love. I've really enjoyed taking pictures of the classrooms, other student teachers, and the students. They are so willing to have their picture taken and I've gotten some great ones. I can't wait to get to my own computer to download and post them.

Class at St. Paul's has been really great. I sat down with the principal, Mrs. Rogers, to talk today. There are about 180 students in the school, which is relatively small to many of the other schools in Corozal. Mrs. Rogers said that she caps each class at 25 students and tries to keep them small. Although the classes are smaller, I've noticed the students do not receive a lot of individual attention. The teacher stands at the front of the class and lectures. She usually has the children recite readings and math problems out loud. It's incredibly easy for students to mouth the words or quielty mutter them.

Most of the students are incredibly bright but don't seem to try very hard. There is one student the teacher calls "Sleeping Beauty" because he is always laying his head down on the desk. I've realized that he is a very smart boy, probably smarter than the other kids in his class, and sleeps for most of the time because he is not being challenged enough. Students don't seem to jump ahead or move up grade levels. They are, however, held back in primary school. I have two children who are repeating the fourth grade this term.

There is also very little order in the classrooms. I completely understand how hard it would be to hold an eight year old's attention for an entire day, but the students are constantly turning around in their desks or getting up to move about the classroom. The teacher tries to maintain order, but more often than not, she just lets the students roam. It's a lot different than the structure that we are used to in the States. I've heard from other student teachers that they are experiencing the same problems.

Although things are differnt I'm really enjoying myself. I know that we have a lot of experience to offer these teachers and could teach them a lot. I've only taken one education class and I don't want to act like I know everything, but I have a lot of faith in the other teachers and the student teachers who will be staying here for the next eight weeks.

The other teachers at St. Paul's and I went to lunch at a Belizian restaurant today and it was delicious. The locals say they are known for their beans and rice with stewed chicken so I tried it and pretty much ended up licking the plate clean. There's no way I'd be able to eat so much food everday though. My teacher saw me out running for exercise yesterday and asked me about it during class today. She was shocked that we were running and asked if exercising was big in America. I was shocked that no one here really exercises. I guess all the fresh fruit and vegetables that they eat cancels out the need for exercise. Greasy McDonald's and processed food in the States makes it a necessity.

The weather's starting to warm up again and the sun was shining today. We walk along the bay to get to St. Paul's and the walk was gorgeous this morning. The sun was shining and bouncing off the sea so the water sparkled. I couldn't stop staring. Unfortunately the sidewalks are pretty cracked and falling apart so I had to tear my eyes away to watch where I was going.

The sidewalks aren't the only thing that is not being taken care of here. Trash and garbage litter the sides of the streets. Turns out, the garbage company is on strike because the government is refusing to pay them. We were thinking about cleaning up the streets but if we did we would ruin the statement that the company was trying to make. Looks like our good deed will have to wait for another day.

I'm planning on traveling to the schools with the other student teachers tomorrow and for some of next week. I'm excited to see what the atmosphere is like at these schools. I'm hoping for some great pictures too.

We're also headed to Tikal, Guatemala for the weekend to see the ruins and sleep in a hostel in the jungle. We will most likely be stopping at the Belize Zoo too. My teacher told me that was a great idea to see the tapir (Belize's national animal), the black orchid (the national flower), and the mahogany tree (the national tree). It should be a great weeked.