tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80835676089691715162024-03-19T05:28:13.815-07:00The International HarvesterEvinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01566400677494250970noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083567608969171516.post-4744534620500567322010-06-29T20:56:00.000-07:002010-06-29T21:07:09.957-07:00Michael Keaton<div>I met Michael Keaton at the airport in Belize City! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE82uQm2E2NRyRXvfQ4LK99iODxtS8nLzwHCDjTzpHpPyDnEL-y-RAIyptujmGaHIPKno7dpS1uCsjYjMKAIbG0roQ2b43cc_xjqS7bh2JDHM_89B7F2zXXbgQP6aIcaoxO-Fuvo9x7CM/s1600/SANY1232.JPG"><br /></a></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6M-JYxpEw38oIPCCWnXnD3hjTNTvWIso4C9kFOYaWmm4kjp_zGbmoI9uYUPY_q1qhVYPlo4F_3sIWbaZa1C0iozda2SHRjqY5fphfLRgexxdNdGgO8nqiGBbylTMlPi9J5JgV5OpmXKE/s1600/SANY1231.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6M-JYxpEw38oIPCCWnXnD3hjTNTvWIso4C9kFOYaWmm4kjp_zGbmoI9uYUPY_q1qhVYPlo4F_3sIWbaZa1C0iozda2SHRjqY5fphfLRgexxdNdGgO8nqiGBbylTMlPi9J5JgV5OpmXKE/s400/SANY1231.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488412183749278594" /></a><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE82uQm2E2NRyRXvfQ4LK99iODxtS8nLzwHCDjTzpHpPyDnEL-y-RAIyptujmGaHIPKno7dpS1uCsjYjMKAIbG0roQ2b43cc_xjqS7bh2JDHM_89B7F2zXXbgQP6aIcaoxO-Fuvo9x7CM/s400/SANY1232.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488412193483269858" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div>Evinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01566400677494250970noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083567608969171516.post-10819645570257381402010-06-22T12:35:00.000-07:002010-06-29T13:03:09.381-07:00Nursery<div><br /></div>The farm I am working for is expanding its banana acreage. Land has been cleared of trees and plowed. Drainage ditches have been dug and markers have been set to indicate plant placement. There is a nursery on the farm with little banana plants that are now ready to go into the ground. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihn6oKDVPm0cNpeA0gHF_vksRjkiDczV2CQCZdg_0dmf7UEq-BzlCAf_vzzX7jakBzFV_SPpwAT6g5UO3YtN7fqkm_GPDibP8NUvDWoPh1wobGLWjlrM6NsGZugDknlx0Q8WK6ZwSsjO4/s1600/P1010027.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihn6oKDVPm0cNpeA0gHF_vksRjkiDczV2CQCZdg_0dmf7UEq-BzlCAf_vzzX7jakBzFV_SPpwAT6g5UO3YtN7fqkm_GPDibP8NUvDWoPh1wobGLWjlrM6NsGZugDknlx0Q8WK6ZwSsjO4/s320/P1010027.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485685316960623666" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;">These plants are the Galil 12 variety. The plants currently on the farm are Grand Naines and Williams. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrL_Y8qNOqSyEdPlkZhcOCdLmP8xBPMM0n01SThry1XKy_Up3_PUqUvAnqn9rvhoI-1rWGZcZ795fDMfYftP7-BNYzKUHr-ttnYXj6iXUVj5zdvFzYNtX_i-ywjha6oaLyIAvj-Mzk1pY/s1600/P1010093.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrL_Y8qNOqSyEdPlkZhcOCdLmP8xBPMM0n01SThry1XKy_Up3_PUqUvAnqn9rvhoI-1rWGZcZ795fDMfYftP7-BNYzKUHr-ttnYXj6iXUVj5zdvFzYNtX_i-ywjha6oaLyIAvj-Mzk1pY/s320/P1010093.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485685307745455938" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;">These plants are loaded into crates and hauled to the field where they will be planted. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz7qOCDVvQ48PQ5RJ-Ue2-A7JoLtlm80hBffbK9jdzRp6JCqibVOTsNA9fVJIenrW2URkGNszUeWhQt-G4a9AubHwgD1nGW2wRatBXh0IVTG-xXNhQCOyH5i8rZWqh1f9O3HqTSiamtQc/s1600/P1010088.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz7qOCDVvQ48PQ5RJ-Ue2-A7JoLtlm80hBffbK9jdzRp6JCqibVOTsNA9fVJIenrW2URkGNszUeWhQt-G4a9AubHwgD1nGW2wRatBXh0IVTG-xXNhQCOyH5i8rZWqh1f9O3HqTSiamtQc/s320/P1010088.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485685301866004082" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;">Here I am sitting amongst the beautiful banana plants. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;"><br /></span></div>Evinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01566400677494250970noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083567608969171516.post-74836284119565887022010-06-22T07:34:00.000-07:002010-06-29T12:54:59.908-07:00Crop Dusters<div>I woke up at 3:45 am to see the planes take off to dust the banana plants. They spray between 5 am and 6 am because winds are typically calmer at this time of day. First the chemicals are mixed in a large tank then pumped from the tank into the planes. The route the pilots take is programmed into a GPS system. It figures how many gallons are applied per acre. </div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZX6Bffkzq_B0mZ2gKOb2kTEBXJd3Y0rSD9MKeRTnuWze0R2DKfvF597yHq75vPN1PnbNXWRMqcZ4T0n88QgD_OSFYqDzcgh2nPwDe0fWHqdf1RhDHukWFLV_mf3aWMDiW-cp2N04XArk/s1600/P1010162.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZX6Bffkzq_B0mZ2gKOb2kTEBXJd3Y0rSD9MKeRTnuWze0R2DKfvF597yHq75vPN1PnbNXWRMqcZ4T0n88QgD_OSFYqDzcgh2nPwDe0fWHqdf1RhDHukWFLV_mf3aWMDiW-cp2N04XArk/s400/P1010162.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485608392215891810" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;">I tried to get silhouette pictures of the planes and the workers just like Top Gun. My intent was to Take Your Breath Away, but I fell short and only got these blurry pictures. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkxwL7XOQrNJqXMosf-N2DLp725V2McIevzaCAgfXNW4vwXOeKVwfNk3GdZs6-784By7DGzLuO3qSM_wAV2soCM4zOiYkPUp4BnorkRniDMjHPbAiYTrgv4BpI3HRIOgVF8yNFKRXlB3s/s1600/P1010171.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkxwL7XOQrNJqXMosf-N2DLp725V2McIevzaCAgfXNW4vwXOeKVwfNk3GdZs6-784By7DGzLuO3qSM_wAV2soCM4zOiYkPUp4BnorkRniDMjHPbAiYTrgv4BpI3HRIOgVF8yNFKRXlB3s/s400/P1010171.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485608380232487138" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;">This hose was really heavy and I had to have help lifting it. </span></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHak2T-2NsBpdW0RX-A9NUtFjDutGtGtIPdzER9-0SYBhyphenhyphenytUuN1dNba2YFJurkfjEr-tMWFjI5trTWpyUD_AwVcwRzyI2j0lCnFjyDepnAXupJFC0lsFH3IrLKbFtoEDEzIAPpS3nAZ8/s1600/P1010172.JPG"></a><div><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHak2T-2NsBpdW0RX-A9NUtFjDutGtGtIPdzER9-0SYBhyphenhyphenytUuN1dNba2YFJurkfjEr-tMWFjI5trTWpyUD_AwVcwRzyI2j0lCnFjyDepnAXupJFC0lsFH3IrLKbFtoEDEzIAPpS3nAZ8/s400/P1010172.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485608377108499778" /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;">Take off.</span></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"> </span></span><br /><br /></div>Evinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01566400677494250970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083567608969171516.post-3292355890257752972010-06-20T17:59:00.000-07:002010-06-21T23:01:55.761-07:00Stranded<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIxfSFHgC71QXQY8VMh11KYn9BsgMgBYkIxwOPEDHwv6QOBLPhFef4wJtt_B54B1QcYSXZGhQEEvdc24AgXfXgINMdeiqTWEoSsSP3EMrEfT-8L6u2Gvs3oH7_k1AJOtMsAmPHCr5ZjGA/s1600/SANY1212.JPG"></a>What was supposed to be a day-long fishing trip to Ranguana Caye turned into an overnight stay when our boat broke down. That's right, we were stranded on a very small island. This is not a bad thing. We had essentials such as food and rum punch. Plus, Ranguana has some cabins to stay in and a cooking area. There is a guy who stays out on the island to manage everything. <div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIxfSFHgC71QXQY8VMh11KYn9BsgMgBYkIxwOPEDHwv6QOBLPhFef4wJtt_B54B1QcYSXZGhQEEvdc24AgXfXgINMdeiqTWEoSsSP3EMrEfT-8L6u2Gvs3oH7_k1AJOtMsAmPHCr5ZjGA/s400/SANY1212.