Each moment can serve as reminders for us. They can change us. They can move us. They can teach us.
Reality dictates that each and every moment of our days does not evoke powerful feelings that ignite excitement and inspiration in us. Mentally, it would be overwhelming. So when these moments do occur, it is important to step back, reflect, and consider the experience for its uniqueness.
Traveling has always
except for that week in Alexandria, Louisiana, been a positive experience for me. Visiting unique places, meeting new people, and experiencing cultures different than my own, generally inspires me.
Oftentimes, I walk away grateful for all my blessings.
After recently spending a week in Belize, a developing country in Central America, I walked away again reminded of how MUCH I have, and the country I live in has.
Here are just a few items I gave thought to upon my return to Wisconsin.
1.
Safety -- Generally speaking, I felt safe in Belize. The locals were friendly, kind, and helpful. We were greeted with smiles and "hellos" everywhere we went. However, our journey on the mainland from Belize City to San Ignacio raised some concerns in my mind, initially ignited by an elderly 26-year expat from Germany who transported us from the water taxi station to the rental car facility. During this 15-minute ride, the gentleman emphasized "the most important thing" to remember on our excursion west into the jungles of Belize. Only, his list of "most important" items was just that, a list. To him, it was all important. Here are a few highlights.
+ "Never, never, I repeat, never under any circumstance, even if they are lying down in the middle of the road and you have to drive around them in the ditch, pick up a hitchhiker. Go around them. Do not do it. This is the most important thing." + "Go straight, just keep going straight. Either on the north highway or the west highway. There are only two roads. Do not turn anywhere else. If you turn left and something happens, we cannot go back there and will not be able to help you. You have no business going anywhere else. This is the most important thing." + "Do not go near the border (of Guatemala). You have no business there. Do not go. This is the most important thing." + "Do not speed. Only go the speed limit. Never go over 55 mph. Especially if it rains, then go slower. Some of the roads are made of limestone and you will slide off just like that. Even I will slide off and I know these roads. This is the most important thing." + "Only get gas at Puma or Uno gas stations. This is the most important thing." + "You must always lock your doors and keep the windows rolled up otherwise you will lose your belongings. Remember this. It is very important. The most important thing." +
As you can see, our driver was entertaining, but very serious. He wanted us to be aware of the dangers of traveling in another country, and in this instance, Belize in particular. His words were amusing at times, but very helpful ... and important. He literally pulled over to the side of the road before turning into the rental parking lot and lectured us like a grandparent would. Upon returning to work yesterday, the first physician I spoke to about my trip relayed a story of his brother's friends hiking near the border and getting kidnapped at gunpoint. These things do happen. Hence, for all the things many Americans take for granted, please don't take your safety for granted. We are so fortunate to live in the country we do and to have the United States military men and women who fight to protect our freedoms each and every day.
2. Maintained (paved) roads -- The only road in Belize is a pothole mess. It is unpaved. When it rains, its foundation disappears. There are very few vehicles on this island. There are golf carts, bicycles, and feet. That is how people travel. In general, the locals do not have golf carts, and many do not have bicycles. My sister and I took a golf cart drive to town one day (25-30 minutes each way from the resort). On the way, we came across three walking children and their baby puppy. They asked for a ride and we obliged. My husband and I were only there a few days and seriously dreaded having to ride on the golf cart down that road. My head, neck, and ribs hurt from bouncing around and being whipped back and forth. And yet, we weren't walking. There is always the option to take a water taxi, but this costs money. Back in Wisconsin I am realizing the few potholes that form every winter on the paved highways really aren't so bad. They may be annoying, but really, it could be far worse.
3. Convenience stores of any kind -- Grocery stores, stores that sell toiletries, clothing stores ... you name it ... these are a luxury in Belize, if they even exist at all. There are pharmacies. There are some small farmer's market-style huts along the main roads selling fruits and vegetables (although in small amounts and questionable quality). There are even grocery stores, but the quantity and quality are also questionable. And the prices are high for anything packaged and imported. A box of cereal cost $8-10. A box of 10 tampons costs $9.50. A small jar of peanut butter costs $14. Where I live in Wisconsin, I have dozens of stores to choose from. Walgreens and Shopko are more expensive than Walmart and Target, but I don't like Walmart, so I shop at Target. We go to Sam's Club to purchase chicken, salmon, turkey burgers, cottage cheese, and a few other items in bulk. I like Festival Foods over Mega or Gordy's for everyday groceries. And if I want clothes, books, or other random items, you can usually find me at TJ Maxx or shopping online. We have the luxury of options and the freedom to choose our favorites for whatever reason. This is something I am grateful for.
