Home Sweet Home

It does feel really great to be home. I loved Belize, but it's wonderful to not be sweating 24/7. My bed feels delightful - and I have successfully eaten my fill of pizza and milkshakes...and cookies. Now I'm back to a more balanced and healthy diet such as cereal, vegetables and fruit. I do miss the tropical fruits in Belize, but am excited about Washington fruits that are in season, such as blueberries, grapes and cherries. Who knew one could become so excited about food?? It really is quite fun to think of all the things God created for us to eat. I've begun the application process for jobs in the Seattle area. I continue to trust that the right doors will be opened as I continue to pursue various options.

Excuse the underlining in that last paragraph, don't know what happened, couldn't get it off, didn't want to try too hard.

Now it's off to the annual BANKS LAKE FAMILY CAMPING TRIP! I think there has been maybe one year that I have not made it out of about 14. Here are some pics from past years...we always try and stay in the same spot...right on the beach with a boat-in camp site.

Below:
1)This is a little cove we sometimes go to in order to cliff jump, or just swim around in.
2)My brother and sister in law's dog Tawny at Banks (I call her Niffy for short) and "Little Red" the boat that passed from my uncle to brother. We (kids) all learned to ski behind that boat! We get to ski in and out from our little beachfront at the campsite. It's a very fun and relaxing trip.

Fishing

Here's a picture of the washed out road in Dangriga on our way down to PG. I was convinced we were gonna try and pass it, but Mr. Hunter was just getting a closer look. Whew, because it did NOT look wide enough for a car.

This is a picture of us caravanning into the villages and crossing swollen rivers. It was exciting, especially with retired U.S. Army driving.

Tammy and I on our way back from fishing. We didn't get in until almost dark. Remember, the sun sets here by 6:30. It was a long, full, exciting day. We left around 9am. All day the clouds were around us, but never over us...same with the thunder and lightening.

We went fishing on Sunday!! Mr. Cruz took us out to Mojo caye and Snake Caye. We swam around and stood in the sea for literally around 3 straight hours. After catching our own bait in nets, we went out to do some fishing. I caught the most of everyone on the boat!! Here's a picture of some of the others on board, debating whose fish was bigger. After fishing in a few different spots, we went back and the fire chief (far left) fried them up at the fire house for us. Yum!

So tomorrow I fly out at 3:55pm. It's been a wonderful experience down here, I've met incredible people and have seen and done very interesting things. Now, back to Seattle to find a job!

Village visits

Hi all,
Friday we left for Punta Gorda "PG" as they call it here. It was a long drive, as we stopped off in Dangriga along the way to bring some supplies to the Red Cross office there. We also drove out to one of the towns effected by flooding to dispense some more chlorine tablets for treating water. The bugs were very bad out there, in particular the no see-ums. The roads were washed out in places, and the dirt roads were very rough. I have some entertaining video which I'll try and post later.

So, we made it down to PG around 6pm. The Redcross staff here were waiting for us at the office for a meeting. They explained a little bit of what they had in mind, and what would be appropriate for some of the mayan villages we would be teaching at. Before we left Belize City we had been preparing educational materials around Basic Health, etc. Once we arrived, we were informed they would like us to talk on Reproductive health and hygiene. Apparently there have been several diarhea outbreaks in some of these villages. So, we were up last night until about 12pm trying to draw flipcharts and create a presentation. We were up at 6am to hit the road. It took about 2 hours to get out there, crossing several flooded bridges - areas of moving water. Bumpy ride - all dirt roads.

It is absolutely beautiful down here. Probably my favorite area of Belize besides the Cayes. There are rolling hills, with jungly trees - everything is very green. There are areas where they've cleared it for farming and livestock. There are thatched houses everywhere. There are rivers and waterfalls. It is amazing. So, we went to 2 villages today to do education - for around 2 hours in each. They each required translation into Ketchi (the local Native langugage). We were kinda trying to watch time and the weather because they have been calling for rain and the bridges may have become impassible. However, the didn't. We got in from the day and from dinner around 7:45pm.

