The Caye to Our Hearts - 10/23/06

Okay, for those of you who were wondering, the word “caye” sounds exactly like the word “key.”

Melissa and I made a break for Caye Caulker since we had a four-day weekend. She and I broke our backs during the week to get all of my exams graded and recorded by Thursday night so that Friday morning I could record grades and get report cards ready for Tuesday. It was successful! Friday afternoon we drove to Belize City to catch a water taxi to the cayes.
Thank you God for this beautiful country! And for the relaxing weekend. It was instantly rejuvenating. Even the 30 minute ride on the boat was just fun! Melissa, Maria and I took turns facing the wind and relaxing our mouths – letting the wind blow through our lips and make them flap like a hummingbird’s wings. The locals sitting around us pretended not to notice, but they were laughing at the overworked teachers on vacation.

When we got there, a golf cart from one of the hostels was by the pier looking for potential tenants. We decided to take advantage of the ride and opportunity to learn more about the island. The woman driving the cart heard we were teachers from Belize and proceeded to tell us of the school they just built on the island and their desperate search for teachers. I think the three of us nearly soiled our shorts at the same time. Teaching on a tropical island! Dare we dream?

That was right before she also told us that the teachers aren’t paid anything – it’s a volunteer position and the books and other materials are hard to come by. Most teachers there take the water taxi every day to San Pedro on Ambergris Caye to teach at the Island Academy there. Oh well. And just about the time that dream died, so did the motor of the golf cart. From that point on, we Fred-Flinstoned the cart along the path – each of us stuck a leg out the side and kicked it along as our “guide” steered us through the island. It was funny.

Once we chose our hotel (nicest room on the island – thank you Maria for your bargaining powers) we spent the rest of the time swimming and relaxing in the sun. We were a little surprised that there isn’t really a long stretch of beach on the entire caye. There were many sandy spots that allow you to walk into the water, but they’re next to a restaurant or hotel, so not very popular for sunbathing or swimming.

There is a spot on the island called “the split” where everyone swims. It seems the last hurricane that came through literally split the island in half, and the section that was blown away became a great swimming spot with a sandy bottom and some decent snorkeling. Melissa and I rented snorkel gear and swam out there, looking at fish, conch shells with giant hermit crabs, giant starfish, shark rays, urchins … your typical Caribbean underwater life. It was so shallow for so long that we were a scary distance from the shore and could still swim to the bottom of the water to pick up seashells.

It was just so nice relaxing for the few days we were there. We had good coffee, good food, and good company (a couple other teachers with their families came for Saturday and Sunday). It’s not as expensive as the popular Ambergris Caye directly north of Caye Caulker. Though San Pedro on Ambergris has a longer beach, Caye Caulker was the destination for many locals to enjoy the Caribbean culture. It was fun, too, when people asked us where we’re from. “Orange Walk.” Yup. We’re locals. Though, Melissa’s the only one with the skin tone to make it believable….

So, unless we join the pastor and his family next month for a day trip to Goff’s Caye, we won’t go back until December when my Auntie Moe and Uncle Max come down for Christmas. Anyone else for a tropical getaway during the chilly months? I know this great place to take you…