Easter in Belize

Easter here in Belize starts on Thursday at Noon. Banks close and everyone goes out of town. Friday most all businesses are closed, buses don't run and its considered a bit of a "bad luck" day. Saturday there is not much going on and then Mass and Church is on Sunday. There is no Easter Bunny and no Easter baskets like in the states. Then here in Hopkins, the school had its Fair and fund raiser on the beach by the church. The posters talk about how the party goes until 3 a.m. on Monday! Then most things are still closed on Monday as it is still a part of the Easter holiday. Now, let me tell you...Belize people throw BIG PARTIES!

For myself, I worked on Easter this year. It didn't feel like a holiday being away from Phil and the family. I did wander down to Beaches and Dreams where I had a fantastic Ham dinner. Beaches and Dreams is owned by a couple from Alaska. They are here October to April. They smoke all their meats and always have fresh fish and seafood. Tony is the Chef and his wife, Angie is a pastry chef. So, I had to have my Easter Chocolate... Well, I took it home and had it the next day. Chocolate Carmel Peanut Tort. SOOOooooo good!

I was also treated to the Full Moon rising. I tried to get a photo, but nothing can do its justice.

The last thing to share is my beautiful legs.... The locals just stop and say "the sand flies like you!" And they must. I am told that in a few months they will no longer affect me. Yes, they itch so bad!!

Hair it is!

I want to share some of the photos that we have been taking this past 2 weeks at the spa. There are 3 ladies who braid at the Spa. A full head of long hair can take over 2 hours to do! It is amazing to watch! We have a lot of kids at the Spa for spring break. I just love that we have so many young ladies love to come to the spa to be pampered! Facials, pedicures, manicures and even massage.

My First Dock Massage

Here is a photo of me giving my first dock massage! It was so incredible! I love it out there! The wind blows and the sound of the water melt you away...and that was giving the massage! When you all come down, and you know you will, this is the place to be!

My client was from California. He was originally from the UP near Manistique, MI! And on top of that he was a Packers Fan!! This may be tacky but I have to share...I got a $50US tip too! I almost fell off the dock!

This is also a photo of the road behind the resort that I take my morning walk on.

As far as work goes, I am loving it! I think I am catching on fast to the new things like the computer system and the daily paper work. Not only am I doing massages, but I am dipping back into my cosmetology experience and doing facials and waxes. I like the variety. I feel I am building a good relationship with the workers as a manager as well. Our first staff meeting will be on Monday.

Yesterday, the resorts (as it is Almond Beach and Jaguar Reef together) had 16 new arrivals (63 people) and today we have another 15 checking into the resorts. Most are families on spring break. Today I went to the dining room at 6 a.m. and introduce myself and the spa to the guests. The resort is packed and its neat to meet people from all over! A few from Canada, England, Texas, Georgia, Florida and we also have a couple from Russia. Its a small world after all!

I am off for the afternoon. So its off to the pool! More soon!

Back In Belize...

Well, it is Thursday night and the week is flying by!! I took a few photos of our new home. There are a few more projects that will be done in here like a queen size bed and a table to dine on. We will have a living room under another building as well. Its small (has a big bathroom) and it is going to be a great home! It comes with a pet. A little Gecko that I am tempted to name Bonita II. He is on my ceiling watching for flies. He sings to me too. Chirp Chirp Chirp...

I seem to see the most interesting things on my morning walks. I forgot to take my camera today, but I will bring it in the morning. Monday I saw a dead betel that was about the size of my fist. Thank heavens 1. it was on the road and not in my apartment and 2. it was dead. Today I saw a dead snake. Yahhhh... Well it was a red and black small snake. The first thing that popped into my head was something I learned when I lived in Florida for a few months in 1982. "Red next to yellow will kill a fellow.... red next to black is a friend of Jack." It was not a poisonous dead snake.

I have to say that my favorite thing I come across on my morning walks are the local people. Most are walking or biking to work form the town of Hopkins to the resorts. I'd say 2 or more miles for some. The big smiles and all the beautiful accents in "Good Morning" just makes the day start off right. You do have to watch out for a few speeding cars and trucks...but they always honk and wave or flash their lights too.

I'm working a lot right now, trying to take it all in. I will be taking some time to wander around, get a few groceries and spend some time in Sea soon. I hear it calling me every time I step outside.

Oh, one last snake story. Today a guest went out the spa door and, yep you guessed it... we had a snake in front of the door. It is a long ,thin brown snake they call a garden snake. As if seeing the snake was not bad enough... it was eating a frog. As some grounds men came to rescue us inside the spa another guest was watching outside calmly. She said she was watching it for a while, because she almost sat on it as it coiled up around the patio chair.

I told Erdulfo, our friend who works in the bar/restaurant about the days adventure and he told me that the snakes move around a lot in the rain season which starts in June. I am just thrilled. I can't wait for the rain season now.

Weekend In Duluth

A very special THANK YOU to Steve for taking Phil and I to Duluth this weekend! We had a wonderful time!! I'll miss you so much!!!

Here are a few "cool" shots of Lake Superior. Burrrrrrrr.... I love how the ice breaks into sheets that look like broken glass.

Bonita and Freida's New Bed

Bonita and Freida will be staying in Scandia with my parents when we go to Belize. They have been doing a few slumber parties with Grandpaw and Grandmog and the new "dog bed". So far, so good!