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Sadie, Amanda, Lauren, Maggie, Sammie, and Ethan
(Pic by Sadie H) |
Today was our last full day in Belize. It’s amazing how
quickly our time here has gone! We got up bright and early this morning to
check out of the Hok’ ol K’in guesthouse. After that, we headed for Orange Walk
and dropped off our bags at Hotel de la Fuente where we will be staying for the
night. For the remainder of the day we got to experience Belize as tourists! We
embarked on a two hour long trip up river to the Lamanai Ruins. The boat ride
along the river was incredible! We got to see crocodiles, an iguana, a number
of different birds, and monkeys. After a traditional Belizean lunch (lots of
delicious rice, beans, and chicken), we set off to see the ancient Mayan
temples.
Visiting the ruins was one of the highlights of the trip
for me. It was amazing to walk through the jungle and view the massive temples
that were constructed so long ago. Only several of the Mayan ruins in the area
have even been excavated, so there is still much to be discovered. We were able
to walk to the top of each of the temples we visited. The view from High Temple
(the tallest in the area) was breathtaking! From the top of the temple you
could see the river and the dense jungle; we were so high that the tops of all
the trees were visible. On our way back along the river, we spotted a spider
monkey. The tour guide stopped the boat for a closer look, and the monkey
crawled down a branch less than an arm’s length away! To our surprise, spider
monkeys apparently love berry power bars! A number of us got a chance to feed
it by hand. This was definitely something I had never experienced before. The
monkey was so gentle, and it was incredible how close it got to us. Hand
feeding the monkey was a highlight of the day!
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| River boat ride - passes by one of the sugar mills |
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| The team reaches their high |
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Sadie really is on top of the world
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| View from the top of the world (pic by Sadie H.) |
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| The Jaguar Temple - Lamanai (pic by Sadie H.) |
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| Feeding monkey's along the New River |
Upon finishing the river tour, we went back to Hotel de
la Fuente and cleaned up for dinner. The rest of the night was relaxing; we got
ice cream and went on a short walk around Orange Walk Town. As our trip draws
to a close, I can’t help but reflect on our time here in Belize. It has been an
absolutely incredible experience in so many ways. We accomplished great things
through our teamwork. We defied all odds by constructing a large lunch pavilion
ahead of schedule. We bonded with the children at Chan Chen Elementary and
taught them about healthy lifestyles. We immersed ourselves in a new culture. One
of the most important elements of this trip was the relationships we built,
both with our classmates and professors and with our community partners.
Ultimately, it was the people who made this trip so meaningful and memorable
for me.
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When the mix is just right - you really do bond over concrete
(Sadie, Cynthia & Maggie)
(pic by Dr. B) |
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| The children love Sadie as much as she loves them |
I
will be sad to board our plane tomorrow and wave goodbye to a country and group
of people who taught me so much. I was particularly moved by the children at
Chan Chen Elementary, whose energy and zeal for life was truly infectious.
Goodbyes are never easy, but in one short week, we have gained valuable
experiences and memories that will last a lifetime.
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Team love
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