The Adventure Begins 2014

Starting the fifth Belizean Adventure has been a true adventure. Several students barely made the plane in time. Other than that, the flight into Belize City went smoothly and we were whisked to our connecting flight within 15 minutes of checking in. Maya Airlines got us to San Pedro in record time and we landed about noon in San Pedro. Check-in at Pedro's also went smoothly and we were settled in our rooms quickly. Then it was on to Estelle's for pulled pork tacos by the Caribbean Sea. Good to see Sam, our favorite waiter.  It was an early evening as most of us were up very early.  Our first full day in San Pedro began, as always, at George's Kitchen, where Maria, his wife, served us Belizean eggs (with salsa) and fry jacks. We completed a walking tour of San Pedro around 1:30 p.m.-the height of the mid-day heat (whose idea was that?).  Yes, it is brutally hot but it feels strangely good after the brutal winter-all relative as it was much better in Wilmington than other parts of the country. An impromptu wedding was planned the night before and we were invited to attend.  It was lovely and I especially enjoyed Forest as the maid-of-honor. Back to the hotel for Thursday Trivia where our team came in third-very respectful as trivia here is hardcore. Today, we will visit the schools and the students will meet their partner teachers for this experience.  This will be our last day week-day to relax before students report to their school on Monday.  I think today might be the end of Children's Stimulation Month in Belize that focuses on early childhood education. If it is, we will be treated to a wonderful parade of all the preschool children on the island and several drum bands later this morning. I am looking forward to diving this weekend.