Welcome to Belize!

Spider Monkey at the Belize Zoo.
see all photos »

Greetings from Belize! After an uneventful (and empty) flight, we arrived in Belize City on Tuesday afternoon. We drove straight from the airport to the Tropical Education Center (TEC). The TEC is a small compound which has hosted the likes of Cameron Diaz and the Crocodile Hunter. The ten girls are staying in the Convent (that is seriously the name of the dorm) and the five guys are in a dorm they have dubbed “Party Central,” or something to that effect. I am staying in a room with one other girl. According to Frommer’s, the TEC is set on 84 acres of untouched savannah, and the center has a nature trail, observation platform, classroom, and some simple guest rooms. I would have to agree, plus there is a nice little pond in which we have observed two crocodiles, some fish and turtles.

Jabiru Stork at the Belize Zoo.
see all photos »

On Wednesday we had our first orientation session. We mainly talked about logistical things, like our schedule and course expectations. But the best part of the days has been the food! There are two women who prepare the food (along with the occasional student helper) and everything is made right here. We had burritos for lunch on Wednesday, complete with fresh tortillas and pico de gallo. Basically every meal has been amazing! On Wednesday afternoon we went to the Belize Zoo, about a mile down the road and associated with the TEC. We got a preview of some of the animals we will see on our trips and a chance to see some of those we may not. That night, I took a walk on one of the nature trails with another girl. We went on the short trail, but got stuck fifty yards from the end because the trail was flooded. I was wearing sneakers so I took a sidetrack through the bush to get around and got into a fight with a plant. The plant won, scraping up both my legs from my ankles to my thighs, but I didn’t get wet!

Scarlett Macaw at the Belize Zoo.
see all photos »

Thursday was most of the same orientation stuff, but we had two people come to talk to us about health and safety. One is a doctor at the hospital in Belize City, he is our program doctor, and the other was a retired nurse who will serve as another medical reference and counselor if need may be. It was good to meet both of them in case an emergency does happen, we will see a familiar face. We also found out the location and partner for our drop off. Tomorrow morning (Friday), we leave for our drop offs. We are paired up into two’s or three’s and each pair will be left in a specified city overnight to find out about the people and the area. I am really excited because I am going to Crooked Tree. Crooked Tree is mainly known because it is home to a wildlife sanctuary, including a large population of jabiru stork. I am going with the same girl I went on the walk with last night. I also went on a walk with a larger group, this afternoon, on the longer trail, which ended up being only about five minutes longer. But there is a really cool observation deck on the trail which will be really nice for stargazing.

So far the weather has been hot and humid, but it was what I was expecting. I have had less than ten bug bites (including a couple from red ants), but some people in the group are being eaten alive. Hopefully the bugs stick to them! The people we have met have been so kind and helpful and our group is getting along really well. I am excited for the semester and can’t wait to get out and explore Belize.