Maga Season

Fifteen hours, two flights, and a water taxi ride later, we made it to Caye Caulker. As far as travel days go, today was a fairly smooth one. We left the house at 4 a.m. and arrived in Boston a little after 5 for our 8:30 flight. After checking in and having a classy airport breakfast (thanks, Dunkins), Ben and I began the trek. A few hours later we found ourselves in Miami, and after a short layover we were on our way to Belize!

At the airport we were met by Maria from Peacework and a taxi driver named Robert. Here are a few things we learned from Robert on the drive into Belize City:

1. Maga Season = a garifuna term roughly meaning 'thin', maga season refers to the time after the holidays when everybody's wallets are hurtin'.

2. Yukun = a creole word meaning Belizeans like new things for a little while, but then it's back to the same ol' same ol'.

3. Heinz Salad Cream makes a bangin' potato salad. (I plan to taste for myself.)

We stopped at Brodie's, a grocery store in the city, to pick up a few essentials. We were shocked by the prices, until we remembered they were in Belizean dollars (aka, that 12 dollar box of Kix really costs 6 dollars, U.S.). From there we went to the water taxi dock and hopped on the 5:30 express to Caye Caulker. A dark and bumpy 45 minutes later, we arrived on Caye Caulker. The guest house that we're renting is right across the street from the dock, so thankfully we didn't have far to lug our bags. We're living in a little 5-room place above a sports bar and an ice cream parlor. (I'll try to post some pictures soon. Aside from a slight cockroach problem, it's pretty cute). After settling in a bit, we walked up the street to the Rainbow Bar & Grill for dinner. Now we're back and I'm about ready to call it a night.

Tomorrow we'll be spending the day at Ocean Academy (where I'll be working for the next 6 months). I can't wait to see what it's like!

P.S. As you can see, this blog doesn't have a name as of yet. I'm open for suggestions.