Belize Site Visit Summer 2008

Tobacco Caye and Beyond

Sunday June 29, 2008

On Saturday night the ocean waves were delightful as I lay on the bottom bunk of my cabin at Tobacco Caye. The cabin was right near the water so the sand was intense. As morning approached, I could hear the wind pick up and the rain begin to fall. I wondered if this would be a tropical downpour which would last all day.

As 7:30 a.m. approached, I could hear the voices of those who were getting ready for a snorkeling trip. Ross has said that the fish would be more active in the early morning. I envied their spirit and wished I wasn’t so lazy.

Jeanette and I joined Alecia on the bench overlooking the water. Harrison came with his cup of coffee. How special to be in paradise with special new people. I would equate the experience to being with a group who share such a unique experience and reveal themselves to each other. We may never be together again but at the time, there was no one closer.

The people in our group easily involve themselves in activities and approach everything with good humor. I am writing this at the beach because Matt’s flexibility has allowed me to avoid sea sickness. He also assured me this morning that the ride would be calm. How thoughtful of him to validate rather than criticize my fears and to leave me with my self esteem.

These kinds of acts of understanding are what made this trip so special.

We took the boat to the Smithsonian station, had a picnic at the beach and went snorkeling again.

Before dinner, we talked about how St. John’s would get the program going and we have a great deal of work to do.

Thank you to everyone for a great trip!

Jean Smedira

To the Beach

Saturday June 28, 2008

Investors in the Market Place of Ideas have chosen a Market Square style development program. Discussion (somewhat heated at times) of what could be sold and purchased to benefit the children the school and the community of La Democracia. Cards, drums, services, soap, fruits- what can our students do here, and how can that work educate them in regard to global climate change and help them develop partnerships with our host community? When we take the exercise seriously, we want to follow through with it!

I dedicate today’s notes to Aaron, who was unable to join the dinner group due to a close encounter with exotic local bacteria. Hope he’s back in jovial, energetic shape tomorrow!

For me, a little guilt sinks in again as another opportunity to phone home passes by in Belmopan.

Wildlife report for the day: 1 black and white feral market cat, many dogs, a pelican, several small and dull fish as viewed underwater through a mask, near my too-white toes. I’m sure the rest of the snorkel masters have a good list of fish species noted during the afternoon.

Local hammock rating: not as comfy as Pine Ridge Cabins.

Chronology of Day: Farewells to host families at the community center at 8:30, onto the bus close to 9 and down the Hummingbird Highway towards the beach. Matt gave us background on Armenia’s founding. Bus chatter centered on home stay adventures. Aretha’s drums, Glenda’s johnnycake snack for the road, postcards and the ubiquitous Snickers bar at the gas station, scenes of farmers, small children, jungle, bridge repair, yellow butterflies. I was writing notes for a new musical, a song for Thalya’s dogs. We met Matthew and Michelle and picked up more fresh groceries. I’m glad I didn’t walk 21 miles from Monkey Bay to St. Margaret’s. I’m not sure I’m glad I ate the conch soup for lunch. I regret eating something, but I’m not sure what it was, a critical dilemma for avoiding eating more of whatever it was.

Matthew’s PowerPoint on climate change was helpful but hard to hear. I keep thinking about how to translate this experience for students and get the kids here. I can’t help making lots of connections between the effect of climate change on Belize and on the Chesapeake Bay communities.

The cabins are comfortable and the wind is cooling. Someone is raking the sand- I will try not to get a coconut in my head. The red mosquito and bug bites are less visible under sunburn. Sleep seems like a good idea. -- Elizabeth Benefiel

Naomi's Recepies

For all of you who want to take a little taste of Belize home with you:

Naomi's Recipe for Fry Cakes

Ingredients:
- 2 lbs flour (a rare treat in Belize)
- about ½ cup of older baking powder
- ½-3/4 cup lard, plus more for frying
- ¼ cup of salt
- lots of water

Mix ingredients and then use hands to work together with lard. Add water little by little into the mix until it resembles dough. Let rise for 15 minutes. Form into ping pong sized balls. Fry balls in remaining lard. --Alecia Berman-Dry

Naomi’s Refried Beans
Ingredients:
- red beans
- freshly chopped cilantro
- little bit of diced onion
- little bit of diced green pepper
- freshly chopped parsley

Cook bean down in a crock pot. Sauté the onions, peppers, cilantro and parsley. Add the beans to the sauté pan. Add pepper and salt to taste. Mash all together. Serve with cheese and fry bread.--Jeanette Becker

Home Sweet Home Stay

Friday June 27

A good night’s sleep and a cool rainy morning, refreshed as we awakened in our host families’ home.

