Coming Home!

 

 

Our travelers are at Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport in Belize making their way home to you!  Stay tuned for flight updates!

 

 

 

 

 

Belize 2015!

To My Favorite Group of Intrepid Travelers:

 

I hope this message finds you smiling. I have so enjoyed reading your blog posts and seeing the photographs of your adventure.

 

From making corn tortillas to chopping vegetables during Aurora’s cooking class to helping a St. Jude’s student with her writing to exploring the Mayan ruins to snorkeling at night…I cannot believe the adventures you all have shared.

 

I have been moved by your reflections on topics such as inspiration and leadership and privilege; it certainly seems that this experience is making you think deeply about things.

 

I am eager to see you all at the airport tomorrow night and I am excited for you to share your stories with your peers when school resumes in the fall.

 

Oh, and who came up with:  “You Better Belize It!”? – Brilliant! J

 

Enjoy your last full day and safe travels.

 

Take care,

Mr. Shawe

 

 

Tony Shawe

Middle School Director

301.365.6018

 

Night Snorkeling

Last night we went night snorkeling and it was the most scary/awesome thing I have ever experienced. There was a small thunderstorm while we were doing it so all the fish came out of their hiding places. The coolest part of it was the bio luminescence which looked like little fireflies that lit up the deep, dark ocean. We also got to see an eel which was sleeping under the coral. Our snorkeling guides explained to us that each animal had some kind of defense and distinct characteristic. I can relate this to humans and how each of us can look like the other but we still have our own way of living and our own personality. I saw this the most in sting rays. There were big sting rays and little ones and not one looked the same but the all had the same defense which is a barb on the tail that shoots upward instantly getting rid of any predators when they feel harmed. This may sound like a good technique except for it takes a while before they grow it back in which they probably die in that time period.

Dear Mom, Dad, Alex and Bella,

I miss you all soooo much and can't wait to see you. I'm craving Mac and cheese so PLEASE buy some for Tuesday night. Tobacco Caye is really nice and underwater it's even nicer. Love you.

-Elena

P.S. I got sunburned. And have a lot of bug bites. And got stung by a lot of moon jelly:)

Day Snorkeling - Two Voices

Today the group went snorkeling and saw some pretty cool animals. The reef was like a band, all the fish living in harmony. Not one fish was bothered by another, the fish were equal. Humans tend to not coordinate well together if someone they meet is different than themselves. The fish come in many different colors, sizes and shapes but no animal has more value than the next. During this whole trip the group has seen a variety of people, social classes, occupations, and leadership styles with bias and stereotypes associated with looks and income. For example the kids at the school saw us as their teachers when truly we learned as much from them as they learned about us. Since we might be taller and speak English better we seem to be smarter and not learning anything from them. The fish on the other hand saw every other fish as something that they could learn from; A cool defensive system, an efficient way of eating, or anything that they can improve on was something that could be learned from.

The scientists on Carrie Bow Cay saw this as well. Carrie Bow Cay is a Smithsonian research center that is currently analyzing the way that coral larva settles based on water conditions. The baby coral was helping the large coral by adding onto the growing structure, but the larva weighed the different options to live gaining information about various living strategies.

The snorkeling that I experienced today was one of the coolest nature outings I had ever participated in. On this trip I have changed my perspective on leadership ways, nature, people, and learning.

Dear Mom, Dad, Max, and Declan,

Miss you and I am so glad to see you soon. A cheeseburger with jalepeños, lettuce, ketchup and also Cajun fries would be greatly appreciated.

Love,
Francesca

Before yesterday, I had never been snorkeling. I've had many opportunities to snorkel, but the idea of swimming in the deep ocean terrified me. I was also quite scared of a slimy fish touching me. We humans still don't know a lot of information about the ocean even though we're very advanced and that scares me. Yesterday as the snorkeling leaders gave us a presentation about the dangerous and scary animals in the water, my stomach started turning. As we reached the dock, I was starting to feel uncertain about going. From the encouragements of my teammates I decided to try it out. First we started skill testing. Then we started to snorkel. The feeling of being able to breathe underwater was unfamiliar, weird, and exciting. Seeing beautiful and unique fish underneath you while swimming on the surface of the water was unforgettable. I'm still a bit nervous about swimming in the ocean but my fear has improved a lot. Next time I have the chance to snorkel I will jump to the opportunity.


Dear Mum, Dad, and Li Shen,

I miss you guys SOOO MUCH! It's unbearable. I can't wait to see you guys again. I would like to eat at HoneyPig (it closes really late) or have sushi when I arrive home please. I LOVE YOU GUYS!!! WO AI NI MEN!

Lots of love,
Sushi/Su Shen

Tobacco Caye: Snorkeling

Changing Environments

Tobacco Caye Island

Today we left the Nu'uk Chei'l cottages for Tobacco Caye island. We drove for about thirty minutes to the city where we then hopped on a boat and rode across the sea for another thirty minutes. Tobacco Caye is a minuscule island, consisting of about 20 people, not including our group. It was such a big change from the Nu'uk Chei'l cottages, as we went from a cultural environment surrounded by the jungle, to an island surrounded by bright blue water and serenity. After the group got settled, we had a snorkeling lesson, which prepared us for later on when we went night snorkeling, where I of course managed to get stung by a jelly fish.


Because this was my first time snorkeling, I was partially freaked out. I mean breathing underwater? Being a swimmer, this was one of the strangest things in the world. But I was also very excited.


During the night snorkel, I saw a huge variety of sea life, including sting rays, eels, and bio-illuminant fish. This was one of the best experiences I have had in my lifetime, and I was glad that I could share it with my friends.


                                                                                                                                                                    Dear Mom and Dad,

I hope all is well back in Maryland and I want you guys to know that I am perfectly fine on this amazing island surrounded by CLEAR WATER! The food here is so far really good.

Can't wait to see you soon!

Rachel

TheTrue Meaning of Wealth

Today was our last day on site at St. Jude's school. We said our last goodbyes and will carry all the memories forward as we had a great time there. In the classroom today I translated an entire science exam to the students who only spoke Spanish. Once it was recess time I was reunited with some of the kids who I have made bonds with over the last couple days, in particular a little girl named Surima. Surima exhibited extreme kindness to me ever since the day we started working at the school. She came out running to me on the the first day when she saw I was struggling with moving heavy cinder blocks saying "Can I help you miss?" with open arms. Ever since, Surima always came to find me to share something, whether it was an awesome grade on her exam or a bird nest with a tiny egg that she found.

Surima has led me to realize the true definition of wealth: wealth is about the people you meet, the friends you gain, and the the memories you make. Seeing these children who have less than me who manage to be exceedingly happy makes me understand that they possess a different type of wealth that is way more powerful than any amount money in the world.

Hi Mommy, Daddy, Paloma, and Nico

I'm having a great time and miss you guys a lot I can't wait to tell you about Belize.

See you soon,
Carolina