I checked into my hostel early, then went to walk around. The beach was definitely beautiful.
There were plenty of places to eat, but when I get super hungry, my decision making skills plummet. You would think I would walk into the first place I see, but no, for some reason that doesn't happen. I wander aimlessly, trying to make a decision.
I walked past a little wood building with a long open window facing the street. I looked at the food of two people eating there as I walked by. It looked a little strange. I kept walking. Then I smelled it. I turned around.
They speak English in Belize. It's the official language of the country. But for some reason, I had a problem deciding what language to speak there, which was a bit embarrassing. I mean, imagine an American in another country, apparently unable to speak English.
Anyway, I ordered one of what they were having, and got a choice between stewed chicken or fried chicken. I ordered stewed chicken and had an amazing introduction to the national dish of Belize. Sorry, there are no photos as I was trying not to look like a tourist at this point... which was impossible.
After eating, I went for a walk and was relieved to find a quiet side of the island, at a boat terminal. There was plenty of shade, a nice breeze, and pretty much no one there. I walked along the street, and came upon the one guy that was around. He seemed to be talking to himself. I decided I should get out of the situation, as there was no one around but myself and him.
He spotted me before I reached the end of the block and I guess I looked like a good idea to him. He called over to me and started coming toward me. I had just about reached the corner and speed up a little. On the corner was a shop where I could see my reflection in the window. I saw his reflection close the gap between us as he came up behind me.
I turned around to face him, he was maybe 5 or 6 feet away, and shouted "Hey! No!"
He stopped for a second, baffled that I would confront him. I took the opportunity to walk off again, quickly. Now I was where I could see other people, about a block away.
He was apparently pretty offended that I had yelled at him because he started shouting at me and following me (although keeping his distance this time, so more for intimidation). He called me some awful things, and how dare I come to his country and act that way, etc. He followed me for two blocks until he disappeared into the crowded street. As I was walking quickly away from him, another guy sitting on the side of the road made a cat call at me in between shouts of the guy behind me. He quieted down real quick though when he realized what I was getting away from.
When I realized I was safe, I slowed my pace and headed back towards the hostel. I decided to walk along the beach and endured the comments from a guy selling necklaces. As I passed by him, two other guys walked up behind me a ways. One guy walked closer and said hello and asked my name. I looked him in the eye and said "I don't want to talk to you right now." He backed off and said "I can respect that". His drunk friend said sarcastically "She's a tourist. We have to respect the tourists."
I felt like crap. I get that the people here have lived here fairly happily for a long time. Long before tourists came here. Now tourism is a major part of their economy, and I imagine the police tell these guys that they have to be nice to the tourists because their economy depends on it. So the tourists are treated far better than the locals. I went to the hostel to lie down for awhile.
I met an Australian girl who was sleeping on the bunk below me. We went out to find dinner and ice cream. We stopped by a panada stand (apparently the English form of empanada) which is a stuffed pastry type thing with meat in it. We talked to the guy and another local about the best places to eat in the area. We had a few panadas, then headed off to find more food.
The next day I got up early and went for a run. The humidity got the best of me and 3 painfully slow miles almost killed me. Then I was off to go on snorkeling trip number two.
Our first stop was Hol Chan national park. These two Horse Eyed Jacks followed our guide around all day. Turns out he had a bit of food in his pocket. Called them his body guards.
A Morey eel.
A sea turtle.
This little guy was waiting for us back at the boat.
Then we headed off to shark/ray alley.
Our guide for the day seemed to take a liking to me and told me about his family and his mother, who lives in Los Angeles and runs a catering business on the side. He gave me her Facebook information and then invited me to the club that he DJ's at night for a second job. I didn't go, as that wouldn't lead to any good ideas, but he seemed nice enough.
Myself and my new Australian friend, Steph, went out to the bar at the end of the pier and floated around in inner tubes while we drank our beers. Then we headed off to find food again.
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