Mayan Ruins

On Tuesday, April 6th we took a 30 minute drive to the boarder to head to Guatemala. Once we got through customs with two more stamps in our passports, we were on our way to Tikal. It was about another hour and half drive until we reached the Tikal National Park.

Tikal is one of the largest ruins in the world which covers over 8 miles of land. It use to be one of the most powerful Mayan kingdoms. Today only 20% of the ruins have been excavated by a university from PA (15%) and the Guatemalan government (5%). To full enjoy this site though it would take days just to be able to see everything. In the two hours we were there, we got to see about 6 of the main temples, but there was still so much more to see.

The first place we stopped was Temple Q. There was a few temples that looked like this one which were only used for ceremonies. After that we got to climb Temple IV, which is the tallest temple standing at 210 feet tall. We could not climb up the actual temple itself, which was probably a good thing because of safety. But, there was a staircase that was built up the side of the temple for people to climb, and then sit on the side of the temple. Once on top of Temple IV, we were above all the trees, and we could see other temples as well. In the picture are Temple III, II, and I.

After the hike back down, we headed to the lost world. It consisted of four more temples. Our next adventure was the Great Plaza to go see Temple I and II. We were allowed to climb to the top of Temple II, which is shown in the picture on top. Temple I is known as the Great Jaguar, and is the burial spot for Ah Cacao. Ah Cacao built Temple II as well. This whole adventure took us over two hours, and we did not even get to see all the ruins.

On Thursday, Aprtil 8th some of us went to visit our next Mayan ruin, Xunantunich. This ruin was just a short bus ride outside of San Ignacio, Belize. Xunantunich was the first site to be opened up in Belize to the public. Once across the short ferry ride and a nice mile hike up the hill, you reach the main ceremonial quarter of Xunantuich.

The tallest pyramid is called El Castillo which is shown in the picture. El Castillo is the tallest at Xunantunich at 130 feet tall. On top of El Castillo you have a 360 degree of the surrounding land. Not only will you see part of the Belize jungle and river valleys, but you will also see the boarder between Belize and Guatemala. Right behind me in the picture is the boarder. The adventure to the Mayan ruins was an amazing experience. One in which I will never forget.

Belize National Anthem

BELIZE NATIONAL ANTHEM

O, Land of the free by the Carib Sea,

our manhood we pledge to thy liberty!

No Tyrants here linger, despots must flee

This tranquit haven of democracy

The blood of our sires which hallows the sod,

Brought freedom from slavery oppression's rod,

By the might of truth and the grace of God.

No longer shall we be hewers of wood.

Arise! ye sons of Baymen's clan,

put on your armour, clear the land!

Drive back the tyrants, let despots flee-

Land of the Free by the Carib Sea!

Nature has blessed thee with wealth untold,

O'er mountains and valleys where praries roll;

Our fathers, the Baymen, valiant and bold

Drove back the invader; this heritage hold

From proud Rio Hondo to old Sarstoon'

Through coral isle, over blue lagoon;

Keep watch with the angels, the stars and moon;

For freedom comes tomorrow's noon.

Chorus.

Easter Celebration

On Tuesday, March 30th the kids had a half day at Ambergris Caye Elementary. This day the students got to have their Easter Celebration. That previous Monday was a teacher workday, and we got to assist in the preparation for the celebration. After working on Excel for grading purposes and speaking with our partnership teacher to discuss the subjects to teach, we started to pack Easter eggs to the brim with sweets, as they call candy here.

It was time for the Easter egg hunt. The students grabbed their baskets, and headed to the lineup at the flagpole. After a quick talk about the rules, Dr. Renee let the students go by grade level to find the eggs. Off the students ran to find their five eggs each. The day was filled with even more sweets after the Easter egg hunt. Each student got a goodie bag of sweets, Ideals (what they call Popsicles), and cheese dip and chips. After the celebration, parents came to pick up their children, and their report cards. It was interesting to observe the parent-teacher interaction and discussing the report cards. It was a great day at Ambergris Caye Elementary, and now it is time for Easter break.