Alecia and I wanted to know and observe how to make fry bread and refried beans. Getting the recipes to take along home. Naomi is a beautiful and lovely hostess. She allows us to ask many questions and participate in her home.

Kayla enjoys doing nails and hair. We have not yet met Brenda or Evreal. J’lynn in 2 1/2, Naomi’s child and is just adorable. Devane just graduated from 8^th grade. Ashton is active and likes watching TV, he is very shy.

Breakfast was frycakes and homemade refried beans along with happy cow, a Belizean cheese. Everything was delicious. Alecia and I tried our hardest at patting out the frycakes. There is definitely a knack to it that we don’t have.

Rain, rain, heavy rain, rain, more rain! This is the last day of school and its closed because the wet roads make travel difficult. We were to meet with the teachers and Dyann Garnett, the principal, but this was delayed, and our canoe trip was cancelled because of high waters.

Finally, we were able to meet with the teachers. We had excellent conversation. Dividing into groups we brain stormed on what would make good curriculum, how to meet the school’s needs, and how to form a long term relationship with the La Democracia primary school.

Dyann did her share with us. She informed the group that she was relocating and would not be in partnership with us directly next year.

The St. John’s trio was also sent on a mission to bring home Belizean dance and music for next year’s school music festival. Dyann and a friend were excited and willing to help. Actually we were promised a DVD of the dance with music along with perhaps a Belizean dress for replication for the girls. They were so positive and willing to help us out it was exciting. Two themes seem to be heard over and over- food to feed the children and computers.

In the evening in the home stay, we have played cards with our family, each “country” teaching the other some games. This evening we all enjoyed UNO. Playing many hands- we even got shy Ashton to talk.

During our afternoon session we played a few games and then got to work. But first the games –“If you loved me, really loved me you would smile” – only Alecia really could keep a straight face. Others like David couldn’t help but smile.

Our sharing was good and our Market Place activity is off to a good start. Again in small groups we developed some ideas about curriculum and fund raising to initiate the service projects for our kids.

Its been cleared up some, or rather, made more clear: our goals and purpose. It's vital for all to understand in order for this program to be a success. Some voiced their concerns and opinions on the practicality of using climate change as new educational premise for the middle school years!

Alecia’s birthday was today- we celebrated. I think it made her feel special and loved on her special day. --Jeanette Becker

More Thursday

Thursday, June 26, 2008

We met our host families last night. Jeanette and I (Alecia) are with Naomi and Brenda and their family- there are a lot of them! Brothers Evreal, Devane and Ashton, sisters Kayla and J’lynn. Their father died when they were very young. Their home is luxurious by Belizean standards. They have a refrigerator, freezer, clothes washer, TV, DVD player, and even cable. They are quiet and shy, and the youngest ones are not very interested. I wouldn’t be interested in two quiet adult ladies either, if I were their age. I seem to have lost all my charm but I’m still trying! I slept so well last night! Before bed, we went to a church celebration for a mission group from Minnesota. There were songs, preaching and some ceremony. It was hard not to feel an interloper because of the close, genial bonds they had clearly formed with one another over the years. The relationship this organization (mission) has with the village is long-standing and productive… certainly something to which we should aspire. Contemplating how best to implement this portion of our visit with kids is challenging. It will take considerable guidance and preparation, hand holding, reassuring… if I’m feeling less than confident I can only imagine how our sheltered, inexperienced children will feel. -- Alecia Berman-Dry

Peter Wallace: Founder of Belize?

Thursday June 26

Barely swinging hammock
misty morning, comprehensive wet
overlapping chair and stool legs
As yet unfilled by breakfasting feeders
River below swollen with sustenance
Singing ceaslelessly
Funky feeling, cranky no sleep
Itchy, scratchy mosquito fly kisses

Our group activities began with breakfast talks about climate change. Patrick and Rachelle prepared tortilla veggie scrambled eggs and tasty spiced potato hash. Ross used his handy plastic bag whiteboard to illustrate:

What we know for sure about climate change.

1. Temperature increase of 1-2 degrees worldwide, 1998 was the hottest year ever with 2000-2007 record years in between.

2. Carbon (CO2) in atmosphere has increased 270ppb to 380ppb in a relatively short period of time.

3. Ice caps melting, ocean water temperature increases.

4. Animal species relocating.

Some things we are not sure about.:

1. Feedback loops- ice melts/tundra absorbs heat/more ice melts

2. Interruptions in Gulf Stream

3. Increase of violent storms (more heat à more energy)

4. Animal species extinction up to 378

5. Shifts in precipitation

Some things we want to learn:

1. Solutions and next steps

2. Anecdotal evidence of climate change (from our time with host families, visit to the Caribbean Community Climate Change Center and the Nature Conservancy).

