Day Twelve: On Sunday I woke up at 10:00 a.m., got ready and met up with Tiffany, Jessica B., Abby, Casey, Stephens, and Cyrus to go to Church. Tiffany came across a Church that was just on the next road over behind our hotel call Living Word Church. I was a little nervous and hesitant to go a Church in a different country but it actually ended up being really nice and I enjoyed it a lot. I'm glad that I went. While we were in Church it had poured down rain but thankfully after Church was over the rain had stopped so we were able to stay dry on our short walk back to the hotel. We all changed and then we to eat lunch at La Divina Providencia. I got a delicious Banana Smoothie before my lunch came out and once my Chicken BBQ plate with Rice and Cole Slaw came out I had a coke to drink with it. It was so delicious and was $16.00 (BZ), which was only $8.00 (US), which isn't too bad. It was really windy on our bike ride back to the hotel and it looked like it was going to rain and once again, we were thankfully able to stay dry on the ride back to the hotel because it didn't rain until after we got back. Since it was raining most of us just spent time hanging out either in the hotel or in the Restaurant at the hotel. Instead of trying to transfer my laptop from my room to the restaurant I decided to just stay inside in my Room. I spent a long while getting my Fifth Blog Post JUST RIGHT only for the Wi-Fi to be goofy because of the rain and not save all of my hard work so I had to start all over and spend double the time on one Blog Post. After spending entirely too long on it I worked on a Newsletter before going to bed. I made the Newsletter to post on the UNCW International Field Experience to Belize Facebook Page as well as for the Communications Committee to provide our Group a way to update people from home about what was going on during our first week and a half in Belize. It was not fun staying cooped up inside because of the rain on Sunday but then again it helped a lot of us to have time to be productive and get stuff done and/or just to spend time resting which was nice as well and very much needed. Even though I can't stand rain for a variety of reasons it was nice having it be gloomy over the weekend just because the weather was cooler AND I didn't have to wear any sunscreen. I've gotten so used to applying sunscreen at least 3 - 5 times a day but with it raining I wasn't spending any time outside in the sun so sunscreen wasn't necessary. Even though it rained for most of the day on Sunday I'm glad there was enough of a break in the rain to go to Church as well as lunch so I wasn't inside doing nothing THE ENTIRE DAY, just most of it. It was most definitely strange having everybody staying around the hotel not doing too much of anything since we've all been so busy ever since we've gotten to San Pedro.
Day Thirteen: On Monday I woke up at 8:00 a.m. and got ready for the day. Since the Schools are out for their Easter Break and we have to spend time doing Community Service Hours in San Pedro I decided to volunteer at the Easter Program at the San Pedro Town Library for this week and Monday was the first day of it. There were two different camps during the day for two different age groups. The Morning Camp was for kids ages 5 - 8 from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and the Afternoon Camp was for kids ages 9 - 13 from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Ashley, Lindsay Mc., Jessica M., and I decided to walk to the Library and we all got there at about 8:45 a.m. on Monday Morning and we met Brianne, Nikki, and Sonya (who all work at the Library) when we got there. Eleven kids came to The Morning Camp on Monday. Brianne didn't really have a plan set in stone for the day so Ashley, Lindsay, Jessica M., and I had to wing it. There were books on the tables that we pulled (before the kids got to Camp) and we had the kids look at them for a little bit once they got to Camp. After a little while Lindsay, Jessica M., and I each took a group of kids and read a book with them while Ashley worked on finding Easter Videos to watch later in the day. I read "If You Give a Moose a Muffin" with Sam, Danae, and Leannie. I first read it aloud to them and then afterwards I had them all take turns reading the pages in the book. Afterwards I cut out three muffins from brown construction paper and had them decorate their muffins to be what kind of muffins they wanted them to be. After each small group finished reading we got the kids together for a Whole Group read aloud. Lindsay, Jessica M., and I all took turns reading "Oh, The