Clark-Peterek Belize

Welcome Home

We arrived back in Texas on July, 10, 2009, and we were greeted by a crowd of family of friends.  The trip to Corpus Christi was quite the adventure, and after a long day of traveling while in a full leg cast, we were ready to be home.  It has been a crazy 2 1/2 months that has involved unpacking, summer school, doctor's appointments, apartment hunting, moving, fall classes, football games, and readjustment.  We are finally settled and working on getting into the swing of things.  John and I are both attending Graduate School at the University of Texas.  We love living in Austin, and we have enjoyed catching up with old friends.

We think about Belize often and miss our friends in Punta Gorda.  We continue to stay in touch with our Belizean counterparts, fellow Volunteers, and friends.  I will continue to volunteer with Teachers for a Better Belize as we work to provide professional development and school supplies to teachers and students in the Toledo District of Belize. 

We hope that you have enjoyed following our blog and reading about our adventures in Belize.  We have enjoyed sharing with you, and appreciate your warm thoughts, kind remarks, and words of encouragement.  We will continue to keep our blog for the next few months as a resource to those who are interested in Belize, Kiribati, and the Peace Corps.  Be on the lookout for our new blog, describing the adventures of two graduate students.  

Thank you so much to all of our friends and family who have loved and supported us over the past two and a half years. It has truly been an amazing adventure that has changed who we are and how we think about the world.

St. Benedict R.C. School Library

Collecting  books and organizing the St. Benedict R.C. School Library was a major project during my time in Belize.  I worked with several organizations to collect books, and in late June we received a large book donation from family and friends in Houston, TX.  Upon the arrival of the shipment we began a total reorganization of the library.  The staff and students were very excited, and the project would continue through the summer holiday break.  Unfortunately that didn't work out when I broke my leg and had to return to Texas several weeks early.  I was determined to get this library into shape, and with the help of a few friends and fellow Peace Corps Volunteers I was able to leave St. Benedict with a beautifully organized library space.  For three days we sorted, labeled, taped, and shelved.  The work was amazing and I couldn't have done it without the help of some very special people. Miss Jan has even volunteered to continue work in the library during the coming school year. 

Thanks again to the Peace Corps Belize Staff, Hoover Oil Supply Company, and the Clark Family for gathering, collecting, shipping, and transporting the books for St. Benedict R.C. School.

And a special thank you goes to Mike, Dov, Sussanah, Emily, Pat, Karey Manley, Jan, Gary, Patrick, the Jesuit Volunteers, Traveling Mission Group, Miss Olive, and John.  Once again words cannot describe how grateful I am for your willingness to help.  I couldn’t have done it without you!  Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Pop/Cho Wedding

Last weekend John and I went to the wedding of Miguel Cho and Ruth Pop, parents from St. Benedict R.C. School.  Their three children are a delight, and I enjoy working with Teresita and Noraldo at school. 

We received our invitation several weeks ago, and Miss Ruth wanted to make sure that I brought my camera along.  Miguel and Ruth got married at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church at 2:00 in the afternoon.  Miguel and Ruth walked down the aisle hand in hand with their children leading the way.  The witnesses and the parents of the groom followed behind.  The couple looked great, Ruth in a beautiful wedding gown and Miguel in a nice new suite.  The wedding ceremony was a traditional Catholic Mass and the guests threw confetti as the newly married couple recessed down the aisle. 

After the wedding, we rode our bikes to Miguel and Ruth’s home for the reception.  Friends, family, and neighbors joined in the celebration.  The food was delicious and guests enjoyed chicken caldo, BBQ pork, stew chicken, rice and beans, and shrimp.  The bride and groom cut the cake, and Ruth made sure that I got pictures of everything. 

We had a wonderful time celebrating with Miguel and Ruth, and we were honored to be a part of this joyous time in the lives of the Pop and Cho Family.

