2009 Rotary District 5080 Group Study Exchange

Day 25 - Guatemala: Retalhuleu

2009-02-17T16:30:00.000-08:00

Well - the gods were with us. Today was our "Free Day" for both GSE Teams. For once, we had AMAZING weather.

We awoke with a sleep-in (wow!) and a late breakfast at the Resort. The sky was blue, with not a cloud in site. We knew it was going to be a scorcher...at 10am, it already felt about 28C.

Can't say much for the day...we lounged around, chased the 100's of peacocks and parrots, and swam in the pool. A few of us got pedicures at the spot.

Just what the Doctor ordered...

This evening will be our "last" presentation using our standard material (it needs to be changed for Antigua). We will go out with a Bang!

Photos from Days 22-24

2009-02-17T14:45:00.000-08:00

Hi, Everyone. Sherrill has been doing a terrific job keeping up our blog narrative, so I thought I would just add some more photos from where she left off. Today is our last "day off," we have theoretically been getting one a week, but the setting of this one tops all. It is a large hotel with beautiful grounds, right opposite a water park and a theme park, both of which we did on Sunday with two Rotarians. Saturday started off with Georgio and Mike (the East Coast group who joined our itinerary in Guatemala City) doing a "canopy" zip line trip in a nature preserve near Panajachel. I (Kathleen) went along and wish I had suited up and "zipped" in tandem with a guide. We may have a chance again in Antigua.

After that, our wonderful Panajacel host Fredy Lara and his beautiful daughter Jacqueline helped send all nine of us and our luggage off to our next stop, Retalhuleu, where we were met by Maria Clemencia, who made sure we had ultra-comfortable accommodations and a wonderful "welcome" meal with fresh steamed, since host families were not an option for this stay.

Day 23, Sunday, was a very different exposure to "culture," as the Retalhuleu club treated us to the water park and theme park that have been created largely by local businesses as a community feature for their employees and families. Not quite Disneyland but a nice rival, with Mayan culture themes and super nice staff.

Day 24 -- Very interesting trip to Tak'Alik Ab Aj a Mayan site near by, driven by our new Rotarian Friends Pino (president of the Rheu club), Paco (his architect, business partner), and Esvin. We thought we were "ruined out," but, as with each site we have toured of Mayan ruins, the uniqueness of this one captured our interest all over. Below you see 1) Sherrill, Meghan, and Georgio feeling the baby of a pregnant Mayan, 2) an aquaduct, and 3) the ultimate sample of recycling -- that thing in the middle is a corn grinder that broke, so they used it as a stone in the road.

We continue to learn and do and are having a great adventure.

Day 23 Guatemala: Retalhuleu

2009-02-15T16:33:00.000-08:00

Can we call today a vocational day for a Mechanical Engineer??? With all my buddies joining in on the fun???

Retalhuleu is known in Guatemala as having one of the largest theme parks in Guatemala - imagine Disney Land of Central America. We were all really excited when we heard that we were going to this exquisite park...

We started off at the Water Park - Splashdown Park (in Vancouver) on Steroids...it has the capacity for about 8000 people, but being that it is the low season and a Sunday, there was hardly a soul in the park. We had barely any lines, and tried all the rides in the park. We even got Kathleen on a few of them...

We have a rule about no pictures in swimsuits, but I will try and squeak a few on the site...

In the afternoon, we headed over the the Amusement Park where they have the carnival rides and the Roller Coaster. We rode the Roller Coaster twice, and the log/water coaster once...

The park is divided into countries as "themes" - France, Italy, Guatemala, and Germany.

After a day spent in the sun, we headed back to our hotel for a quiet dinner and an early bed.

Day 21 - Guatemala: Panajachel & Lake Atitlan

2009-02-13T15:55:00.000-08:00

I woke up last night with biggest eureka moment of my life: "I am cold". Not cold as in the insensitive type (although some may argue), but cold as in the temperature is frigid. Now, why this was such a revelation is that I am from Canada. I SHOULD NOT be cold at 15 degrees Celsius. But there I was moving around at 2:00 am, waking up my roomate Shelly, as I dashed around trying to find one of two pairs of socks I packed to this warm climate and my only long sleeved shirt. This tells me that I have reached a turning point in Central America...

Enough of my evening adventures...

Today was going to be a busy day...after a typical Guatemalan breakfast of huevos (eggs) and frijoles (beans) (wow, I am so bilingual now!), we met up again with Mike and Tucker from the area and cruised off to our boat to head across Lake Atitlan to San Lucas to go check out some of the projects that the groups have been working on.

It was a beautiful morning on the boat. It was a bluebird sky and no haze in the air from the sugar cane burning.

Boat Approaching San Lucas with Volcano in the background

Our Boatload with the two GSE Teams!

We were met at San Lucas by Esperanza - the woman "behind the scenes" that works with Francia (of Rotary) on the projects. This woman was incredible - to hear some of the stories that she has gone through to achieve what she has: including vigilante killings, her own kidnapping, etc. And then to see her trekking through the woods in 3" heels - I was impressed.

We were first taken to K'aslem Mandala Environmental Education Center via a herd of Tuk Tuks.

The Tuk Tuk Gang with Pimped Out Rides

At the center, we were toured through the facilities and the gardens. The centers goal is to provide education and training to the youth in the area on "permaculture" and sustainable living. Dawn and Kathleen (Rotary Team Leaders) then planted an honorary tree at the center...

Listening to Permaculture Program

Kathleen and Meghan (ex-Tree Planter!) planting the Tree

Following the center visit, we then visited the Escuela Pacoe - a school in the area that has received support from the K'aslem supporters.

We then took an interesting diversion for a "snack" when we visited the Nueva Esperanza Center. The center was started up by Esperanza (who walked the whole day in heels - again, I am impressed). 26 woman are involved in this coop where they make and market food preservatives - including jams, marmalades, salsas and honey. Now, what better marketing scheme than to take hungry GSE Team Members to sample the various jams...I think they did a pretty good job selling! Move over Costco!

