You’d Better Belize It

The following journal entry was written on my third day in Belize, Saturday, May 13, 2006:

4:44 pm

I pedaled another 15 minutes and reached Captain Morgan's resort. I had a beer and water at the bar. Scoped the scene.

A lot of young and old American couples. Looked nice enough but was missing character, reality!

It's a designed fantasy – contrived. I suppose it'd be nice for a honeymoon experience, but not something I'll be doing anytime soon.

I made good time back, on purpose due to the blazing heat. It cost $5 for three hours. It was a 6-mile roundtrip ride.

Picture this – riding down a sandy path, under the blazing noon sun, Caribbean just a stone's throw away, listening to Bob Marley – One Love, Three Little Birds, and Jammin'.

Amazing, I told myself. After I lost the bike, got ice cream, I walked past Cannibals, and was surprised to see Darren and Kenny, with Carmela, and the other dudes.

They took a later boat – 3:30 pm. I got some pictures.

Darren asked me for something uniquely American, so I gave him my Washington, DC pen, the $3 one!

Kenny gave me an English VIP card for a bar. An hour later, they sadly went off and I have to admit, I was a bit sad to see them go. Good fun.

I turned and started talking to a pretty Canadian girl – Jamie. Turns out she's nearing the end of a three month Central American trip with her boyfriend.

We'll both be in Caye Caulker as well. Carmela said it's much quieter over there – perfect. Probably like Cahuita vs. Puerto Viejo in Costa Rica.

I'm going to take the 9:30 am boat I think. $10 one way. A Rastafarian, The Lyrical King, tried to sell me a CD.

He'll be playing at Cannibals from 7:30-11 pm so I'll be checking him out after a nice dinner at the Jamaican jerk place. Going to take it easy on the beer tonight.

I read a little more of my Buddhist book, “Awakening the Buddhist Heart” by Lama Surya Das.

No rush. It's a lot to absorb and I'm in no hurry. I'm glad I brought my linen shirt. It's perfect – well ventilated.

**Round the World 2008**

The waves breaking over the reef seem so close – they're really a few miles away.

Remember this feeling – use it to stay motivated for a bigger trip.

The excitement of seeing wild sharks, a pet monkey, bicycling the coast to Bob Marley and Ben Harper.

Remember the Brits – their good humor and high tolerance.

Remember Andrea and her good-hearted parents who invited me on a 3-day catamaran trip.

Remember the breeze, view, loneliness, friendliness, sense of wonder, awe, beauty, desire.

Remember to appreciate your surroundings regardless of where you are living, traveling, or lay resting.

Remember to take one step at a time, slow down, enjoy the ride.

Remember to stay positive – you can do it, I can do it, single girls are out and about, along with the guys.

Peace, love, and happiness. I'm going to write-out my MP3 playlist. I've heard two people who've had their iPods stolen.

Ricky – 9-year old spider monkey. I love it when the sun goes down, and those cool breezes kick up.

I'm not breaking new ground, by most of what I do on these trips, but the people, bonds, conversations are unique and beautiful (epiphany).

Read more about my trip to Belize in 2006.