3. Is the Caribbean community organized?

4. What kinds of basic factual background does one need to start a career in climate change study?

5. How can this be an inquiry-based activity for students at centers?

6. Perceptions of US, India, China’s role in their experience of climate change

7. Grand models for fixing problems- outside the box thinking

After a fascinating bus ride sitting beside Harrison , we arrived at Xunantunich, a Mayan site once home to almost 2 million people. We were talking about how best to communicate that scale to our kids so they could relate. We took a hand cranked one-car ferry across a sea green river. From there it was supposed to be a 1 mile hike, but we lucked into an emptying van which the driver generously offered to us. I was exhausted from lack of sleep so it was not only fortuitous but a lifesaver. Once we arrived on site we waited a while for our guide who was leading another group. A blue morpho-caterpillar landed on my knee while we waited. Another stroke of luck was the wait because there were cruise ship patrons crawling like ants everywhere throughout the site. By the time our guide was done, they had receded like the evening tide--the place was ours to explore! We climed to the top of one of the tallest majestic structures. It was a reward far greater than the work of climbing knee-high stairs. Although our guide Elfigo Ponti loved to talk, I must admit that somewhere between the Marimbas and the Mayan language discussions my eyelids started to droop. However, once the talking stopped and we got to actually see the site it was a cup of coffee- complete exhilaration actually. It seems a shame to have to use insufficient words like expansive, inspirational, verdant, humbling and peaceful to describe the view at the top of the ruin; the royal palace. It was so much more than what those words suggest. While we visited the site, two bat falcons courted one another in the most sweeping swoops across the landscape. They buzzed our tower several times between near misses.

The best way to introduce kids to this site would be through an interactive activity like a scavenger hunt. On our way down from the site, we walked the one mile – all easy downhill- and I practiced my Spanish speaking skills with Mr. Ponti. He was nice to oblige me. I cranked the ferry across the river so we could eat our tasty lunch, which was waiting across from the site in a deserted restaurant. Rachelle and Patrick had prepared tuna salad, fruit, tortillas and ginger snaps. It was welcome after the morning hike. Now we’re in the bus headed towards Belmopan- the former British Capital- where half of our group will visit the Nature Conservancy and the other half a climate change center.

Dave wanted me to mention that he was intrigued by the fact that Peter Wallace –a pirate- was pivotal in the foundation of Belize (then Honduras). He was using this as a base for his pirate operations. Some think Belize was a derivative of his name Wallace. I’m not buying it.

-- Alecia Berman-Dry

Egg Drop Challenge and Beyond

Wednesday June 25

Okay, let’s get this straight. This author is one of the vocalists so I will add my name “Anny” to the list of crooners from yesterday's post. Last night we saw the piano at the Francis Ford Coppola resort, near the bar and after a nod from the smiling des clerk Alecia, Jean and I began to sing a few songs- mostly spiritual- and I played piano. We were well-received and even officered the opportunity to do it again the next evening!

So back at Pine Ridge Cabins we are sitting in the meeting room where yesterday after figuring out who were the guardians, artisans, idealists and (what?! No rationals?) we dropped our straw-wrapped egg contraptions. One group actually succeeded!

Great breakfast! Fruit: mangos, pineapples, papayas, bananas, granola, yogurt(!), PB and J, honey, pecans and tea/coffee. So good. Everyone is in great spirits and the discourse is lively.

Oh yeah, Bob noticed cashew-laden tress outside the cabin. What an interesting group of teachers: Aaron lived in Uganda with a family for 5 or 6 months and has a lot to share in that regard. His given tribal name is Ntale (lion). The teachers are compassionate, supportive of one another and fully engaged with the WLS activities/offerings.

Okay back to the present: Just got back from a sweet hike to Big Rock Falls. There were two groups and two routes: one easier and the other one harder and more slippery. The falls were very full and we all made it, swam to our hearts’ content and posed for a photo by Bob.

Delicious lunch: burgers, bow-tie macaroni salad with lots of cilantro and cucumber, caramelized onions, tomatoes and good fresh butter-leaf lettuce, horchata and cookies, oh and baked beans- a little eggplant too.