This evening, we are all really stoked to be going out for the "Best Pizza In Guatemala" at the Circus bar - will have to keep you posted on how it rates to Canadian pizza...

Day 16 - Guatemala: San Jose

2009-02-08T19:26:00.000-08:00

After praying to the Gods for Good Weather and refusing to plan anything (karma so it won't be cancelled), we awoke to sun peering through the blinds - not a cloud in the sky! Cielo azul...

Emi and Paulo were great hosts throughout the day - feeding us breakfast and lunch (burgers!), and plying us with beer...

The day was just what the doctor ordered - lounging on the black sand beaches of San Jose, playing in the massive ocean waves, and swimming in the pool with a beer can waiting on the edge...absolutely beautiful!

We met and conversed with our new friends from the Connecticut GSE Team and their experiences in Honduras, swapping stories from home, and discussing serious topics...(I had to write that!).

Only when we thought the day had begun, did it end...we were picked up by Roberto (Chobe) Fuentes at 5:00 pm and were escorted back to Guatemala City to meet with our host families for 3 nights.

We are ready and full of energy! Thanks to Emi and Paulo for putting up with all of our wackiness!

PS. Georgio got sunburned! Consequence for refusing to wear sunscreen...

Day 15 Guatemala - San Jose

2009-02-07T17:49:00.000-08:00

This morning started off early with a breakfast fundraising event put on by the Puerto Barrios Rotary Club to raise money for a family that sent their son away for a very expensive operation on his leg. The breakfast was at the Hotel Norte - a heritage site of a hotel that is very old.

After breakfast concluded, we travelled to the Bus Station where we said our good-byes to our new friends and looked up at a MASSIVE double-decker bus - our transportation to Guatemala City.

The bus ride was non-eventful - except I learned a few new words while watching the movies in Spanish - it was censored though, so don't worry about me picking up all the offensive language...

After 5 hours, we arrived in Guatemala City where we were picked up by our host Roberto (Chobe) Fuentes. He quickly escorted us to his beautiful house where we met up with the other GSE Team from Connecticut. The new "larger" group of 9 then carried on to a Rotarian's Vacation home on the port of San Jose - located on the Pacific Coast.

The house was GORGEOUS and included a beautiful pool and access to the Pacific Ocean with black sand from the volcanoes. Photos don't do this place justice.

After a ceremonial dance the first evening, where we were praying to God of Sun to ward off the rain that typically accompanies our free days - we ran up and down the beach and settled in to talk to our hosts Paulo and Emi, and the other American GSE Team.

In Mike's words, this trip has now turned into the Rotary version of "Real World" - where you put a bunch of strangers in one big house and see how the social scene all plays out...

Good times were had by all that evening - and no one was voted off the island...

Day 14 Guatemala: Puerto Barrios

2009-02-06T16:07:00.000-08:00

After listening to the heavy sounds of the rain all night, I questioned if this was truly Guatemala’s dry season. It sure didn’t seem like it…unless it is true that we brought the rain with us from the North in order to make us feel more at home…

We met in the morning with the rest of the group and our guides for the day – Flory Warren (Kathleen’s relative from Guatemala – joking of course), Byron and Lucky, and Flory #2…we were first escorted to a school located in the second port city where the Rotary Club has assisted in building an expansion room for a classroom and provided furnishings for desks, chairs, etc for the children. The Guatemalan Government only pays the teacher’s small salaries, they do not assist in providing funding for the maintenance of the schools or the materials required for teaching. This is all provided by donations or fundraising – so you can imagine in a low-income school, how difficult it would be to just be able to provide the bare necessities for the children (pencils, desks, etc).

Meghan at the School with the Children

We were then taken to the offices of JADE – an organization that works with rural communities to promote sustainable living and tourism. The coordinator was very well-informed of her activities and it was great to see this type of activity being supported.

This brought us to our afternoon…we were interested in seeing Livingstone which is located across the port, because it is the last area in Guatemala that still preserves its Garifuna (Caribe) culture. We were excited to be heading out – until we showed up at the port and saw the massive waves that we would have to cross…we all cursed Georgio (who had the original idea), but stuck to our guns and boarding the boat.

The boat ride took about 45 minutes, and did not disappoint – the boat would crash hard into the waves and toss us all around – but thankfully, no one tossed their cookies, and we made it to dry land…

The Famous Boat Ride!

Georgio and I braving the Front of the Boat

Once in Livingstone, we visited a Mayan School that is only be boat access up the Rio Dulce. This school was very unique – only students of Mayan ancestry can join, costing only 150 lbs of corn for a semester. The students are giving room, board and tuition for this fee…

The school was immaculate – absolutely beautiful grounds and hiking trails, immersed next to palapa style classrooms and lodgings. The school’s goals is to teach sustainable living and culture to the students, and provided training in different areas – cooking, tourism, and arts, all related back to their Mayan roots. The school gets its electricity by solar panels. It was a magnificent experience. The Rotary Clubs are helping to build an extension onto the existing kitchen and cafeteria, since the student population has exploded in recent years. The school started about 10 years ago with only 10 students, and now has over 600.

Meghan and I "attempting" to make tortillas - pretty sure these were thrown out...

Boat Access into the School...

After the school, we were shown a Medical Clinic and a floating (for the river) dental clinic sponsored by Rotary, again, all run off solar panels for environmental sustainability.

Georgio and Our Guide in Front of the Clinic with the Solar Panels

After our visit, we headed to Livingstone for some lunch at a restaurant that is run by the students of the school. The food (and drink!) were fabulous! We headed for a short trip into the village, and were sad when we had to go and brave the wild ocean again…but we all made it back to Puerto Barrios in one piece!

My lunch - it went down good...

Pelicans Taking Over a Boat

After our “exhausting” day – us girls all decided to treat ourselves at Flory’s Salon – we indulged and got a great pedicure by her staff. Although my toes look great, I can’t say the mosquito bites on my legs are healing all that well…(and they still itch like crazy!)

The Pedicure looks Great, the Mosquito Bites do Not...

What a fabulous day!

