Theresa Visits Laguna

Nov 2-4, 2010

Theresa and I rode in a bus with 600 chicks on it… pretty loud. Good thing I can sleep through anything. I toured Theresa in my village. She has tried everything new…. Including gibnut the royal rat!!! It took her house to house visiting all my villagers in Laguna village.

Theresa has also experienced the grossness I have experienced for 1 year… big gigantic cock roaches and hug tarantellas.

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.

ATM Cave

November 1, 2010
Besides Scuba diving the coolest and most adventurous thing I did in Belize so far is the ATM cave.

We followed “ pathways used by the Maya and discover their lost worlds that have been hidden in the jungles for centuries!”

Theresa and I went with pact tours to travel and hike across rivers and remote jungle. We also swam and hiked inside the caves to see the burial chambers with calcified remains, ceremonial vessels and other cultural artifacts. You have to walk in your socks so you are extra careful around the maya remains.

The tour guide explained the maya culture to us, and why they would go into caves to perform human sacrifices. There were fourteen human sacrifices that were performed in this cave.

We entered the cave by doing a swim into it. Therefore, we were soaking wet the rest of the trip (we were not allowed to get our head lamp wet) The depth of the water was about 12 feet deep. The cave is decorated with beautiful stalactites/stalagmites formations.

This hike also included rock climbing. We climbed over rocks in and out of the water. Also climbing up a ladder to get to the treasures in the cave!

The ATM cave is 45 minutes from San Ignacio, followed by a 45 minute natural hike. The hiking and tours took 5 hours. It was challenging swimming in the cave with the current.

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.

Old Belize to San Ignacio

October 31, 2010


The taxi driver took us to Old Belize. I really enjoyed it. However, since the hurricane hit that area pretty badly there were things we couldn’t do, such as zip lining. Theresa and I did get to go on a tour though. Going to old Belize I learned even more about the diversity of cultures in Belize.

After the tour we headed to San Ignacio. Theresa was amazed that the bus lines all were school busses. I said that was normal only the express busses had fancier busses. But, all other busses were originally school busses painted over.

We had some frozen drinks at Greedy’s and then bought are produce for the next day cave hike. Theresa was amazed at how expensive pears and apples were. She thought grapes are expensive here and at home.

Side Note: I didn’t dress up for Halloween this year. But, Belizean kids in San Ignacio go trick-or-treating 3 days in a row!!! Triple up hahhah

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.

Theresa Arrives in Belize!

Saturday October 30, 2010

All morning I stayed in my hotel like a hermit… bc I was a little frightened to walk around belize city by myself. By the afternoon, the taxi driver (who gave me a good deal) picked me up and we went to the Belize airport.

I was so happy when Theresa arrived!!! My first US visitor!!!

We went back to the hotel and chatted for so long. We had a lot of catching up to do! I couldn’t believe what was going on at the gym at home! Then I told her about all my adventures in Belize!

We went to dinner… and Theresa had her first panty ripper drink hehehe Theresa was a little scared of Belize City… she also thought that the drivers in Belize were all crazy drivers!

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.

Safety and Security Issue in Belize

Friday October 29, 2010
Here is my report on the harassment I experienced in Belize City:

I was staying at the Backadeer in Belize City for my one year medical exam (Oct 30). I went to the Chinese shop a bloke away (the one that the Backadeer manager told me to go to). I went to buy $20.00 digicell credit because it was double up. As I was paying the cashier this lady (late 20 or early 30s, light brown hair, 5’5) came up and put her arm around me and says that I know you. I look at her and say I do not know you. Then she rips the 50.00 dollar bill out of my hand that I was handing the cashier and I quickly snatch it back. The cashier said this lady is crazy and told her to go away. However, the girl continued to follow me to the hotel screaming give me 10 or 20 dollars, I know you are rich, you are rich etc. I went into the hotel lobby and she disappeared.

The taxi driver said he could tell I was from New Jersey… bc I got my money back ;)


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.

One year medical Exams

October 26-29, 2010
After completing one year in Peace Corps it is required that we get a complete medical checkup. Therefore, I went up to Belmopan to meet with Nurse Jackie.

Things I had checked out:

Blood… this time I didn’t pass out or throw up! YaY ME!

Eyes… my eyes have gotten worse :(

Pap Smear/Pelvic exam… which I find tortuous.

Whole body Physical… not bad.

Teeth… the dentist was my favorite appointment. The doctor said next time she will take a picture of my teeth and show it to her patients. I just have to be careful not to brush my gums away.

PS I had an awesome taxi driver who gave me decent deals. However, he doesn’t have a cell phone… which makes being picked up difficult!



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.

Hurricane Richard

October 17, 2010

The end of October Peace Corps had another hurricane consolidation. On the news the reporters said that Laguna would get hit… which freaked me out. However, I think there is more than one Laguna in Belize because the storm did not hit southern Toledo at all. We got nothing down here. Thank the Lord. Even though we didn’t get hit we still had a blackout for about 24 hours; up north blackout lasted longer.

However, the category 1 hurricane hit central and southern Belize for 8 hours 90 miles per hour winds and torrential rain. There was 50 million dollars worth of damages… to the citrus industry and homes. The hurricane damaged about 55 communities.

Riding on the bus for my medicals I saw a lot of damage along the hummingbird highway. I saw tall trees and electricity poles torn down, ripped roofing and a trail of litter and uprooted citrus trees. It is sad to see nautral disasters... and Richard was only a category one. I can't even imagine if we were hit with a category 3 or something.



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.