Festival of Arts

On Thursday, March 25th we helped volunteer with Ambergris Caye Elementary at the Festival of Arts competition. The festival of arts is a competition in which students performed different types of performing arts. It took place at San Pedro's High School auditorium from 5:oo pm until 10:00 pm. The performances included musical instruments, singing, skits, performance arts, dancing, and more. the students from all different age groups came from all over Belize to participate in this event.

At the event, each school had something to sell at their particular stand. This was used as a fundraiser for each school. Ambergris Caye Elementary was selling chicken and rice and beans for $5 or $3 Belize dollars. Other stands were selling baked goods, drinks, cheese dip and chips, and much more.

The stands and seats in front of the stage were full of eager parents and friends waiting to see the performances, and they were not let down. There were quite a few performances, and they were all done very well. My favorite had to be the three drummers (shown above). The one drum was made out of three different size turtle shells, while the other two boys played each played a drum with their hands. This type of music can commonly be heard playing on the beach as well. There was also a group of young children who performed a skit about the meaning of the Belizean flag. The students were each dressed up as something different that represents an important component of Belize. This included a tapir, toucan, Mahogany tree, two woodcutters, and many more. A few girls even sang popular songs by Hannah Montana.

While working the stand for Ambergris Caye Elementary, it not only gave me an opportunity to see the students perform an array of arts, but I got to interact with the locals as well. It was fun to speak with and be part of a local tradition, and to see how Belizeans support their children outside of the schools setting. Nobody preformed from Ambergris Caye, for teachers did not have enough time to prepare with the end of term 2 tests. This defiantly makes me appreciate the extra attention and support that we do get in the state schools for the extracurricular activities inside the school. So many children have a gift, but without the extra money or even teachers to help support it I feel it is being lost in the schools.

Snorkeling in the beautiful blue water

When we finally got some free time, we decided to go snorkeling in the beautiful crystal clear blue water here. I went down with Katy, Elizabeth, Aubrey, and Dr. Catapono. I have never been snorkeling, so I really did not know what to expect. But, it was absolutely amazing.

We went to the end of the dock at Romon's (another resort on the island close to Pedro's Inn), and we jumped in. Once in the water, I could see everything under the water from the bottom of the ocean floor to a distance further out into the water. There was a school of fish underneath the dock moving along with each other. A man-made reef was constructed just a short swim from the dock, which consisted of rocks and wood. In this man-made reef, there were even more different small colorful fish. I would love to learn more about the many different fish I have seen, and I hope to while I am down here.

A group of us also rented bikes and took a bike ride north up the island to gain a different perspective of the island. We are staying almost right in the heart of San Pedro, while the farther north you go the more expensive resorts there are. We rode for about three to four miles through the main strip of the town, over the bridge connecting the island, then on the beach until we stopped at another resort, Akbol. Akbol is where the group students from last years trip stayed for a period of their trip. It is a very quiet yoga resort, but it was beautiful up there.

The only access to most of the northern part of the island is by bike or a boat. There is a little bridge that goes over the inlet, which only walkers, bikers, and golf carts may cross. But a little ways past the bridge, golf carts do not have anymore access, for you must walk or ride a bike on the narrow pieces of beach to where you are going.

While at Akbol, we got to go snorkeling again. I found my first conch (picture above). I am pretty sure it was a baby conch, so I threw it back into the ocean. That is one thing I hope to bring home as a souvenir before I leave. Conchs are in season right now, so it may be a little more difficult to find. But I will defiantly be on the look-out for one.

