News from Cayo

Currently slogging thru a crawling internet connection, so I hope it posts.

Adam and I are currently in San Ignacio, enjoyin the breeze. Don't know what I said in my last post, but our planned tour of 4-sights-in-one-day-for-one-low-price fell thru on Saturday, so we went to Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary in the morning with Nancy and enjoyed the birds and local culture, not to mention a fantastic meal.

In the afternoon we went to Belize City, met Chris Deshield's family and were graciously invited to join his parents and their friends for dinner. The Mexican ambassador to Belize and his wife (who has worked in all kinds of interesting fields but is currently renewing her vet's license at the Desheild's clinic) joined us for Japanese food. I helped Miriam make sushi--yum! We had a great time meeting them, and got a fascinating peak into Belizean politics along the way. Plus, I realized you have the same laugh as your dad, Chris:)

Sunday we headed for Caye Caulker (an island) and kayaked in the evening, then had to bail the next day when our snorkeling trip got canceled due to high winds. It was really sad not to get to snorkel, and it was sposed to stay windy all week, so we just had to give up on it. But, it was a beautiful, relaxing place; we ate good food, walked sandy beaches, and got to eat a fresh coconut.

In the evening, since our island stay was cut a little short, we opted for the Howler Monkey Reserve, where we got to see Howler monkeys in the wild on a community reserver (as in, the land is all still owned by local residents who have agreed to abide by certain land use rules in order to preserve the habitat for the monkeys. Very cool. The local founder of the idea was our guide). The monkeys ate out of our hands! We went on a night hike and then a canoe trip down the river the next day, before heading to the Belize Zoo and checking out all the local fauna. So many interesting creatures in the world!

We arrived in San Ignacio last nite and have been hanging out here today. Trying to decide if we're going to go caving tomorrow or go on to Guatemala.

Hasta luego--- we're off to dinner now. I think we're going to cook something ourselves, and then maybe go up to the lookout point Elodia took me too last month.
Saludos!