Tomorrow we may take the day off - Sunday isn't the best day to go do education in these villages because most of the people are busy with church and cooking all day. So, there's a chance we may go fishing w/ Mr. Cruz. He is the general director of the Red Cross down here in the Toledo District...retired U.S. Army. He runs a tight ship down here in this district (we ironed our red cross shirts last night). If not, we'll find some water somewhere to go swimming - either the Gulf of Honduras, or a river. That is, if the weather holds. Either way, it should be fun and I'm trying to soak up the last few days here in Belize.

Presentation update

My presentation on sexuality yesterday went well. Since we had challenges with this group of students on Monday, we decided to list out some "ground rules" to go over before the presentations began. Those didn't really hold any water. It was kindof a battle at times to keep them under control, but I was amazed at how interested and intune they were when I was presenting the anatomy - as well as discussing pregnancy, contraception, STI's, and specifics surrounding these topics. When I asked the kids if they had ever had this type of presentation or class in school, they said no. So, it's valuable information for them - and hopefully some of it was heard. Now, all this being said, anytime you have 14 year old boys and girls mixed together talking about sex, it can get a little rowdy - lots of giggling and laughing and jokes. I was actually kindof glad when my hour was through.

Yesterday it was confirmed that we will be traveling down south tomorrow (friday) with the Red Cross to do some basic health education in rural communities. Much of this area is still flooded, so we will be visiting the villages that are accessible. However, they are calling for more rain tonight and tomorrow with another tropical wave approaching. So, we'll see. They told us there is a risk of waters rising and it being a challenge to get out, but all in all, by boat or something, I'm sure we'll be fine. So, this means that we are now trying to piece together some sort of presentation. It will probably cover vector control, basic hygiene, water sanitation, food safety, basic first aid, and communicable diseases. Not sure how to fit that into an hour??!! And, we are not going to have access to electricity in parts, which means no powerpoints. Some of these communities are Mayan and have their own dialects, so we will also need translation. In these instances, you just do the best you can with what you have and keep it very basic. I'm excited to see the southern part of the country, as I've heard it is beautiful. Also, this is a first step into many of these communities in terms of health education.

This morning we had the opportunity to sit in on the only HIV/AIDS clinic in Belize City (at the local hospital) - with one of the only Doctors who treats patients suffering from the virus. It was a real eye opener to listen to some of the patients talking about the reality of their lives with HIV, and the intense stigma and discrimination that occurs here. The first two women both became infected by their husbands without knowing it. There is intense shame, isolation and loneliness that occurs. Such an anger - to the point of not wanting to take medications, simply wanting to die. There is only one organization in Belize that is working with people living with HIV/AIDS, and that is Alliance Against Aids. This is a huge problem in this country, and there is very little support for these people.

Okay, that's a brief update! Hard to believe I will be leaving for home in exactly one week....

Here are more pictures~

http://picasaweb.google.com/shavonnewinters/BelizeCityFlowersPresentations?authkey=VxKbZ4v8Pdk

Belizean Time

Things in Belize generally don't happen on time, based on my experience. If they say 8:30 am, you should count on it starting between 9:30 or 10am. However, there are times where communication gets skewed and you're planning on 1:00pm and they call at 11:45 to say it's starting at 12pm. It's all about flexibility. We went out to Caye Caulker this weekend and had a great time. Layed out in the sun, swam in the sea, went to karaoke and listened to the locals singing Bob Marley, country songs, and Celine Deon. Entertaining for sure.

We planned on catching the last boat home off the island - at 4pm on Sunday. We had purchased round trip tickets in belize city. Tammy and I were hanging out at a little cafe drinking milkshakes and watching the dock fill up with people. Really, there was no point in rushing out there because they don't believe in lines so it's just a massive rush and swarm. At around 3:55 we walk out and hear people talking about how the company decided to cancel the 3pm boat, so those passengers were waiting to also catch the 4pm taxi. Basically, double the passengers wanting a ride. The boat comes from San Pedro, with people already on board. Our taxi pulls up and it's already packed.....and after they jammed people on to an unsafe capacity, there were still around 15 of us standing on the dock, with tickets, and no boat. The captain said "sorry, no other boat". That was it. Hmm. Okay. Out of luck.