Day 13 - Guatemala: Puerto Barrios

2009-02-05T16:01:00.000-08:00

After a morning of good-byes with our host families in Santa Elena, we boarded our own private mini-bus for Puerto Barrios – located on the east coast of Guatemala. Puerto Barrios is a small town – and one of only two ports on the Atlantic Ocean.

After a meet and greet with our host families, we went back to our homes for two days to relax prior to our evening with the Rotary Club.

That evening was our second excursion for giving our presentation in Spanish – and it went well! We had a great meal at one of the Rotarian’s restaurants – they served sandwiches, and I didn’t realize how much I was craving one (my disappeared from my plate rather quickly!).

The Puerto Barrios Rotary Club and the 5080 GSE Team!

Flory Warren and Kathleen Warren Exchanging Banners

Day 12 - Guatemala: Santa Elena/TIKAL!!!

2009-02-04T18:38:00.000-08:00

After a 4:00 am wake up call/jolt/interruption/"Any other unpleasant word", we were dropped off at Father Rogeriero house to start the 1.5 hour commute to Tikal. The park opens at 6:00 am, but we wanted to be early to "try" and see the sunrise. We could have had a few extra sleep winks (we were jealous that Georgio slept in to 4:30 am), especially since it was cloudy and raining - what do you mean you can't see a sunrise through rain clouds???

Tikal was awe-inspiring. Words, photos, nothing does this place justice. It was one of the largest Mayan settlements in Central America. I believe housing about 100,000 Mayans before its demise. Many of the temples still aren't excavated - partially due to funding, protection from the elements, and protection from robberies - and what is crazy is that there are "mounds" of dirt and vegetation spread all over. Each "mound" is another temple, residence, etc.

We spent about 9 hours at Tikal - walking to the various temples. Walking up and down the temple steps (often on some precarious stairs!), and just taking in the sites.

Again, words don't do it justice, but here is a taste with some photos.

The Central Plaza

GSE Team In Front of the Central Plaza

The View from Templo II

GSE Team on top of Mundo Perdido (Lost World)

Temple

Didn't Climb This One, For OBVIOUS Reasons...

Sherrill Gazing From Templo V

GSE Team - PLEASE Don't Fall! (Templo V)

Templo V Access - I can't believe I climbed (and came down!) that!

THE WILDLIFE OF TIKAL

Long Tailed Raccoon

Leaf Cutter Ants (We were FASCINATED by the ants!)

Spider Monkey

Turkey (Pavo)

Scorpion

Day 11 - Guatemala: Santa Elena/Flores

2009-02-03T17:38:00.000-08:00

The morning started again at the San Ignacio Hotel where we watched the toucans and the other colorful birds chirp in the tree while we ate breakfast. I am not sure what is going to happen when I go back to Canada and watch the brown and grey birds after being spoiled with the birds we only see at the pet store staring back at me while I sip my tea.

We said our goodbyes to our new friends in San Ignacio at the Belize/Guatemala border - all I have to say is that Belize is such an amazing country with citizens that care so much about its progress and heritage. I was so impressed - it was very tough to leave. Thank you to EVERYONE for your hospitality!

After passing through Belize and Guatemalan Customs (we had to pay money to leave Belize, so I almost decided to keep my $20 and stay behind...), we got on our bus for the 3 hour trip to Flores and Santa Elena.

We had no clue where we were supposed to get off the bus, so we just sat on it using the perogitive "wait until the kick the Gringos off"...everyone got off at the Bus Station, but yes, we stayed on still...the bus started moving again, and we were eventually hand delivered to the residence and construction office of Lilly, one of the Santa Elena Rotarians. After warm greetings, we were then picked up by our host families. Shelly and I went with the president of the Rotary Club, Rafael.

The afternoon was a "free day" - so Shelly and I got personally escorted around Flores by Rosaura. We then decided that we wanted to tour the little city on foot for a few hours - one to get some much needed excerise, and two so that we can get a good feel for the "vibe" of the city.

The Colorful Streets of Flores - with the Catholic Church at the Top

Flores is a small town located on an island - it has about 20,000 inhabitants and currently houses mostly small boutique hotels, condos and tourism shops. Santa Elena is the neighbouring town "across the bridge" which has about 29,000 inhabitants. Flores is dominated by the Catholic Church that rests atop a small hill - the interesting thing is that as Shelly and I wandered around this little island, we stared up at the Catholic Church only to see Georgio waiving down to us from the Bell steeple area!!! Ironic... we then got a personal invite by Father Rogeiro (Georgio's host) to come up. AND WHAT A VIEW! From the top of the church, you could see the top of Flores, and Santa Elena in the background. It was beautiful.

Georgio Staring at Flores with Santa Elena in the Background

The afternoon ended with some beers and chips on the lakeside and with a Tuk Tuk ride back to our host family.

View from our lakeside restaurant

The evening marked a momentous day for all of our group - this was the first presentation that we would be doing to a Rotary Club in Spanish! We were muy nervioso! But we prevailed...Georgio speaks fluently (to our ears anyway), Shelly has a sweet ring to hers, Meghan, Kathleen and I know enough to get ourselves in trouble...but hey, if you can't laugh at yourself, then who can?

Rafael (President), Meghan and Sherrill Exchanging Banners

On to Tikal in the morning for another 4am wake up call!!!

Day 10 Belize - San Ignacio

2009-02-02T20:29:00.000-08:00

Our day started off majestically. We (Sherrill, Meghan, Shelly) woke up bright and early at 6:00 am (well, late for Shelly who rises at 5am) to enjoy a cup of coffee and the birds on the patio of the San Ignacio Hotel. I love wildlife - I especially love when wildlife comes to you and you don't have to go to it... the tree is located about 10 feet from the patio of the hotel restaurant. Every morning beautifully colored birds come for a visit to eat the fruits of the tree. What especially got us excited this morning was the presence of MANY toucans - what a treat after seeing one in the zoo to see 10 flying around the tree...

Wild Toucan at San Ignacio Hotel

Meghan and I then went for a morning tennis match - although I wouldn't call us playing tennis, since we could barely rally the ball for 10 hits in a row. But hey, after mucho pina coladas, it was good to get our legs moving that fast.

