Village Life is Managable

“Gud Manning Belize, Gud Manning! How are you this morning?”

I’ve waken up to this song while living in a small village near Guatemala. On that same radio station I hear music ranging from worship to classic songs (Michael Jackson, The Beatles, etc). Hearing the music makes me happy and reminds me of home.

Overall the village is amazing. It has the beautiful Mopan River where we swim, bath, and do laundry. It’s such a great place to meet the locals and a wonderful relief from the HOT HOT HUMID weather. The village also has rocky, dirt, and hilly roads. It really reminds me of India. Everyone here grows coconut, papaya, lime, oranges, and so many other fruits and vegetables in their backyard.

The people of the village speak Spanish and are real friendly. You meet one family in the village you meet them all because everyone is related. Its really a very welcoming and hospitable community.

My host family has been really great. They have welcomed me like another member of the family. Fortunately, I have a washing machine but all it does is spins (and usually in dirty water:). They have taught me so much. First of all, they taught me how to wash and properly hang my clothes. They also taught me how to make rice and beans, tortillas, and chilly sauce. They eat mango raw and ripe. With raw mango they put salt and pepper on it, which is different but popular in the area.

I had the pleasure of visiting another PCV in their village. It was very eye-opening because she literally lived in the bush. She lives in a really cute thatched house that she decorated really nice. She also relies on the rainwater and has a latrine. Talk about making sacrifices. Even with these changes in lifestyle, she is truly happy and it gives me comfort. She’s around a community that loves her, protects her, and is really fun. I enjoyed swimming in the river with the little girls of the village, who are full of life and really funny. We sang songs on our walks to the river and they played pranks on me while in the water. They were a real treat.

I’m enjoying my time in this country and looking forward to all the adventures that lie ahead.