Also while snorkeling, Aubrey spotted a small lionfish right underneath the dock on a rock. I have learned from a local Belizean that the lionfish is one of the most dangerous fish on the ocean floor. The lionfish's spines are venomous, but usually will not harm anyone unless it feels threatened. The lionfish's sting is not usually deadly to humans, but it will cause extreme pain and discomfort. So after knowing all this information, I probably should not have been so excited to go see it, but I was. I carefully swam under the dock trying to get a closer look at this totally new creature in which I have ever seen in my life. I kept my distance because I did not want to spook or upset it. But in the end, it was worth going to see this creature in the wild. The picture was taken from google images because unfortunately we all forgot our underwater cameras.

Our next snorkeling experience took place on Sunday, March 28th. A small group of us got to go out on a boat with a local man named Louie. He lives and owns a local business, and has three children. His oldest son came along with the group to help us out while we were snorkeling. They took us to two different locations. The first was Mexico rocks, and another called the three coconuts.

At Mexico rocks, the water was over ten feet deep, while at three coconuts we were able to walk around and see the coral reef. At Mexico rocks, I got to see my first sting ray. I was floating and looking around, and then I saw the sand on the bottom of the ocean floor move. I took a closer look, and the shape of the sting ray. This one was pretty big, but I guess there was a smaller one swimming right underneath Aubrey's feet.

At both places we saw an array of different plant and animal species. We were warned to not to touch any of the coral reef because once touched it would die. I got nervous at three coconuts because the current was so strong and I was nervous to touch any of the reef. But after taking in all the scenery, we went diving for conchs. After finding about ten conchs, we headed back to Louie's house. Once there, he pulled out the conchs with a hammer and knife. The conch looked like big slugs with one hard claw. The claw is used to help the conch move along the bottom of the ocean. Once all the conchs were out of there shells and skinned, Louie's wife made the group conch ceviche. It is kind of like salsa with uncooked pieces of conch and lime in it. It was different, but very good.

Dr. Seuss's Mixed Up Pets

On Thursday, March 25th my teacher had to leave school early for an appointment. She said I was able to do an activity of my choice, so I spoke with her about a few things I have noticed in the classroom. One thing in particular that caught my attention was the students' lack of critical thinking skills. The one child was too scared to answer questions that were opened ended, for she was afraid of getting the wrong answer.

I asked the teacher about this notion of critical thinking, and she agreed that it is not a main component of the schools. Students are instructed the information, and then they are to recall the material for grades. In Belize teaching is done through more of a teacher-directed approach. Students are not often advised to think "outside the box" on their own. Taking this into consideration, I asked if I could do an activity which would allow the students to be creative and think critically.

I started the activity off by talking about what it means to be an artist and what imagination is. The students were able to make the connection about using their imagination in the world around them. Then I read the book "One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish," by Dr. Seuss to the class. The book talks about a variety of different pets that people have in their homes. An example is a Zen to help open the cans. While reading the book, as a group we talked about the differences in all the animals, and how no one pet was alike. After we finished reading the book, we made our own pet, and wrote about that particular animal.

Some students were hesitant with the activity and needed more scaffolding than others. For being use to being given the information that they will need to know, I think the activity went very well. The students used their imagination to put two different animals together to make a new animal, and they seemed to enjoy it as well.

Arts in the school

Extracurricular activities are hard to find in the schools. The arts, music, and physical education must be incorporated into the daily schedule by the teacher. There are no additional teachers for these positions, as it is in the states. My teacher graduated with a art education degree; consequently she does try to add more art activities into the curriculum, but she finds it particularly hard with little materials and funds. Most of the materials she uses for art either she buys and brings in herself, or ask for the parents to bring in materials. There is just no room in the budget to buy additional materials for the students.

On this particular day, we were making Easter eggs out of bristle board (what we call poster board). Being mostly of Catholic decent on the island, the schools do celebrate Christmas, Easter, and a few other holidays in the school. This was the students first time using watercolors. It was fun to watch the kids learn and interact with the watercolors. They seemed to have a great time, and enjoyed being able to be creative. On Friday, the students make a Easter basket for the egg hunt that will be happening on Tuesday, March 30th. The teacher and I helped cut out the baskets and put them together, and then the students used tissue paper and glue to decorate the baskets.