We met up with our great hosts for the day from the San Ignacio Rotary club - John (President), Cynthia, Sheri and Aki. The day was pleasantly planned out by Sheri (thank you!!!). We started with a tour of Spanish Lookout - a Mennonite Community located in Belize. It was almost like seeing a country within a country, the place was run totally different than the rest of Belize.

Georgio Hand Cranking the Ferry Drive After Spanish Lookout

We then left Sheri and Aki, and carried on to Xunantunich ("Stone Maiden") - a Mayan ruin very close to San Ignacio. It was absolutely beautiful - we knew that this was an appetizer to Tikal, but no matter how many Mayan ruins you walk through, they all take your breath away with the engineering, intelligence, and architecture that this ancient civilization had. Xunantunich housed about 10,000 people during its peak, but declined with the Mayan civilization in 1000 AD. Cynthia is studying archeology at the University, and passed on some of her knowledge to us about the way of the Maya.

Xunantunich

After lunch, the group carried on to the Octavia Waight Center - one of two (I believe?) nursing homes in Belize. Nursing Homes are very uncommon in Belize, and it was great to see one that cares for its residents so well. The team was able to tour the facilities and talk to the residents - and hopefully lift their spirits with some Canadian and Rossland pins. You would be surprised how many had been to Canada for a visit at one point in their life, and of course, the most frequent common was how "cold" it was...

The day ended with a visit to the mouth where the two rivers in San Ignacio join - this is a very spiritual place for Cynthia, and its beauty could be appreciated in the sound of the water and the wind in the trees. We crossed this great little swing bridge to the other side of the river - and everyone applauded Shelly for making the journey as well (she is scared of heights)...can't blame her though, the bridge was missing a few critical pieces...

Shelly taking a big step across the bridge

The night ended with a group meeting at the Stork Club in the hotel - where appies and drinks were served, and we gave our presentation in ENGLISH one last time...we were all on fire, since we knew that from here on out we would be giving the presentation in a different language...

John (President of San Ignacio Rotary Club) and Shelly - Banner Presentation

John (President of San Ignacio Rotary Club) and Kathleen - Banner Presentation

Day 9 - Belize - San Ignacio & Super Bowl Sunday!

2009-02-01T19:36:00.000-08:00

We gave our tired goodbyes to Sandi and the Placencia Club and everyone took a longing look at the ocean...After our raining "Free Day" we all woke up to a beautiful sunny day. But hey, we made the most of it and got some much needed rest and relaxation.

Alvin from the Placencia Club swung over in a massive 6 seater diesel F-350 - a bit out of place in sleepy Placencia, but hey - we were about to embark on a pot-holey road, and we were all for 24" of suspension to save the vertabrae in our backs.

Alvin dropped us off at the inland Blue Hole - a beautiful cenote in Belize. Resisting the urge to swim, we plunged our feet in the warm water and sanpped photos like the picture happy tourists that we are. I have become the feeding ground for every single mosquito in Belize, so they were happy to snack on my warm, sweet blood and added to the uncountable amounts of bites I have on my legs and arms. Makes me think I should be taking my malaria meds that my public health nurse recomended (sorry mom!)...

John from the San Ignacio Rotary Club swung by to pick us up at the rendevous - and we piled into his car. We knew from minute one that we were going to be well taken care of when he announced that we must be "so tired" so our plans for the day were to lounge by the San Ignacio Hotel Pool (owned by his family) drinking Pina Coladas for the afternoon while we mutually plan our excursions for Monday - we wanted to object...well okay, I think I am slightly fibbing right now...

We met up with Aki, Sherri, Cynthia from the club and had some great conversations while they planned our activities. We broke up to our host families, and us three girls got to stay at the hotel!

The evening we occupied ourselves with a walk to downtown, and across the two one way bridges . The river is beautiful, and very easy to see why everyone calls this place home.

We then went back to the hotel and proceeded to watch the Superbowl...for those that saw it (and I don't follow football except on my NCAA 2009 Football Xbox 360 game), it was an intense 4th quarter...

Looking forward to our vocational visits tomorrow morning!

Belize Day 8 - Placencia FREE DAY

2009-01-31T14:53:00.000-08:00

Well, it is our Free Day to day – and what can I say??? We all had a snorkel trip booked out to Laughing Bird Caye at the recommendation of Sandi– but the gods were against us (I guess because we didn’t sacrifice a Team Member at Old Belize!)…we woke up to torrential downpour and howling winds…the locals call this the Cold Front from Canada…well, I beg to differ, since it STILL isn’t as cold as Canada (as I sit here in shorts…). But it is a break nonetheless, allowing us to catch up on email, communication and much needed ssslllleeeeeeppppp….

Belize Day 7 - Placencia

2009-01-30T14:40:00.000-08:00

The Placencia Rotary Club is a fairly young club – only chartered for about 4 years. They are also very full of spirit…we had a blast all day cruising around with Sandy, Lydia and Wanda.

After a hearty meal at Lydia’s place (she runs a local Bed and Breakfast in Placencia), we walked around the 3 mile strip of Placencia (with its 800 residents) and looked at the various projects that are underway. For such a young club, they have done some great work. They assisted in the upgrading the community park/basketball courts (the flagpole was their first project!) and the local cemetery. They are also gearing up for the addition of a second floor on the local school – this is with the assistance of another Rotary Club from the US that is coming done in a few weeks.

School in Placencia Showing Second Floor Construction

After discovering that the three of them (Lydia, Wanda, and Sandy) knew EVERYONE in Placencia…we then walked over to reboard the Hokey Pokey back to Mango Creek.

We visited the Independence High School –and met Omar, the Principal. We were all blown away by Omar’s strong vision for his school and his thorough plan that will take him there. He is looking for many things to keep the school progressive, including an outdoor auditorium for his students, and after being in the presence of this man, I know he will be successful. He proudly has the 8th ranking out of 45 highschools in Belize, and announced that in a few years he WILL be #1. He was very inspiring…

Independance High School - Omar is in the front, middle seat

We then carried on to BNE (Belize Natural Energy) – the shipping depot for Belize light crude oil. Crude oil was only discovered in Belize in the last few years, so it is a very new and unknown industry to them. It is also very controversial. The tour was very informative – after a brief walk around the set up, they then showed a video on the origins of BNE. It will be interesting to see in the coming years how Belize manages with the challenges that a country, that is so dedicated and reliant on tourism, struggles with the environmental issues that the oil and gas industry brings.