Places You'll Go" while Ashley worked on cutting out materials for the Arts and Craft Activity to go along with it. After we finished reading the book we had the kids decorate balloons and write what it is they wanted to be/do when they grew up. Once the kids finished their Balloon Arts and Craft then it was time for a snack so the kids each got a juice and a banana and took it outside. After the kids finished their snack they all played three rounds of “Cross The Ocean” (which is another name for Sharks and Minnows). After the kids played the game we went back inside and Brianne talked to the kids about why we celebrate Easter and then we ended The Morning Camp by watching a few videos about the meaning behind Easter (Jesus's Death and Resurrection). After all of the kids left Ashley and Jessica M. went back to the Hotel while Lindsay and I went to get some lunch at Lily's. We also spent some time looking at some of the shops near the Library so I could get an idea of some souvenirs to get. After looking at the stores I waiting at the Library for The Afternoon Camp to start. As I was waiting Joe, Dani, Tiffany, Abby, and Sarah come to join me and volunteer at The Afternoon Camp. Brianne had more of a plan for The Afternoon Camp than she did for The Morning Camp so Tiffany, Abby, Sarah, Joe, Dani, and I just followed that. When the kids got to the Library we let them hang out before we watched “The Easter Story” Video. After we watched the video the kids were all given construction paper to use to make an Easter Book (that they would be writing in on Tuesday). After everyone made their books the kids went outside to drink their juice and eat their banana for snack. We played a game of Shipwreck (which is really Trainwreck) before going back into the Library and making Paper Mache Easter Eggs. After the kids left Camp Abby, Tiffany, and I walked down the beach back to Pedro’s. I spent some time hanging out at the Hotel and then went gallivanting around San Pedro with Jordon, Savannah, and Brittany. We spent time walking around the island and then ended up just eating supper at Lily’s. After getting back to Pedro’s from eating supper I spent some time downloading pictures off my camera to my Computer and uploaded some pictures to Facebook before calling it a night.
Day Fourteen: On Tuesday I got up at 8:15 a.m., got ready, and then walked to the Library with Jessica M., Stephens, Maddi, and Brittany to go help at the Easter Program. The Morning Camp had 14 kids on Tuesday. As the kids arrived we let them spend some time looking at books for a little bit before starting the day. Brianne found a video for the kids to watch so we started the day with the kids watching The Berenstain Bears Easter Surprise. After the kids watched the video we split the kids into different groups to read with them. Jessica M. was with a group of kids at a table, Stephens and I were with a group of kids at a table, and Brittany and Maddi were with a group of kids at a table. Stephens read a book to the kids in our group and I read “If You Give A Pig A Party” to the kids in our group. I learned how to sign the story when I was in my Communication with the Deaf and Hearing Impaired Class last Spring so I asked the kids if they knew any sign language. Sam knew “mother” and “father” so I taught those to everyone. I taught the title “If You Give A Pig A Party”, the colors, the numbers 1-10, and the alphabet to the kids in mine and Stephens' Group. I haven’t really tried to teach signs to children before and they all picked it up fairly quickly. The kids were beginning to get a little restless so we took the kids outside for their Jello snack and then let them play “Cross The Ocean” again since they liked it so much on Monday. After being outside for a little bit we took the kids back inside and had them make their Easter Bags that they would be using during their Easter Egg Hunt on Wednesday. Brianne made an example and I was so impressed by how well the kids (who are fairly young) were able to create their own Bunny on their Easter Bags because they all looked so similar to the example Brianne made. After the kids made their Easter Bags I read aloud the book “Guess How Much I Love You” to everyone. After I finished reading Maddi and Brittany sang “Little Bunny Foo Foo” and “Five Little Ducks Went Out One Day,” with the kids and then it was time for them to go home. I walked back to the hotel with Maddi and Jessica M. and ate a Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich for lunch and took a little cat nap since I had the time to do so before The Afternoon Camp.