 

COS Conference

A few weeks ago we headed to San Ignacio Town to Cahal Pech Village Resort for our Close of Service Conference, a three-day training on wrapping up our time as Peace Corps Volunteers in Belize.  While a major focus of the conference for Omnibus ’09 was transitioning to the next thing, we had extensive conversations on development, sharing our Peace Corps experience, exiting the U.S. Government, health care after Peace Corps, remembering those who are no longer with us, and continuing a life of service.  For many this was the last time we would see each other, and it was a great way to say good-bye.

We had such a nice time at the COS Conference, and we can't believe our time here in Belize is coming to an end. 

Guinea Grass

 

Last weekend we traveled north and visited Melissa and Coy, our good friends and fellow Peace Corps Volunteers.  Melissa and Coy live in Guinea Grass Village in the Orange Walk District.  

We started our 6 ½ hour journey north early Friday morning.  We arrived in Orange Walk Town around 12:30.  Orange Walk Town, also known as Sugar City, has a population of over 20,000, and is at the center of a busy agriculture region.  Orange Walk was founded in late 1840’s by Mestizo refugees fleeing from the Caste Wars in the Yucatan. 

Guinea Grass is located 6 miles south of Orange Walk on Shipyard Road along the New River.  A large portion of the Mestizo population, around 3,000, is involved in the sugar cane industry.  Guinea Grass also has a large number of commuters who work in Orange Walk.  Melissa and Coy are Education Volunteers and each work at schools in the village.  

We had a great weekend with Melissa and Coy.  We toured around Guinea Grass, talked with neighbors and friends, took a trip to Lamanai, and even attended a baptism celebration.  One of the highlights of the weekend was Saturday Game Day, organized by Melissa and Coy to promote working and playing together and living an active and healthy lifestyle.  Over fifty kids from all over the village joined us bright and early Saturday morning for some fun and games.  We played Run Little Fish Run, Tunnel Tag, and Bug Killer.  We had a great time running around with the kids. 

 

Melissa and Coy were wonderful hosts, and not to mention good cooks.  We were treated to some great meals like Thai pork burritos, dahl, oatmeal raisin pancakes, homemade energy bars, and mango crisp.  They have a lovely home and live in a great community.   It was such a treat to spend time with Melissa and Coy, and we enjoyed hanging out with them. 

 

Thanks Melissa and Coy for a wonderful relaxing weekend.  We had a great time and hope you did too. 

 

Rachel & Todd Visit Belize

Rachel & Todd, our good friends from back home, spent a week with us touring the country and getting to know about our lives here in Belize.  We started out the week in the Belize River Valley, as Todd & Rachel were part of the La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge Machaca Hill Jaquars Support Crew.  Little did they know, we would be driving all over the country and putting them to work.  Rachel & Todd were great sports and a huge help during the race. 

After the La Ruta Maya, we headed south, so Rachel & Todd could see our sites.  The weather in Punta Gorda was beautiful.  Rachel & Todd got to know our town, and checked out the schools where we work.  I even put Todd to work conferring with students during Writer’s Workshop and selling snack.  He was a big hit with the Infant I students. 

After a few days of getting to know our sites a little better, we took the James Bus and headed north to Placencia for some time on the beach.  Placencia is one of our favorite places in Belize.  It is calm and relaxing, with some great places to eat and hang out.  We had lots of fun on the beach and ate some fantastic food. 

Before we knew it, Rachel & Todd’s visit had just about come to an end.  Early Saturday morning we took the Hokey Pokey Water Taxi back across the lagoon and headed north to Belize City.  We still had a few stops to make before their plane departed. 

 

During the La Ruta Maya John injured his foot, stepping on a thorn.  This caused him a quite a bit of pain and swelling.  After convincing him to contact our Peace Corps Medical Officer, John had an appointment in Belize City.  Rachel & Todd really got to see what the life of a PCV is like when we headed to the Doctor’s Office.  After fifteen minutes with the Dr. John was healed, and even saved the thorn that was lodged in his toe to show us.

 

We ended Rachel & Todd's visit with lunch at the Riverside Tavern, one of our favorite places to eat in the city.  We had some fantastic appetizers and killer burgers.  It was the perfect way to end our adventure together. 

