"That's Why It's Called Fishing, Not Catching"

One of the most amazing things about this experience so far is getting to know the locals. Instead of feeling like a tourist, I feel like a part of the community here. Yesterday, the dean of the junior college, Mr. Ellis, the principal of the high school, Mr. Vasquez, and one of the faculty members of the high school, Alberto, took Katy, Jeanne L., and myself out deep sea fishing. It was really an amazing experience, and something I don't think any tourist would get a chance to do.

They took us out on a boat with Captain Abel, who has an awesome name. Two of his relatives, Ricardo and Joseph, who were about our age, were also with us, helping out. They took us down to the southern end of the island, which is totally abandoned and protected by the government. The waters weren't protected, of course, and there were a few other boats out there with us. Everything was really clear and calm, although not as clear as the waters around Ak'Bol or Mexico Rocks.

I haven't really gone fishing since I was little and my grandfather would take us all fishing in the pond near our home in Pinetops. I wasn't really expecting to catch much, but there were so many fish even I caught eight or nine. Everyone did. We mostly caught snapper, although there were a few grouper and other fish as well. Some of the fish we caught were protected and had to be thrown back, and one of mine was eaten by a barracuda as I was reeling it in.

That's right folks, I said a barracuda. We saw a few leaping out of the water to snag the fish we were reeling in. We also saw some eagle rays leaping out of the water, which was amazing. The most awesome thing I saw, though, was a manatee, which couldn't have been more than 20 feet away from the boat. It crested and then dove back down, and I saw its large, broad tail slip beneath the waves. I wasn't even really aware that manatees came that far out in the sea.

It was really a great thing, and we were pretty much out all day. We came back and helped the guys clean the fish, and then we went on in. I was exhausted, but I had to be appreciative of the fact that they just took us out. It's not something that tourists would do, and that makes it awesome. I really don't think anything can replace the kind of experiences I've had so far, and guys, I've only been here two weeks!

Perfect Days

So, I know I should be blogging more. Belize is amazing, and I've just been overwhelmed with all the cool stuff I've had a chance to do this past week. I taught in the schools all week. I am teaching the novel The Schoolmaster by Earl Lovelace, which I hope to blog about once I've finished reading it. I've had great times with the other teachers at the school, and I have to admit that I've never had so much fun in my life.

This past weekend was just incredible. I know, I shouldn't brag. I'm very blessed to have this opportunity and I didn't deserve it, and I really wish all my friends and family from back home could be here. Actually, I've been a little homesick. Not that I'm really sad or anything, but I keep thinking about how awesome things would be if some people I know and love were here. But then again, I realize that I can always come back with them one day!

So, on Saturday a group of us biked to Ak'Bol, a yoga retreat and hostel on the north end of the island. It was absolutely beautiful, and we biked on the beach for a long way. The water was absolutely crystal clear, and we went snorkeling off the pier. I saw a lion fish and a ton of absolutely beautiful fish. Oh, I also had coconut French toast at the restaurant there. Then we all got into the absolutely breathtaking pool they had in the back of the hostel.

Honestly, that just took the morning. Then that night I heard an awesome cover band at a local restaurant, and some of the local teachers at our high school took us out dancing. It was quite the rarity for me to let loose like that, as anyone who knows me knows, but I had a great time. Granted, I did end up going back to our hostel earlier than everyone else. But remember, I haven't gone out dancing in about three years! So that's something.

The day after, we went out to Mexico Rocks, a breathtaking snorkeling site where I saw stingrays, coral, and more fish than I could count. Then we went diving for our own conchs, which we cooked and ate just a few hours later. By the end of the weekend I was sunburned, covered in mosquito bites, had cut my foot on a rock, and was more exhausted than I have ever been, but I can't imagine any more perfect days.

Notes On Class

Yesterday was my first day actually observing classes. It was a very interesting experience. For one, it's simply incredible to think about how much we take for granted in American education. The classrooms here have no computers (although there is a small computer lab). The desks and chairs are quite beat up, and there aren't enough books for all of the kids.

Still, the teachers teach and the students learn. The things that go on in an American classroom go on here. Some students talk in class, others put their heads down on their desks. The teachers manage their classrooms and teach lessons, all with varying degrees of success, just like at home.

What's also interesting is that the students have both Spanish and English classes here. They learn both Spanish and English grammar and read both Spanish and English literature. It really is amazing to be in a truly bilingual country (really trilingual if you count Creole), although it is somewhat strange when the kids start speaking Spanish or Creole in front of you. It makes you worry that they're talking about you. Still, it happens often and I've basically gotten used to it.

