2 pineapples, 1 cantaloupe, and 3 avocados for 20 Q (roughly $2.50).
This makes me love Guatemala a little more...
Friday, April 24, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
An un'BELIZE'able time!
My spring break started with a 24 hour bus trip and ended with a smile. What happened in between those two things will only be understood by those that were there. There were eight of us that ventured off to Caye Caulker for Semana Santa (holy week aka spring break) for the best vacation that I have been a part of.
The adventure began Friday afternoon when our bus left at 2:30 for Guatemala City where we caught a night bus to northern Guatemala. We switched buses Saturday morning in Flores after 9 hours of sweat filled slumber (the AC was broken, ugh!) and boarded the last of three buses headed to Belize. By the time we got to the boarder, we were all anxious to get to the sea and soak up the rays. Little did we know, we had 3 more hours until we reached Belize City. Luckily, we arrived 15 minutes before the next water taxi was heading to the my new love, Caye Caulker. We bought our tickets and headed to the island. We arrived exactly 24 hours after we began our journey the day before but from the moment I set foot on this slice of paradise, I knew the voyage had been worth it!
We checked into our hotel, put our swimsuits on, and headed to get something of substance in our systems before anything else. No one had eaten much on the trip and the fresh red snapper was calling our names! After our indulgence of fresh fish and the local beer, we headed to The Lazy Lizard at the split (pictured above). As we approached, we noticed a slogan written on the side of the building. This slogan quickly became well known within our group and will always be associated with this place, “A Sunny Place for Shady People.” How suitable! After treating ourselves to a number of rum punches (2 for 1, of course!) we decided it was time to head on. We made our way to Oceanside (another place that we frequented nightly).
Something that I haven’t mentioned yet is my popularity on the island. I know this is a rather strange this to talk about but it was so outrageous that I have to state it! I have never been that girl that the guys flock to. My role has always been the sidekick and to make sure everyone gets home safely. I often reap the benefits of my beautiful girlfriends but this week was full of the other 7 (yes, guys included) reaping the benefits of my influence. It was quite fun but I have to admit that I was happy to get back to my normal role when we returned to Guatemala! There’s just something Belizean men like about a curvy redhead!
So, back to Oceanside…the crazy 8 walked in and quickly took over. The guys were all about the darts and the girls ruled the dance floor. I was able to talk the bartender into giving us free music all night long and we were quickly singing along to all the “Songs Your Know By Heart” by Jimmy Buffett and feeling the rasta beat with Bob Marley. We made friends with a few locals that joined our group for the rest of the week. One in particular, Big Steve, (pictured above with myself and my roommate, Randi) was our snorkeling guide, advice giver of great food, and the entertainment on more than one occasion!
On Monday, we headed out to snorkel. Big Steve, Medium Steve, and Zues were our guides for the day. It was by far the best snorkeling I have ever done. We swam with sharks, rays, turtles, groupers, baracudas, and SO much more! They took us to the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. It was incredible. Luckily, we were able to SCUBA there a few days later and venture a little further below sea level. While we were snorkeling, Meduim Steve told us that there was a cave that we could free dive through. I didn't hesitate and dove down the 35 ft. to swim through. After we were done with our three snorkeling spots, we ate fresh conch ceiviche and sailed home. We thought this was a great oppurtunity for a pirate picture (below)!
There were so many other escapades this week but I have to save a few for 'face to face' story time! I will include a few more pictures but next time you see me, don't forget to ask about the other times of Caye Caulker!
Viva la Vida!
Liz
Coming soon: The second half of Semana Santa (including a Guatemalan Circus!) and the birth of Zoe Xela Schnyders!
