Corban and the Chicken

I wrote in an earlier post about Corban's reaction to the chickens. I think he thought we were playing a joke on him. This was pretty much the face he made the entire time he stood there looking at that goofy animal.

You guys, c'mon. Are you serious? This is one straaange cat! And it's head is much to small for its body!

Get-ohh!

What a fun day we had today!!

I will start with the highlight-- We got to ride in a Cessna 172!! That is a little 4 seater plane with 160 horsepower!! Nathan, Corban and I were invited to ride with John, the Pastor here in Blue Creek, who we are staying with tonight and tomorrow night. He gave us a great view of the village as well as the surrounding area. The highlight of the trip was seeing where Belize, Mexico and Guatemala meet. Just seeing a place where a few countries border one another may not sound too exciting, but to us it was amazing! I can't imagine too many people have seen that sight! And from 1000 feet up no less!! Corban is one lucky kid to be able to do all these things before the age of 2!

Today reminded me so much of this day. I can't believe that was more than 4 years ago!

We also have now moved from Abe's house to John and Marians--as I just mentioned above. Abe and his family have been so wonderful and hospitable, it was great to be able to spread out and get comfortable in their home over the past three days. But as Nathan says, "Fish and guests go bad in three days." We didn't want to wear out our welcome, so we said our thank yous and our goodbyes today and headed to our final home-away-from-home in Belize. John and Marian weren't a pastor couple when we lived here last. John taught with Nathan and we had several opportunities to spend time with them and have some really great conversations. So, when they invited us to stay a few nights I was happy to accept! We have already had an awesome flight and a wonderful dinner-- they have set the bar high and we can't wait to see what tomorrow will bring!

Also, thanks to our time here in Blue Creek, Corban knows the difference between a horse and a cow almost 100% of the time! As I mentioned before, Cow is "pow" to him. And horse is "ossthhh"-- but he is getting his point across! And his newest word, as of bedtime tonight, is gecko, which he pronounces as "get-ohh!" This came about tonight when we found a baby gecko in his crib. I guess baby geckos need a safe place to sleep, just like baby people! Anyway, geckos are very very fast. So, as soon as he was discovered in the crib he shot out and crawled onto the wall then stuck to the ceiling. As Nathan changed Corban's diaper, he looked up and practiced saying, "get-ohh!" We have video of this and you better believe it will be up on one of our blogs very soon! I am so happy that Corban is learning so many new words and seeing so many different animals up close-- something that just doesn't happen in our little suburb!

I still have so many pictures to post. But, so much is happening so quickly and time is passing so fast, I can't keep up with everything. Suffice it to say, most of our pictures will have to wait until we get home. But, we are having a wonderful time. We are getting tired but will be very sad to say goodbye to this beautiful country and it's friendly people in just a few days time.

The only disappointing part of the day is that we didn't have a camera when we went up in the plane. The pictures aren't the best quality, because they were taken from Nathan's phone. His phone actually has a decent camera, but definitely not one made to take clear, detailed pictures from such a distance!

That white dot in the middle of this photo is an obelisk marking the point where Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize meet.

Totally Captivated

Ready for Takeoff!

Oh, and It's Nathan's Birthday

Let me just tell you all, we came to Belize during the rainy season. Which means, we came during the hottest and muggiest time of the year. Here in the sub-tropics, the humidity builds and builds until the air and land can't take it any longer. When you are sure you are going to melt into a pile of sweat-soaked clothing, the thunder crashes, the clouds rush in and it pours.

Now, I am from Washington you guys, and we know rain. We know the difference between showers, sprinkles, light rain, pouring rain, misty rain, hail, etc. But there is no rain like Belizean rain. One moment the sun is baking you and the air is so thick you are sure you can part it with your hands. The next moment, the rain falls. It pelts down on the metal roofs and pours over the gutters (ok, that's not true, they don't even bother with gutters here). The buildings are surrounded by pools of water and the ditches on the sides of the roads are flowing over. Then, 10 minutes or so, the clouds leave and the sun is back out. In another hour, everything is dry, leaving the break in humidity as the only clue that the rain had come.

