Yesterday morning I woke up and walked to the King Burger which was a few blocks down from my hotel to meet the research team.
Kids, teens, adults, and the elderly minlge at street corners. It seems as if there is no need for television here because people are always in the streets. Maybe it's just too hot to be inside all the time. Whatever the reason is why Belizeans love to be outside I like it. It's very social, very active, and I personally think it keeps the community alive and productive. Everyone watches out for each other and it's just great to be outside under the sun.
Here's the King Burger. They used to be called Burger King, but the bigtime Burger King found out (how I dunno) and made them change it.
I met the researchers and we took off to the grocery to do some shopping.
As I found in Thailand you will often find the best traditional and foreign food alongside the streets. Buy from the street vendors, they really mean well. They sit their all day baking in the sun selling tamales and whatever to feed their family, but I also think they enjoy it. The streets are like a movie. Often they get their produce straight from nearby farms too and that helps the entire community out in the long run.
On our way to the fruit and meat market we saw this herd of children. I estimate at least 200 students were lined up down the street. The one boy I talked to at the bus station said that the population is growing quickly here and the younger generation has more needs and wants. This is not good because it puts more pressure on resources that they don't have to exploit. The future is dire if we keep reproducing without properly managing our environment.
Fruit market
Habaneros seem to be one of the staple vegetables here. There's a sauce on every dining table called 'Marie Sharps' and it's the bomb. Best pepper flavour and it has a really good heat.
Fresh honey in the bottles. Bees are still okay here.
The fish & meat (area)
My second favorite pic in the post. Dis our meat guy (I be talkin like dem carrib belizeans now, I dig it mon), he's a cool dude that worked in Chicago for a bit doing BBQ business. He returned to Belize to pick up his job here for the summer. He tried to go back but customs denied him in Miami. Since then he has no incentive to go back to the US, he doesn't really like it there. The only place he liked was Vale, CO. Once Nati left me to the butch we talked for an hour about wild game. I told him about moose and bear meat up north and he told me about paca, wild turkey, and iguana. Unfortunately I learned that the way his sources get the meat is not environmentally friendly. He told me pig flu has come to Belize and it's making it's way even further south into Honduras. Then he goes, if there are too many people something has to happen to balance it out. Once again, in just two days I've heard at least 4 times that our world is overpopulated and natural/social destruction is imminent just to instate a global balance between society and nature.
He lended me this book so I could get to know certain cuts of meats. I pointed out to him short ribs, baby back ribs, pork shoulder, top serloin, and brisket. He showed me each cut and how to cut it.
The research team had been waiting for me patiently and in the meantime they showed a few young kids how to make bracelets.
Off again.
This time it was siesta time.
Oh ya this is what I've been waiting for.
Palm trees.
This be my favorite picture. The boy and his dog.
Then we packed up the boat and prepared to venture to the island.
Adios mainland Belize, see you again in a month.
First we stopped at Tobacco Key. This island is where many backpackers come too.
At first glance all I saw were little kids running around the island naked or barely clothed.
At the bar we chatted with the locals and a few German tourists who had been traveling the world for over a year.
That little red dot is where we are heading. The main barrier reef, which is about an hour boat ride away from our island is where Tobacco Key is at.
Dem birds will get your fish you ain't careful.
Full moon and a tiger ergot. Renata said that these birds are extrememy endangered and really rare to see. When they talk it sounds like a tiger.
Sunset.
Hello Glovers Reef Atoll Research Station and Paradise Island! Home sweet home.
Unpacking.
Right away I got working on dinner. Brian helps me prep.
I did up a quick and easy dinner since it was late. My style of fully loaded quesadillas with guac, pineapple salsa, nachos, salad, and green beans.
After that I got to my room that looks like it has been battered by many hurricanes. It's only 80 degrees in there and my fan doesn't work, but at least there are bug nets on the windows to keep mossies out. Completely tradition and I love it.
The home of my parents and sisters tucked away in the suburbs outside of Cincinnati.
Recycle, reduce, reuse. With a recession in the making consumption is on the downfall for most people. No worries, this is good. What do we need to survive in life? Water, food, shelter... I like to keep things simple. A good dog by your side is also very handy.
Earlier today the little kid was working hard out back raking leaves.
After an hour I suggested she take a break and let's cruise the block on our cool bikes.
Locked and loaded. Second season on the Ice and I now know what to bring. Last year my cook books weighed down my bags costing me an extra penny or two, this year I'm mailing them down. Tomorrow at noon I head to the airport with my Grandpa. Totally excited for this trip.
This pic is probably a turn-off for some, but trust me it's good. Although the meat is white it's more tender than the dark meat of a turkey and chicken.
I can't get enough of these lil' guys.
Party in the Park.
Kurt and Samson talking about the weather. I guess when you start watching crabs for entertainment you have become consumed by the island life. Hey, at least I didn't join in on the conversation.
Boober was envious I was spending so much time with the crabs and puffed his throat at me.
At noon it was 95 degrees in the kitchen and I was getting really thirsty. Fresh coconut water is always on the menu. I've heard from locals in Belize and Costa Rica that coconut water is very good for digestion.
After I cooked the carrot cake I decided to take off to the secret beach and do some snorkeling.
There's where my brain went.
Wind generator was howling.
Mashed potatoes. 
After an hour of underwater dreaming it was time for us to leave our mooring and go grab the divers.
They dropped me off to get lunch ready for them... toasted ham steaks with grilled pineapple and white cheese sandwiches, guac, nachos, carrots, celery, and watermelon. Below is our solar panels.