A little after 1:30 p.m. Abby, Tiffany, Sarah, and I all left to walk to the Library for The Afternoon Camp. The Afternoon Camp had 12 kids on Tuesday. After all of the kids got to Camp we started it off by reading “Peter’s First Easter” to the whole group. Sarah read Chapter 1, Abby read Chapter 2, I read Chapter 3, Tiffany read Chapter 4, and one of the kids read Chapter 5. There are 10 total chapters in the book so we decided to read half of it on Tuesday and the other half of it on Wednesday. After we read the first half of "Peter's First Easter" we let the kids all work on writing their own Easter Stories in their Books that they made on Monday. Abby, Tiffany, and Sarah all went outside with the kids during their snack and while they played Shipwreck and Red Light, Green Light while I stayed inside with Samantha cleaning up the markers on the tables since she was still working on her story. After all of the rest of the kids came inside from being outside they got to paint their Paper Mache Eggs that they made on Monday. At around 4:00 p.m. (when Camp ends) one of the girls asked me “Can we leave now?” and I asked her, “Did your parents bring you or did you come by yourself?” and she told me that she came by herself. I forget that the “supervision” here in Belize is so different compared to back home so I told her that it was time to go home. (Most of all the younger kids in The Morning Group at Camp got dropped off and picked up but most of the older kids in the Afternoon Group bring themselves.) Abby, Tiffany, Sarah, and I all walked down the beach again to go back to Pedro’s like we did on Monday. Once I got back Pedro’s I didn’t have much time before our Group Meeting at 4:30 p.m. Since we weren’t in the Schools this week Dr. K and Dr. C mainly went over the plan for our trip Inland and then Tracy led everyone in a game of Trivia where we all had to guess the facts about everyone on the trip. I was in a Group with Meghan, Jessica M., and Callie and we won with getting 23 out of 28 facts. It was pretty awesome because we definitely had to guess on a couple of them. After Trivia was over I spent time hanging out and didn’t want to go far from the Restaurant at Pedro’s because the Mayor of San Pedro was coming to Pedro’s at 6:00 p.m. to meet all of us and Peter (the guy who owns Pedro’s) was having All-You-Can-Eat Pizza for the Event and you can NEVER pass up Free Food! Plus it was super neat knowing that we were going to get to meet the Mayor. The Mayor came in while we were all eating our Pizza and then our whole group got a picture with him. A little while later a few of us got our own personal pictures with Danny, the Mayor. He was really nice and gave each of us his card. After getting full on pizza, a group of us (me, Tiffany, Cyrus, Meghan, Tracy, Callie, Jessica M., Maddi, and Casey) all went walking to get some Ice Cream at Manelly's. We walked back on the beach (which was the first and will probably be the only time we’ll walk on the beach at night here since we were in a pretty big group) and it was so beautiful. When we got back to Pedro’s they had Karaoke and I was so sad that I walked in just as Abby and Jessica B. were finishing up one of my favorite Jo Dee Messina Songs (Heads Carolina, Tails California). After enjoying Karaoke for a while it was finally time to call it a night since it was almost Midnight.
A little after 1:30 p.m. Abby, Tiffany, Sarah, and I all left to walk to the Library for The Afternoon Camp. The Afternoon Camp had 12 kids on Tuesday. After all of the kids got to Camp we started it off by reading “Peter’s First Easter” to the whole group. Sarah read Chapter 1, Abby read Chapter 2, I read Chapter 3, Tiffany read Chapter 4, and one of the kids read Chapter 5. There are 10 total chapters in the book so we decided to read half of it on Tuesday and the other half of it on Wednesday. After we read the first half of "Peter's First Easter" we let the kids all work on writing their own Easter Stories in their Books that they made on Monday. Abby, Tiffany, and Sarah all went outside with the kids during their snack and while they played Shipwreck and Red Light, Green Light while I stayed inside with Samantha cleaning up the markers on the tables since she was still working on her story. After all of the rest of the kids came inside from being outside they got to paint their Paper Mache Eggs that they made on Monday. At around 4:00 p.m. (when Camp ends) one of the girls asked me “Can we leave now?” and I asked her, “Did your parents bring you or did you come by yourself?” and she told me that she came by herself. I forget that the “supervision” here in Belize is so different compared to back home so I told her that it was time to go home. (Most of all the younger kids in The Morning Group at Camp got dropped off and picked up but most of the older kids in the Afternoon Group bring themselves.) Abby, Tiffany, Sarah, and I all walked down the beach again to go back to Pedro’s like we did on Monday. Once I got back Pedro’s I didn’t have much time before our Group Meeting at 4:30 p.m. Since we weren’t in the Schools this week Dr. K and Dr. C mainly went over the plan for our trip Inland and then Tracy led