decisions, decisions...

Tuesday we spent the day walking around Corozal. It’s a mostly Spanish-speaking town and the roads are very busy with cars, trucks, bicycles and pedestrians. We had breakfast at Al’s Café, pizza for lunch and dinner at “Patty’s Bistro”. None of them particularly fantastic, but all acceptable. We continued our discussions about what we had learned so far about the country (after 5 full weeks) and where we might like to settle down. We also drew up some housing plans for if/when we make any decisions. Overall a pretty quiet day.

Wednesday we packed up, finished up on the internet and visited with Las Palmas owner, Charles, for one last time. We also met a couple from Canada who are doing the same thing that we are (journeying throughout the country to see where the best “fit” is). They have chosen the northern end of the country, but have not yet purchased any property. After leaving the hotel we went to the pastry shop down the street for breakfast of cinnamon rolls (fantastic) and juice. Rick also had to try the Johnny cakes (kind of like a McMuffin, but the dough is corn-based and his had only cheese in the middle). We then headed out of town in search of Santa Rita, another Mayan Ruin supposedly right on the edge of town. Instead we found the Belikin/Coca Cola distributing warehouse and exchanged our empty bottles for full ones. The guys there gave us directions to the ruin, but we still weren’t having any luck. We stopped another gentleman coming out of a business and he offered to show us to the site in person. We followed him for less than a mile and, sure enough, there it was. He told us about the small site (the birthplace of the Mestizo’s) and then left us to explore. From there we left Corozal en route to Copper Bank to the southeast. After a couple of hours on bumpy, dirt roads and a ferry ride, we arrived at Cerros Beach Resort outside of Copper Bank. We met Jenny and Bill, the owners, who fixed us lunch and showed us around. Their cabanas were beautiful and right on the beach, but no access to the internet. After a couple of hours we returned to the dirt roads and ferry rides (x2) and headed for Sarteneja. The journey took us about 2 hours and brought us to the quaint little fishing village on the coast of the turquoise Caribbean Sea (Corozal Bay). We found lodging at Fernando’s Guest House, unpacked (once again!) and settled on the front porch to enjoy the view and breeze. No WiFi in the house, but Fernando’s sister/nephew have an internet café a couple of blocks down the lane. We headed down there about 515p, ordered dinner and caught up on the internet. By 7p our food was still not ready and the bugs were biting, so we asked if the food could be packaged “to go”. Instead they offered to bring it to our room when it was ready. 30-45 minutes later it arrived and was incredible. Rick had lobster and Linda had fish…well worth the wait. We played some cards (Rick won) and then off to bed.

Thursday we headed back to the internet café for internet and breakfast and then back to the room to await the arrival of Fernando Jr. who was going to show us some available property in the village. Several nice lots were available for a great price, but only one close enough to the water to even be considered. We don’t think Sarteneja is the place for us…a bit too far off the beaten path, right in line for damage if a hurricane came to visit and too small of a village to easily fit in as a gringo. We found another restaurant in town, Chez Didi, and split an order of lasagna with salad for lunch. Then we headed off in search of Warrey Bight since we had been told there was a great white sand beach there. After 90 minutes of bumpy, hot dirt road, we found the sea, but no white sand beach. The ride gave Linda severe indigestion, so instead of continuing the search, we headed back to our room. Linda took a nap while Rick sat on the patio smoking a cigar and admiring the view. We then walked to the end of a nearby pier and watched the kids playing in the bay, enjoying the breeze until sunset over the water. From there we headed back to Chez Didi for the steak dinner Rick had prearranged with her while we were there for lunch. Linda’s stomach still wasn’t back to normal, so she just had a sandwich, but Rick enjoyed his steak dinner and arranged to have another steak with eggs for breakfast in the morning. More cards after dinner, then off to bed.

Friday we started out with another round of packing, followed by breakfast at Didi’s and then another road trip. We left Sarteneja and journeyed for a few hours back to Orange Walk for a BBQ’d chicken lunch and fill up of gas. From there, back to Progresso Shores to iron out a decision about the land that Ed and Dee have available for purchase. We visited some of their friends, Phil and Linda, to get an estimate on an apartment rental for if/when we purchased, to live in while a house was being built. Phil was busy building his home on his large piece of land, but took a break to answer some of our questions and show us his rentals (gorgeous!). From there we ended our journey back at Ed and Dee’s and when we arrived we again fell in love with the view, the surroundings and the company. They again welcomed us into their home (air conditioned this time because of the excessive heat, thank God), offered us drinks and we continued our discussions where we left off on Monday. Dinner, drinks and conversation throughout the evening and then we were set up in the guest house for a comfortable nights rest.

Saturday we spent the morning in continued discussion about intentions. Phil and Linda stopped by in their pontoon boat around noon and took us for a ride in the lagoon. It was a beautiful, sunny day and the ride was incredible. The rest of the day was spent visiting between the six of us, defining options for a move and clarifying legalities. Good times!

Sunday we headed over to the Catholic Church early hoping to get lucky again with Mass times, but found out that they don’t have an early Mass, instead celebrating at noon. We joined up with Ed and Dee again and picked up where we left off on Saturday. Mid-afternoon they had visitors, the primary earth mover in the country (and many of his family members) and the country’s minister of security (the head of all the country’s security issues). We all ate, drank and visited all afternoon (the kids playing all day in the lagoon) and managed to end the day with the security ministers business card and well-wishes. Chicken Marsalis for dinner (yummy) during which we announced our final decision…lot #2, a new home (to be built by Ed) and a fully furnished 40 ft. RV (for us to live in while the house is being built and then for use as a guest house until the guest house can be built) now belong to Mr. and Mrs. Richard Ludka. We celebrated the announcement with a game of dominoes and then went to bed.

Monday we spent the day ironing out more details, swimming in the lagoon and preparing for a trip into Orange Walk tomorrow for shopping, legalities and lunch. Rick and Ed drove into the village and while there met the village policeman, Omar. He covers the villages within a 50 square mile area and gets around on a bicycle. If you need him quickly in a distant village, you have to go and pick him up! When they got home from the village, Ed found that their dog, Gracie, had started labor and given birth to her first puppy. Labor continued throughout the day and by the time we went to bed she had given birth to six more puppies. Rick fixed a pot roast for dinner and there was a game or two of dominos thrown in throughout the day for good measure.

Tuesday we all drove into Orange Walk in Ed’s truck and from 0830-1530 ran errands…setting up the internet, bank, shopping (groceries, TV, supplies), meeting the Dr. and pharmacist and having lunch. By the time we got home we were all exhausted, but Linda decided to unpack our purchases and set up housekeeping. Dinner was delicious again and then early to bed after some TV.

Wednesday we spent on the internet and phone trying to get a wire transfer for the down-payment of our purchase. The electricity went off so we were dependent on battery for the computer. Per the BofA website, we found out that large transfers are not allowed without a special pass that has to be mailed to the address on the account. We also learned that we can’t make 800 calls from our cell phone in Belize, so we had to crank up the generator to get Ed and Dee’s house phone to work. After about 30 minutes on the phone (at who knows how much/minute), we determined there was no way to make this work without flying home or waiting for the pass to come in the mail. After hours of deliberation and maximum effort on everyone’s part, we were able to solve the issue with family support (thanks Bob and mom). It was a rough day, so we decided a game of dominoes would lighten the mood…ladies won! After that a game of cards (Rick won), dinner, a little TV (very little) and bed.