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Published: September 14th 2011
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This afternoon school was canceled on account of either possible river flooding, or in case a storm hit us, I have heard conflicting reasons. Either way, no school until further notice and therefore : blogging time!
I have had a pretty interesting adventure here so far - arranging a placement after surprising the school with my arrival, meeting a great class with very diverse needs and strengths, having my apartment flood twice in hurricane strength storms, visiting a lovely beach town, enjoying Belizean Rotary (more on this later), having my pretty purple bike stolen, and learning how to teach way more creatively!
One thing I really am enjoying is getting to know a new town! Now that I am walking everywhere, I decided to take advantage of my slowed down pace (sort of slow, I walk pretty fast), to go on a little photo tour of where I am, to show you guys back home!
So first off! My school! It has two separate sections on either side of Main St, collectively called, the compound. It's a mix of a big concrete building and lots of long wooden ones. Quite a few of the wooden ones are slated
My building
My room is the second from the left. to be dismantled at the end of September (for which we will be off school again) because of ASBESTOS. Yes. Asbestos. Not good. But no one is teaching in there anymore, and they'll be gone soon. I won't get into it here but fyi: The Canadian government fought tooth and nail to keep asbestos (which we export freely but of course have banned in our country) off the UN Hazardous Materials list. Food for thought. Anyway - the rest of the school houses about 900 students from preschool (our kindergarten) to standard 6 (our grade 8). I teach Standard 3 (our grade 5) in one of the wooden buldings, and luckily in one with a great view!
Elsewhere in town:
The St. Peter Claver Church. We have school assembly here every Monday morning, and the church bells even ring on Sundays to call people for mass. I love the doors!
Great trees and lots of abandoned boats. Little boats like the one in the picture are all over the shore, filled with water and looking all picturesque.
The PG Public Library. About the size of a Canadian Elementary School library, with few non fiction books that can
The big building
Also doubles as a public hurricane shelter. Convenient. be borrowed unfortunately, but with a nice sized local collection (also reference only) that I hope to check out soon! Also, pretty inexpensive internet in an A/C room nice!
The community centre. Sort of. Our Rotary Club here just painted it so it looked all fresh for the September celebrations but it's not really a community centre right now. Right now Mennonites sell furniture on the inside.
Central Park: A big clock tower with clocks that don't actually tell time anymore, and a little stage for town celebrations. Lots of benches and a nice little park for the kids! There are always lots of people here, and ALWAYS lots to buy - used clothes, bbq, lime juice and snacks.
Don't have pictures of all these, but some of my favourite restaurants so far are
- The tortilla lady! Not a restaurant but she is responsible for keeping my belly happy. Fresh corn tortillas for BZ$2/lb. yummy.
-Gomier's :a formerly vegan, now serving fish, restaurant by a 50 something year old man with the longest dreads ever. He makes his own tofu and soy milk, and we buy fresh bread from him regularly.
-Earth Runnins': another dread-friendly place
that hosts Emmeth, a kriol drummer, almost every weekend. Lots of fun each time I've gone, very relaxed atmosphere - what they have on the oven is what is on the menu, and they always have a yummy veg option.
-the Italian restuarant on Front street. Mostly I like it because the cook makes me laugh. Went and got pizza there a couple times at the beginning of the trip, and he is a little spanish guy. Something about Spanish/Guatemalan Italian pizza that makes me smile. haha
So far so good - having fun in Punta Gorda Town!
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Auntie Paula
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Love your little town.
I am so happy that you are happy.Such a beautiful place to live, work and experience. Sorry to hear you lost your bike. Then again,as I believe, everything happens for a reason...maybe this was your sign to REALLY slow down and enjoy every single moment that life has to offer!! I am trying very hard to do that as well...maybe someone should steal my bike.LOL. Love, Hugs & Kisses. Take Care, I Care XO