Playlist:
I feel it All by Feist
We Can Work It Out by The Beatles
Politik by Coldplay
All I Need by Matt Kearney
Limon y Sal by Julieta Venegas
Baby’s Got Her Blue Jeans On by Mel McDaniel
Open Hands by Snow Patrol
Rodeo or Mexico by Garth Brooks
La Isla Bonita by Madonna
The adventure began Friday afternoon when our bus left at 2:30 for Guatemala City where we caught a night bus to northern Guatemala. We switched buses Saturday morning in Flores after 9 hours of sweat filled slumber (the AC was broken, ugh!) and boarded the last of three buses headed to Belize. By the time we got to the boarder, we were all anxious to get to the sea and soak up the rays. Little did we know, we had 3 more hours until we reached Belize City. Luckily, we arrived 15 minutes before the next water taxi was heading to the my new love, Caye Caulker. We bought our tickets and headed to the island. We arrived exactly 24 hours after we began our journey the day before but from the moment I set foot on this slice of paradise, I knew the voyage had been worth it!
We checked into our hotel, put our swimsuits on, and headed to get something of substance in our systems before anything else. No one had eaten much on the trip and the fresh red snapper was calling our names! After our indulgence of fresh fish and the local beer, we headed to The Lazy Lizard at the split (pictured above). As we approached, we noticed a slogan written on the side of the building. This slogan quickly became well known within our group and will always be associated with this place, “A Sunny Place for Shady People.” How suitable! After treating ourselves to a number of rum punches (2 for 1, of course!) we decided it was time to head on. We made our way to Oceanside (another place that we frequented nightly).
Something that I haven’t mentioned yet is my popularity on the island. I know this is a rather strange this to talk about but it was so outrageous that I have to state it! I have never been that girl that the guys flock to. My role has always been the sidekick and to make sure everyone gets home safely. I often reap the benefits of my beautiful girlfriends but this week was full of the other 7 (yes, guys included) reaping the benefits of my influence. It was quite fun but I have to admit that I was happy to get back to my normal role when we returned to Guatemala! There’s just something Belizean men like about a curvy redhead!
So, back to Oceanside…the crazy 8 walked in and quickly took over. The guys were all about the darts and the girls ruled the dance floor. I was able to talk the bartender into giving us free music all night long and we were quickly singing along to all the “Songs Your Know By Heart” by Jimmy Buffett and feeling the rasta beat with Bob Marley. We made friends with a few locals that joined our group for the rest of the week. One in particular, Big Steve, (pictured above with myself and my roommate, Randi) was our snorkeling guide, advice giver of great food, and the entertainment on more than one occasion!
On Monday, we headed out to snorkel. Big Steve, Medium Steve, and Zues were our guides for the day. It was by far the best snorkeling I have ever done. We swam with sharks, rays, turtles, groupers, baracudas, and SO much more! They took us to the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. It was incredible. Luckily, we were able to SCUBA there a few days later and venture a little further below sea level. While we were snorkeling, Meduim Steve told us that there was a cave that we could free dive through. I didn't hesitate and dove down the 35 ft. to swim through. After we were done with our three snorkeling spots, we ate fresh conch ceiviche and sailed home. We thought this was a great oppurtunity for a pirate picture (below)!
There were so many other escapades this week but I have to save a few for 'face to face' story time! I will include a few more pictures but next time you see me, don't forget to ask about the other times of Caye Caulker!
Viva la Vida!Liz
Coming soon: The second half of Semana Santa (including a Guatemalan Circus!) and the birth of Zoe Xela Schnyders!
Playlist:
I feel it All by Feist
We Can Work It Out by The Beatles
Politik by Coldplay
All I Need by Matt Kearney
Limon y Sal by Julieta Venegas
Baby’s Got Her Blue Jeans On by Mel McDaniel
Open Hands by Snow Patrol
Rodeo or Mexico by Garth Brooks
La Isla Bonita by Madonna
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Beachside in Belize
Just wanted to check in and let everyone know that I am having the time of my life in Belize. We arrived on Saturday after a 24 hour bus trip but it has been totally worth it. This place is beautiful and the people are great. My friends and I are having a wonderful time together as well and I couldn't have asked for a better semana santa (holy week/spring break). I will include pictures when I get home but a few highlights so far have been snorkeling with sharks, sting rays, and eels as well as sitting for hours playing cards doing nothing...life it good!
Liz
Liz
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