We then walked over to the only other water taxi company on the island and thankfully got tickets for the 5pm taxi and made it home safe and sound. Yesterday, we walked over to the terminal and got a refund from the other company.

Today I am giving a presentation on sexuality (like sex-ed with gender issues thrown in) at a highschool in Belize City. It was a challenging crowd of students for my peer's presentation on HIV/AIDS Monday, so I'm expecting a bit of the same. Especially given the topic and the fact that these kids are around 14 years old. I'll let you know how it goes later.

Here is a link for new pictures. There are some from Belize City, and some from the weekend at Caye Caulker.

http://picasaweb.google.com/shavonnewinters/CayeCaulker2?authkey=5Ru8cXvyBvw

Updated Dangriga & Hopkins w/ photo link

Tuesday we went with a red cross member, Raph, down to Dangriga for the day. It was a fun road trip down the hummingbird highway and we were able to get a glimpse of what's going on down there. Raph is directing a radio program for the Red Cross about HIV/AIDS. He has much experience in broadcasting and many connections throughout Belize!

Here's a picture of me and Bonnie - the cutest little 2 year old girl from Hopkins. We asked her mom if we could take a picture of her...she said yes. After Tammy took a few pictures, I showed bonnie herself on the digital camera. She was enthralled! She couldn't get close enough to me -- kept rubbing her arms all over mine and burrying her head into my side. I think it was my blue eyes. She is one of the first little kids I've had much interaction with here and I loved it!

Yesterday (thursday) we gave our first presentation with the red cross. They were training a new group of National intervention team members (NIT's). We were asked on Wednesday afternoon to present the powerpoint Thursday morning at 8:30. It was on "Health in Disasters". Jennifer, Tammy, and myself split up the material and also created some scenarios for small group activity. The presentation/small group time lasted between an hour and a half/ two hours and it went very well....considering it wasn't our own material and none of us have ever been healthcare responders in a disaster. Next week we will be presenting HIV/AIDS material to a local highschool. There is a chance that towards the end of the week, we will be heading down to Punta Gorda (far south) to do some basic health education with more rural villages. I'll keep you posted!!
This weekend we will be out on Caye Caulker w/ my professor for some seminar time and relaxing. Hope all is well with everyone and happy Friday!!

Here is a link to some new pictures...

http://picasaweb.google.com/shavonnewinters/DangrigaAndHopkins?authkey=BwxuC6I3g1E

Photos

The feeding frenzie of nurse sharks that we snorkeled with...
This is the mouth of one of the sharks.....
Streets in Belize City near our Red Cross office

Yesterday we had a nice road trip down to Dangriga and Hopkins. We left around 8:30 and got back to town around 6:30. I'll try and post some pics of the trip tomorrow. Tonight our professor from Seattle Univ. is coming into town. She will be following us around Thursday and Friday and then we will go out to Caye Caulker with her Saturday and Sunday for fun....

Dead bodies and sharks - San Pedro

Hi everyone! We had a great time on San Pedro this weekend. Beautiful weather, great hotel. It came with free punch (and rum punch) all day, breakfast, and they had a nice dock with hammocks and lounge chairs to use. Also, their dock ended with a nice swimming area. Very relaxing.

We got in on Saturday, and shortly after we arrived and settled on the dock, the police came by carrying what looked like a body (wrapped up in a sheet). They were all kindof laughing, etc, so it kindof appeared to be a practical joke. The locals standing near by said "he's inibriated, he's had too much". Well, regardless, the police kept carrying this body down onto the dock. In my head I'm thinking...that's a dead body, and if it's not, what are they doing with it?

Well, turns out it was a corpse. An older man had died in his sleep I guess, so they toted the body out on our private dock and left him there to be picked up by a charter boat (he didn't have family with him). It was an interesting glimpse of the police and how they run things. So, we chose to clear the dock until the body was retrieved (I was actually getting too hot, so ran out there and quick jumped in while he was stilling laying there...i'll admit, it did feel a little weird). Super strange??!!!!

