Notes from Nita - Belize Impressions by Nita Tschetter

How often do you wake up and see a Gecko crawling up the wall? It is a common sight in the tropics. Of course they eat insects and bugs so it ‘s a good thing, right? It is, only if you are accustomed to such creatures. It definitely feels like an invasion of sorts just to watch them scurrying about. My hero is my husband who captured the little creature before it disappeared.

Three-wheeled bicycles with large umbrellas are a common sight. Most have huge baskets filled with food or other types of wares. The nice thing about them is that you can close up shop and go home anytime or if business isn’t good in one area you can “pedal” to another area.

When temperatures are 95 degrees with high humidity staying cool is the name of the game. For most air conditioning isn’t an option, but fans both electric and handheld are. It makes you very much aware that sweat can roll off any part of the body at any time! Interestingly a Belizean told us that drinking something hot actually makes you feel cooler. I haven’t bought into that idea as of yet!

The whole country has an amazing bus transit system. For many it is the only mode of transportation other than a bicycle. Several dozen buses in Punta Gorda transport people from outlying villages into the city. They carry their wares with them on the bus to sell in the city market. At a certain time everyone returns to their bus and the population of the city reduces drastically. Buses are also the mode of traveling from city to city. You can catch a bus several times a day to travel to another city three to four hours away.

 

Market days are quite eventful! Several blocks of sidewalks are packed full of every kind of fruit and vegetable imaginable! I kept asking, “What is this”? What are those?” Each one was a fruit or vegetable I had never seen or heard of. Women selling hand woven baskets walk up and down the streets as well hoping you will buy from them. They ask several times hoping you will change your mind. The fish market is an experience as well. Small fish, fresh out of the water, were strung on a palm leaf and held up for sale. Large two to three feet long fish were also available. You could buy your fish whole (insides and all) or for a small fee have them cleaned right there. Next we moved on to the butcher shop where you could choose your cut of meat. Not uncommon, right? But here the butcher took his large machete knife and with one swift move hacked off the piece desired!  Of course all of this is without refrigeration!

One night, quite late, the wind and rain came so hard and fast that the water started pouring in the doors and windows! I found myself wondering if this was what a hurricane was like. While sopping up the water wet boxes were moved away. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a “critter” emerge from behind a box. It was something I had never seen before. I calmly explained to our host, “there’s a critter just around the corner. “Where?” was the reply.  Once sited, the call became, “Get me a shoe it’s a scorpion!” It was my first ever sighting of a scorpion and the first time my shoe had ever nailed one!

Aside from all the experiences of another culture, the real issue that pulls on your heart strings is the children. They seem to be absolutely everywhere! Statistics say that three-fourths of the population is below the age of 35. Much of the serious crime is being committed by 12, 13, and 14 year olds. The children in Belize need the Lord. Please pray for their salvation.