For Better or Worse

The holidays in Belize have been different, expectedly, from any others I have had in my life. Strangely, they are pleasantly different and seem somehow more special and enjoyable in a way, perhaps because they involve no stress, latent from jobs, money, or trips. They are what we make of them, simple, and even a single phone call to family or a mere visit from a new friend can seem powerfully significant and can make me want to cry.

The little Nicaraguan family, our former neighbors in a one-room shed, stopped by our new place after church on Christmas, and the kids gave me hugs and proudly showed me their new necklaces and generally looked precious in their best attire. They were sipping juice boxes and looked pleased with themselves, and it made me smile for a long time that the family cared enough to come and see me.

As with most experiences in Peace Corps, I believe the lesson has been to learn simplicity and to focus on relationships. It also constantly causes us to ask questions like, are we becoming "better" people, or "worse," for this experience? It does seem that whatever traits we already possessed are often accentuated. But, what is at the heart of volunteerism and humanitarian work and development? We continue to notice the innate selfishness of human beings, both within ourselves and our new community.

This year, as part of trying to be a stronger, more assertive, more decisive me (though balanced and kind, like my mother-in-law or my host mom), I decided to make my birthday as positive as possible, given the circumstances. I requested going to Placencia to snorkel, my first time ever, and a red velvet cake, like Scott and I saw on a cooking show when we were staying with another Volunteer couple. Funny, I never liked red velvet cake before.

Above are a few photos of snorkeling, despite the interspersed storms. You can see where the clouds began to part for us to have a sunny spot in which to snorkel. I even saw barracudas and a sting ray up-close! Also, check out Scott's new ride that he put together with a good deal on a frame from New York that actually fits him. I think the striped seat and matching grips he found in Belize City are rad, and so does every other villager who happens to pass. In fact, I am endangered when riding behind Scott because if the staring person is on a bike when he passes Scott, he fails to look forward again until he has very nearly crashed into me!