Sunday we went snorkeling - saw pretty fish, and swam with more sting rays and nurse sharks! It was nuts. Our guide brought sardines to feed them when we first arrived and it was crazy. He said to jump in opposite side of the boat from the feeding. The sharks were between 4-8 feet long. I jumped in but definitely stayed towards the other side/back of the boat to watch until the frenzie cleared out a bit. Then our guide jumped in and caught one! He held it so we could touch it. Wow. Very fun!! And scary at the same time.

On the water taxi home, I was smashed inbetween 2 interesting people - one of which kept hitting on me..."you are so beautiful, seriously". His eyes were beyond bloodshot, it was very awkward, but the taxi was full so I couldn't move. He asked if I had kids to which I said no, but I did say I was married to a Doctor and that we were here working with the red cross....which only mildly worked. The entire ride I had to keep my eyes closed, pretending to sleep.

So, back to work today....tomorrow we are going to Dangriga for the day to help with the radio program again. Enjoy the new pictures!

http://picasaweb.google.com/shavonnewinters/SanPedro?authkey=2mufgyMTRnQ

Typical Day

10pm-4am - Dogs barking and loud vehicles throughout the night
4am - Tropical birds chirping near my window in a loud fashion
5am - Beto and Alice awake, eating breakfast and setting table
6:30am - finally get out of bed
7am - eat breakfast (toast, oatmeal, fruit, instant coffee, juice)
7:45am - start walking to Red Cross Office
8:15-8:20 - arrive at work, try to quick check email
8:30-12pm - work, visit organizations in community, read materials, etc
12-1:30 - Belize lunch hour(s)- we generally take a lunch from home (leftover dinner, fruit, or sandwich)
1:30-5pm finish work
5pm-5:30 walk home, maybe stop off at stores to explore around. Get honked at, called "beautiful", see iguanas and wish-willies (like iguanas but dark grey), large barking dogs behind fences in our faces, etc
5:45-6:30 - go for run every other day at the marion Jones track near our house
6:30 - must be home by this time!!! Gets dark. We eat dinner, chat, watch the news, etc.

The rest of the evening is spent "debriefing" the day, or having "seminar" as we call it. We also watch TV. Bed Time is generally around 10:30ish.

Tonight we might try and see a movie at the princess hotel and casino near our house. It's close enough to walk, but since the show starts at 8pm, we'll have to take a taxi. This is a large hotel with several theatres and an arcade/bowling alley, etc. Saturday and Sunday we're thinking to head over to Ambergris Caye, San Pedro. We'll just stay the night.

Hope all of you enjoy the 4th of July!!!!

Pictures~

Here is a link to my recently downloaded pictures. Excuse the duplicates, etc. I just wanted to get something out to you all. My mom has the other half of our trip on her camera!! Enjoy


http://picasaweb.google.com/shavonnewinters/Belize1?authkey=b_qPRO74ZEw

Thursday

Okay, it's been a while since I've updated. Things have been crazy. Last weekend the girls and I bused to San Ignacio and stayed at a "resort/working farm/ranch" called Clarissa Falls. We saw the Ruins again and then tubed down the river. It was refreshing after having been in the hot sun. So, we put on our lifejackets (required) and attached ourselves to our tubes, so that when we fell out we wouldn't lose the tube. I'll admit I was a little nervous. The guy who dropped us off said "just stay center left". That was it. And, "we haven't lost anybody yet". Okay. So, after going down around 7 rapids/waterfalls, we reached clarissa falls resort and got out of the river...it took about 2.5 hours. I bailed twice and was just spinning under the water and rocks. It was literally drop-offs/waterfalls in a few places. The worst part was hearing it approaching and having NO IDEA what it looked like or where it would be best to go down.

I also got very sick saturday night. I'll spare details, but it was bad and lasted a few days, so I started on antibiotics. Feeling better -- thanks for keeping me in your prayers.

Now we're back to Belize City and jumping in with the red cross. The office is crazy with people and supplies. they have received tons of donations due to the flooding down here. We are supposed to be working on an HIV/AIDS campaign. In essence, a media campaign? We'll see how that goes. Also have been travling around town meeting organizations and people.

That's it for now. I have downloaded some pics, will try to post a link later when I have more time.