We picked this very hot day to take Corban to Lamanai. Lamanai is a Mayan ruin that is very nearby-- only about an hour drive. Which, on these bumpy, limestone roads, translates to about 25 miles. We did a very quick tour. We trampled through the jungle, Corban pointed out all of the ants that crossed our path, we showed him his first howler monkey. Oddly, he was too busy marveling at the ants to care to look up and see those curious little black monkeys looking down at us. We climbed the 3 largest temples and took some great pictures.

For dinner, we went to visit a family who were very dear friends to us during our time here-- Dave and Daphne. They had just purchased 2 new cows at an auction earlier that day. Corban saw his first cow yesterday and called them "Doggies." Today, when he saw them up close, Dave and Nathan finally taught him to say "Cow." Although, he has to put his own spin on it and calls it a "Pow." But he is very confident now and by the end of the evening, every time he heard one mooing he would point outside and say, "Powww!"

He also saw his first chicken. I was inside helping with dinner, so I didn't witness the hilarity, but Nathan captured a few pictures. There stood the chicken, looking up at Corban and there stood Corban, still as a statue-- pointer finger outstretched with a huge grin on his face. In the photos he was wearing an expression as if to say, "Seriously, you guys? Are you seeing this? This has got to be the ugliest cat I have ever seen!" It was a great night with a wonderful family. It is so nice to get connected again.

Tomorrow the village is holding a potluck for us at the local park. The invitation went out saying, "Anyone who knows the Lemanskis or would like to know them is invited." I can't wait to see everyone!

Photo evidence of my difficulty acclimating to this humid weather. But wow, does Corban take a great picture!

The Fam in the Jungle.

Nearly to the top of the Temple of the Jaguar

About halfway up the High Temple-- This one is H U G E people!

Happy Birthday Nathan!

Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday dear Nathan
Happy Birthday to you!

In honor of Nathan's 33rd year, I am posting a few of the pictures from Caye Caulker. This is all the pictures I have had a chance to edit so far. After all, we are on vacation here people! :)

You know I am kidding, blogging is my one true addiction!

Walking "downtown" Caye Caulker

Very excited to get into the water

Total Surfer Dude

Catching the Water Taxi back to Belize City with Caye Caulker in the background

The Caye

I know you've already seen this one, but I really liked it. And it's my blog, so I am posting it again.

Tanned Toes

Nathan thought these baby palms trees needed a teeny little hammock

Corban and Daddy going for a swim.

Goodbye Blue, Hello Green

The Lemanskis left Caye Caulker this afternoon and have safely arrived in Blue Creek.

We left behind the blue-green Caribbean, the white sandy beaches and crystal blue sky. We have traded it for the jade, emerald and lime green colors of the rain forest. The olive green hues of the farmland dotted with white Brahma cows. The dusty, potholed roads made of a mix of white limestone and rusty clay, marking the way for trucks piled high with brown sugar cane. We have traded the gentle sounds of the sea and the cry of the merchant selling souvenirs for the whirring of cicadas and crickets and the rush of the wind blowing through the palm trees.

I can't decide which part of the country I love most.

At the Water Taxi, we met Randy Remple. He was in Nathan's 9th grade Spanish class three years ago. But, know he is a high school graduate studying to be an insurance salesman. He drove us the 2 hours into Blue Creek and took us to Abe's house.

If you don't know us personally, I will just tell you that we met Abe when he hired Nathan to teach in Blue Creek in 2006 and our relationship quickly and easily blossomed into a friendship. We are staying at his parent's home for most of our time in Blue Creek. Tonight, his entire family (those that live in the village) gathered at his brother and sis-in-law's (Albert and Nancy) house to eat dinner with us and welcome us back to Belize. They have always been so good to us and continue to make us feel like a part of their extended family. Albert and Nancy have adopted a little girl, Kyra, and built a beautiful home since we last saw them. Corban fit right in with the cousins, fighting over Kyra's toys-- really favoring the pink D.o.r.a sunglasses and baby carriage ;)

We have a few days here in Blue Creek and A LOT of people to see! Tomorrow is Nathan's birthday, so we plan to head out to the Mayan ruins of Lamanai and spend the day climbing ancient temples and walking through rain forests older than my mind can comprehend.

So again, we are safe and sound. We are having a wonderful time. And falling in love with this beautiful and diverse country all over again.