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485456354503888530" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /><br /></span></div><div>It was difficult to pass the time, but I managed. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjWJS6MFiaFGhOyNaoNHGD6HVMYDvHbmvCLSLdGdmhbSEGvD6xPgYfK14yOJdLXBAQp4kvKJ4UUk7Gul9RWG5nIZhSPE82RnJ-2rRsxs9_s9_JgqKpxIjGZEV4l01NRvLf2LH8YhgdrcM/s400/SANY1168.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485462856336134274" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;">This was my first nap of the day. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpIZ1IhC5OKRoxAyF_sFXvinOtR30PFP0EOWDgq1DPmseDzcBPyCs1MIcjApz8EFGfaM4CwmV1yrzhVrW2DutKyp60BkiTsRck95M-YTHg9h4mUpoKp_j0Ab5F4tPBBXJwYy8OmbHzpeI/s400/SANY1182.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485466090986114690" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;">There were hermit crabs everywhere and they were fun to play with. They are called soldier crabs in Belize. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiunCJx3uoljnUNPo7eqvX5mwh49IY7A6g4gqOZPORQUPeCoeSC8qoxU2btlT5On3kwX7Clm4E61uWldUkpKYUjMS2ugzGEbuIrSV8BmXqduOct2A37RoDBSFzcnUU0MCz9w-KXUYuyhH4/s1600/SANY1171.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiunCJx3uoljnUNPo7eqvX5mwh49IY7A6g4gqOZPORQUPeCoeSC8qoxU2btlT5On3kwX7Clm4E61uWldUkpKYUjMS2ugzGEbuIrSV8BmXqduOct2A37RoDBSFzcnUU0MCz9w-KXUYuyhH4/s400/SANY1171.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485466076411309202" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;">Grilling the food we hunted....out of the cooler. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu2Ps88xxR0eZRNPeWcmSOXQhhyrH4usI81xKtTPaNNSheQI7s9t5ET7YLfi9iF-RRJ5D6-2g5KL3iBengeIBJn5khuahLOhatGIwb9vbYPd2doLKFER1La2oEC-Ibhw077W9aVhpK1_E/s400/SANY1178.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485466107518638338" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;">There were many pelicans around this caye. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiwDl9TdroRO784rtlXyVcPQTWon3Nq0cFBAB6vJJS_L4PFKJkWPxNf5Mqh7rRXj4Xn42jo0boVjS6fFLLwklp2TbJ-AhR-hAEVxRt3-7bbYnogs2Qb9NCe1Rsu-an-W-vj6ZcsI7VDU0/s400/SANY1180.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485466098126564530" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;">Some of the cute little cabins. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">I hooked a HUGE fish. This thing was strong. I spent at least thirty minutes trying to reel it in. It was woman versus nature. I fought the fish. He fought back. It was a pretty intense battle. Neither party wanted to give in. I was sweating profusely as I do every day here. I was so excited the entire time I was reeling in this fish. I kept thinking about the awesome story I would have to tell everybody and the pictures I would get with my prize catch. Until finally... I ran out of line. The fish took all of the line on my reel. Devastation was stamped across my face. Fish-1 Evin-0. Luckily, there was rum punch to console me. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfmwpz9VRlRiEyhlay7rqIkzcgzGXsBeebeVlW-ifOGpQsjp4QUA1kf3TMZBKks9YiWeILETrJc8KXrTzl-pJd__RL3Fl242rSVjcWuHjxfD6kix4igEydc2RqBOoz-hcp_wc0aRVWgFA/s400/SANY1205.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485469147326769122" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;">I am smiling because I thought I was winning the battle. Little did I know the fish had other plans. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_zBcjNafnl6UNuPRyjivmiu-LehUQrXmG-Xq8r3dnV0Ew7HCWjlvbJ6XNS_J8XsvPBemYK8NeLXfE4ZtBcpU2-awMcyUkoxnM6SQPujjQV8q_0y-qvia5Mzi7CreDa7bhq5cigW0ceaY/s400/SANY1209.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485469174243285586" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;">Help came early the next morning. Not a bad place to be stranded. </span></div>Evinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01566400677494250970noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083567608969171516.post-43716602305998843902010-06-16T21:55:00.000-07:002010-06-16T22:09:04.261-07:00Random Pictures<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgapm8SNuK1G7giLwGTo4WZyR6lsmlbIKXTa4O_tT6HEX78oXVLuQEXpakGthsyHAEnyYrsiumEMXWoPtYFJTB1wqVEGuQWhayyebx4YUgWVXll5044OWl5WRw-qUaKUkXBfXXxLl3rwU/s1600/SANY0974.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgapm8SNuK1G7giLwGTo4WZyR6lsmlbIKXTa4O_tT6HEX78oXVLuQEXpakGthsyHAEnyYrsiumEMXWoPtYFJTB1wqVEGuQWhayyebx4YUgWVXll5044OWl5WRw-qUaKUkXBfXXxLl3rwU/s400/SANY0974.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483603930139261970" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">This was at the market in Belmopan. It is a very exciting place full of fresh fruits and vegetables that I had never seen before. </div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMexZa-bxUyryY0gthx8Xqu7OX1YMNvEqZ7V23QbzH4NquFzdaQpXgbl55Mpg9d6ero4_lpRryU4JQwdjjgyeYh2853nenxg22hhcit3ErSLQRoePDG5v6Qp4h15xITpWgQ-N8mFehpuE/s1600/SANY1082.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMexZa-bxUyryY0gthx8Xqu7OX1YMNvEqZ7V23QbzH4NquFzdaQpXgbl55Mpg9d6ero4_lpRryU4JQwdjjgyeYh2853nenxg22hhcit3ErSLQRoePDG5v6Qp4h15xITpWgQ-N8mFehpuE/s400/SANY1082.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483603926968218434" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">This is the view from a dock in Dangriga. It has a covered area with a thatch roof. </div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDMWLkwN8ejLDM0DHG5p2PdaI9mzE3SpvhCfq4t2r3k7E0AEhIpEqm4BiUAKxDz_yngXkWBxiZwt3TMnZ96KOgH8bIrMKRQYC6LQrh9eVJ2zCGnXHhE7L2oPQcqxl0JSoxWWr237hz6Dg/s1600/P1010044.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDMWLkwN8ejLDM0DHG5p2PdaI9mzE3SpvhCfq4t2r3k7E0AEhIpEqm4BiUAKxDz_yngXkWBxiZwt3TMnZ96KOgH8bIrMKRQYC6LQrh9eVJ2zCGnXHhE7L2oPQcqxl0JSoxWWr237hz6Dg/s400/P1010044.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483603917845624482" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Lovely limes!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-434F2fkBKq8fBWQfbUGcE6Rejec2VPp1_5vGqvuBGx6tD4kk3d85e83VTaaFWE7mfwVprFZd1e59TAb4YkeNSHrjKGe-o2ZUKoGJGjZas6A7ni2vlOb4-PGL4WYeqZqJeFdIS1UWTz0/s1600/SANY0966.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-434F2fkBKq8fBWQfbUGcE6Rejec2VPp1_5vGqvuBGx6tD4kk3d85e83VTaaFWE7mfwVprFZd1e59TAb4YkeNSHrjKGe-o2ZUKoGJGjZas6A7ni2vlOb4-PGL4WYeqZqJeFdIS1UWTz0/s400/SANY0966.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483603909068566354" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Look. I have a fish. </div>Evinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01566400677494250970noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083567608969171516.post-89705162602392007282010-06-16T18:15:00.000-07:002010-06-16T21:54:34.090-07:00Hammocks<div><br /></div><div>I just love hammocks! Most homes in Belize have them and they are the perfect spot for a siesta. I bought three today at the market in Dangriga. I fully intend to nap in them back in Oklahoma. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWspBk_1z7lNU_4RkNmCd_gApGnOgRE72xuPShZHv4qKI0sP7blr-P0ku38K4IF_F5gafp8vneyo2Z5aNqlddwyhBcJHDLZC7cTGJ1W2oCj9Lzw3WAhUR0iKLCaudodeoiZCGlVxM1xjw/s1600/SANY0883.