Showing posts with label Belize recycling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Belize recycling. Show all posts

Monday, August 29, 2011

White Gold Floating


Not long ago, one of Capt Boxter's brothers arrived to ask for money for gas and the use of the boat. Money is a regular request. Permission to use the boat involves asking me; so, I asked why?

Earlier that morning while giving his boss a ride to another caye, the brother had spotted what he believed to be some cocaine floating. He didn't stop (his boss would not approve) but he marked the spot in his memory, (no GPS on board) noted the wind and water currents, and quickly returned to get his brother's help in searching for the floating "white gold." People support entire towns on such finds.

It was a beautiful day and I thought such a hunt would be fun. I quickly emailed my two sons who love to hear about my adventures (but who are slow to respond). I changed into a bathing suit and off we went. We followed the currents, explored deserted mangrove islands – those branches are hard to climb – circled islands, searched every path we could imagine. Nothing. Not a sign of anything. Not even a floating plastic bottle. The brothers were disappointed but I had a great tan and was happy for any excuse to be on the water.

Waiting for me were two emails – one from each son – each a variation of this: " Ma, you have no idea what that is! Don't go. Are you crazy? Email me as soon as you are home."

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Customs and Recycling

A few years ago, I lived on the mainland of Belize in a small wooden house on stilts with a shaded porch overlooking a nice patch of hibiscus, bougainvillea, three mango trees and some beautiful ferns. Shading the entire yard was an enormous avocado tree. Very lush tropical grounds. Plants thrive in that climate as do bugs and various other creatures.

I had invited some new friends over for dinner and one of the women very nicely offered to help me clean up. As I was carrying some dishes into the kitchen, I was surprised - to say the least - as she casually scraped the leftovers from our plates over the railing to the ground below. I'm embarrassed to say that my voice raised at least an octave as I said the obvious: "What are you doing?"

I could tell that she was equally surprised by my reaction. "I'm feeding the dogs. What they don't eat, the chickens from next door will. What were you going to do with them?"

She had a point, of course; but, all I could think was: "that explains the rats."