GSE Team at the BNE Plant

Dual Hulled Petroleum Ship

In the evening (and after Meghan and I got a quick swim in the ocean in…) we went to Tony’s place in Placencia where we met most of the Rotarians that aren’t at the Project Fair in Belize City. Tony has a GORGEOUS place – with a lookout over the entire peninsula. We were spoiled with his brilliant pina coladas as well…

View from Tony's Lookout

Banner Exchange with Placencia Rotary

Placencia is an absolute Jewel.

Belize Day 6 – Belmopan/On the Road to Placencia

2009-01-29T14:13:00.000-08:00

After saying thank you to Orlando and Lizabeth for hosting all four of us ladies (wow – what a feat!), we headed back on the road destined for Placencia, but with a short stop over in Belmopan.

Lizabeth and Landy (Orlando) - Hosted All FOUR of Us at Once!!!

Along the way, we stopped off at the Belize Zoo for a whirlwind tour. It was a worthwhile venture - we got to see many animals, including the toucan (Belize national bird) and the jagaur called "Junior". We even got to pet the jaguar - yes, I know you shouldn't stick your fingers into the cage - but it was SO beautiful... By the end of the zoo though, I became bait for another type of animal -the mosquito!

Toucan - The national bird of Belize and the Fruit Loop Box

Junior the Jaguar

Belmopan is the Capital City of Belize. A smaller town in comparison to Belize City, there is a lot of history here. We met with Emile and Josef, and got a great tour of their wood/lumber production facility where they cut to shape Caribbean pine and pressure treat it.

Belmopan - Capital Buildings with Belize Flag

Belmopan Refugee Area

We then carried the tour into the city and saw the government buildings as well as the refugee camps. Lunch was at Emile’s house – with amazing tamales. The club then discussed with us their main project which is jointly with the Shriner hospital and children with orthopedic diseases.

Belmopan Rotary Club and Banner Presentation

Back on the road with Ellison and Paul, it was a race for Mango Creek to make the 4:30 pm “Hokey Pokey”…Hokey Pokey? No, not the song…but a skiff that takes a 10 minute journey to the Placencia peninsula. I thought it was a joke at first, but we now have pictures to prove it exists…

Do The Hokey Pokey & You Turn Yourself Around...

Shelly and Georgio Admiring the View from the Hokey Pokey

We said goodbye (until Antigua!) to Paul and Ellison – thank you for all your great work! We really appreciate it.

Paul and Ellison on the Dock

We were greated dockside in Placencia by Sandi Johnson, Rotary President of Placencia Club. It took all of two seconds for us to realize that we had fallen in love with the place...three days here will be bliss.

Sherrill & Meghan at the Pier of Chapa Del Mar

Meghan and Georgio Ocean Bound at Sunset

Belize Day 5 - Corozal

2009-01-28T13:53:00.000-08:00

After breakfast, we were dropped off a Rafael’s Cyberwalk Café – an internet café in the heart of Orange Walk. The Corozal Group picked us up for our day visit to their club area. Abraham (President of Corozal Rotary Club) and Luis were great hosts throughout the day. We went to the vocational school that teaches cooking, cosmetology and ornamental gardening. The club is sponsoring the school to start tilapia fish farming – for courses and fundraising.

Tilapia Fish Tank at the Vocation School in Corozal

We also went to several schools and saw some of projects and programs that are in place. An event that stuck out today was a visit to the San Antonio Government School for the clubs feeding program. An impromptu game of tag broke out between Meghan and Georgio and all the kids...pure chaos is exciting!!!

Best Friends I'm Sure (and Fans of Hannah Montana)

Tag With Meghan and Georgio

Always Advertising for Canada...

Before our departure, we checked out the local ruin within in the city limits and got our first glimpse at what Mayan ruins will be like…I can’t wait for Tikal!

Mayan Ruins in Corozal

This day also brought along a first for the whole group – this was the first day we FORMALLY made our presentation…we all did great, and the Rotary Club was interested in the material.
We departed Corozal for our evening dinner and Rotary Meeting in Orange Walk. Overall, it was a great day and we met many new friends.

Presenting the Beaver Valley Banner to Abraham (Corozal Rotary Club)

First Formal Presentation by the GSE Team

Banner Exchange with Orange Walk Rotary

Day 4 - Orange Walk

2009-01-27T13:33:00.000-08:00

The morning started at the Belize Sunrise Rotary Meeting – out first Rotary meeting in Belize…The Club already had a presentation booked in, so we did not give our presentation. The speaker was excellent – the discussion was on HIV and AIDS in Belize, and she was very candid in her talk.

Rotary 4-Way Test Monument in Belize City

Shelly Presenting her Banner to Belize Sunrise

After our Banner exchange with the Sunrise club, we took off with Paul Hunt and Ellison Flowers on the road to Orange Walk. We met up with Ramon and Chendo of the Orange Walk Rotary Club, and then Rafael joined us as well. Our first visit was to the Belize Sugar Industries, and the construction of their new plant to derive energy out of the waste fibers from sugar processing. It was interesting to see the mill and how sugar cane is processed into sugar crystals (Georgio and I were pretty keen!). The current plant requires approximately 9MW of energy to run, some of this is purchased from the grid or run off their current turbines. They are now building a new plant that will burn the fiber waste from the sugar, and the steam that is generated will produce 25 MW of energy – enough to sustain the plant and the remainder will be tied into the power grid. The new plant will also have an Electrostatic Precipitator (ESP) on the back end for pollution abatement to come in line with current emission standards (the current plant has no pollution abatement equipment).

