HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAMA!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!

I love and miss you!

"Is this your Mother?"

Some of you might remember last October when I worked with Healing the Children who were conducting lip and cleft palate surgeries. Well last week Healing the Children returned with Dentists! Tracy and I accompanied them to San Pedro Columbia where they saw around 100 children. They conducted extraction, restoration and cleaning of teeth. It was amazing to see how much they could accomplish in a classroom in a village! They brought all the equipment and tools to conduct these dental procedures. It is always nice to see children receive proper dental care.

 

Here is the line of children waiting with their mothers.

Tracy was a dental hygienist for over 30 years, she was able to clean some children's teeth.

The village of San Pedro Columbia.

My next adventure last week was traveling to San Bentio Poite to visit a fellow PCV, Lilly. I was very excited for this adventure because I have heard such wonderful things about Poite. I got on the market bus here in PG at 11:30 and traveled on a dirty, rocky road until my arrival in Poite at 2. May I just say that these village people are tough! Upon my arrival I departed the bus to a happy, excited Lilly. I got a little tour of her house, a one room, multi purpose area. She has a nice queen bed, with a lovely mosquito net, used for more than decoration, a stove, hammock and a HUGE table. One of the nicest features of her house is her lovely tiled outdoor shower, needless to say I was very impressed by the amenities. We made some chewy brownies, sometimes you need some chocolate. 

Lilly had arranged a guided tour of Pusilha Mayan Ruin. We proceeded to meet our tour guide Manuel, yes a tour just for the two of us, oh and Lilly's host brother, Pablo. He is a talker, the whole way he's telling me about how his birthday is March 24th, he's turning 11 and his father told him that they will kill two chickens for his birthday. He said it was no pig but pretty good. He asked what things I have on my birthday, does my family kill a chicken? I had to explain we don't own chickens, so that is not an option. Needless to say it was a very entertaining conversation. Then we arrived here:

I would like to call this the "Bridge of Death" but they so lovingly referred to it as a hammock bridge. I had no idea I would have to cross something so scary and death defying! I had all intentions to cross with dignity and not fall, so of course I crawled the entire way...yes just like a baby. I am proud to say I did not fall going either way across, I maybe came out with some bruised and cut knees, but I was not wet! Of course Manuel and Pablo basically run across like they're out for a stroll. Our next feat is climbing to the top of Pusilha. 

Folks, we are now in the JUNGLE or bush as it is fondly referred to here in Belize. This was a straight vertical climb to the top of the ruin. A few times I thought I might break my ankle, but we all survived and made it to the top. 

It is so neat because the ruin is not excavated fully, so a lot of it is still underground. I do have to tell you how breathtaking the view was from the top. We were able to see for miles, into Guatemala. It was quiet the fun tour. 

The next day we had some good times, just living in the village. Lilly was asked twice if I was her mother. All of you might need some clarification on this, I am only two months older than Lilly, we are both 22, so you can imagine my astonishment being asked this question in two different situations.

That evening Lilly became a Comadre aka Godmother to little baby Travis. We attended a 2 hour service at House of Prayer and then she became his Godmother. The entire thing was in K'kechi, but it was still very interesting to watch. When the preacher was making Lilly a Comadre there was a huge uproar from the crowd, everyone was yelling, praying and singing. It was the loudest commotion I have ever encountered in a church. Afterwards, Travis' family had the entire congregation and us over for pork caldo. They killed a 150 pound pig that afternoon for the occasion. Earlier Lilly and I were able to eat fresh chicharon, many of you might not know that is deep fried pig skin, so it was definitely fresh. It was a really awesome event to witness.

Below are some cute little "piglets" also a pretty waterfall in Poite and then some new kittens!

  

   

The village has so much to offer and I had a grand time exploring for 2 days. On Friday morning we woke up at 3:40am to catch the 4am bus back to town, this is what the village people do each week, like I said they're tough! Overall it was a lovely time. I felt so much more relaxed being away and really enjoyed visiting with Lilly and the village of San Bentio Poite!