Greetings from San Pedro, Belize

We've arrived in San Pedro, Belize today. It's beautiful...the trees are green, the ocean is a mixture of blues and greens, and the sky is dotted with clouds. We traveled here from Corazal, Belize this morning on a two hour boat ride. I've realized that travelers are incredibly friendly. People want to know where you are from, where you've been, and where you're headed. It's really making me itch to travel more. There are so many experiences and opportunities out there that Americans don't realize. We are consumed with money, time, and a schedule so we don't allow ourselves to breathe and enjoy whats really out there.

While we were driving from Chichen Itza, Mexico to Corazal, Belize, I stared out the window at the passing jungle and villages. Families were sitting outside of their homes, enjoying the time together and just relaxing. They didn't seem consumed with planning dinner or finishing up work. They weren't reading books, talking on phones, or typing on computers. I understand their situations don't allow them to buy these items, but they proved that they didn't really need them. They were content with sitting in the warm weather and enjoying what they had. I know I enjoyed watching them pass by with my ipod on, jamming out to some Michael Franti. (This of course, proves that I cannot go without my technology, unlike these people).

Thanks to our bus driver in Mexico (and our group appointed translator, Kelsea) we were able to learn about the culture of the villages we were passing through. We stopped at a cemetary to learn about La Dia de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead. The cemetaries are covered with decorations to honor the dead. According to our bus driver, once a person is laid to rest, another body can be buried on top of them after six years.

We were also fortunate enough to stop at a village where our driver purchased freshly made tortillas. He even taught us the proper way to eat them...lay them flat on your hand and roll them up, so it looks like a rolled cigar. These tortillas, fresh from the oven, were delicious! Much different than what we are used to in the US, but just as delicious. Take away all the salt, sugar, and other artificial flavorings and you will probably get a real tortilla.

Speaking of delicious food, I ordered chips and salsa for lunch in San Pedro today and was in heaven. The salsa was made fresh and I loaded each chip with enough fresh tomatoes, onions, jalapenoes to feed an army. Yum!

We're going to spend the rest of the day exploring the town and soaking up the sun. Some of us were laying out this morning and a woman walked by and told her family that it was too hot to tan. I think after being in cold Nebraska for the past couple of months, it will be impossible to get too hot.

We're planning on enjoying the night life tonight and hopefully go snorkeling tomorrow. Wish me luck!

Casey