Even though I only spent eight days in Belize in November 2014, I experienced a wide range of cultures there. The Garifuna culture, being the predominant one, has had the greatest influence on mainstream Belizean art, music, language, and food. "Stewed chicken, rice & beans" was all I wanted to eat there. I tried to learn to speak Creole but it was not as easy as it might sound. However, according to other tourists, I was able to dance somewhat in the Garifuna style.
It was unfortunate that it poured half of the time during my Belizean visit. My original plan to spend four days each in Caye Caulker, San Ignacio, Hopkins, and Placencia was cut short by the persistent rain. I was unable to visit Caracol and the ATM cave on the western frontier. These two sites are especially noteworthy, and I had to skip both because of the safety hazards involved after days of torrential downpour. I wish someday to return to Belize and visit these two places.
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The Split, Caye Caulker
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I was grateful to be able to visit Cahal Peche and Xunantunich because the sky cleared long enough for me on both occasions. Cahal Pech dates back to around 1000 B.C. and was once the residence of a wealthy Maya family. Xunantunich was an important ceremonial center where the Maya worshipped their gods. It is famous for the well-preserved carvings on top of the tallest pyramid on site.
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| Main Plaza of Cahal Peche |
My last meal in Belize was actually Shrimp Chow Mein in a Chinese eatery in Punta Gorda before taking a boat to Livingston, Guatemala. For such a small country, Belize has a surprisingly large Chinese immigrant community. They usually own grocery stores and restaurants. From the music they listened to and the videos they watched, I gathered that they have come from both Mainland China and Taiwan. My hope is that Chinese-Belizeans continue to become an integral part of Belizean society, just as earlier immigrant communities have.
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| Sunrise on the Caribbean, Hopkins |
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