Belize Sugar Mill in Background, New Construction in Foreground

Sugar Cane on Trucks

Meghan sampling In-Process Sugar

Not only was the plant interesting to tour, but we also arrived in the middle of a strike by the local farmers. The farmers are protesting to remove the quality programs that have been set up to test the sugar cane (and therefore have a tiered payment based on quality). It isn’t very often that you get to witness a labour dispute (and cross the picket line!) in a foreign country. There was no violence, but the police and army were standing by just in case.

Strike/Demonstration By Local Orange Walk Farmers

After lunch, we visited the Orange Walk Rotary projects that are in the area. The focus was mostly on the assistance that they have provided for the various schools in the area. They are promoting at the Project Fair the Government School in the area – to upgrade their current pit toilets into a septic/flush system. 1000 students currently use about 10 pit toilets. They have plans in place, and in fact, the following evening we met a couple from Engineers Without Borders that were coming down to assist in the design work.

Latrines (Pit Toilets) in School - Presented at the Project Fair

That evening for dinner – it was very creative – we picked a name out of a hat, and that was the family that we had dinner with. I choose Terry and Demmer – and had a blast talking about Washington, their origins in Orange Walk, what brought them to Rotary, and listening to the great stories that Terry can wield…

Day 3 - Belize City

2009-01-26T13:09:00.000-08:00

Today was our first “vocational” day visits. We were all excited to see what the Belize City and the Belize Sunrise clubs have been focusing their efforts on in the community.

The day started with a City Tour by Winston (member of the Belize Sunrise). Totally unexpected – we piled into his comfortable tour van – Winston, decked out in his microphone headset, spent the next two hours slowly driving through Belize City and pointing out all the different sites, historical events and monuments. This guy has the knowledge!!! We all got (way) too excited when he pulled off the main road to see if he could spot the red iguana…and sure enough, there was our iguana, sunning himself at the top of the tree.

Winston then dropped us off at the Mayor’s office (Zenaida Moya) where we got into a discussion on Belize politics and the challenges that face Belize City. The Sunrise Club then toured us through the city to check out some of the projects that they are focusing on including the Port Loyala Library (Congratulations for getting funding at the Project Fair!) and the local schools. There is some good work going on the South Side of Belize City.

The GSE Team with the Belize City Mayor

The Library Project by Belize Sunrise

After a great lunch at Sulley’s Diner (I had an amazing Conch soup), we were turned over to Sandra and Maria (President Elect) of the Belize City Rotary Club. With them, we saw the schools that they are assisting with feeding and literacy programs. We went to a pre-school where a woman named Gilda (runs the school) is trying to provide low-income youngsters a learning area – the tiny room can house up to 30 kids. Even with the 12 or so kids that were present when we were there, you can see the cramped quarters. Gilda is proposing a project to expand the classrooms so that she can set up 10 learning stations for these little guys that love school so much.

Junior High School in Belize City

Children at the Sunrise Stimulation Center in Belize City

After the school visits, we went back to our favorite haunt from Day 1 Old Belize. Francis and Chris gave a great talk on the Crimestoppers program that is currently set up in Belize, as well as an overview of the Prison system. Francis is such a passionate man for everything he does – and this oozes through all his conversations. We also got a tour through the Old Belize Museum – it goes through the origins of Belize as a country and how it was shaped by the many different ethnicities and nationalities. It was a great set up – vivid displays – including the Mayan sacrifices where it was joked that he needed more skulls from the GSE members and the bones of their leader…

Old Belize Muesum - Setting of the GSE Team Sacrifice!

This was our last night in Belize City – and what better way to end it then with a trip to the Rum Distillery!!! Some great rums were sampled…and if I thought my suitcase was heavy on arriving in Belize, it is even heavier now with multiple bottles of rum (I still have 3.5 weeks left!!).

Cheers to Rum!

The night ended with a joint event with the doctors and staff that arrived for the Gift of Life Program. The event was hosted at the house of Ellison Flowers, President of the Belize City Rotary Club. The Gift of Life program allows young children in Belize to be screened by cardiologists (this year from Omaha) for heart diseases or congenital diseases. The US doctors work with the Belize Doctors (and Rotary) to diagnose the condition, and if required, select some young children to go to the US for surgery. It is a great program, and the presentations on the impacts and the successes that have occurred was heartwarming.

Banner Presentation to Ellison Flowers of Belize City Rotary

What a way to end a great three days…

Belize Day 2 - Ariels Farm!

2009-01-25T18:58:00.000-08:00

Today was a rough day....rough, rough day...

Check out the photos below and you will see what I mean, it was very tough to be hanging out at a gorgeous "farm" - which turned into an absolute paradise...

We went to Ariel's Farm - past president of the Belize City Rotary Club. He was a very gracious host to share his property with us and the two Rotary Clubs that hosted - Belize City and Belize Sunrise. The land was GORGEOUS - a beautiful creek flowing through the center, that ends in a river. Kathleen took a dip in the river and the creek - while the rest of us were content to just hang around for good conversation and dip our legs in the water.

They served up Pibil! Which is a Belize tradition where a full size pig is roasted in the ground wrapped in Banana leaves. We never saw the pig in all its glory...but we sure got a good taste of it in fresh corn tortillas!

It was an absolutely stunning day...and if this is tough work...sign us up!

Meghan and Shelly cruising next to the creek

Georgio, Meghan, Shelly and Marcelo (Georgio's host) working hard...

The 5080 GSE Team and Ariel...Thanks Again!!!

Meghan cooking the corn tortillas (I didn't eat one of hers (kidding!!!))...

Old Belize, wonderful hosts, new friends

2009-01-25T16:15:00.000-08:00

Day 1 - Belize City

2009-01-24T23:59:00.000-08:00

WE HAVE ARRIVED!!!
After Kathleen scared the team about missing her flight to Ecuador when she "slept" through the boarding calls, we were all scared and set about 4 alarms to get up at 4:00 am...

We got off the plane in Belize City and was met at the Plane by Louis - he escorted (VIP style!) through customs and baggage claims to meet our host families outside the airport. Tired from our 4am wake up, it was exciting to meet our first host families - after a round of friendly introductions we departed to relax at our homes for 4 days... and rest up before our big dinner!