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWspBk_1z7lNU_4RkNmCd_gApGnOgRE72xuPShZHv4qKI0sP7blr-P0ku38K4IF_F5gafp8vneyo2Z5aNqlddwyhBcJHDLZC7cTGJ1W2oCj9Lzw3WAhUR0iKLCaudodeoiZCGlVxM1xjw/s320/SANY0883.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483547116054960018" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;">Lounging in Placencia.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1TvVq8Az9SiTxlV5wBpmkIdEoWu1tTKGjfMV4Co4quvMiSlFnmI-MVoQ-a5DzKtZgQ0D9zEcnRTdxgpbbKGrVjAzrle4_660F9VW5qTMHnHu_zc7te9pg9Lu5T6iHWfSPiDLsD5P1Sls/s1600/P1010051.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1TvVq8Az9SiTxlV5wBpmkIdEoWu1tTKGjfMV4Co4quvMiSlFnmI-MVoQ-a5DzKtZgQ0D9zEcnRTdxgpbbKGrVjAzrle4_660F9VW5qTMHnHu_zc7te9pg9Lu5T6iHWfSPiDLsD5P1Sls/s320/P1010051.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483547109983583346" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;">Ok, so this really isn't a picture of a hammock, but it was my view from a hammock.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjru7fL5kLJtfnFUh1pHl7FS3oSzOBtj0nLMhQs34Gks6zXPVNzeBZhDxB9AUsvnMbHn8jYrxtNFHpRDV-EqXx012-JkhCMzfxE6Q7hs2uT5RDUOUswUnxXFJAnuacCKz2C2B_G-y8n9qU/s1600/SANY1097.JPG"><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjru7fL5kLJtfnFUh1pHl7FS3oSzOBtj0nLMhQs34Gks6zXPVNzeBZhDxB9AUsvnMbHn8jYrxtNFHpRDV-EqXx012-JkhCMzfxE6Q7hs2uT5RDUOUswUnxXFJAnuacCKz2C2B_G-y8n9qU/s320/SANY1097.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483547102412525522" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;">On a covered dock in Dangriga.</span></div>Evinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01566400677494250970noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083567608969171516.post-12797387984573875022010-06-15T20:14:00.000-07:002010-06-16T21:53:16.216-07:00Belize Zoo<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTVvhNQVFzqmeff0uXBU7TpBusO4fm9rF8H92Kxz4Q042yA911H88BU0GoFPumSQIZFCPMDKykl55Pxw5e25XftCMmhvmRI0R4aQgs4dPgeFQfZZN4UYFLoVKG9nDCi9VXuWy2WyCD1M/s1600/SANY1060.JPG"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>I visited the Belize Zoo and saw some amazing animals. It was un-Belize-able! Here are some of my favorites: <div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBsd-KCf-AzWSi5BnslESzG1FSup1m_HhrKXXnvIFnaKrnFrOIxjDyMlw_szeSvPNtyZ_7qSvjb29nV9cQy_fAO43uqZpIya8zT9OmeQs2EejnSmgzG9qY7sXuIlMqCKsEGP1ehhw7Xkw/s1600/SANY1036.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBsd-KCf-AzWSi5BnslESzG1FSup1m_HhrKXXnvIFnaKrnFrOIxjDyMlw_szeSvPNtyZ_7qSvjb29nV9cQy_fAO43uqZpIya8zT9OmeQs2EejnSmgzG9qY7sXuIlMqCKsEGP1ehhw7Xkw/s320/SANY1036.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483205818424569330" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;">This is a tapir or mountain cow. It is the national animal of Belize. The one pictured above just laid there like a slug and wasn't too exciting. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHoD9aCN0q0gImKRqO1ZvrTfttiNPfzqCjTm4IsdnLM-25BgsmF5AIXKKuJBwJCYYT1ktYj04Cd8sNP29H56jv-WyqOgqdImxBfE0_ScG665gkSF5RAPb5ZZTbWSmCS8BCUAX1jApI2xk/s320/SANY1054.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483210563227312194" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;">Did you know a puma, cougar, mountain lion and panther are all the same animal?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinfJaBnCtqChPtyKYF0_GhW2QUZIAedTu2tUfDcgjx2N0qaq3TFYOMLKvSwgdDldywKdpuamkVNxkO2i6cs67wBMpkdIaknm_dKjbIzR5PhCJhqcNRXLRpQajDeFYKRbxsQP82g-Y4j4c/s320/SANY1047.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483210555805744386" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;">You "toucan" see this animal at your local zoo.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFrzkgln3VU8EF8UjG6KGG6Usjukr3_byrv7Mxje_K0ImO6sXX7Y17tKhy8jhhyu0nwIfPVxVOsb8CiiqpfW1H4k39ipGwj3P5b5r5WZmxxN5eyCS8_awYSPSWHTYsZMJg2n2qqjkH7tg/s320/SANY1066.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483210569556002466" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;">This is a harpy eagle and was my favorite animal. It is bizarre. It looked like something out of a Star Wars movie. I stared at this bird for a good ten minutes. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjKVWXaMd_qJGeiWCbtXltSqcYoMyh5piGfPTqA6mVtfohc0QGcmK1gdj-Zh_S70t32nRRS-OIRXR77LiPnOwyfs2YV5ff5STrDkDC9u7n7axm2TpeoRVfx4RvZqxjTUEQo_Ugejueq1E/s320/SANY1061.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483215540287620818" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;">A very pretty jaguar. There is actually a jaguar sanctuary in Belize, but I have not been. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQHzO-Ia-wwx811aTmdwgNDGBJSltPlGe7TBY4wZpwWG52Kv6dLN3kJlEo01Q0kasXjTWoou1LYzoQEZyLL7RQdPcFC-KeQVKqSEZAlso14Jza6-Vfjz0Xfl0PCyfE8weLjz-LVZGSps/s320/SANY1070.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483215530470267794" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">The magnificent scarlet macaw.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTVvhNQVFzqmeff0uXBU7TpBusO4fm9rF8H92Kxz4Q042yA911H88BU0GoFPumSQIZFCPMDKykl55Pxw5e25XftCMmhvmRI0R4aQgs4dPgeFQfZZN4UYFLoVKG9nDCi9VXuWy2WyCD1M/s320/SANY1060.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483600182688773954" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;">And lets not forget this stunning creature. </span></div></div>Evinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01566400677494250970noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083567608969171516.post-57355998400634746662010-06-13T20:08:00.000-07:002010-06-15T20:14:12.707-07:00Plant Maintenance<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>During the time between harvesting, the banana plant must be maintained to ensure the quality of the plant itself and the bananas it produces. It requires many steps and is very labor intensive. <div><br /></div><div>Deflowering</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTlMyv6e6H4VF8DU4nH7EJpzU1zmYjF4NlxzRkC8to1rvnIo4hXEwqIxOpa5v47fBB1-m1do5p97NiZadgL_fpIMry5IRmn2YVamWVl9-yc9q6zpA8Y3yJ_ZbMyC2gt31lrfo3hcxx1eY/s320/P1010021.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483107278150342034" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;">In early stages of development, each finger has flowers on the end that must be picked off by hand. This is usually done when special bags are put over each bunch that act as insecticide, protection and ripening agent.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJxA3Eq-N6O9lsHX3tqMsi4AWQX4lV30QTFzo54iGhzUbi8Z9D2uZZXrT191fAEIXhPA2-d0OeSZhbrUGzpAyzM3hCFr3xlMbdLIroszmyMQGRgvcHq-H3khaA29wD-zIY1cYv9NRegss/s320/P1010023.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483107266945074386" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;">When the flowers are picked off a banana sap, or latex, oozes out of the end of the banana. It got my hands sticky. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Pruning </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwCdPLyOgKxhVF3jIt_PPpsPHoO2DhgxWTZyPMmGUO1s4BPI1LZl6gNaxaZ4TyfOwJchEGVpnd8GBb1VZlvkpY87us93LhV0sk0fuI_exKvuzsMFuzczVgWNP2-JnQwlXNvebtrY23sQ/s320/P1010010.