Easter Camp & Volunteering
This past week after we returned from San Ignacio we had to complete our service hours by volunteering for whatever we were interested in the most. Last week we helped paint one of the primary schools on the island, the second week we were here I helped out with a creative writing short story and poetry writing workshop for secondary students at the library and this last week we helped organize and facilitate an Easter Break camp with some little kiddos. It was a BLAST. We hosted it from Wednesday through Friday. It is very refreshing hanging out with little kids who are so quick to love you and want to be by your side no matter what, teenagers are totally the opposite. Suffice to say, it was a nice change of pace.
I have also been spending half my days for the last five days at a coffee bar in town to use their WiFi and complete all of my graduate work. It has been a great experience completing research, papers, reflections, data collection here on the island instead of back home in a stuffy library. The coffee bar employees have taken a liking to me as well which is always nice, if only I was a local... I have officially finished my biggest project which is a huge weight off of my shoulders. I am now working on multiple documentaries to tell my story about Belize. I will try and share those here if it is possible.
Friday night we went night snorkeling which was scarier than I thought it was going to be. I would totally do it again, knowing now that there is nothing in the shadows trying to hunt and eat me for dinner. The sunset was so beautiful from the reef. We were swimming in the water as the sun sank below the horizon and the sea night life is LIT. Everyone comes out to play, eat and glide around. We saw such colorful creatures, more so than when we snorkeled during the day. Many fish and sea creatures are nocturnal which is fascinating to me. We saw spotted eagle rays, eels, lobster, conch, sting rays, barracuda, lion fish, rainbow fish, and many more species I cannot name. After returning to the boat after 45 minutes it was pitch black and I laid back on the bow observing all the constellations. The vibrant night sky, much life the ocean below it is such an incredible and awe-inspiring force of nature.
Saturday night we went to the Black & White Garifuna Cultural Center on the island. We learned all about the Garifuna people, their beliefs, their music, dance and food. I definitely enjoyed dancing around and moving to the beat of the drums. They are the heart and soul of the Garifuna culture. With a mix of Carib, Arawak and African ancestry the culture is so rich and complex, but extraordinarily beautiful. We interviewed the main woman for our documentary as well which she was more than willing to do. Goes to show how incredible music is and how it connects people across all backgrounds and cultures. It was one of my favorite things we have taken part in thus far. With just over 48 hours left in Belize I am trying to get in as much as I can. I will be returning to the high school tomorrow to cross some t's and dot some i's. I am looking forward to bidding my students farewell again and thanking everyone at the school for their help.
I have also been spending half my days for the last five days at a coffee bar in town to use their WiFi and complete all of my graduate work. It has been a great experience completing research, papers, reflections, data collection here on the island instead of back home in a stuffy library. The coffee bar employees have taken a liking to me as well which is always nice, if only I was a local... I have officially finished my biggest project which is a huge weight off of my shoulders. I am now working on multiple documentaries to tell my story about Belize. I will try and share those here if it is possible.
Friday night we went night snorkeling which was scarier than I thought it was going to be. I would totally do it again, knowing now that there is nothing in the shadows trying to hunt and eat me for dinner. The sunset was so beautiful from the reef. We were swimming in the water as the sun sank below the horizon and the sea night life is LIT. Everyone comes out to play, eat and glide around. We saw such colorful creatures, more so than when we snorkeled during the day. Many fish and sea creatures are nocturnal which is fascinating to me. We saw spotted eagle rays, eels, lobster, conch, sting rays, barracuda, lion fish, rainbow fish, and many more species I cannot name. After returning to the boat after 45 minutes it was pitch black and I laid back on the bow observing all the constellations. The vibrant night sky, much life the ocean below it is such an incredible and awe-inspiring force of nature.
Saturday night we went to the Black & White Garifuna Cultural Center on the island. We learned all about the Garifuna people, their beliefs, their music, dance and food. I definitely enjoyed dancing around and moving to the beat of the drums. They are the heart and soul of the Garifuna culture. With a mix of Carib, Arawak and African ancestry the culture is so rich and complex, but extraordinarily beautiful. We interviewed the main woman for our documentary as well which she was more than willing to do. Goes to show how incredible music is and how it connects people across all backgrounds and cultures. It was one of my favorite things we have taken part in thus far. With just over 48 hours left in Belize I am trying to get in as much as I can. I will be returning to the high school tomorrow to cross some t's and dot some i's. I am looking forward to bidding my students farewell again and thanking everyone at the school for their help.
Easter Camp
Easter Camp
Kiddos
San Pedro Public Library
Night Snorkel
Painting at New Horizons
Can't wait to see you on Wednesday! Enjoy your last day in San Pedro!
ReplyDeleteSo great to see you enjoying your journey Angel! Thanks for the wonderful note. Love you.
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