belize: day5.

today started out much like yesterday. we rose around seven and left the hotel shortly after eight. on the way to school, we stopped at a belizian bakery/pastry shop for breakfast. it was unlike any i’ve ever seen – there were the most decadent, delicious pastries. i swear each one had to have at least a thousand calories.

i bought three…

anyway, when we got to the school, kim recruited the theater majors of the group to work in one of the upper level classrooms. they were working on a book report project that involved picking a certain “scene” from the book and acting it out with others who were also assigned that same book. in other words, their assignment was basically to do exactly what the usf theater department recently did with page to stage. therefore, we were more than qualified to help out. along with kim, colin, dom, debbie and i joined the pupils of level five playing theater games and warming up our bodies. we did our best to convey to them the importance of “go big or go home,” which is the philosophy of our department back at usf. often times, those who look the silliest are the ones who aren’t being silly at all. the kids did really well, and seemed to be excited about us coming back tomorrow. i was surprised and somewhat saddened to find that none of them had ever seen live theater. in fact, it was difficult for them to even grasp that concept. i so wished we could have performed something for them. you can bet i will be fighting to get that on the agenda for future trips to belize.

in other classroom news, though, i was told i looked like lady gaga and was asked if i had a younger sister. i said i did, but that she was recently taken.

you’re welcome, tess.

we ate lunch together following our work in the classroom, and i had the opportunity for yet another cultural experience. fish was on the menu that day, and when i specified that that was my preference, i was completely unaware that i would be served an actual fish – not a fillet or fish sticks, no, but an actual cooked, whole fish. even the eyes and teeth were still attached. it was definitely a little freaky at first, but the meat tasted so wonderful that i soon forgot what the thing looked like. i cleaned the bones, it was so delicious. my dad would have been proud.

after lunch, a small group of us were released for the afternoon. it was our day to go snorkeling, and i was super pumped, to say the least. we grabbed our suits and sandals and jogged over to the snorkel tour station. we paid our money (thirty-five american dollars) and were handed flippers, goggles, and a snorkel (the tube used to breathe under water). we rode a speed boat out to middle water, right by the big coral reef. our instructor told us how to adjust our goggles and snorkels, and with that, we all hopped into the water. because of all the salt, we could float easily without life jackets, but it was still a little scary at first. all nerves were diminished, however, as soon as i put my face into the water. the life under there was incredible! fish of every size and color were swimming around at arm’s length. the plants were all shapes and colors as well, and their vibrancy was absolutely incredible. we swam around for almost an hour, simply observing that brand new underwater world. unfortunately, my mask was way too tight, and was giving me an awful headache. on top of that, the constant “in and out” of the water and the accidental swallowing of all that salt really got to me. by the time we climbed back into the boat, i was so sick i could hardly open my eyes. thus, a word to the wise: always take a precautionary dramamine before swimming with the fishes. you’ll feel much better afterwards, and look much less like a tourist.

later, after a little nap and a catch up session on my blog, kim and five of us girls headed far up the beach to a restaurant called the blue fin grille. the atmosphere was clean and quaint, with icicle lights hanging from the ceiling and the cool sea breeze blowing in and out of the restaurant. i had my best meal so far in belize: fresh, salted edamame and a crispy shrimp salad with peanut soy vinaigrette dressing. walking back to our hotel, i felt delightfully full and content.

what a wonderful feeling.

on our way back, we met more of the group heading out for the night. we decided to turn around and join them, and spent the rest of the evening dancing to live music in a local bar called the tackle box. letting loose after such a long day felt amazing, and bonding with the group was so much fun. every person here has their own unique gifts to contribute, and i am thankful and blessed to be able to share and experience those gifts.

goodnight all, love and sweat dreams to you.