 

We had a great time with Rachel & Todd, and we are so glad that they came to visit!  They got a good taste of a life as a PCV and got to see Belize like no other. 

Thanks guys for coming!

La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge - Day 4

The final leg of the race started at 9:00 a.m. Monday morning with 88 boats. By the last day a few teams had unfortunately dropped out of the race, due to injury, equipment failure, or illness.  We packed up camp, and cheered on the teams as the race continued on.  We headed in to Belize City to do a little shopping and find a parking place.  March 9th, Baron Bliss Day, is a National Belizean Holiday, so there were many spectators along the route and at the finish line. 

 

The first boats arrived 2 ½ hours after the start of the race in Burrell Boom.  The crowd roared as the first three boats paddled ferociously towards the finish line at the Belcan Bridge.  Tek It Bak, the Belize Bank boat, was neck and neck with Koop Sheet Metal, but managed to pull ahead, claiming victory with a total race time of 17:54.  Check out the Channel 7 News Report on Belize Bank's reclaiming of the La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge Title here.

More and more boats paddled towards the finish line as the crowd cheered on.  The Machaca Hill Jaguars came in a few hours later making the 25 mile journey in 4:44.  The team came off of the river exhausted and happy to have finished the race.  The Machaca Hill Jaguars came in 82th place out of 88 boats overall and 28th place out of 31 boats in their division.  Check out the final results here. 

Los Veteranos crossing the finishing line. 


Approaching the finish line.

What a great accomplishment this was for John, Mitchell, and Eric, all of the other Peace Corps Volunteers who participated, and the rest of the race participants.  We had a great time on support crew.  Thanks Liz for putting up with me and always being so patient!  Todd, Rachel, and Alex were a great help and got to see the Belize River Valley like no other.  A special thanks to Jimmy & Toni Clark, Penny Christian, Doug Peterek, and Greg and Nona Phillips for providing support, supplies, and transportation for the team.  It was a big help, and we couldn’t have done it without you.  Finally, thanks so much to Machaca Hill Rainforest Canopy Lodge for sponsoring the team and providing equipment. We really appreciate all of your support. 

La Ruta Maya River Challenge

Over the last few weeks we have been preparing for the 11th Annual La Ruta Maya River Challenge.  This four-day canoe race across Belize began in March 1998, and was the idea of Big H Enterprise, organized to launch Vida Purified Water and to promote natural products identified with sports, endurance, nutrition, and well-being. Today the La Ruta Maya River Challenge continues to assist in the development of tourism and raise awareness of Belize’s natural resources.  The 170 mile race will begin on Friday morning in San Ignacio at the Hawksworth Bridge, the only suspension bridge in Belize.  Each night, paddlers and their support crew will camp at various locations along the river. The race ends at the Belcan Bridge in Belize City on Monday, March 9th, Baron Bliss Day, celebrating Belize’s greatest benefactor, Henry Edward Victor Edward Bliss.  

Machaca Hill is our sponsor, and the Machaca Hill Jaguars is one of the many Peace Corps Belize teams participating in this year’s canoe race. John, Mitchell, and Eric will be paddling, while Liz and I will be support crew, checking in with the paddlers, providing food and water, and setting up camp each day. 

We are ready and excited for the next few days.  Check back for race news and updates.

  

Christmas in Texas

This year we spent the Christmas Holidays in Texas.  John and I drove all over Central and South Texas, went to a wedding, saw a movie, went shopping, ate some good food, and spent some time with our friends and family.  It was a great trip, and we only wish it lasted longer so we could see more people.  Thanks to our friends and family for taking such good care of us and being so patient with us on such a short trip.  Next up Central America!

More Cookie Decorating

Cookie decorating with the St. Benedict Butterflies was so much fun, that I decided to do it again with our friends and neighbors before we left for vacation in Texas. Once again, it was a big success. The cookies turned out great and everyone had a fantastic time.