Belize, A Melting Pot

Belize is incomparable to any other country I ever visited. While planning my vacation to Belize I was captivated by the diversity of cultures all in one tiny country. I can surely say that this was one of the many factors that influenced my decision to visit Belize over Costa Rica, which my husband and I were deliberating.

It is the locals that make a difference. Similar to many Caribbean countries the people are ‘laid-back’. Leaving the hustle and bustle of our everyday life took some getting use to. I had to constantly remind myself that we were here on vacation. As we entered the airport my husband and I were greeted by the rhythmic drumming, what we now know to be Garinagu music. The Garinagu music is a traditional music of the Garifuna culture. It didn’t take long for us to notice that the Garinagu were only one of the many racial ethnic groups that share the beautiful and natural land of Belize.

                                                                                    

The fact that Belize’s official language is English made our travels easier. This was surely a relief, as we were both able to interact more with the locals and not only experience the touristic side of the country. We later learned that although everyone understands and speaks English, many locals speak Belizean Creole (Kriol), which is best described as broken English. However, trying to eavesdrop on two locals conversing, sounds like mayhem.

Two Spanish-speaking countries, Mexico and Guatemala surround Belize; contributing tremendously to the prevalence of the Spanish language and the Mestizo culture. I was surprised by the intense flavors of many traditional mestizo foods such as the tamales, panades, and tacos, to name a few. Many cultural foods can be easily found at the markets, and is commonly sold by many street vendors. Traditional Mestizo foods are primarily made using corn. Corn is also a staple used by the traditional Mayas who we encountered in the village of Maya Center a small Mopan Maya Village on our way to Placencia, where we were heading.

We drove south to Placencia after leaving Belize City and we were greeted with a welcoming smile by many different faces. Heading to Placencia we passed by Belmopan, the country’s capital which happens to be near Spanish Lookout - an area inhabited by Conservative German Mennonites, who strictly use simple machines. While on the main road we were approached by a fast galloping horse and buggy driven by conservative Mennonites, this took us by surprise. Belize is truly a natural haven comprised of many racial ethnic groups who all contribute to the rich and diverse culture in Belize.

After arriving in Placencia, we instantly knew that we were in paradise. The sandy beaches and crystal blue waters made Placencia the perfect vacation getaway for my husband and I who had never been on a honeymoon. Belize is certainly a ‘melting pot’ of different racial ethnic groups working and living together in harmony. 

Belize: Costa Maya Festivities on La Isla Bonita

Mark your Calendars on August 2, 2012 for a Week of Costa Maya Festivities on La Isla Bonita

Belize’s number one tourist destination explodes with an exuberance of culture, dances, music, food and concerts with a number of local and international artists on August 2 for the grand opening of the San Pedro International Costa Maya Festival.

A regional pageantry of beauty ambassadors from Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Panama, Costa Rica and Mexico mark the grand opening of this year’s 21^st anniversary. Miss Belize along with the Central American beauties and Miss Mexico vie for the coveted title of “La Reina De La Costa Maya” which translates into “Queen of the Mundo Maya.”  Like any other great festival, so too has this festival evolved from a local event to massive national and even international event for salt, sea, and cultural “fiestarama.”  Besides the festival’s first day’s pageantry morphing into an international pageant with full representation from Central America and Mexico, even the name has since changed from Sea and Air Festival to its present name. Mind you, even today many still refer to one of San Pedro’s oldest celebrations as such!

La Isla Bonita’s Costa Maya International Festival is a four day event packed with exciting and fun filled activities. The second day is Gala Night with full entertainment by Soca artist, from Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Kevin Lyttle and Belize’s very own Berne Vasquez. Government Officials, ambassadors and other dignitaries are always in attendance for this cultural extravaganza.

Saturday night is Noche International (International Night) and for good reasons. Perhaps this third night is the climaxes of the festivities as local and international artist take center stage for an explosion of music and entertainment. A collage of diverse cultures and ethnicities, of rich and poor, locals and visitors, of mainland and local islanders come together to celebrate and appreciate the many expressions of cultural multiplicities in food, music and folklore dances. All this on one island. It’s not just any island, its “Temptation Island.” The salty sea breeze carries the acoustic tunes of reggae, punta, steel pan, salsa, marimba and Mariachi music across the island paradise. Your hair is down; you are enjoying a cold Belikin beer, good company and the international entertainment. This is island life in “La Isla Bonita.”