Basically, if you haven't figured it out, I'm having a great time, and I'm enjoying observing the kids and teachers. Like I said elsewhere, teenagers seem to be teenagers wherever you go, so hopefully I'll be able to teach these teenagers in San Pedro just as easily as the ones in Wilmington. Granted, that wasn't easy, but you get the idea.

The Schools

So, the schools here are interesting to say the least. I've visited two elementary schools and the high school, where I will be doing my student teaching. My supervising teacher's name is Krista, and we're mainly going to be teaching grammar while I'm here. Since I never had a chance to teach grammar during my student teaching in the United States, this should be fun!

The teachers I've met all show just how diverse and interesting this small world is. Many are only high school graduates, while others have associate degrees from the local junior college. Others have studied abroad, and one young man was studying to be a Catholic priest in Saint Louis before returning to San Pedro. The principal of one of the elementary schools was a doctor from North Dakota. She came to the Caribbean to practice medicine, and found herself living here.

Goodness, everything here is so fascinating. I find myself wanting to write constantly. The high school is definitely poor by American standards. The windows don't even have glass. Then again, when the shutters open out onto a view of the Caribbean, which is right next to the school gym, who needs glass?

One thing that is easiest to notice is that teenagers are teenagers everywhere. Even though I've only observed for a day, the kids are the same. They joke, they gossip, they flirt, they listen to Ke$ha and Sean Paul on their iPods, and they are, well, teenagers. There isn't a better way to describe them.

Culture Shock

I guess I really need to talk more about my time in Belize, don't I? The great thing about this trip is that it is so multi-layered. On the one hand, I'm experiencing the Caribbean and island life like any other tourist. On the other hand, I'm getting a more cultural experience by being in the schools, meeting the locals, and being here for five weeks -- which is a lot longer than I realized now that I've been here four days.

The local culture of Belize is such a melting pot. The people here are Hispanic, Mayan, West Indian, European, or of African origin. It's often hard to tell who is a local and who is a tourist. Oh, and I also forgot to mention the many Chinese who call San Pedro home. When I stopped by the high school, I saw a few students of Chinese origin, which was cool.

The language here is similarly a melting pot. It's not hard to hear a local speaking perfect English, then flowing directly into Spanish, then using the Creole that is spoken here, which is a combination of English, Spanish, and Mayan phrases. Walking down the three streets of San Pedro, you get a shocking sense of just how diverse this tiny town is.

Still, it is also totally possible to be here and not really experience that culture. Tourist traps abound and we've already noticed how American and European tourists pay a little more at the fruit stands and other vendors that line the streets. Maybe we'll start to fit in more once we've been here awhile. We're going to a teacher's home tonight to eat dinner with her and her family, so we'll see how that goes. All in all, I'm loving it here!

Arriving And Thriving

Well, ladies and gentlemen, we are here! The flight over was a pretty good one. I've only flown once before, and that was a long flight from Detroit to London, England. It was a class trip during my Junior year of high school, so everything was basically taken care of for me, and I was just shuffled through the airport by adults. Actually planning my own trip, buying my own tickets, and making my way through the airport was quite the liberating experience.

So the trip down did go well. We entered San Pedro on a tiny (and I mean really tiny) airplane. Seriously, I feel like I've been in cars larger than that thing. Still, as scared as I was, it was also a thrilling experience. The water was so crystal clear that you could easily see the coral reefs beneath the surface, and it was also amazing to see the opulence of the tourist destinations right next to the poverty of the locals' homes and shops. While you're in the air, you see it all, and any barriers that would normally be up are useless.

There really haven't been any major problems so far. My camera doesn't really work. I haven't figured out if it's the camera or the battery that's causing the trouble. In either case, it will only turn on for about five minutes at a time before shutting down. I've been able to take about 20 pictures so far, so I'm not complaining, although I haven't uploaded them onto my computer yet. In either case, it's a cheap digital camera that I bought specifically for the trip, and hopefully it will last for the five weeks that I'm here.

I really am excited about starting to work in the schools. The island is very small and reminds me of Ocracoke Island, North Carolina, where I spent a lot of my childhood. You can see lots of kids in their school uniforms hanging out on the beach after school, playing soccer and whatnot. A few even work the various souvenir stands that line the streets. I can't wait till I've met them and they know that I'm not a tourist, but a part of this community, at least for a few weeks.

Like I said, things have been awesome so far. I wish the Internet worked better here, and I also wished I had a reliable camera, but I'm still having the time of my life, so keep checking up, and feel free to comment and follow along on Facebook. The links to the other students' blogs are on the right, as is the link to our group's Facebook page. I'm still getting to know everyone but they all seem awesome so far, and I think we're going to have a great five weeks here. Happy travels!