everyone in a game of Trivia where we all had to guess the facts about everyone on the trip. I was in a Group with Meghan, Jessica M., and Callie and we won with getting 23 out of 28 facts. It was pretty awesome because we definitely had to guess on a couple of them. After Trivia was over I spent time hanging out and didn’t want to go far from the Restaurant at Pedro’s because the Mayor of San Pedro was coming to Pedro’s at 6:00 p.m. to meet all of us and Peter (the guy who owns Pedro’s) was having All-You-Can-Eat Pizza for the Event and you can NEVER pass up Free Food! Plus it was super neat knowing that we were going to get to meet the Mayor. The Mayor came in while we were all eating our Pizza and then our whole group got a picture with him. A little while later a few of us got our own personal pictures with Danny, the Mayor. He was really nice and gave each of us his card. After getting full on pizza, a group of us (me, Tiffany, Cyrus, Meghan, Tracy, Callie, Jessica M., Maddi, and Casey) all went walking to get some Ice Cream at Manelly's. We walked back on the beach (which was the first and will probably be the only time we’ll walk on the beach at night here since we were in a pretty big group) and it was so beautiful. When we got back to Pedro’s they had Karaoke and I was so sad that I walked in just as Abby and Jessica B. were finishing up one of my favorite Jo Dee Messina Songs (Heads Carolina, Tails California). After enjoying Karaoke for a while it was finally time to call it a night since it was almost Midnight.
Day Fifteen: On Wednesday I got up at 8:15 a.m., got ready, and then walked to the Library with Jessica M., Stephens, Maddi, Brittany, and Savannah to go help at the last day of the Easter Program. The Morning Camp had 17 kids on Wednesday. When the kids came in we allowed them to first read and/or look at books on their own until everyone arrived. Once all of the kids were at Camp Jessica, Brittany, Maddi and I all took turns reading "Winnie The Pooh’s Easter" to everyone. After we finished the Winnie The Pooh Book we split the kids into the same groups as Tuesday (Jessica M. was with a group of kids at a table, Stephens and I were with a group of kids at a table, and Brittany and Maddi were with a group of kids at a table). I spent time reading with Kate, Stephens read with Franklin, and the other two girls at our table read independently. While all of the kids at camp were reading the people who work at the library were hiding Easter Eggs outside. Once the Easter Eggs were all hidden the kids got to get their Easter Bags that they made on Tuesday and we took them outside so that they could hunt Easter Eggs. After everyone found their 5 Easter Eggs (5 was the limit for each kid) they all played “Aloha Run” (Potato Sack) Relay and had a blast. After playing the game the kids got to enjoy their juice and marshmallow snacks outside. Once the kids all finished their snacks we went back inside and then they all got to get a cupcake. Before the kids all left we got to take a group picture with them. After Camp was over Jessica M., Maddi, and I walked around until we found a Chinese Restaurant that is (sort of) on the way to Isla Bonita Elementary School. We sat and ate for a little bit before walking back through town and glancing at the shops. I did some souvenir shopping and then went back to the Library while Jessica and Maddi went back to Pedro’s. I sat and waited at the Library for a little bit until Abby, Tiffany, Sarah, and Joe all showed up at the Library for The Afternoon Camp. There were 15 kids at Camp on Wednesday. We let the kids hang out for a little bit and read books as everyone arrived. Once everyone was there we continued reading Peter’s First Easter. Tiffany read Chapter 6, Joe read Chapter 7, Abby read Chapter 8, I read Chapter 9, and Sarah read Chapter 10. After we finished reading Peter’s First Easter it was time for everyone to read their Easter Stories that they wrote on Tuesday. Not everyone wanted to read their stories but most of everyone’s stories were read aloud. After the Easter Stories were read it was time for the kids to go outside to find their Paper Mache Eggs that the ladies that work at the Library hid. After everyone found their Easter Egg that they made they all got to enjoy their juice and marshmallow snack outside before playing “Aloha Run” (Potato Sack) Relay, Shipwreck, and Little Sally Walker. After playing the games we all went inside and the kids got to enjoy pizza and cupcakes. Before the kids all left we got to take a group picture with them. After the kids left to go home I stopped by the store before heading back to Pedro’s. After getting back to Pedro’s I spent time hanging out and then decided to eat my leftover food from lunch and finished it for supper since Maddi and Jessica M. were nice enough to bring it back to Pedro’s for me since I had to stay at the Library for The Afternoon Camp. After heating up my food I made a couple of phone calls home and then spent some time working on my Blog. At about 10:00 p.m. I decided to go upstairs and get all of my stuff packed up to go Inland on Thursday before going to bed (& Of course I waited until the last minute. I always do.)