Dinner was at Old Belize - a crazy recreational area/museum/restaurant in Belize City. It is owned by a fellow Rotarian, and we were warmly welcomed. Dinner was exceptional, with great stories that were shared - nothing like good food, drinks and people to make for a fabulous night...

The "Big Ass Fan" - about 20 feet in Diameter (for us engineers...)

What drew our eye was this great Zipline that crosses the swimming area. Rising about 50 feet from water's edge, up a stair tower - you strap yourself in for a intense ride across the water...hmmm...this got our minds thinking...we return here on Monday for a Crimestopper's presentation - and what a way to wrap up our stay in Belize City then having a group trip right across the water - of course, we have to be lead by our courageous Team Leader Kathleen - you first!

After dinner, most of the families departed for the night, but myself (Sherrill), Georgio, Maria, Marcelo, Gail, and Giovanni went on for a follow up drink at a local pub called the Tavern...This stories flowed, and there were some good laughs. I have to say, this is where I have started to learn my Belizean slang...but hey, should censor this posting....

Until tomorrow!!!

Can't believe the trip has started!!!

2009-01-23T22:10:00.000-08:00

Well, we made it...
Left Canada bright and early at 8:00 am to start our drive down to Spokane for our flight out. Even though we all had bleary eyes from the early morning, the energy was so positive and enthusiastic!

We met up with Shelly & Kathleen in Spokane and caught our flight to LAX...we are here now! And I am sure you can hear our quiet groans about the 4am wake up call tomorrow!

Cheers to District 4250!

Preview -- first 10 days -- Spokane, L.A., Belize

2009-01-18T20:01:00.000-08:00

With thanks to our faithful liaison, Paul Hunt, we now know what we will be doing the first 10 days of our stay in Belize. Here's a brief summary:

(We fly to Los Angeles from Spokane, leaving at 3:15 p.m., spend the night of January 23 at a hotel in Los Angeles ,and leave Los Angeles at 6:40 a.m. on January 24)

January 24 (Saturday)
3:30 p.m. (equivalent to central time here, so 1:30 PST) arrive in Belize city, greeted by Luis Alpuche, charter president of a new Rotary Club in Belize called Belize Sunrise, and host families.

7 p.m. small welcome event at "old Belize" with various Rotary hosts

January 25 (Sunday)
(optional church, a.m.)
afternoon visit to Mitchell and Martha Ariel's family farm, and an afternoon in the sun with our host families, opportunities for swimming either in a pool or the river, then dinner with host families.
Language of communication: English

January 26 (Monday)
Morning: City Tour, Port Loyola Library, City Maryor Zenaida Moya, Chamber of Commerce
Lunch, Sulley's diner
12:30 Farmers Market

Afternoon: Rotary programs/projects
Literacy, Feeding, Gift of Life, Crime Stoppers

6 p.m. Travelers Rum Distillery tour, Cocktial Reception (snacks)
Mini presentation by our team (talk only)
supper with host families
Language of communication: English

January 27 (Tuesday)
7:15 a.m. Rotary Club of Belize Sunrise weekly club meeting, Radisson Hotel, brief introduction, previous guest speaker already booked, leave city at 8:30 a.m. sharp.

Drive to town of Orange Walk, arrive 10 am
Welcome by Rotary Club of Orange Walk club officials
Visit to Belize Sugar Industries and Bioenergy Plant, under construction

12:30 - lunch, at local restaurant in Orange Walk

1:30: Visit to area schools

4:00 Break at host homes

7:00 p.m. Group dinner at local Rotarian's home.
Language of communication: English and/or Spanish

January 28, Wednesday
8:30 a.m. Drive to Corozal (30 miles)

Club and community programmes, including lunch, then return to Orange Walk

7:30 p.m. Joint meeting with Orange Walk and Corozal Rotarians, presentation by our team
Language of communication: English an/or Spanish

January 29 (Thursday)
7:30-10:45 -- drive to Belmopan. Rotary Club of Belmopan hosts Emile Mena, Thom Grimshaw

Possible team presentation an lunch time club meeting

2:15-4:30 -- drive to Placencia
4:30 Welcome by Rotary Club of Placencia hosts Sandi Johnson and Jeannie Gabourel

Overnight with Placencia hosts
Language of communication: English

January 30 (Friday)
Morning: Breakfast at Lydia's and community visits
Trip across laboon by boat to Mango Creek and Big Creek to visit schools and industy

Evening Placencia Rotary club, possible presentation by our team
Language of communication: English

January 31 (Saturday) -- Free Day
Breakfast with hosts, beach day R&R, own time.

February 1 (Sunday)
8 a.m. drive to the Cayo District

11 a.m. Rendezvous with Rotary Club of San Ignacio at inland Blue Hole

Early afternoon: Arrive San Ignacio, hosts John "Johnny" Roberson and Chris Aird
overnight with new host families.
Language of communication: English or Spanish

February 2 (Monday)
Vocational and community visits arranged by the Rotary Club of San Ignacio
Our team may make a presentation at the evening club meeting
Language of communication: English or Spanish

February 3 (Tuesday)
Depart for Guatemala and the members of the Rotary Club of Flores and the Tikal Club
Language of communication: Spanish

As of January 19, we have no details yet on the rest of the itinerary, other than that we will be hosted by the following Rotary clubs: Tikal, Feb. 3-5, Puerto Barrios 5-7, Guatemala Ciudad (city), 7-11, Atitlan 12, Retalhuleu 13-16, Antigua 17-18. The District conference at the end is Feb. 19-21, our departure for home (except Meghan, who is staying another 5 weeks in Central America!) Feb. 22.

Our Final Meeting: Are we ready??? Off we go!

2009-01-13T19:59:00.001-08:00

January 10, 2009 was a milestone for the group - this was "officially" our last team meeting before we all meet at the Spokane Airport on January 23 for our flight to Belize. We were so efficient! We covered the nitty-gritty details of nametags, final uniform issues & business cards. We did a group learn exercise on each of the three countries that comprise District 4250 (Honduras, Belize and Guatemala). Finally, we closed the day with a review of our presentations!!! Are we ready??? I think so!

