Central America backpacking Tour begins Today!!!

Saturday October 15, 2011

Today is the beginning of our 5 week Central America Tour!!! Today we got on the plane and traveled to Panama first classss!

Today was our first day of traveling!

We started our day
Caye Cauker Island (morning)
1^st class plane ride (afternoon)
Panama (night)

In the morning we woke up in Caye Cauker and had breakfast with Roger, Christen, Lilly, Heather, and Emily. WE had delicious coffee, yogurt granola, and fruit!

Lilly’s scuba dive got canceled because of the weather. Therefore, everyone left except Heather, Roger and me. We stayed and enjoyed the island (Heather and I read and enjoyed our time).

After that it was sad to say goodbye to Roger, but we will see him in Florida with Tracy (the cutest PC couple).

It was a fast boat ride to the main land (Belize City). Heather and I took a taxi straight to the airport.

When we boarded the plan it was so great when we found out we got 1^st class. It was my first time in 1^st class. We were upfront with champagne, pillows, blankets, and on demand! We were really living the life and extremely grateful.

Once we reached we made a friend who was an Israeli. His name was Dickel and he lost his Swiss Army knife engraved by his grandfather. We waited a while for him, which I felt bad because we had to meet Theresa (my friend from Horsham) who was traveling Central America with us!

Once we met Theresa we all tried to get a cab and the cab drivers were trying to rip us off, but the Israeli got the right price so we joined him! We got to the really cool hostel (Luna’s Castle). The hostel was lots of fun that had fun music and a party outside. However, Heather and I were exhausted because it was a long day. So we didn’t join the party. Instead I showered, wrote in my journal, and went to bed. (We showered at 1am because the hostel said that the whole block tomorrow will be out of water from 7am to 4pm.

I can’t wait to explore Panama tomorrow!!!

What a GREAT way to end my Peace Corps Belize experience. I am going to continue to travel and explore the world.

Peace and Love,
Grace

Disclaimer This website expresses the views of Grace Boswell, who is entirely responsible for its content. It does not express the views of the United States government, the Belize government, the Peace Corps or any other institutions named or linked to on these pages.

Last Hurrahhhh!

Friday October 14, 2011

I am officially an RPCV (Returned Peace Corps Volunteer). As a last hurrah and last celebration a bunch of us PCVs who just finished our service spent one night out on the magnificent Caye Cauker! … It was definitely a great way to end our service. I am here with Heather, Lilly, Emily, Christen, and Roger. We went to lunch and then rested in the afternoon. We had a delicious dinner (lobster/chicken shrimp shish kabob and fish.

We then went to have a couple drinks at a bar that is usually really crowded; however, since it is down season (low tourist season) it is dead. November starts tourist season again—but because it is not tourist season a lot of places were closed on Caye Cauker.

Lilly was going to go diving for her last time in Belize.

Tomorrow we spend the morning in Caye Cauker and then in the Belize Airport and then finally we will fly to Panama!!!!! I can’t wait!!!!

Disclaimer This website expresses the views of Grace Boswell, who is entirely responsible for its content. It does not express the views of the United States government, the Belize government, the Peace Corps or any other institutions named or linked to on these pages.

Finishing up my PC Service

Thursday October 13, 2011

Today I got a lot accomplished. I finished up my final interviews with the country director. It all went extremely well!

I can’t believe 2 years are gone. I remember how high my spirits were when I joined Peace Corps! They are shaken a little because I don’t have a plan for what is next! I feel like I am in limbo!

The past few weeks have been amazing. The women’s group was so grateful for the all the help I provided them. The teachers (Mr. Garcia and Ms. Rose) even cried on my last day at Laguna Government School (and of course I cried too). I cried a lot on the last week in the village between delivering the cards, farewell parties, and the Sacul’s wedding.

Monday and Tuesday I spent time with my amazing host family and LCF. I had such a great time besides the night I vomited the whole night away from the popusas (a Mexican food) Heather and I had at the snack shack by the Peace Corps office.

The last week at the Peace Corps Office was crazy busy with signatures and handing papers in, saying goodbyes and medical evaluations, and final interviews! It is all over…. Wow. I am glad I did it. Peace Corps was a challenge, but an amazingly rewarding job!!!! J

Disclaimer This website expresses the views of Grace Boswell, who is entirely responsible for its content. It does not express the views of the United States government, the Belize government, the Peace Corps or any other institutions named or linked to on these pages.

Saying Goodbye to LCF...

Wednesday October 12, 2011

This morning it was sad to say goodbye to my host family, LCF and her beautiful daughter Serena.

I was off to the Peace Corps Office to start my COS process! It was time I became a RPCV (returned Peace Corps volunteer).

Disclaimer This website expresses the views of Grace Boswell, who is entirely responsible for its content. It does not express the views of the United States government, the Belize government, the Peace Corps or any other institutions named or linked to on these pages.

Saying Goodbye to my first host family

Tuesday Oct 11, 2011

I made it to Belmopan. I am preparing for my COS (Close of Service) at the Peace Corps office; I also am saying my goodbyes to my first host family who lived in Maya Mopan. I ended up staying at my LCF (Language, Cultural Facilitator) Ms. Carmalina’s house because her daughter cried that I was going to sleep over (rather than my old host family). However, tonight I will spend the night at my 1^st host family’s house. Mrs. Kus sister is down from San Pedro and we all played fun games all night thanks to her creativity! I had so many laughs… again such great memories! 

Disclaimer This website expresses the views of Grace Boswell, who is entirely responsible for its content. It does not express the views of the United States government, the Belize government, the Peace Corps or any other institutions named or linked to on these pages.

Good Bye Laguna Village... I WILL MISS U!

Monday October 10, 2011

Today I left my village. It was so sad. I got up early to make sure everything was taken care of. I said goodbye to Ms. Theresa, Ms. Gloria, Bernadina, and Ms. Maria. The kids didn’t wake up in time to say goodbye… and I think they did that on purpose because they all said they were tough and wouldn’t cry…. However, I know they were as sad as me! It is sad to say goodbye because I don’t know when I will be back to see them all again. Tim was taking me to the junction to catch the bus. He took me to the Shol family to say good bye too. I cried when saying goodbye to them too. The Shols and Ms. Theresa’s family were really good to me. Those two families are very kind and good hearted!

I stopped crying once I got on the James bus. I rode to the Peace Corps office and dropped off my suitcases. After that I went to stay with my old 1^st favorite host family! I couldn’t believe how big the kids have gotten!!!

Here are some pictures... of just some of the Villagers I will miss dearly....

Disclaimer This website expresses the views of Grace Boswell, who is entirely responsible for its content. It does not express the views of the United States government, the Belize government, the Peace Corps or any other institutions named or linked to on these pages.