Day Sixteen: On Thursday I woke up at 7:00 a.m., got ready for the day, and finished packing up my stuff. Since we were leaving to go Inland everyone was only taking one bag and we were all leaving whatever we weren't taking in one room at Pedro's. I wasn't very smart when packing to come to Belize so I forgot to bring a backpack (which is what was recommended for people to being to travel Inland with so I had to use my Carry On Suitcase. I packed it at light as possible with THE BARE MINIMUM of what I would need to go Inland (and it honestly wasn't too bad to travel with like I thought it would be). Everyone met downstairs by 8:00 a.m. and then we all started walking to Town to get to the 8:30 a.m. Water Taxi. We all boarded the Water Taxi and then we were on our way to Belize City. I met a sweet couple from Texas (Kurt and Crystal) who were in San Pedro for Vacation and talked to them for a little bit while riding to Belize City. I'm thankful I've ridden to and from Belize City on a Water Taxi before already because this one was closed in (so I didn't have a pretty view) and the ride was also rougher. We got to Belize City just a little after 9:30 a.m. I couldn't believe it only took us about an hour to get there. Once we got to Belize City we got on a Bus and headed to The Belize Zoo! It was kind of neat having all 28 of us on a bus going to do something together (like a Field Trip) since the only thing we've done together before coming Inland was having our Group Dinner the first Saturday we were in San Pedro. The Bus Ride was a little rough but since I was pretty tired (since I was up late on Wednesday Night packing) I was able to take a nap on the bus and woke up right when we got to the Zoo at around 11:00 a.m. We had two hours to walk around the zoo (which was not enough time to see everything whatsoever) but I was able to see a good bit while there. What's neat about The Belize Zoo is that EVERY SINGLE ANIMAL there is native to the country of Belize. If you go to a Zoo in the U.S. that is not the case.
The Belize Zoo had all sorts of very funny and interesting signs for each of their animals too. The Belize Zoo is so different when compared to the Zoos in America but in a good way because they build the zoo around the animals habitats here as a way of conservation for the animals and it's just so neat. I really wish we would've had more time to spend taking our time at The Zoo since I felt a little rushed but I really enjoyed what I got to see and I took TONS OF PICTURES. However...Most of the animals were hiding and/or laying around in the shade when I saw them. Which, I can't say that I blame then because it was pretty hot. All of us got lunch right before leaving The Zoo (I unfortunately was the last one to order and everyone had to wait on me before we could leave but I got my lunch to go and took it on the bus with me) to head to San Ignacio. I ate my lunch on the bus and then was still pretty tired and slept until we arrived to San Ignacio. I hated I didn't get to enjoy the scenery of the Mainland but I was so tired that I couldn't help but fall asleep. Once we got to San Ignacio we all got settled into our Hotel Rooms. The 28 of us are split between two hotels (in three different locations). One group stayed at the Mallorca Hotel and one group stayed at Martha's Guest House. I'm with the group that stayed at Martha's Guest House (which is the hotel that has two different locations) and it was a pretty nice place to stay. I was nervous since this Hotel hasn't been used during this trip before but I had no complaints about it at all. After hanging out for a little bit a few of us went to a store to get a couple of snacks and drinks, took it back to our rooms, and the decided to walk around the corner and find a place to eat down the road not far from our Hotel. Ashley (my Roommate while in San Ignacio), Maddi, and I ran into Callie, Tracy, Meghan, and Jessica M. and we all decided to eat at a place called Tandoor Indian Restaurant and Bar. I got a Stew Chicken Traditional Belizean Meal that was really good. After eating we all parted ways and went back to our hotel (Ashley, Maddi, and I are at one location of Martha's House with Megan, Savannah, Brittany, Dani, and Lindsey M., while Callie, Tracy, Meghan, and Jessica M. were at the other location of Martha's Guest House. Not too long after getting back to the Hotel Ashley, Maddi, Casey, and I decided to venture back out and explore some of San Ignascio. We didn't go far and we ran into a few people from our group who were staying at the Mallorca. While Maddi and Casey went to grab supper, Ashley and I decided to head back to our room. I went ahead and got ready for bed and figured I would call it an early night since we had to be up early in the morning.
