Well, we are settled in an into a routine. All four of us are wiped after a long day at school, and Liza is struggling to get through some math homework on the bed next to me. I fear a full week of work will have to take place on the plane trip home, as she is fried.
We arrived at school with our piles of gear at 9. All of the students were eagerly peeking over the sides of the walkway as we arrived with our duffels. It was obvious how excited they are when volunteers arrive. Most were so well behaved walking in lines, but a few snuck into the cafeteria to see what we were unpacking. One little boy asked Liza for her running shoes. Withing minutes I saw my first cockroach scurrying across the cafeteria floor.
Soon we had a tour of the school. It is amazing. It consists of some wooden rooms attached together with wooden walkways. It sits on a wetland on the island of Ambergris Caye, and sanitation is an enormous issue. The sewage goes directly below the school and houses into the sitting water. They try to compost it, but most of the time people are sick from the bacteria. My boys know that I received a 911 email last week asking for Mosquito Dunks to kill a mosquito infestion. That infestation is actually in the school's "water garden" or sewage compost pond. What a combination- sitting sewage and mosquitos. Our soccer field is actually surrounded by the puddles and ponds. Whenever anyone would kick the ball over into the wetlands, I would cringe. Well, actually, you cannot call this a field. It is a sandy, rocky area surrounded by swampland. We do not realize how lucky we are at home.
Anyhow the school has been funded by volunteers and the Anglican Church. It is a K-8 school. Sadly only 1 in 10 go on to high school beacause they cannot afford it.
We are teaching the PE classes for the week and running an after school soccer practice. I wish we had Mrs. Lears here! Liza, Ali and Justin coached the practice, and I had about 8-10 little kids who showed up after school to be entertained. I tried chain tag and some relays, but they just wanted to play "futbol"! So I did my best at setting up a game for them.
Finally I got a tour of San Mateo, the area behind the school where most of the students live. It was remarkable and so sad to see how little they have. It is so dirty. A hurricane would wipe them out in no time. My eyes are closing, so more tomorrow. Miss you guys!
Monday, January 16, 2012
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Here At Last
Wow! Yesterday was the longest day ever. We left our house at 5am for a 7am flight. We did spend a few hours in the Dallas airport, grabbed some food, and Liza worked on some homework. That is one huge airport. We then took another plane to Belize City. Upon landing, we saw a great deal of lush green swampy land, mostly open and barren. The few wooden shacks are up on stilts. There were so many friendly natives smiling, ready to help as we climbed down the stairs of the plane. Of course my favorite was the small Raggae band sitting in the middle of the luggage rack with their tip bucket. Liza was wide eyed and smiling, never having been south of Florida.
Then we proceeded to go through customs and find our seven huge duffels, all there safely! I hadn't made plans yet to get over to the island where we are staying, Ambergris Caye, and I knew all boats and flights stop around 5:30. A very nice man in the airport rushed us to Tropic Air, asked for my credit card and told me that was our route. It all happened so fast. Before I knew it, Liza and I were in this little 10 seater plane, and she was up the cockpit with the pilot. I quickly thought of Maclean and Cha Cha and said a quick prayer! :) Actually, it was amazing and only lasted 15 minutes. The deep blue ocean, hundreds of little cayes and the endless reef off in the distance were just some of the gorgeous sights.
The town of San Pedro is bustling with people on bikes, carts, stray dogs, many stands selling food and handmade jewelry items. Anyone and everyone will talk to you, bless you, and ask you if you want to buy something. It is definitely a poor area, and the people seem so nice.
We met up with Ali, and our new friend, Justin, for a quick dinner. Justin had travelled all day as well, so he too was foggy like I felt. We wandered around and stopped at a little place where Justin could get the lobster burritos he had heard about. Liza tried her first papoussa, and I had a yummy shrink kabab.
We are staying in a little place called the Conch Shell Inn. It is a little motel right on the water. It is a little small and rustic,no AC, a corner room next two two bars and a side street that had activity most of the night. Eventually we both put headphones on and dozed from complete exhaustion.
My goal today is to make progress on this lousy cold I brought with me. I will post some pictures later.
Miss everyone!
Then we proceeded to go through customs and find our seven huge duffels, all there safely! I hadn't made plans yet to get over to the island where we are staying, Ambergris Caye, and I knew all boats and flights stop around 5:30. A very nice man in the airport rushed us to Tropic Air, asked for my credit card and told me that was our route. It all happened so fast. Before I knew it, Liza and I were in this little 10 seater plane, and she was up the cockpit with the pilot. I quickly thought of Maclean and Cha Cha and said a quick prayer! :) Actually, it was amazing and only lasted 15 minutes. The deep blue ocean, hundreds of little cayes and the endless reef off in the distance were just some of the gorgeous sights.
The town of San Pedro is bustling with people on bikes, carts, stray dogs, many stands selling food and handmade jewelry items. Anyone and everyone will talk to you, bless you, and ask you if you want to buy something. It is definitely a poor area, and the people seem so nice.
We met up with Ali, and our new friend, Justin, for a quick dinner. Justin had travelled all day as well, so he too was foggy like I felt. We wandered around and stopped at a little place where Justin could get the lobster burritos he had heard about. Liza tried her first papoussa, and I had a yummy shrink kabab.
We are staying in a little place called the Conch Shell Inn. It is a little motel right on the water. It is a little small and rustic,no AC, a corner room next two two bars and a side street that had activity most of the night. Eventually we both put headphones on and dozed from complete exhaustion.
My goal today is to make progress on this lousy cold I brought with me. I will post some pictures later.
Miss everyone!
Friday, January 13, 2012
Ready....
Liza and I are almost finished packing. I am starting to get a little nervous and wondering what we got ourselves into. Maybe cold feet! Ready for a 4am departure. Have a wonderful week at home. We will miss you all. Go Ravens!
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Iran
We are studying about Iran in geography. The boys each researched a particular theme of geography and culture as it relates to Iran. We learned about many fascinating aspects of this country's culture. 
Wednesday Update
Today Simon shared a fascinating current event about a Dutch artist named Theo Jansen. Jansen is an engineer and artist who makes outstanding sculptures. Simon actually made a sample model of Jansen's work showing the use of lateral movement. This kinetic sculpture is called "Animari" or " Strandbeest". Way to go, Simon!
Monday, January 9, 2012
Count Down
We leave for Belize in five days! The whole fifth grade is finishing up a second set of letters to their penpals, so we can hand deliver them. I know the children there will be so excited. Our fifth graders are also making short video clips for their penpals as well. Examples of topics in the videos are lacrosse, the Ravens, crabs, dancing, singing and more. It is fabulous that our students are taking the time to share parts of our culture.
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