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483169644965992946" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;">The banana plant grows forward with a new stalk or sometimes several stalks springing up. The stump on the right is a plant that has been cut off as it deteriorates. The stalk in the middle is where the fruit is growing. The stalk on the left will start producing fruit after the middle stalk has been harvested. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMn0hBnbp0iPec6ajrnW4I6yHEzgKXq6D0X1zsmIH9PYvdGJ2xu9GkmQslI63n9N9tN4u742sZwypR2o3sUXCzVNpaXPgGFMfnjPFLYCUqThkn0P7UpwVCIRXNzDkF0aBNRZnOwR7Aa9U/s320/P1010020.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483198330184039746" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;">Sometimes more than one of the baby stalks spring up. Only one should be kept so there is no competition for nutrients. The one that is kept is chosen based on its size and location on the plant. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5noPXQJ6NiXPZbm79ZNk4qBhIs1FxG4ktQTfzQGQB1dNTnNyS6elROpCAjK3IBjFnC1VnfzmERuA1cbbGrsyA9wQMyCsWCnU5mHoPhola3PXzGbNaHVw2MCP0b4oNk2RLA7mWFTBNeXU/s1600/P1010016.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5noPXQJ6NiXPZbm79ZNk4qBhIs1FxG4ktQTfzQGQB1dNTnNyS6elROpCAjK3IBjFnC1VnfzmERuA1cbbGrsyA9wQMyCsWCnU5mHoPhola3PXzGbNaHVw2MCP0b4oNk2RLA7mWFTBNeXU/s320/P1010016.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483198340945325186" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;">I'm still struggling with the machete, and I think some of the workers become terrified when I am wielding one. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">De-Leafing</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6T3PCvzsJN1ZLYmImUebUS858lIUmH6H9w54nGAbKYWm4qHodzF7xdFqzDGUhuC8Fa1Ay2CImXc-PtkVf-CJB1VAn99McuCEjc-42w8mcITAkzI1nzCer61UdoHqBlEDyIvRMkmJKDms/s320/P1010036.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483201206835593826" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;">The process of de-leafing involves the removal of the droopy, unhealthy leaves. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-qJ11NwNhJLyhlmLk4euCYQnBHO3PJeq0O3uWHJUu1nqvDxN9wyRRDRt9r0a-P2C3pfejlLC3hwPTSsWoZnUsVE76WZB3U1CWVT0dZlvBGJ83f1cXij9M70pNJ7Kmh3GKRcd3egP-DeU/s320/P1010041.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483201219649164178" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">The tool used for this is a long stick with a blade at the end. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbaWBckxi3puSH3lEY3couIVkql7E6EDFocxfg3MLgvF9rI5d8dId7PF2lFKps3f4b5C7mC9wJcAeOsIN5oKpufi8uZuHepqkYOLSOS0A7b1DSTaNNCjyNb_52I57EyA_Fs-6mmKS38GM/s320/P1010040.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483201215920974690" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">After the leaf is removed it is added to one of the piles of leaves and stalks that have been removed. This adds organic matter back into the soil and acts as ground cover to prevent grass from growing. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">These steps are actually the most important part of growing bananas. A well-maintained plant tends to produce higher yields and a better quality fruit. </span></div></span></div>Evinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01566400677494250970noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083567608969171516.post-80198175268419207782010-06-13T18:48:00.000-07:002010-06-13T20:03:56.455-07:00Mayan Ruins<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>There are Mayan ruins all over Belize. These are near San <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Ignacio. The size of these structures is breathtaking....so is the climb to the top of them.</span></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYRIWOOBbJQajalWm1h8pvfPSvgkIHQlLVks2UHjsL3aGZl4oqMcR0Mzi9wY73Ka9j5dPEpkKV7aRQ_VdD8AvsgPLIjBaO9yZazOH8UAHW_SZET7y9oXO5eQ2Ih4TR3TCXhSohFH02VZ0/s1600/SANY1023.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYRIWOOBbJQajalWm1h8pvfPSvgkIHQlLVks2UHjsL3aGZl4oqMcR0Mzi9wY73Ka9j5dPEpkKV7aRQ_VdD8AvsgPLIjBaO9yZazOH8UAHW_SZET7y9oXO5eQ2Ih4TR3TCXhSohFH02VZ0/s320/SANY1023.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482444148582076674" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXB52Uj4fQT2RGpnAsZ3LGG976elcjvjyVSY1ZqgacPLr5ZS2aukvNtv9mLH5Yq4Lx-F6INchrMJg_LNOKN2Jv-W1N1wzNGx9MK3jwKHA444atIT9P0uNLhRh0u98IEjYdEaPILofEu1k/s1600/SANY1019.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXB52Uj4fQT2RGpnAsZ3LGG976elcjvjyVSY1ZqgacPLr5ZS2aukvNtv9mLH5Yq4Lx-F6INchrMJg_LNOKN2Jv-W1N1wzNGx9MK3jwKHA444atIT9P0uNLhRh0u98IEjYdEaPILofEu1k/s320/SANY1019.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482444138764440850" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipNA3FcwREF7C7qlm8Y7mASkeYXSGMeaKeOyiyVXV-R2d7tS-Av365HwRZIO8oci4z3Jdzed2MSWLpSB4_Q_M8kLF70kI9CZb8iOokf-pxMLb16QFoQj-OjOoiO6xKQBlKV7oKyvqZIUY/s1600/SANY1001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipNA3FcwREF7C7qlm8Y7mASkeYXSGMeaKeOyiyVXV-R2d7tS-Av365HwRZIO8oci4z3Jdzed2MSWLpSB4_Q_M8kLF70kI9CZb8iOokf-pxMLb16QFoQj-OjOoiO6xKQBlKV7oKyvqZIUY/s320/SANY1001.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482444130874593586" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJIN6SdQJON4BpiA1pFhLhq5u3s93XLrIAOaTKtznZlfcmyyp8Zq7xbM7OX9bZpxAGiBsmGv_tgy6eqF5iFkgoI21wpn1TmCPLhPVve0gvyTpUwONxZhnGuigx3VmOZBfZFKdtMnCTKOM/s1600/SANY1015.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJIN6SdQJON4BpiA1pFhLhq5u3s93XLrIAOaTKtznZlfcmyyp8Zq7xbM7OX9bZpxAGiBsmGv_tgy6eqF5iFkgoI21wpn1TmCPLhPVve0gvyTpUwONxZhnGuigx3VmOZBfZFKdtMnCTKOM/s320/SANY1015.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482444116718808418" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtde2BmifyKtuJda-DxF2B0gmrGDBRJPLgdG_YihxGLVxScKOZ5gIqv2uc67IKNGvfxajsERQsGq756474KyBGxPbnqGHRDZsAL0LnNImiIr-O_5_jRc9KszqAh8xEHu51I4Wak16o1Gg/s1600/SANY0988.JPG"></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtde2BmifyKtuJda-DxF2B0gmrGDBRJPLgdG_YihxGLVxScKOZ5gIqv2uc67IKNGvfxajsERQsGq756474KyBGxPbnqGHRDZsAL0LnNImiIr-O_5_jRc9KszqAh8xEHu51I4Wak16o1Gg/s1600/SANY0988.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtde2BmifyKtuJda-DxF2B0gmrGDBRJPLgdG_YihxGLVxScKOZ5gIqv2uc67IKNGvfxajsERQsGq756474KyBGxPbnqGHRDZsAL0LnNImiIr-O_5_jRc9KszqAh8xEHu51I4Wak16o1Gg/s320/SANY0988.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482444110125259650" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh7FayOUutbJ8QPtCrxCGbllWJ_RAyHXpl24Uy79enskaIGGdX8SGaf1MJS-DjB1BjGccMW9Cce3LxXktJLuMcAjtKtopukvKbHQ0RcZt1RKQbmWcvV83KdJtxEf4LxBp3mbEV6cACBMc/s320/SANY1004.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482458846353894610" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"></span><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmkEgvvdYWKHtJur77wYzOLdV5l1hFhrMpaCYTiX3PJkYFZbS6TjXu2gi8eVC8VjYuaQzWZwwTdWWyn6ow5ZfXwj05XzYW5M9E8ZlrmE86t12xw0BbmC-qDmJ4py70NOelTtrIs9hlDjc/s320/SANY1012.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482458833509493874" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div></div></div>Evinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01566400677494250970noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083567608969171516.post-66765799384358444822010-06-12T19:07:00.000-07:002010-06-13T18:47:31.202-07:00Shrimp Farm<div style="text-align: left;">I got to visit a shrimp farm and take a look into the world of aquaculture. A very well-spoken lab technician named Diego showed me around the shrimp farm. First we visited the breeding tanks, then the maturation tanks. After the shrimp reach a certain age, they are put into large ponds. These ponds are like a feedlot for shrimp. Once they reach the desired size, the water is drained and and the shrimp are filtered out into a tank that is stocked with ice. From there, they go the processing plant, or they are sold whole.