The Belize Zoo had all sorts of very funny and interesting signs for each of their animals too. The Belize Zoo is so different when compared to the Zoos in America but in a good way because they build the zoo around the animals habitats here as a way of conservation for the animals and it's just so neat. I really wish we would've had more time to spend taking our time at The Zoo since I felt a little rushed but I really enjoyed what I got to see and I took TONS OF PICTURES. However...Most of the animals were hiding and/or laying around in the shade when I saw them. Which, I can't say that I blame then because it was pretty hot. All of us got lunch right before leaving The Zoo (I unfortunately was the last one to order and everyone had to wait on me before we could leave but I got my lunch to go and took it on the bus with me) to head to San Ignacio. I ate my lunch on the bus and then was still pretty tired and slept until we arrived to San Ignacio. I hated I didn't get to enjoy the scenery of the Mainland but I was so tired that I couldn't help but fall asleep. Once we got to San Ignacio we all got settled into our Hotel Rooms. The 28 of us are split between two hotels (in three different locations). One group stayed at the Mallorca Hotel and one group stayed at Martha's Guest House. I'm with the group that stayed at Martha's Guest House (which is the hotel that has two different locations) and it was a pretty nice place to stay. I was nervous since this Hotel hasn't been used during this trip before but I had no complaints about it at all. After hanging out for a little bit a few of us went to a store to get a couple of snacks and drinks, took it back to our rooms, and the decided to walk around the corner and find a place to eat down the road not far from our Hotel. Ashley (my Roommate while in San Ignacio), Maddi, and I ran into Callie, Tracy, Meghan, and Jessica M. and we all decided to eat at a place called Tandoor Indian Restaurant and Bar. I got a Stew Chicken Traditional Belizean Meal that was really good. After eating we all parted ways and went back to our hotel (Ashley, Maddi, and I are at one location of Martha's House with Megan, Savannah, Brittany, Dani, and Lindsey M., while Callie, Tracy, Meghan, and Jessica M. were at the other location of Martha's Guest House. Not too long after getting back to the Hotel Ashley, Maddi, Casey, and I decided to venture back out and explore some of San Ignascio. We didn't go far and we ran into a few people from our group who were staying at the Mallorca. While Maddi and Casey went to grab supper, Ashley and I decided to head back to our room. I went ahead and got ready for bed and figured I would call it an early night since we had to be up early in the morning.
Day Seventeen: I have to say that Friday was definitely the most incredible day of my time here in Belize so far and I'll go into why. I woke up at 5:30 a.m. (now that part wasn't so great), got ready, went to get Breakfast at Eva's with a big group of us, and then our one big group split into two smaller groups so that we could ride in two different vans to go on our Excursion. Our Excursion for Friday was a Tour at the Mayan Archaeological Ruins of Caracol. We had a very bumpy 2 hour ride to Caracol and got there at about 10:00 a.m. After we all applied our sunscreen and put on big spray when we arrived we were then ready to begin our Tour at the Mayan Site. We were first shown the tallest ruin that was about 140 feet tall and had 92 steps. I am terrified of heights and couldn't believe I made it to the top but when I did the view was so very worth it. It was so beautiful. Our Tour Guide showed us the few excavated ruins at Caracol and I climbed every single one that was possible to climb. It got a little tiring and some steps were steeper than others but I knew I would regret it if I didn't climb to the top of each ruin that I could just to see what it looked like since I knew it would probably be the one and only time in my life I would be there. After our Tour Guide showed us the different ruins it was time for all of us to eat lunch. We all had sandwiches, soda, watermelon, and cinnamon rolls that were provided with our tour. It was a very nice and filling lunch after getting so much exercise climbing the Mayan Ruins. We left Caracol at about 1:30 p.m. and headed to Big Rock Falls (which is a waterfall we got to go swimming in). I was so excited because I've always wanted to jump off a cliff into the water (as safe as possible) for as long as I can remember and I knew that I would be able to at Big Rock Falls. After the very steep (and what felt like a treacherous) walk down to the Waterfall we all found a place for our stuff on the rocks and began jumping into the water one by one. I was surprised that I wasn't really nervous when I went to jump the first time but it did take my breath away for a minute.