Slowing Down

**Sorry, still no pix yet. Soon!**

This was our second full day on Caye Caulker. We are getting the feel of island life again, and have slowed down to enjoy the scenery, sounds and the people. When you first step on Caye Caulker from the main dock, you pass right over a mosaic in the sand that says, "Caye Caulker- Go Slow." And those native to the island shout the reminder any time they see you walking too quickly or in a hurry to do anything. "Hey lady, dis is de island, Mama. Go Slow."

Love that.

Today was an extension of yesterday in almost every sense. We woke up, walked to get our breakfast. Went to our room to eat and get read to swim. Walked to the beach where we swam until Corban couldn't take it and had to take a nap. We went back inside and Nathan went and got us lunch while Corban slept. As soon as he woke up, we walked back down to the beach. We fed him on the way and back into the water we went. The 30 minute rule totally doesn't apply in the Caribbean. :) Again we swam and swam.

We interrupt the calm and beauty of the day to bring you a sad event. Nathan and Corban were in the water, inspecting the cracks in a broken piling, which crabs had claimed as home. Corban was getting really excited and all was right with the world. Then, out of nowhere, a jellyfish swam between Nathan and Corban, stinging them both. Corban cried for about 3 minutes and eventually calmed down and resumed pointing out boats and playing with sand. Both he and Nathan had some pretty ugly red bumps. I felt so bad for both of them, but especially for poor Corban, who can't make sense of what happened and only knows that something came and hurt him in the middle of an otherwise happy day.

After the sting went away, Nathan and Corban were ready for more sun and Caribbean Sea. We put SPF 50 on Corban and SPF 15 on ourselves-- guess who got burned today? Yeeeah, Nathan and I have a nice red hue and Corban is just looking like a sun-kissed island boy.

We discovered one of Corban's funny talents on this trip. He has the uncanny ability to point out every.single.ant that crosses his path. Do you have any idea how many ants are on this island? We are beginning to get an idea! "Aaatt. Aaatt. Aaat." Oh my goodness, he has to stop and point at each one. Which only further encourages us to follow the advise of the island and it's people: "Go Slow."

I'm excited to tell you about the wonderful food and share some tips on how to make a trip like this affordable. But, my time is nearly up and the internet cafe so I must sign off. We are leaving the island tomorrow and headed to Blue Creek to meet up with old friends. We will miss the island, but we are anxious to see so many beloved faces.

Until then, try and go slow.

Reset the Clock

In June 2007, we flew home from our year in Belize. Since that time, we have occasionally spoken about it saying, "Remember what we were doing for Christmas a year ago?" "Man, to think we have been home from Belize for 2 years." And most recently, as I looked down from the window of the plane, laying eyes on the rainforest and farmland of Belize I said, "Wow, I can't believe I haven't seen this sight in over 3 years!" Nathan immediately responded, "Now. You are seeing it now. Reset your clock."

I loved that.

The clock has been reset.

We are in Belize now. We are on Caye Caulker now. We swam in the Caribbean today.

But it's even better now, because we're here with our son. It makes the nights end a little earlier and the mornings come a bit sooner. But, it is just as we left it.

More will come. I will find the camera cord (hopefully!) and load a few pictures.

Mostly, just wanted everyone in blog land (mom :) to know:

We landed safely in Belize City.
We got to the Water Taxi without any hiccups, thanks to a great driver
The boat landed in Caye Caulker.
We are here.

Our clocks have been reset.

Testing, Testing 1,2,3.

It's time to pluck this blog from oblivion, because we will soon be headed to beautiful Belize! We are so homesick for the enchanting land we once called home and the friends we have so dearly missed!

First, we will land in busy, humid, sunny, tourist-hungry Belize City.

Right away we will board a Water Taxi, which will speed over the clear Caribbean water to...

Beautiful, slow-paced, Caye Caulker. Yes people, that is an island surrounded by the Caribbean Sea.

After 4 days, it's back on the Water Taxi for us and a 2 hour drive over lime and clay roads...

Destination: Blue Creek! The small town beside the Rio Azul, tucked inside beautiful sub-tropical rain forests. From there, the adventure will continue.

The trip begins in less than 48 hours. I can't wait to introduce Corban to so many new sights, sounds, flavors, people and smells.