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZR_6HbeB452kt4oXr83ZHqFpP7KPakiGe1JQJ41HJy3ORiXW798E_o9E_UOjJTvPoK8wn4AL5KA-trqOtQFx-JZEsKjroXmXvW5DBwSHlOHNg_bQ4xwiJ678auS8JbSaVMCfrnClubHE/s320/SANY0803.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482119640315103826" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;">They have to grow algae to feed the shrimp in the maturation tanks and to stock in the ponds.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB32ZkT0GRya2O8hlPXlFUXin5UzGVbZ2dIXBdKFEgKItzL_iG7Dj5H5mYMx4eCRXMsYE9f6SMRA5KJPCX-SBbrnZe1zNbm4-r65143U-bG4HAM-TckjPMYjje11ZeUuyGOm5uJlFct3E/s320/SANY0815.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482119657321296818" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;">Don't let my smile fool you. I didn't like touching that icky shrimp. That's Diego in the background.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoaeIsZWcU00Ls1d_x6wyB5cshiGGPsLTySiErI6cptT2o2gPfLhiourBZ1h0LvTjbaWt-VKiHZjhE6yb9f3pgRYr7ne6hFv4iL-Gcr8gQgGBh0Q-JKyM4oF1CHEVmCBWWjy9leiReDW4/s320/SANY0819.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482119664870209154" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;">I had to wear rubber boots, a lab coat, a mask and a hairnet inside the processing plant. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLeTIg6acw7B8KQeOaImNIckxvt0KIG5OqLieQ4jNMefl7bO5qR4hW2joacvbDV5mB_9kayPS5GWgaH9vla4BW1jbShWSIRNh-JCOarOEvGb1lWUkNUVmuoEd5RhIvRlxom8eX1uYDDYk/s1600/SANY0825.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLeTIg6acw7B8KQeOaImNIckxvt0KIG5OqLieQ4jNMefl7bO5qR4hW2joacvbDV5mB_9kayPS5GWgaH9vla4BW1jbShWSIRNh-JCOarOEvGb1lWUkNUVmuoEd5RhIvRlxom8eX1uYDDYk/s320/SANY0825.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482119675768978786" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;">This was taken in the freezer where the shrimp are stored after processing.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSCxefHzRRHiRegBInHjnroKEmY0hLuSYimI6lBXIDIIsCpjAJLqvoUu1gccuDKsoFN2O1lBgB8JqXboStb9UJ7YF1c4ZSuuqeeYT-cIhurwPDZ6lomscWE5eN1JMKYCeOFpKAbKOWoTA/s320/SANY0832.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482119681772573858" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;">Observing a shrimp harvest.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div>Evinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01566400677494250970noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083567608969171516.post-15897408740076563162010-06-12T18:35:00.000-07:002010-06-12T20:25:41.124-07:00Chemical Application<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRQCacuU9iSDbnauMFFZde3pr5xE8yN7hs9v82DM5cNg28wdes2XZc8hQsHE1wNCGW02PRWbw-S2uZfxadN7I5rnHSfRtZOR50UOmy_Y9Hkrm_UYrxwdBI3vWu9Q7gMpIZ7Ip9tqBuilw/s1600/SANY0931.JPG"></a>To maintain the health of the banana plant, it is important to use herbicides, insecticides and fungicides. Perhaps the most threatening disease to the banana industry is Sigatoka, which affects the leaf. The health of the leaf is essential to the rest of the plant. Crop dusting is the technique used to prevent Sigatoka. I got to tour the mixing station for the chemicals and see the planes.<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRQCacuU9iSDbnauMFFZde3pr5xE8yN7hs9v82DM5cNg28wdes2XZc8hQsHE1wNCGW02PRWbw-S2uZfxadN7I5rnHSfRtZOR50UOmy_Y9Hkrm_UYrxwdBI3vWu9Q7gMpIZ7Ip9tqBuilw/s320/SANY0931.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482070099190938690" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;">The crop dusting plane</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Grasses grow around the banana plants and compete for nutrients. So, teams of workers spray the grasses with herbicide as needed. I got to participate. I had to put on white coveralls, boots, a mask and gloves so I wouldn't get the chemical on my skin. The coveralls were a few sizes too big and my boss told me I looked like the Michelin Man.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxGSRkBrLM8LX-PCFIelY_H8StN1C_QRNgCGzx794h8dm9HB0pCDTSU9a1IkUWgtKAZMtAmaR0zkFTwmYgQVevFv3fh6SzRWf_umLqTOeP-N9MZ7RzhjfvJrr1dANpNMLDXaNSLSQTc4/s320/P1010064.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482089987140718898" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;">I decided to accessorize my coveralls with blue polka dotted rain boots. It gives them a needed splash of color. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUM86Pio4lJEbeBPaLJG1ts740DbwzBJfnCWCwC2b7lK83f3thIaxIFwRB_bnn_vcuApEfE8dR8w0pP5o9NvKzMfWVnKPvR7fcXYmafnqd4NqxDw3AMqUgN7F-9n-i-x_H-uz_Lq3PSj8/s320/P1010076.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482090013738396658" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div> <div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;">I felt like I was going to fall over backwards when they put the sprayer on my back. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5lrMSFEij-9-Ts1diOLQMW_A8o4Te6Zq2WlAiAtOgUbm1GwgH_KgSgsuVYXtLLlbijWZuxAljqEvv-khGQAZyS8ezpPpak1uVqxg0wnucDAHA3SiBMcK2hV1-M_eKMETrt10kTAbXlxg/s320/P1010081.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482089995810677730" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;">It is very important not to let the grass get out of control. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIx9oZlYUhWugwWtxcpNmaUtlHfzJFIoJUAo15Kp0r14Y65Wm-r7Nm7oo9GK9KtdRfwAOKEUdDIY3yNk9dQW7WgtqqOk-rRevF7xAOt5lGqPJDltxwhN7C8BZFHPcMsmdnZwjrc1LKvH0/s320/P1010084.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482090004534249138" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;">Striking a pose with the other sprayers</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div></div>Evinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01566400677494250970noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083567608969171516.post-77098254451145899332010-06-08T18:23:00.000-07:002010-06-09T23:10:18.774-07:00Waterfall<div>There are beautiful waterfalls not far from where I am staying. I've gotten to got there twice already. It is being made into a tourist spot with stairs that go up to the waterfall and benches. The first time I went I didn't have a suit so I just waded. But the second time, I had my suit and got to play on the swings. There were some workers there and they swam too after their lunch breaks. As a former Carmen Municipal Swimming Pool lifeguard, I noticed they didn't follow the wait-a-half-hour-after-eating-before-swimming rule, so I made sure to be ready to spring into action. There is a big waterfall at the highest point and that flows into a second, smaller waterfall. </div> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq3qqfPwar0quBOgaZIZiJrVJIYXyT6gzShjflcog3M8kCnoj-FbmQr0THW8ptqAPf7fNrNGk9MEUNh8PeTfmZ5LMqUcDxRqVN-2GOkdWJcEeensNZ2otA3Hnt1f2ACh6A8h89XN-g04k/s1600/P1010095.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq3qqfPwar0quBOgaZIZiJrVJIYXyT6gzShjflcog3M8kCnoj-FbmQr0THW8ptqAPf7fNrNGk9MEUNh8PeTfmZ5LMqUcDxRqVN-2GOkdWJcEeensNZ2otA3Hnt1f2ACh6A8h89XN-g04k/s320/P1010095.