Since we have been speaking Spanish since Nicaragua, it was a shock to get to Belize where Spanish is not spoken at all. Many Belizians know Spanish, but everyone speaks English and Creole. It took some getting used to at first (I kept saying hola, gracias, and trying my other words), but now that I have settled in, it's quite nice to speak in my native tongue. I continue to have great experiences with Belizians. They are friendly without wanting anything in return, much different from the rest of Central America. Like most other countries, they are very proud of their country and are constantly promoting the food, the hot sauce (Marie Sharps is the Belizian hot sauce and it is great), their village, and everything else as, undoubtedly, the best in the world. Belizians are very well educated and a lot of the people I have encountered have lived and studied in the states for several years. Those who haven't have family and friends there. Not 'friends' they met, but don't know where they live or remember their names, but real friends. In fact, in a quest to impress us with Belize's presence in America, one guy told us the story of his rapper cousin who lives in the states. He was involved with the P. Diddy, J Lo bar shooting a few years back. I can't recall his name, but he is currently in jail. Not the most impressive connection, but the story was still told with extreme pride and not a hint of regret or embarrassment for the situation putting his famous cousin in jail. Today, while reading on my patio, I was offered some of the world's best cocaine by a random guy walking by wearing a white t-shirt ripped from the neck line to mid belly. I acknowledged that it might be the best cocaine in the world, but politely declined to confirm on my own.
I have been in Placencia for a few days and done a lot of r&r. Tomorrow I start a series of dives off the coast. I am very excited to get back to diving as I haven't done any since Bali.
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