Our last day started with an early morning in order to catch the sunrise peaking on the horizon over the water. Following that, breakfast began at 6:15. We prepared for our departure as we set off on our last adventure in this amazing place. We took our usual route and arrived at Cornerstone High School to pick up the students we were spending the day with. The more time we spent with the high schoolers the more our conversations became more natural and connections began to build. The drive was long but beautiful, and after a period of driving on the paved road, the bus began driving on a bumpy dirt road. In a matter of time we arrived at the entrance of the Mayan ruins, can’t remember what it is called, oh wait…Toby told me it is called the Lamanai Ruins. It was pretty dope. There were a lot of huge temples that had grass on them and they were made out of cement stones. I don’t think any of us really understood how high they were until we walked to the top of them. They were huge… like massive, gigantic, enormous, really big, dope, etc. If you looked in the right spots you could spot monkeys relaxing on the highest branches of the trees. The whole place was like stepping into another era; an ancient civilization so different from ours. The tour guide also talked about wack stuff like human sacrifice and stuff like that, but we didn’t really pay attention to that part as much, or at all… oops not supposed to say that (Darius & Toby). After the tours, the group had time to look through the gift shops, and all we will say is that you parents shouldn’t be worried when big knives show up in your kid’s suitcase. Then we ate TAMALES for lunch, and they were amazing, delicious, exquisite, fantastic, mouth-watering, dope, etc.
After the tour of the ruins, we drove through the massive Mennonite community (called Shipyard) located in our area of Belize. It was shocking, interesting, perspective altering, all around dope. As we drove through we noticed the area was void of some things. There were little to no cars at all, and no real technology of any sort. There were horses and cows in every field along with people of all ages dressed in traditional Mennonite clothing scattered across the properties. It seemed almost fake that a completely different and unique culture could exist alongside the Belizean lifestyle. At the very end of the day we all rode home on the bus, stupid tired of heat exhaustion. As this was going on the bus was kind of split, half were bumping to music in the back of the bus, while others were sleeping. We began the sad process of dropping kids of at stops and eventually came to a stop back at cornerstone school. Pictures were taken, numbers were exchanged, and goodbyes were said. Leaving exhausted, but satisfied, we arrive back at the hotel to end a great day out.
We also just met this really cool Belizean guy, Dad (Carden) you would have loved him. He was so kind he even offered us a blunt! Don’t worry none of us took it, mostly because Mr. Van Eerden came but also because we are good kids ;)
Hope you enjoyed our blog!!!!!!
Signed. Darius, Toby, and Maria
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