Chillin' in Caye Caulker

Mindy and I spent Christmas on Caye (pronounced "key") Caulker, the tranqulio key. We were welcomed to the island by a rastaman on a bike shouting at me "Hey baby, your big legs are my Christmas present!" Glad I could make someone's day...We spent the first afternoon swimming, and Christmas Day on a sailing and snorkeling trip. The island lived up to its laid back reputation--we had a blast. The only bad thing about that trip was it was too short--there's plenty to do on that little island. No worries, mon, I'll be back.
View from the water taxi station.
HI MOM!--That's me in the water.

The sign says "Stealing coconuts is a crime"

On the water taxi--we were the happiest ones, for sure.

Sign says "N0 shirt, no shoes, no shit, no problem" We ate here 3 times.

Caving near San Ignacio

Mindy, PJ, Kristen, and I went to the Actun Tunichil Muknal cave to see ancient Maya artifacts. It involved a Goonies-like climb and swim alongside an underground river. At the end of the hike were tons of artifacts and the "Crystal Princess," a full skeleton of a young female who was sacrificed to the gods a thousand years ago. There were also skulls, bones, and pottery scattered throughout the cave alongside dripping stalactities and stalagmites. Awesome!

A quick digression...

TAR....HEEELS! Got to catch a quick game before I left--it was a slaughter, allowing for stress-free audience participation.

I made it here safely. Mindy, PJ and Kristen helped me get settled in and joined me for my first meals in my new house (lots of fresh fruit and veggies from the market). The house is not the one I was originally assigned to, but it is adorable, and close to town. Pictures coming soon, on Belize time (which just means slow). For anyone who has tried to contact me, my US phone doesn't work, and I won't be able to get a Belize phone until next week...no worries, I'm doing great. The adventure continues!

This is at Cahal Pech, ancient Maya ruins that are walking distance from San Ignacio in the Cayo District of Belize, my new hometown starting December 21. I walked there when I was on my visit to Galen University, where I will begin working in January.

The river runs through San Ignacio. I took the picture of the river while standing on a suspension bridge that connects San Ignacio to its sister town, Santa Elena.