We parted ways with our Alternate Team Leader - Michelle. You will be missed on this trip Michelle! Thank you for helping (and sorting!) us out along the way! (And have a blast in Honduras!)

From left to right: Kathleen (Leader), Sherrill, Meghan, Shelly, Georgio

The Four Way Test - In English and Spanish!

2009-01-07T10:23:00.000-08:00

The countdown is on to our trip to Central America, and we need to remember the Rotary Four Way Test...easy to do in English, but Spanish??? Geez - here we go:

Is it the TRUTH?
Es la verdad?

Is it FAIR to all concerned?
Es equitativo para todos los interesados?

Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
Creara buena voluntad y mejores amistades?

Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
Sera benificioso para todos los interesados?

What is a Group Study Exchange?

2009-01-02T23:51:00.000-08:00

Since 1965, Rotary International’s Group Study Exchange (GSE) program has provided inspiring vocational, educational, and cultural experiences to more than 32,000 men and women. Team members experience the host country's institutions and ways of life, observe their own vocations as practiced abroad, develop personal and professional relationships, and exchange ideas. Each GSE tour is generally 4-5 weeks long. Participants are chosen through a competitive application and interview process.

About the Team!

2009-01-01T14:12:00.000-08:00

The District!

Rotary District 5080 has 60 clubs, with a combined membership of about 3,000. There are 18 clubs in south-eastern British Columbia, 42 in northern Idaho and western Washington. The American clubs are in Zone 23, while the Canadian clubs form part of Zone 22. Although there is no firm policy governing the selection process for district governors, they are usually elected one year from Canada, then in the two following years from American clubs, reflecting the population distribution of the District.

Let's Introduce the Team!

Team Leader: Kathleen Warren

Kathleen Warren is a member of the Pullman Rotary Club in the state of Washington, a 50-member club in a relatively small town whose two biggest enterprises are Washington State University and Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc. At WSU, Kathleen directs a team of colleagues who write proposals to philanthropic foundations to acquire funding for university projects that are not fully funded by the state of Washington. This is the first GSE team that Kathleen has led. This is her first year learning to speak Spanish, but she knows and has taught French and German. She is married to Jon Warren, a retired lawyer. They have two grown sons, one who is a photographer for the Associated Press, and one who is an emergency room physician in the largest public hospital in Seattle. She has two grandchildren. Her favorite free-time activity is bicycling and jogging. In June 2008, she rode her bicycle for a week in the Andes Mountains of Ecuador.

Team Member: Shelly O'Quinn

Shelly O’Quinn is the Executive Director of The George Nethercutt Foundation overseeing all aspects of the Foundation’s mission to equip college students with the civic education and leadership experience they need to make a difference in their community, our country, and the world. Shelly is also the Workforce Development Manager for Greater Spokane Incorporated (Spokane’s Regional Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Council) having expertise in grants and program management. She is a board member for Junior Achievement of the Inland Northwest and is actively involved with Habitat for Humanity-Spokane, The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and Valley Fourth Memorial Church.

Shelly graduated from Whitworth University in 1997 with a triple major in Accounting, Business Administration, and International Business, and received her Master’s degree in Business Administration at the Monterey Institute of International Studies in 2001. Shelly and her husband, Sean, have two children. Ryland is 9 years old and Iain is 3 years old. Sean is an attorney with Winston & Cashatt, Lawyers. In her free time, Shelly enjoys spending time with her family, training for triathlons and reading.

Team Member: Sherrill Moreno

Sherrill Moreno lives with her husband, Vincent Chow, in a small town called Rossland in the southern interior of British Columbia, Canada. This small mountain town is well suited to Sherrill’s passion for snow-skiing, snowboarding, hiking, camping and ice hockey.
Originally from Vancouver, BC, Sherrill received her Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of British Columbia in 2000. She is currently working for Teck Resources Ltd, a world leader in the production of copper, metallurgical coal, and zinc metal, in the refining and smelting operation located in Trail, BC. At Teck, Sherrill is the Superintendent of Zinc Projects, where she supports Engineers and Project Coordinators on project management and execution.

Sherrill loves to travel and has recently returned from a trek to the Everest Base Camp in the Nepal Himalayan Mountains. She is looking forward to visiting Central America for her first time.

Team Member: Meghan Jowitt

Meghan Jowitt grew up in a small town in the Canadian Shield of Northern Ontario. She was always fascinated with the mountains of British Columbia and left rural Ontario to tree plant and attend university after graduating high school. She moved to Vancouver Island, to be trained as a teacher, and to live near the ocean. There she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education and English and a Bachelor of Education. While attending school, she continued to play outdoors and spent much time mountain biking, skiing, hiking, traveling, playing hockey, and camping. After graduating she moved to the Northwest coast of B.C. and lived in a small native village where she learned the culture of one of Canada’s Native peoples and taught grade 7 for a year. However, her heart was in the mountains and she was missing the snow and her family so she moved to Rossland B.C, a small town in the Interior, where she teaches on-call to students from grades Kindergarten to grade 12. She now is able to enjoy four seasons and a variety of outdoor activities. She lives close to her parents, siblings, and two nephews and niece.

Team Member: Georgio Akiki

Georgio Akiki was born in Lebanon and raised in a small coastal town called Jounieh. After finishing high school he immigrated to Canada to study Chemical and Environmental Engineering at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec. After university Georgio moved to a small town called Trail in the southern interior of British Columbia to work for Teck Resources Ltd a diversified resources company headquartered in Vancouver and committed to responsible mining, smelting and refining. As an environmental engineer at one of the world largest zinc-lead production facilities, he leads projects to reduce emissions to air, effluent and soil as well as ensuring compliance to all applicable regulatory requirements. Georgio is an avid outdoorsman with a passion for rock climbing and high-altitude mountaineering. Last year he had the opportunity to live in Peru for a year which allowed him to climb a lot of glaciers in the Andes as well as “Aconcagua” in Argentina which is the highest mountain outside of Asia and one of the 7 summits of the world.