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.