I began my first day in Belize by waking up to the smell of the salty air and a light breeze blowing my curtains. The panels opened and allowed a portion of the breeze to flow through my room which thankfully disguised that my room did not have A/C. Compared to Idaho, the morning was a much needed break from reality.
After breakfast our group took a tour of sorts around the town. We walked along the waterfront with the goal of a park on the farther side of town. With almost all the buildings being constructed of concrete, the town differs from Boise significantly. The paint on the houses are vibrant and the palm trees and foliage lead to the Caribbean vibe Belizeans boast of. We walked along the ocean, through a neighbor, to get to the park. At the park there was a small patch of mangrove trees along with shoots that had been recently planted. Having never seen a mangrove,
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| Mangrove Park |
I was fascinated, mangroves are fascinating.
After visiting the park we made a full circle back to the town where we split up to get some supplies.
A few of us stopped at Cintys, a local hardware store. But unlike most hardware stores, there were no labels or even clear aisles markings! The shelves and counters and virtually any reasonably sized area was stocked full of various items. The associate was the key to the map, and we were able to find all supplies needed.
We journeyed down to the market next where we ate lunch at Zetinas, which made fast food the Belizean way. Unlike Americans who associate fast food with “Mcdonald's”, Zetinas was located above the local market in a small kitchen. The menu includes tacos, burritos, empanadas, tostadas, all of which hit the spot. Really the only fast food I want to eat from now on.
Then the awaited, ...we headed to Chan Chen Elementary to begin construction! Within 20 minutes of arriving we began to work. We started out by breaking up the ground and clearing vegetation where the addition to the cantina would be. By the cantina I mean the structure built the previous year off the kitchen building, which was made of a wooden frame and enclosed by wood and mesh. While leveling the ground, we also removed the wood paneling and mesh off one side of the structure where we intended on having the addition. The principle, Carlos, and friend/contractor, Alberto, were elemental in helping us began the project. Alberto assisted in laying out the site, where the poles should begin and end, and also with determining the height to with the ground should be leveled. We had just began to dig holes for the posts when suddenly the clock struck! Our first work day had come to an end. Looking back at what we had accomplished in the 2 hours span of work, admittedly, I was disappointed. I had under anticipated the amount of work it would take to complete the structure. Carl and I had composed a list and had not been able to compete it.
As someone who lives a listed life, it was a reality check. Like all things in life, there is a learning curve. And with construction there’s a steep one. Day one was a reality check but also solidified the task in my mind. We had assumed that the first day would be trial and error as well as a bit jumbled. We were correct, and because of thus, able to take what had and hadn't worked, and use that to make tomorrow a smoother one. I’m excited for the next day but even more for what we will accomplish in the end. Because even if tasks seem daunting at first I know we will complete the structure. In our group discussion I wrote down one word I plan to share and reshare, faith!
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| Kendall & Samantha |
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