4. Bug spray -- Enough said. I don't know how easy it is to access deep woods bug repellent in Belize, but I would guess it's not accessible and if it were, it would be mucho expensive. The sand fleas and mosquitoes don't need to get to know my skin.
5. Transportation -- Namely, vehicles. There are more vehicles on the mainland than on the islands where they are few and far between. We rented a SUV for about $100/day. There are school buses that serve as a bus system on the mainland, and we were told there are buses that pick up children for school even in remote areas. Like I mentioned in an earlier point, the most common form of transportation in Belize is by bicycle or by foot, and usually by foot. We did see some cycles and golf carts, and even an occasional four-wheeler. With the road quality, a SUV or truck versus a car is the best choice. Boat is also another option, but for a price. Especially this winter, I am grateful for my Subaru Forester. If I was still driving my 1998 Honda Accord this winter, I think I would have issues starting it due to the freezing cold temperatures and maneuvering it through the snow.
6. Social/Gathering spots -- Places like coffee shops, movie theaters, malls, arcades, roller skating rinks, museums, gyms, rec centers, parks...these are great gathering spots for many people. There was a movie theater on the island of Amergris Caye. My sister said it is only open Friday and Saturday and only plays one movie. We did find a chocolate shop (of course we did) that serves coffee and freshly baked cookies. There were a few parks on the mainland, but didn't see many on the island. In the US, we have so many choices. What can we do today? The options are limitless. We can get in our car, go shopping, go to a movie, go out to eat, go visit grandma, make a large meal with tons of pre-packaged items, drive on a safe highway for miles any which way, etc. Yes, there is an ocean and a shoreline in Belize, and amazingly warmer temperatures, but if you don't have a mode of transportation to take you there, or you are working, or you can't afford gas, or you can't afford a bicycle, kayak, canoe, boat, etc., and there really aren't beaches on this island (only a rocky shoreline) to protect the land from breaking down ... you must find other things to do. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. It's the only thing you know. It just served as a reminder for me of all the opportunities we have that so many of us take for granted. A common gathering spot in Belize is at church or school, and Sunday is known as "family day". We thought it was cool to see a local family pay to enter the Mayan ruins site we visited just to hang out. The kids ran around with their new baby puppy, shrieks of laughter were heard all around, and you could tell memories were being made. The most important thing.
7. 40-hour 32-hour work weeks -- In Belize, especially on the islands, if you are employed, you work a lot. One of the crew members who transported us from the mainland to the island through Belize Express told us he works six or seven days a week, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Most of the cooks, housekeepers, maintenance staff, bartenders, etc. at the resorts work six out of seven days a week. To have a job is something to be grateful for in Belize, but it also requires long days and lots of labor.
8. Access to health care -- If you have a medical emergency on the island, you would have options, but there wouldn't be many. This particular island has a medical clinic that houses two or three "good" physicians. If they consider a situation to be urgent, they don't hesitate to send you to Belize City for better care. As I mentioned, there were pharmacies all over the place. I only saw one medical clinic on the mainland and one on the island. Access to health care is minimal. Again, in the US, we have options (depending on our insurance, place of residence, financial status, transportation options, etc.). But we have the choice to go to different facilities, see different doctors or nurse practitioners or physician's assistant if we don't like the first one we saw. We have hospitals, Emergency Departments, and Urgent Care facilities. We have specialists and specialty centers. We have specific centers for wound care, dialysis, or chemotherapy. Or for physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and radiation therapy. We also have med flights, ambulances, and EMS personnel to help get us where we need to go in case of an emergency. This I am grateful for.
Take a moment and consider all the things you are grateful for. Even on a "bad" day, remember to count your blessings.