I got out to get my waterproof disposable camera (I had to be old school since I don't have. a Go-Pro like so many other people here do) and then jumped into the water a second time. I spent time swimming, sitting and watching other people jump into the water (from the less safer rocks that we were not recommended to jump from), and getting right by the bottom of the waterfall. It was so amazing and I loved every single minute of it. I hated to leave but I was able to jump back in the water off the cliff one last and final time before making the VERY STEEP walk back up to where our van was. After all of the climbing I did in one day I finally got out of breath and got to a point where I didn't think I was going to make it up the stairs but I kept pushing on and made it back to the top. We had about an hour ride back to San Ignacio but it wasn't without it complications of course. At one point the bus stopped on a hill and the bus driver asked all of us to get out so that he could get it up the hill. On the way to Caracol there was a point where the van went SUPER SLOW up a hill (but he made it) so I thought that the same thing was happening this time and thought he was kidding when he said that but he wasn't. Sure enough one-by-one we all got off the van, watched him drive up the hill, and the had to walk up the hill and get back on our van. I asked Dr. C of that had ever happened before and she said, "Nope! Something new happens every year." It was definitely a priceless moment that I will never forget. After we got back to San Ignacio I went with Maddi, Casey, and Ashley to see Callie, Tracy's, Meghan, and Jessica M."s Room at the other location of Martha's Guest House. It was really nice and their "rooms" were really more like Apartments. After seeing their rooms Maddi, Casey, Ashley, and I decided to walk to the park just behind the other Martha Guest House Location to check out the Annual Easter Fair that was going on. It was just getting started for the night so we all walked around and check it out to see what it was like. It was very similar to the County Fair back home but the rides just seemed a little older, that's mainly the only difference. & There were of course more Taco Stands than at the Fair back home. I spent time hanging out at The Hotel for a little bit and then went to get supper with Tracy, Callie, Meghan, Jessica M., Maddi, Casey, and Ashley at Tandoor (again) since it was one of the few places that were open on Friday (many places shut down on Good Friday in order to observe the holiday). After eating Supper we all went back to our Hotels and decided to call it a night since Friday was a long and busy day and we has to prepare for yet another long and busy day on Saturday.
I got out to get my waterproof disposable camera (I had to be old school since I don't have. a Go-Pro like so many other people here do) and then jumped into the water a second time. I spent time swimming, sitting and watching other people jump into the water (from the less safer rocks that we were not recommended to jump from), and getting right by the bottom of the waterfall. It was so amazing and I loved every single minute of it. I hated to leave but I was able to jump back in the water off the cliff one last and final time before making the VERY STEEP walk back up to where our van was. After all of the climbing I did in one day I finally got out of breath and got to a point where I didn't think I was going to make it up the stairs but I kept pushing on and made it back to the top. We had about an hour ride back to San Ignacio but it wasn't without it complications of course. At one point the bus stopped on a hill and the bus driver asked all of us to get out so that he could get it up the hill. On the way to Caracol there was a point where the van went SUPER SLOW up a hill (but he made it) so I thought that the same thing was happening this time and thought he was kidding when he said that but he wasn't. Sure enough one-by-one we all got off the van, watched him drive up the hill, and the had to walk up the hill and get back on our van. I asked Dr. C of that had ever happened before and she said, "Nope! Something new happens every year." It was definitely a priceless moment that I will never forget. After we got back to San Ignacio I went with Maddi, Casey, and Ashley to see Callie, Tracy's, Meghan, and Jessica M."s Room at the other location of Martha's Guest House. It was really nice and their "rooms" were really more like Apartments. After seeing their rooms Maddi, Casey, Ashley, and I decided to walk to the park just behind the other Martha Guest House Location to check out the Annual Easter Fair that was going on. It was just getting started for the night so we all walked around and check it out to see what it was like. It was very similar to the County Fair back home but the rides just seemed a little older, that's mainly the only difference. & There were of course more Taco Stands than at the Fair back home. I spent time hanging out at The Hotel for a little bit and then went to get supper with Tracy, Callie, Meghan, Jessica M., Maddi, Casey, and Ashley at Tandoor (again) since it was one of the few places that were open on Friday (many places shut down on Good Friday in order to observe the holiday). After eating Supper we all went back to our Hotels and decided to call it a night since Friday was a long and busy day and we has to prepare for yet another long and busy day on Saturday.
