7 Mile Village

I know you're all thinking I'm either munching on beetles or lizards, or you're imagining all the delicious mango or papaya I must be picking straight from the trees...Not quite truth, but avocados are in season right now. And I tasted a mysterious strawberry-tasting peachy fruit a couple days ago. But three out of my last four meals have been homemade hamburgers...mostly because the guys are too lazy to cook anything else or do extra dishes.

Yesterday, Mel and I walked with Eva (she comes to help with laundry and cleaning) to Seven Mile, her village. It was all uphill and took over an hour...it might take Eva less time when she doesn't have to wait for someone to take photos every two minutes. But we passed peanut fields, and hills so green we could have been in Ireland. It was stunning. When I say "village" I mean there are maybe 50 single story houses spread out along one main dirt road and maybe two very small shops. Children playing soccer in the front of their houses stared at us as we passed. They were very shy but curiously followed us for a minute or two. Older women sat inside their open doors and watched us. The houses were very basic but brightly painted--lavender, sea green, bright blue.

It's amazing to think about how much we have compared to other people. Seeing how little Eva's house was, with no screens to cover the windows to protect her kids from mosqruitos. It really gives you perspective. I wanted to do something nice for them, so I gave my two books I brought with me to her oldest daughter today when she came to help her mom with work. She said she liked reading and seemed excited about the books. I gave her a small canvas bag I had brought with me to carry them home in. I know it really wasn't much to give, but I thought maybe it will give her something to do while she's on break from school.

I think I'd like to join the Peace Corp or something similar to come help people in 7 Mile, or some place similar. It'd be so easy to do something small on my part, but the smallest things can go so far and make their lives better.

The family still didn't come back from town today, but we have three new guests. Two of them are brother and sister and originally
from Uganda. They started playing drums together earlier. I could have been in a jungle in Africa if I didn't remember I was in Belize.

Sitting here I just now saw the geckos climbing up the walls eating bugs and it makes me wonder what else I would see if I stayed here longer. But I'm so excited to see the rest of the country, I guess I just have to find another adventure.

But tonight, I'm going to go enjoy my last night with my new friends here.

Buenas noches!