Da so you feel?

Belize…this country just kept tapping me on the shoulder, reminding me of the adventures that waited for me…if I just got there…jungles and Mayan Ruins…iguanas and caves with rivers to tube through…sharks and rays and turtles and even manatees to swim with…horses waiting to carry me on a forest trail…forest ziplines…friendly people with Creole dialect...fun new foods…the varieties of fruit…quaint keys, spelled caye in Belize…and one special caye, Caye Caulker where the culture is ‘go slow’ and ‘no shoes, no news’…ahhhhhh, LET’S DO THIS!

So, thanks to Chase Travel Points…the dream of a trip to Belize became a reality!  As soon as I hit “Payment” and had my flight secured, I looked into Air BnB and found Erika and her Sunset Cabana…35.00/night...the price is right!  I’m not sure if the tropical pictures sold me more or her directions to the cabana….’when you arrive by water taxi, you turn right and walk along the beach for 10 minutes until you see a sign that stays Maggie’s Sunset Kitchen, turn left and you will see the house.’  The more I read, the more I felt that this small, relaxed caye is just the right place to set up my Belizean Base! Reservations were made to stay at the Sunset Cabana April 6^th – 14^th.

Next, set up some adventure plans! I found the tour company called Untame Belize and Rose became my right-hand friend setting up all the things I had hoped to do on my trip!  Ziplining, cave-tubing, Mayan ruins, horseback riding and the famous ATM Cave…a Mayan burial site with stream crossings and skeletons, ceramics and stoneware left by the Mayans.  Rosalba set it all up, but had to inform me that as a single visitor, I would have to pay for a second because they only sell tours in twos.  With no other option, I agreed and just took it as ‘the cost of doing business’, still giddy at the thought of all the adventure coming my way.

Soon thereafter, Gwen came up to visit in Hermosa. She’s so fun to have around and loves adventures…. Can you see where this is going? Yes, I thought…hmmmm…sweet 17 year old who loves adventure…and me with an extra set of tour tickets for everything!  I think she may have thought about it for maybe one minute and enthusiastically set forth to make it happen!  I will let here take it from here….tell us, Gwennie!

I have always, always wanted to have a tropical destination vacation. With my dad being the mountain man he is, this never seemed very likely, considering sun, beach, and tourists isn’t quite his taste. Katy had mentioned the trip she had planned to me before, and I immediately had a tinge of envy because I knew what an amazing experience she was going to have. The next time we were talking about it was because I had brought up my spring break, she then nonchalantly said, “Why don’t you come with me?” I instantly said I would love to, but wasn’t quite sure I could make it happen, since my grades weren’t at their best and I wasn’t sure how my mom would feel about me going out of the country without her or my dad. As soon as I got home however, I went to work trying to convince my parents, telling them, “this is an opportunity of a lifetime!” With the promise of getting my grades up and after talking to my teachers; I had my mom convinced! There will be so many new adventures and challenges I get to experience during this trip. The greatest challenge being flying alone. I have only been on a plane twice, both times with my parents and when I was about eleven, so when I say I’m a little rusty with the American flight system, I am not kidding. Luckily, mine and Katy’s flight paths meet in Dallas and from there we’ll fly together to Belize! Taking our first steps together in this new country, the beginning of our grand adventure.

So, day after tomorrow...we start our adventure! I gave Gwen a little bit of advice to help her on her first 'solo' flight...I suggested that when she lands in Dallas, check the flight information board for arrivals and departures...find out what gate she needs to go to and check in. When I send this to her, she responded back.........."What exactly does 'check-in' mean?"

Yes, this is going be to quite and adventure!

P.S.
I must admit, I was a little bit disappointed when I learned that the national language in Belize is English, not Spanish...but, as usual, there's a fun twist...Belizean Kriol!

"PUMPED! JAZZED! STOKED!" That is what I will say when I am asked in Belize... "Da so you feel?"