Friday, July 11, 2008
Tuesday, July 1, 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.
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!
Naomi's Recepies
Naomi's Recipe for Fry Cakes
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs flour (a rare treat in
- 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.
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.
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
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
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
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
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,
7. Grand models for fixing problems- outside the box thinking
After a fascinating bus ride sitting beside
-- Alecia Berman-Dry