We all took a power break, Alecia and Aaron in hammocks and the others just kickin’ back. After lunch people headed back out, this time to the most impressive best swimming hole that I’ve ever been to: Rio on Pools. First of, the name “On” for a river is cool, so many choices of where to swim, great clear warm water, smooth and long, gentle water slides. Bob and Matt ventured down river with some of the group following. Those who ventured were greeted by pristine pools with no one there, little beaches for future picnics and more great scenery. Then on to Rio Frio Caves- vast, huge and a big sandy beach with informative explanations by Matt under the stalactites, gorgeous views looking out from inside the caves, leaf cutter ant freeways…

Then on for a return to Blancaneaux for a cup of beer, mojitos with mint or basil- grown in the garden which we toured and saw cauliflower, tomatoes, citrus fruits, lemon grass, lettuces and various other produce which according to the Spanish speaking farmer was grown with organic pesticides that come in a bottle and are “very caro”.) Oh yes and I had jaquan juice- a local favorite. Elizabeth had pineapple juice and naughty David took a dip in the infinity pool- I should’ve stuck with him! Harrison played the piano- Old tyme to Ragtime and Alecia, Jean and Anny sange. We all sang on the bus- “Take it easy”, “Stop what’s that Sound”, “California Dreaming” and more. Mmmm, I hear there’s guacamole and diner is being served. Ciau!

--Anny Owen

Welcome to Belize

Tuesday June 24

In the night, our first night in Belize, it rains hard. Vast sheets of rain explode on tin roofs and then fade away. Over and over. At 6 am Dave Maher wiggles my toes to get me to go down to the river swimming hole, where there is a giant rope swing through the rain forest and into the Sibun River. But I do not stir.

Friendships are already being formed. After breakfast, we break off for interviews where pairs of people “interview” each other and then present one another to the group. The activity should last 5 minutes but stretches to 20. Educators engrossed with educators.

By 9 am we are on the road and our firs stop is Gaylan University, where Dr. Ed Boles gives us our introduction to climate change as we overlook the Belize River. Next stop is San Ignacio, where we have our first introduction to Belizean cuisine.

By the afternoon we have arrived at a cabin on the edge of Mountain Pine Ridge, one of Belize's most unique nature reserves. Because of soil and rainfall patters, most of the trees here are actually pine trees. The wooden cabin has beautiful views of Privassion Creek, from which it draws running water. It is completely off the grid and we use candles at night. In the distance, the Maya mountains stretch to Guatemala and the deep rain forests of Peten.

The group is wonderful, involved, resilient. They seem eager to get to know this new place and bring inspiration back to their classrooms. What lucky students they have!

After a wonderful dinner of pasta with meatballs and/or a vegetarian sauce, we walked down the road to Francis Ford Coppola’s Blancaneaux Lodge. We sat on the decks, drank mojitos and swam in the stone jacuzzi. Earlier that night we had completed our first leadership class, which was an activity called the egg drop challenge. That activity is designed to help us understand our individual temperaments/leadership styles, as determined by the Keirsey self-assessment (which we took prior to the course).

We came home in the bus, instead of walking, and in the dim bunk room we heard the women in the other bunk room practice multiple-part harmony on a huge range of songs. Then Anny, Alecia, Jean, Elizabeth, and Jeanette serenaded us to sleep through the thick walls of the bunkhouse with “Silent Night”. Lights out -- Ross Wehner

Introduction: From Airport to Lodging

Monday June 23

Sitting upstairs drinking cold lime water at the Belize Airport waiting for planes to land and the start of our 8-night adventure together.

Loading the bus in the warm tropical air, quickly exchanging names, smiles and then we're off down the road. First stop, mango, avocado, banana and ginnetts (a new, small, green fruit with a single seed for sucking off the citrus, sweet juice and pulp, yum!)

Settle into Monkey Bay Sanctuary education center, night falling, bugs coming out, light rain. We have 20 minutes till dinner.

Off to the z00 for a night tour! Up close and personal! -- Bob Densmore

The people:

- Ross (World Leadership School)

- Harrison (World Leadership School)

- David (World Leadership School/Fountain Valley School of Colorado Springs, Colorado)

- Matt (World Leadership School/Monkey Bay Sanctuary)

- Anny (Bolinas-Stinson Public School District in Marin County, California)

- Bob (Marin Country Day School, Corte Madera, California)

- Jean (St. John's Episcopal of Olney, Maryland)

- Alecia (St. John's Episcopal of Olney, Maryland)

- Elizabeth (The Bullis School, Potomac, Maryland)

- Aaron (Graland Country Day School, Denver, Colorado)

- Jeanette (St. John's Episcopal of Olney, Maryland)