Im back and have no fear, me not writing for a week in no way equals my death in any way shape or form. internet was simply very expensive where i have been for the past week. and that would be the one and only Caye Caulker and i. loved. it. before i get to that though, i'll report on the one reason i spent any time in san ignacio earlier, which was for the band festival they held. it was awesome. if it hadn't been for the large sections of spanish speaking fans, the traditional garifuna group, and the general lack of skill, it could have been any huge marching band festival in the southern US. i realize that my view of these festivals may be skewed by the fact that my only experience with them is through the movie drumline, but still. and speaking of drumline, i think most of the performers must have seen it as well, because they totally stole moves from it. The first part of the competition was the full marching bands, and at least one group played i believe i can fly (also in the movie). The second part of the competition was just between the drum lines. and i guess i should correct myself here, because the drumming was actually all really good, it was just all the horn players that sounded like they were blowing chunks through their instruments. anyways during the drum line part NOT ONLY did one group pull out the archery move (in the movie), but there was a bit of taunting thrown in the mix (in the movie), as well as the whole point at the opponent with your sticks and then drop them on the ground in front of you (also in the movie). however you could tell these guys were amateurs because in the movie when the throw their sticks on the ground they all have extra pairs stashed away to keep playing with. these guys didn't get that far, and instead had to bend over (not easy with a drum strapped to you), pick the sticks up, and awkwardly walk away. But all in all it was a great experience. the crowd was very into it and all had umbrellas to block out the 103 degree heat.
and now to caye caulker. it is a tiny island. for all practical purposes you could get to anything you needed in ten minutes. i spent my time mostly relaxing, with some snorkeling, diving, sailing, tanning, volleyballing, and easter partying mixed in. The snorkel trip i took was on a big sailboat. we got to go to three places, one of which was shark and ray alley where we got to swim with nurse sharks (not dangerous) and sting rays (i guess potentially dangerous but no one seemed too concerned). cool! the sharks felt very sand papery and rough, and the rays like a complete opposite were very squishy and slimy. other things we saw: turtle, tarpon, houndfish, barracuda, needle fish, groupers, lobster (awesome). the houndfish and barracuda were in the same place and were everywhere which was really creepy because they weren't scared of you and just sat there staring and looking very torpedo-like, except with teeth. The dives i did were excellent as well. i got to see a couple huge green moray eels, another turtle, a mind-blowingly well-camouflaged rock fish (i was 5 feet away with someone pointing at it and still didn't see it until it moved), two sting rays, and best of all a group of 5 black and white spotted eagle rays all swimming together in formation. they just sort of effortlessly glide along, its amazing to watch. One of my roommates on of the days in the hostel i stayed at had gone sailing one day and was going on and on about it, and i realized I'd never done it and it might be fun to give it a shot. so i had an hour lesson in this tiny little boat that didn't look made for anything as big as a person. but it was actually a lot of fun, but a bit trickier than i expected. the way you had to control the sail and rudder at the same time reminded me of trying to play a drum set where you have to play different rhythms with each limb. ive never been too hot at the drum set...
Easter wasn't as exciting as i was hoping it would be. mostly it was a lot of belizians from the mainland getting drunk. but we had some quality karaoke and a huge party on the beach under an enormous tent-covering.
Great things about the island: turquoise water, terrific sunsets, pelicans, volleyball every night, awesome bakery, fresh juice stands.
great thing about my hostel: tv!! i got to watch my first basketball games of the season, a good share of family guy, and a movie or two. madagascar is awesome. i like to move it move it!
bad things about my hostel: general uncleanliness. bed bugs. mosquitoes. mice in the kitchen. except when i saw the mice i immediately thought of the movie ratatouille and then felt sorry for them and didnt scare them away. maybe they were just collecting ingredients for a meal they were about to cook or something.
anyhow now ive got to go catch a bus. im going out into the jungle again to an eco/sustainable living farm thing. the new zealanders i was traveling with a bit back loved it and suggested it so i thought id check it out. the food is supposed to kick ass. i have a feeling there wont be internet out there, so ill write again in a few days.
and speaking of a few days ill be home in 17.
holy.
guacamole.
gus
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