Day Eighteen: On Saturday I woke up at about 6:30 a.m. and got ready for the day. My Roommate and I went to meet everyone at about 7:20 a.m. since we had to leave at 7:30 a.m. to go on our Excursion. Our Excursion for Saturday was a Tour at the ATM Caves. We all got on the bus and as we were starting to leave San Ignacio I noticed so many cars and people on the side of the road. I was wondering why and then found out that there was a race called the Cross Country Cycling Classic (a bicycle race that where the bicyclers start in Belize City, ride to San Ignacio, and turn around to ride back to Belize City) so everyone was waiting for the bicyclers to ride by so that they could cheer them on. The person driving our bus pulled over and one of the Tour Guides told us we were stopping to watch them since they would becoming up the hill soon. All 26 of us lined up on the side of the road and soon enough we saw the bicyclers and cheered them on. I had no idea the Cross Country Cycling Classic even existed but it was so neat getting to witness the 87th one occurring since it's an International Event with people from multiple countries who compete in it. After most of all of the bicyclers went by we got back on the bus and were officially on our way to the Caves. When we arrived we all got our helmets on and had to walk 1.5 miles to the entrance of the cave (which included crossing the river three times.) Our group of 26 got split into three groups of eight people (the Tour Guides only take eight people per group) and two people went on a tour with another Tour Guide since we didn't divide evenly. I was in a Group with Meghan, Jessica M., Tracy, Callie, Maddi, Casey, and Jordon. I honestly don't know if I can put into words about what the ATM Cave Tour was like. It was one of those experiences that you can't really explain and you just have to experience it for yourself to truly understand what it's like. It was just so neat. I have no idea how much time we actually spent in the cave but I know after we all finished eating lunch once we got back from the Tour we were on the bus to head back to San Ignacio at about 3:00 p.m. We got back to our Hotel at about 4:45 p.m. and then I made a Phone Call home. After about an hour of hanging out at the Hotel my Roommate and I were getting bored so we decided to venture out and about. We walked down Burns Ave., looked in a store, and then ran into some other people from our group. I ended up going with Abby, Tiffany, and Sarah to San Ignacio's Annual Easter Fair and that was so much fun. I just love Fairs so much! It only cost $3.00 BZ (which is $1.50 U.S.) to get in which wasn't bad at all. We walked around, got some supper, enjoyed listening to the live music, ate some donuts/cupcakes, and Abby and I split a Cotton Candy. With everything I bought at the Fair (tickets and foods) I spent less than $20.00 (BZ) which is less than $10.00 (US) and I found that to be so neat because it costs a little under $10.00 U.S. (possibly over) to go to the County Far at home not to mention $20.00 U.S. for the Wristband to ride the rides an unlimited amount of times, as well as more money for all of the food you want to eat and games you want to play. I was so glad I got to go to the Fair in San Ignacio. I really enjoyed it. As Abby, Tiffany, Sarah, and I left to go back towards Burns Ave. we ran into more people from our group who were getting Ice Cream at a Gelato Place. Since I had so much junk food at the fair I decided not to get any Gelato. Ashley and I left to go back to the Hotel around 9:00 p.m. and needed to call it a night a little early since we had an early morning and a busy day of traveling to Guatemala on Sunday.
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