As the iconic festival approaches closure, the fourth and final day ends with a final leg of cultural performances showcasing the very best of the participating countries. Featuring this summer is Ballet Camara De QROO from Mexico.

While on the beach, it is party time – sail race, beach volleyball, greasy pole and party with the DJ’s in island style! See the reef from the beach. Feel the sand between your toes. This is San Pedro. No shirt, no problem. No shoes, no problem!

You can aslo contact Splash Dive Center for more information via email at patricia@splashbelize.com or visit  www.splashbelize.com

Maya’s ‘Time of No Time’: A Call for a New World Age or a New World Fake?

On March 20 2012, the sun will be directly above the earth’s equator making the length of day almost equal to that of night. This occurrence is referred to as the March Equinox.  For many of us, day and night usually evoke certain feelings and affects our behaviors and activities.  For example, most people sleep at night time.  So by extension, it is possible that other astrological conditions perhaps have an unrecognized effect on our moods, or even on our evolutionary processes as human beings?

Splash Dive Center Maya Logo

These are indeed interesting questions to ponder on and the concept of ‘Time of No Time,’ really challenges us to think about the realm of possibilities.  In Maya Prophecy, the Time of No Time began in 1992 and ends December 2012.  According to the Maya this 20 year (Katun), is a period of enlightenment that humanity prepares to enter a Golden Age of higher consciousness and harmony with all that surrounds us as planet earth, within our solar system, is about to complete a galactic day (26,625 years). Just as earth rotates on its axis around the sun in a 365 days cycle, the Mayas discovered that our solar system similarly rotates within its ellipse around the center of the grand galaxy completing one cycle in 26, 625 years.  On this day, the earth aligns with the center of our solar system and with the center of the galaxy.  This must be an immensely important time that ushers in an equally important evolutionary process from the perspective of the infinite universe.

Maya Prophecy claims that the center of our Milky Way Galaxy beams a powerful source of light every 5,125 years allowing for greater synchrony and evolutionary processes among the stars and planetary systems contained within.  They believe, that this beam of a powerful source causes our sun to respond with intense solar winds affecting earth’s magnetic fields triggering a series of changes that impacts humanity’s evolution on earth.

Xunantunich-Belize

Consequently, the concept of Maya 2012, tells us that as our solar system prepares to complete this cycle around the galaxy, that a New Age or a new World Order is about to be unveiled. In this enlightenment, people will recognize their deep interconnectivity with all that exists in his environment forming a minute part of the massive cosmic universe.  The Maya claim that in this progressive state, the people will better appreciate the important role they must play in maintaining and preserving the delicate ecological balance of mother earth before continuing as the dominant specie.  The people will rid themselves of destructive behaviors: obsession with worldly possessions, destruction of the environment and of the human spirit. It is in this context that the Maya belief that the newly naturally selected stewards of earth will evolve to higher levels of consciousness where respect for all, peace and harmony prevail.  So in essence, the Maya’s ‘Time of No Time’ is a colossally important transitory period to usher in a new age of positivity among mankind.

Maya Temple Lamanai-Belize

Either way, humanity is at important crossroads in its development especially noting critical changes in the climate, global economic landscape, technology, warfare, world views and paradigm shifts in power structures.  These global trends are timely and important reminders that the powerful messages from the Maya in relation to 2012 are worth listening to.

Regardless of what we choose to believe from the Maya, science is now affirming astounding discoveries shared thousands of years ago by this astronomically astute civilization that far exceeds any other.  Belize is very proud to be home to this mystical and advanced civilization that is now causing heightened global attention.  Most recently, the tiny Caribbean jewel hosted Prince Henry of Wales for a personalized tour of one of Belize’s foremost archeological sites.

Splash Dive Center, your personalized destination management company, invites everyone to witness first-hand the magic of Maya culture as well as Belize’s other unique and mesmerizing experiences and adventures.