Mama and Papa Howe visit Belize

I just had the most amazing week. My Mom and Dad came to Belize. We did so much in one week that I am not really sure where to begin, so I guess I will start with the beginning. :)

Last Thursday I traveled to Belmopan for two reasons. One, was to get Piglet neutered. Oh yes big news there, Piglet is a HE, not a she. This was discovered on St. Patty's Day. I had some volunteers over for some potato soup and irish soda bread. One of the volunteers (Dick, who is 72 years old) asked why I kept calling Piglet a she, I said because she is a girl. I was then shown the evidence that Piglet was indeed NOT a she but a HE. Guess me being a first time pet owner really showed. Piglet was neutered in Belmopan and has recovered very well.

Second, 38 new volunteers arrived in Belize. I went up to meet them at the airport and then have dinner with them. It was great to have around 40 of us current volunteers to greet them at the airport. I think it really showed our e enthusiasm and support. That night I traveled to Belize City and stayed with Pat and Keri in their amazing apartment. It was so nice to catch up with them (we trained together). They are great hosts, made me a wonderful breakfast in the morning.

Now the adventure begins with Mama and Papa Howe.

That day I proceeded to take a bus to the airport junction and then a taxi to the airport. I was a little early, but was able to watch them come off the plane. Words cannot describe how great it was to see them after almost 8 months. We got our rental car and started the journey out to San Ignacio. Our first stop was Belmopan, we saw my old host family there and also the PC Headquarters. We stayed in lovely Cahal Pech Resort. It sits on the top of a hill overlooking the town, really amazing. We had a great cabana with a porch and hammock. The first night we reached at dark, so we stayed in and had a nice dinner at the resort.

Our first dinner together.

On Saturday we got up early and ventured down to the market, got some fresh fruits. Dad saw what he thought was a clementine, even though everyone told him it was a lime, he insisted on buying. He began to eat this fruit and discovered it was indeed a lime and had quite the reaction to it. 

Dad with his lime.

 We then heading to Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve on bumpy dirt roads (this continued the whole day...oh Belize). We ventured all the way through the park to Caracol (biggest Mayan Ruins in Belize). It was amazing. We climbed to the top and could see everywhere. What a view and a massive community. 

The intense roads in Mountain Pine Ridge. 

The three of us in Caracol.

After we went to the 5 Sisters Waterfalls and Resort. We were able to have a nice lunch over looking the falls. Then we went on the most ridiculous journey to the 1,000 ft Falls. The road did not even look like a road, luckily we had 4 wheel drive. Once we got there I could not believe the site, it was well worth the horrible drive. The view was something that everyone should see. 

The Three Amigos at 5 Sister's Falls

1,000 ft Falls (it is actually 1,600ft).

We ventured back to San Ignacio and had a lovely dinner with Tracy and Roger (fellow PCVs). It was nice for my parents to be able to meet other PCVs here in Belize. We took Roger and Tracy back to Roger's house. He played his guitar for us. He is talented, I could sit there a listen to him play for hours. He played one of my favorite songs, Annie's Song by John Denver.

Tracy, Roger and I.

Oh Sunday we went to Xunantunich Mayan Ruin in Benque. It is quite interesting how each of the ruins are different.We climbed to the top of that also, great views into Guatemala and all over Belize. 

Xunantunich

Love my Papa

Mom and I with our GREAT hats. :)

We ventured over to Cahal Pech Mayan Ruin (right next to our resort). The visitor center was very good, with lots of information about the mayan people. The ruin was not as spectacular but had some differences. 

Cahal Pech

Climbing Cahal Pech

I thought this was cute...except for Dad's face...they were celebrating at the top.

We then went back to the resort and swam in the pool and enjoyed the sunset. It was great to be in a pool and watch an amazing sunset over the town. That night we went to a lovely dinner at San Ignacio Hotel, very fancy and good food.

Relaxing by the pool at sunset.

Happy 25th Anniversary!

Layla, thanks for the great early birthday presents...look how nice this shirt looks. :)

<3 my mama

On Monday we began traveling south to Placencia. On the way we stopped at Spanish Lookout. This is a village of Mennonites that settled in Belize after coming from Mexico. It reminds me of Harrisonburg, or some small town in the states. It was very clean and americanized. We stopped in Belmopan for a nice little lunch and to catch up on some internet at a cafe/deli (Perk Up).  We also stopped in Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary (Jaguar Sanctuary). We hiked a little, did not see any jaguars though. We finally reached Placencia Beach around dark. Went to our cabana right on the beach.

Our cabana in Placencia.

On Tuesday we woke to a cloudy day at the beach. We made the best of it though. Walked on the sidewalk (Guiness Book of World Records holder for "narrowest main street in the world"). Lots of cute shops to visit and browse through. We also found Diet Root Beer, my Dad had been searching since being in country for it, it was quite the accomplishment to find it. While sitting on the edge of the peninsula I saw the Ambassador and his wife Barbara. This is proof of how tiny Belize is and what a small world it is. I was able to introduce my parents to them. They of course were very kind and welcoming like always.

The little garden at our cabana.

Nice Italian dinner.

Dad put some pretty flowers in our hair.

On Wednesday we awoke to a sunny day. We were on the beach by 8am (this might be a good point to mention we were up and moving everyday by 7am). It was awesome weather, the water looked like glass that morning. We had a nice relaxing day by the beach, I really enjoyed having beach time. I have been in Belize for 8 months and this was one of the first times I actually sat on the beach in a swim suit. It was time for me to have that experience. At night we played some card games, just very relaxing.

Mom and Dad relaxing in the ocean.

Mom took this awesome picture.

On Thursday we hit the road again to head to PG, my home these days. Along the way we stopped at Nim Li Punit Mayan Ruin (you might think we over did the ruins, but you should see them while you can). This was smaller but still sizable. 

Nim Li Punit

We stopped at the Fajina Chairlady's home in Indian Creek Village, she ended up being in PG at Fajina, but her daughter was there. It was good to show my parents how many of the people live here in Belize, in thatch roof homes. 

We reached PG and had lunch at Fajina, Mom and Dad were able to taste caldo and corn tortilla. That evening we went over to Alice's and she had a cultural presentation for us of the Garifuna culture. They played the steel drums and danced, then we all danced. It was quite the experience. We then took Alice and her family to dinner, it was a lovely evening.

One of my favorites views of Toledo.

Our very dirty car.

We finally made it to PG!

Mom and Dad at Fajina Restaurant.

My host family and real family out to dinner. (clockwise: me, Alice, Luther, Dad, Josie and Ismae)

Me, Mom and Alice.

On Friday, our last full day together we drove out to Rio Blanco Falls here in Toledo. The falls were dried up,  only a little fall was there. We also saw the San Antonio Falls, which were also flowing slowly. Then we stopped at our finally ruin, Lubantum. This was different because you parked at the top of one hill and then walked down and then up to get to the base of the ruin. Everything in PG was shut down because it was Good Friday. Something I did not realize. I felt bad, because they were not able to get the full PG experience, but I guess there might be another time.

Rio Blanco Falls.

San Antonio Falls.

Lubantum

My house (downstairs only).

On Saturday, we were able to go to the market, so they could see how it works. Then it was time for them to go, fairly early, 8am. It was a sad good bye, very hard to do. I am just looking forward to seeing them in May. I have to say that it was one of the best vacations I have ever had. It was so refreshing to be a tourist in Belize, and see the wonderful sites that this country has to offer.