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480582530799370706" /></a><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The swing is very fun!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal;"><br /></span></div></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfWwun8a1VujKbsrZELnfoedtic7YP_AuI30MrXT0IXE4lgwuNsj-OKweZMNkbqeUrjAasD3tB5klVrd1vvqMQuJEszTaJaOaU6B6kLJnKrJOAXUh13EGc41nigpvPYxQIxPba0pUA27g/s1600/P1010087.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfWwun8a1VujKbsrZELnfoedtic7YP_AuI30MrXT0IXE4lgwuNsj-OKweZMNkbqeUrjAasD3tB5klVrd1vvqMQuJEszTaJaOaU6B6kLJnKrJOAXUh13EGc41nigpvPYxQIxPba0pUA27g/s320/P1010087.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480582523896512610" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The view from the deck.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJT3hyphenhyphen_EHIcY8cAZ0wjRUshur3NYkr3pb83jeq3jXHOQRuEXe8o0TKMqXH8I4giwUo_s9rI422MsLcmOqIBXaSpZvyGQB2yW-eOYx1ugYzJbdvJkQZz11pWGL3CCS8bgwKr0sR9zWx6o/s1600/P1010077.JPG"></a><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKU6Ej2WSWvVpkslC_YpP143QIAO1P7PbyFT_Sz34SD5o43xQC6JII_HuGj4QflaDDTXvcHlN6RpCcHRGxrAcvgO4F9rIuKrLZj4qoPawuEWBQWjh1w4c3pnBtX_wTUy2nlURIgy6rmM/s320/SANY0907.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480582556444511538" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">It is difficult to distinguish, but that is actually me lounging by the waterfall, not a Belizean jungle Goddess. </div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJT3hyphenhyphen_EHIcY8cAZ0wjRUshur3NYkr3pb83jeq3jXHOQRuEXe8o0TKMqXH8I4giwUo_s9rI422MsLcmOqIBXaSpZvyGQB2yW-eOYx1ugYzJbdvJkQZz11pWGL3CCS8bgwKr0sR9zWx6o/s1600/P1010077.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVTChAskH6euQlgIrW8wqlCElKSVoWkO2vDntW8GVxE0X63UJQZJO3CLzjWq3bilC4t2IfVOA9Se-Pj9PUjVbxPVmQTNwxsKTQ5P9fDGQVBy-ZZcnorrmBzyFZqwJhlyyZ-rYED7ja54c/s320/SANY0913.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480582542595542402" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;">Just swinging!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJT3hyphenhyphen_EHIcY8cAZ0wjRUshur3NYkr3pb83jeq3jXHOQRuEXe8o0TKMqXH8I4giwUo_s9rI422MsLcmOqIBXaSpZvyGQB2yW-eOYx1ugYzJbdvJkQZz11pWGL3CCS8bgwKr0sR9zWx6o/s1600/P1010077.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJT3hyphenhyphen_EHIcY8cAZ0wjRUshur3NYkr3pb83jeq3jXHOQRuEXe8o0TKMqXH8I4giwUo_s9rI422MsLcmOqIBXaSpZvyGQB2yW-eOYx1ugYzJbdvJkQZz11pWGL3CCS8bgwKr0sR9zWx6o/s1600/P1010077.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJT3hyphenhyphen_EHIcY8cAZ0wjRUshur3NYkr3pb83jeq3jXHOQRuEXe8o0TKMqXH8I4giwUo_s9rI422MsLcmOqIBXaSpZvyGQB2yW-eOYx1ugYzJbdvJkQZz11pWGL3CCS8bgwKr0sR9zWx6o/s320/P1010077.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480582507047449138" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">This is the smaller of the two waterfalls.</div><br /></div>Evinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01566400677494250970noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083567608969171516.post-50722848107430152872010-06-07T14:30:00.000-07:002010-06-12T18:33:30.686-07:00Deliciousness<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYmULiO7CiIE0Q3WgbierNfOpu9HTcwy0Jzm4rZD6MXPEqjRF_OHHTEZRcqKG5P8GGPuQ45DDzL2mjQIA-JISBE5xIiQWFINizR0gbMzn8YpJiaPPTeUtioSsnLAXukvwwYUt1uAwVkkk/s1600/SANY0906.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYmULiO7CiIE0Q3WgbierNfOpu9HTcwy0Jzm4rZD6MXPEqjRF_OHHTEZRcqKG5P8GGPuQ45DDzL2mjQIA-JISBE5xIiQWFINizR0gbMzn8YpJiaPPTeUtioSsnLAXukvwwYUt1uAwVkkk/s320/SANY0906.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480248750982635570" /><br /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;">This is at De' Tatch and I'm fixing to get after that burrito. </span></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9lY-TnYGPNUSW6z4QUYb5xoSSV2azBoDXevZIjoSytRm3vbKmhq6sWsacoddr9K9xDvESkEMC4qzySR4cBXfzIq6yXqFmyUvduoYeFdUGIZxS-tozrvgLVhN3Lh_RYPe8H-G5GNqjShg/s1600/SANY0905.JPG"></a><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9lY-TnYGPNUSW6z4QUYb5xoSSV2azBoDXevZIjoSytRm3vbKmhq6sWsacoddr9K9xDvESkEMC4qzySR4cBXfzIq6yXqFmyUvduoYeFdUGIZxS-tozrvgLVhN3Lh_RYPe8H-G5GNqjShg/s320/SANY0905.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480248749756970002" /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;">Fry Jacks!</span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4N79U-kJq6YgVp6bR0Whg2Q0cWHh0risSMH3N_heDgfB8J0ykIczGdlk2im6TDXlmRh2AIf1O1uXAAqIuVppMayM_DYYg4nNtzRKg_5Gfb8E8fA7D3sYrT8mpv1EFHNnRqXmYDBzBHpk/s1600/SANY0904.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4N79U-kJq6YgVp6bR0Whg2Q0cWHh0risSMH3N_heDgfB8J0ykIczGdlk2im6TDXlmRh2AIf1O1uXAAqIuVppMayM_DYYg4nNtzRKg_5Gfb8E8fA7D3sYrT8mpv1EFHNnRqXmYDBzBHpk/s320/SANY0904.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480248738459620802" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;">Breakfast Burrito!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Qub2uDQHNptIOkGmG0r9uYm96-pqiDWiuLJO58LK-spkdLn_OvmKYBon5tykde0_wu836U5fzOL9PEyTgiq1Bc8o2ZdQ1udiBRNvIpxZ6NmbbCLNxSA4CUC7r_PLvq6GPKd4GbHxa1s/s1600/SANY0888.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Qub2uDQHNptIOkGmG0r9uYm96-pqiDWiuLJO58LK-spkdLn_OvmKYBon5tykde0_wu836U5fzOL9PEyTgiq1Bc8o2ZdQ1udiBRNvIpxZ6NmbbCLNxSA4CUC7r_PLvq6GPKd4GbHxa1s/s320/SANY0888.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480248734227295746" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;">Conch Ceviche!</span></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd01wCXg1wx7cvPinf4fUiF5HPQYVJGzrCd3rO4DnNJ-A7v841XsGnC5TuNQw5DVly0aoxw7PPmh_tVn_Ka5oe4yQnnUTOSZ_MMPjFvpCJeU0683sUEb4C7pMj-65bn3YL26No75CaiS0/s1600/SANY0889.JPG"></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd01wCXg1wx7cvPinf4fUiF5HPQYVJGzrCd3rO4DnNJ-A7v841XsGnC5TuNQw5DVly0aoxw7PPmh_tVn_Ka5oe4yQnnUTOSZ_MMPjFvpCJeU0683sUEb4C7pMj-65bn3YL26No75CaiS0/s1600/SANY0889.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd01wCXg1wx7cvPinf4fUiF5HPQYVJGzrCd3rO4DnNJ-A7v841XsGnC5TuNQw5DVly0aoxw7PPmh_tVn_Ka5oe4yQnnUTOSZ_MMPjFvpCJeU0683sUEb4C7pMj-65bn3YL26No75CaiS0/s320/SANY0889.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480248723310479202" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;">Yum!</span></div><br />I'm loving the food here. The Belizean national meal is rice and beans and stewed chicken. In the states, we typically eat a big supper. Here, the noon meal is the heaviest. Instead of calling it breakfast, lunch and supper, they say "Tea, dinna, tea." <div><br /></div><div>I have gotten to pick and eat oranges, grapefruits, mangos, and bananas, of course. The oranges and grapefruits grown here are grown for juicing, so they are nice and juicy. I ate my first mango at the farm. A little girl brought it to me. She didn't speak English and she just said "Mango. Gringa." For mangos that are unripe, they are peeled, cut up and eaten dipped in a mixture of salt, ground pepper and hot sauce. Not my favorite but I'm coming around. Bananas are also eaten unripe sometimes. They are peeled, sliced and deep fried with seasoned salt. Sounds weird but it is like eating potato chips. Delightful! </div><div><br /></div><div>I don't like seafood, but the other night I tried conch ceviche and it wasn't bad. Another common dish is fry jacks which is pretty much fried dough. I love me some fry jacks. Most people here eat them with beans, but I put butter or jelly on them or just eat them plain. </div><div><br /></div><div>There is a man who works on the street here in Mango Creek who sells fruit and flavored ice out a cart that is attached to a bicycle. The flavored ice is basically a snow cone so it very refreshing on the warm days. The flavor I get is cola and almond with cream on top. </div><div><br /></div><div>In Placencia there is a restaurant called De' Tatch (The Thatch) and they have excellent food. When I had supper there I had chicken with mango sauce and coconut rice which I love. For breakfast one morning I had an amazing breakfast burrito with hashbrowns. And fry jacks. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQ3he4Ymjs5Bf6IzI2wAvPtyhU5BQQe0nMMxndbC5J0CADUQAr5lcIMyMwsRIlajfQFfVjl3-KEe5MDuPZEQ5GPw3YTRbrsMTNqUxH473bsITK8KvbRxZ5eHw1fU8hD8dzB0ijOwJnpU/s200/SANY0921.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482062163134622770" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;">Flavored Ice</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUu68ujkeY_qWr6y01T9EUaHmb4D68ViHGdqTRZchhbO6mFCP95dPNdR4egIgb8YgiyMOt7HCS_EUCdz3qBsOJ1W-Ndo5JAf0EFvN37CqP0FL8q253pECv_I8hmkSbNv0YR6o0zH3WPUM/s200/SANY0923.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482062150728537522" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;">Fried Bananas with seasoned salt. I can't stop eating these little pieces of heaven. </span></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Evinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01566400677494250970noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083567608969171516.post-83282869092535519532010-06-07T13:11:00.000-07:002010-06-08T17:34:12.176-07:00Harvesting<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv5luyKevLOWtupcRC_QVJwYoGnPY9p9D3fyfvYHJcjxmE9X7Z0CHk6NPSz_3VcrrpULMvC2-uTGAeoyU6UyAaQd1WlGcUCzOVAwJNdMDjhqupY5xi13Rv-PBWDRsfetoYNuOXMdntIuk/s1600/P1010014.JPG"></a><div style="text-align: left;">This week I got to help with the banana harvest. This takes place a few times every week as the fruit becomes ready. As you will notice in the pictures there are no yellow bananas. They are always picked green. At a certain point in the banana maturation, a blue bag is placed over the bunch. This serves several functions: 1) It contains an insecticide 2) It protects the bananas from the elements 3) It speeds ripening.</div><div><br /></div><div>It takes a team of workers to harvest the fruit. One worker stands under the bunch to support it while another worker cuts the stem with a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">machete</span>. Bananas bruise very easily so the person who is holding the bunch must be very gentle. This is very difficult because the bunches are very heavy. I didn't do a very good job with this task. I looked like a bull in a china cabinet trying to weave my way through a banana field while holding a 45 lb. bunch of bananas over my head. However, the team captain, Mota, did compliment my nice, broad back. Yep, I'm a sturdy gal. </div><div><br /></div><div>After the bunch is cut down, the tree is then cut off so a new stalk can come up. When the workers cut the tree they chop it up even more and use it for ground cover. Although my accuracy is lacking, I enjoy using the machete. The bunch of bananas is then walked through the field to a cable line where they are hung by the stalk. Pieces of foam are put between the hands to prevent more bruising. After about 25 bunches have been harvested, a worker will tie a rope around his waist and pull the cable line of bananas to the processing shed. This is pretty tough. I pulled one to the shed, but I think the nice guys behind gave me some help when I wasn't looking!</div><div><br /></div><div>Once in the processing shed, each bunch is graded and records of which block the bananas came from are taken. I will go into the processing in another post.<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS30jcU3wB5CS4EeODbrwwxCyDFFwr9ttj99eWWu7k3Axkdax9wS7SYOFYnQQ84xm2Ug8yY-kGDPFJ-EB1Zw6KVJIcHV9M2iiZxofW0D5fdCyvIv9Vl85WagevM_-ZcxZhyphenhyphenLEDQk0iXv0/s320/P1010091.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480149226782767010" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;">I am sharpening my Caribbean steel.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidx-dgJTNh7ESMTtX5wV4uD7czwFlkNHDYK3A8tRUDqj9rJbcPXx6H_g4olrcC1qaD04s2DDshyphenhyphen6wtTBKwwmggMz_IVnorxK753tN7Fr-n7io14CIL1gHwjlY7v1SdRrdnl44MZaYwfUA/s320/P1010020.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480150650774472530" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;">Walking the bananas to the cable. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXC2NI24RYM29TF8uI02D9l6pG6pw7kPL8YHSx9bQ5hUl8l9IqEP_qx0I8xuFQZgtxOM64mvt3__dWZMJE0N4EXdN9yAio-mUYODWJfZLTvQrqTfdkxi9VCbasJF9fu35o5Ui6sC3-gfc/s320/P1010064.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480152883033168290" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;">With my guns (my arms) and machete, I am a weapon of mass destruction.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr7vG6yGGd1lGhjVFRwm1rB8PEqMo793U-IhGQIddwXhn3tJ4laVDEQY7avxp6YUciKuf4RfjsMIsaA3nFySD12VVNqzryyCRgvnMIw-AqRCOAfMyfNRk_Hx-aP92sYahg1N-xiuZosLI/s320/P1010043.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480152875431804706" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;">I am pulling the cable line. The men who do this are cableros. I'm a cablera. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv5luyKevLOWtupcRC_QVJwYoGnPY9p9D3fyfvYHJcjxmE9X7Z0CHk6NPSz_3VcrrpULMvC2-uTGAeoyU6UyAaQd1WlGcUCzOVAwJNdMDjhqupY5xi13Rv-PBWDRsfetoYNuOXMdntIuk/s320/P1010014.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480564828233135042" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;">Here I am cutting down the bunch of bananas. I felt sorry for the guy holding the bunch.</span></div></div>Evinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01566400677494250970noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083567608969171516.post-2116609800689374702010-06-06T07:34:00.000-07:002010-06-06T14:17:35.094-07:00Placencia<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBGP6A_OriNd7c6GsEkR9bavFEMbE5JRp25olPnAAUO7zPMFcHSGT2hyyr-CVXpwkK8AeiXj38hUcfHDZCEgePjJ5ZwwnnXNNUGCk2gYx1vGUcoBTrFXSkykCcQxDltQIi560YMeJZAmk/s1600/SANY0854.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBGP6A_OriNd7c6GsEkR9bavFEMbE5JRp25olPnAAUO7zPMFcHSGT2hyyr-CVXpwkK8AeiXj38hUcfHDZCEgePjJ5ZwwnnXNNUGCk2gYx1vGUcoBTrFXSkykCcQxDltQIi560YMeJZAmk/s200/SANY0854.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479767564824846962" /></a><br /><div><br /></div>Placencia is a beautiful town on the beach about 10 minutes from Independence by boat. We went to a beach bar called Tipsy Tuna where we sang karaoke. I did my regular performances of Stand By Your Man and Why Haven't I Heard From You?. We also sang numerous duets. But for my final number I represented my home state by singing Oklahoma. And of course, I put my guns up and yelled "State!" at the end of the song. <div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikYu7UfYeQvGG1otue8-eWArSYm4gzuONv0FgVXn_anvMiPRfOzY5jNohKwcCpEp5nYWjTT_QrIBSxb9TOrarQ6gGE07evX6CYyEj7mP-Is55VvAZZxerVISVgj2d-FtSp12WBLRKr7Ts/s200/SANY0865.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479769197931167186" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: left;">The next day, I went to the beach for the first time in my life. While snorkeling, I saw several starfish and found some pretty shells. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBbAQv03B_Y5L23fYOMP5xQTNmziUYArnbqYlFlr0IRxQ1eZmCfK446MCSHtYZkiLMdDhVnNddlS_fWrUiyxrZTD6Z_pw4QtpV1Ab1V3K9LlO042JhTgn9LP5OPV2sJjON772kvapqpLg/s1600/SANY0857.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBbAQv03B_Y5L23fYOMP5xQTNmziUYArnbqYlFlr0IRxQ1eZmCfK446MCSHtYZkiLMdDhVnNddlS_fWrUiyxrZTD6Z_pw4QtpV1Ab1V3K9LlO042JhTgn9LP5OPV2sJjON772kvapqpLg/s200/SANY0857.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479770918997481362" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">The above picture was taken on the balcony of where I stayed.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div> <div><br /></div></div>Evinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01566400677494250970noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083567608969171516.post-47723274268066632032010-06-05T11:52:00.001-07:002010-06-06T13:52:00.983-07:00First day on the Farm<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy9JHAtIfU1cL9WDQ3BH-w4V7MGl0JtmwNlSrK1Hylmy0BQHHZsrqS5BQnGIx1h_sPyfnGpPvY43D_APsxmTjCmJTnSmSrRJRR2xGTwleNbo9VqxgVu8G4vvoDZA-AqrN9xBSfPM4cIA4/s1600/P1010011.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy9JHAtIfU1cL9WDQ3BH-w4V7MGl0JtmwNlSrK1Hylmy0BQHHZsrqS5BQnGIx1h_sPyfnGpPvY43D_APsxmTjCmJTnSmSrRJRR2xGTwleNbo9VqxgVu8G4vvoDZA-AqrN9xBSfPM4cIA4/s200/P1010011.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479497403570003954" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUeUS06dfcX9YHwhPeh-RInv7gX8Xys2IXVJ6e0QYMWi3-HH4gWEK9TlpUvipKJ-x5pIplxWSmHAqxW43E9OoC_i4LNCqb8T72_FaOXrS4NGHBt_AAviFd8qn10EadImRVgk21VuK3BJg/s1600/P1010008.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUeUS06dfcX9YHwhPeh-RInv7gX8Xys2IXVJ6e0QYMWi3-HH4gWEK9TlpUvipKJ-x5pIplxWSmHAqxW43E9OoC_i4LNCqb8T72_FaOXrS4NGHBt_AAviFd8qn10EadImRVgk21VuK3BJg/s200/P1010008.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479497393806882226" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgisVEy8BmAsTyvwgVXesErPOAR_zemwUWcBNjPtK-gjNeTHGazn_2Cc4EVEjm5qKDgoJPvpWqwYFBmqhmhHaMtfTSe9uaivom-eMQI41e3lCXmnY64DozGav5QFyMJqNIShNkGl7m7mM/s1600/P1010012.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgisVEy8BmAsTyvwgVXesErPOAR_zemwUWcBNjPtK-gjNeTHGazn_2Cc4EVEjm5qKDgoJPvpWqwYFBmqhmhHaMtfTSe9uaivom-eMQI41e3lCXmnY64DozGav5QFyMJqNIShNkGl7m7mM/s200/P1010012.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479497384102522738" /></a><br />I miserably failed on my first day working on the farm. I was helping (well, sort of just observing) the workers prepare a new plot of land for planting bananas. It was an open, dirt plot and the workers were putting stakes in the ground to indicate where the bananas should be planted. After about only 30 minutes I got overheated and nearly passed out. The workers pretty much carried my to the truck. I felt bad for them for having to carry me. At one point I think I heard someone say "Grande Gringa." As soon as I got cooled off and drank some water, I felt much better. Nevertheless, we went to Placencia that afternoon for a little R and R. To be continued...Evinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01566400677494250970noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083567608969171516.post-91420098790092754142010-06-04T22:11:00.001-07:002010-06-05T11:48:14.249-07:00Going Bananas<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCWi7vXQpNOxuf3wuSxZOPd-D4PUomxldJEHGeTKVMNbr31YQtluYP-6OLwLLFKeCKfEAE_Miq9zZsdY2-DNEC3aJt2a0rpr5NWSoIcoFzWi6Wl_sPqE6RVhaXEbVS2AK7Vrnz-YohneM/s1600/P1010001.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCWi7vXQpNOxuf3wuSxZOPd-D4PUomxldJEHGeTKVMNbr31YQtluYP-6OLwLLFKeCKfEAE_Miq9zZsdY2-DNEC3aJt2a0rpr5NWSoIcoFzWi6Wl_sPqE6RVhaXEbVS2AK7Vrnz-YohneM/s320/P1010001.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479153935762725778" /></a><div>On my second day in Belize, I got to go to the banana farm. I got an overview of bananas and how they are produced. Bananas are not considered to be grown on a tree. They are essentially a giant grass plant. Doesn't that blow your mind? Between the two farms I am working on, there is nearly 1100 acres of banana plants. 80% of the plant is composed of water. It is a very interesting crop. To throw a little banana lingo at you, a bunch of bananas is what you see in the picture above. A hand is each little section, which is cut into clusters. So, at the store, you are buying a cluster of bananas, not a bunch. </div>Evinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01566400677494250970noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083567608969171516.post-58371884693649910222010-06-04T21:23:00.000-07:002010-06-04T21:41:04.923-07:00Belize!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLDGh7tCzzP4VPTM3cSDPQqhAARU9YBpymH7Ycb2X87KUtnEt-5RtSJ8VUdgIKZOm8nijT1ZEXg25w2zMZD01s3yPMWI2yHsAZmulInO6lzmOhW0BmyTRb_iW0sSbt4iC0cJtmW5Z3MQ/s1600/SANY0798.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLDGh7tCzzP4VPTM3cSDPQqhAARU9YBpymH7Ycb2X87KUtnEt-5RtSJ8VUdgIKZOm8nijT1ZEXg25w2zMZD01s3yPMWI2yHsAZmulInO6lzmOhW0BmyTRb_iW0sSbt4iC0cJtmW5Z3MQ/s320/SANY0798.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479144313233320898" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja6losG0oK5Zx-gugt0sc1hm9xFEUoFHCj7Ta0VWb5S08SHkrOioAZhplCslpkyYXL4mSkADJfDaeN5U5swevw15XrqhNkRbEt-kZq6ysRNixb3w8EeK96l4A8ptPGhzzZXMtJUZU4tDU/s1600/P1010043.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja6losG0oK5Zx-gugt0sc1hm9xFEUoFHCj7Ta0VWb5S08SHkrOioAZhplCslpkyYXL4mSkADJfDaeN5U5swevw15XrqhNkRbEt-kZq6ysRNixb3w8EeK96l4A8ptPGhzzZXMtJUZU4tDU/s320/P1010043.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479144309823997810" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOZ6xqbga6K2lDOaAIKwKTV-3zw49d2I55mtkqBrfRtm-_se7eT2iMr5bBH6GbGMV63MQ8OtFDURhJ-MH_LvLGYx7bUmIhHz5wWAqVxIa1tSJdLNdu3yln7vQIj08jrXk5swSkMfeSSuk/s1600/SANY0850.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOZ6xqbga6K2lDOaAIKwKTV-3zw49d2I55mtkqBrfRtm-_se7eT2iMr5bBH6GbGMV63MQ8OtFDURhJ-MH_LvLGYx7bUmIhHz5wWAqVxIa1tSJdLNdu3yln7vQIj08jrXk5swSkMfeSSuk/s320/SANY0850.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479144297012083986" /></a><br /><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">Welcome to my blog! To complete the required internship for my Master’s degree, I will be working for one month on Sagitun Farms. They produce bananas, oranges and mangos and are located in Independence, Belize. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Belize is a very diverse country located in Central America. Its eastern coast is on the Caribbean Sea. It is divided into six districts: Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek and Toledo. I will reside in Stann Creek district. Perhaps the most unique thing about Belize when compared to its neighboring countries is that is has been influenced by both Latin American and Caribbean cultures.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I arrived in Belize City on Monday with no problems. I have never seen anything like Belize. It could possibly tie with Northwest Oklahoma as The Most Beautiful Place on Earth. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <!--EndFragment-->Evinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01566400677494250970noreply@blogger.com5