CHINESE-BELIZEAN BOY ATTACKS OLD-FASHIONED AMERICAN-STYLE CORNY DAWG!!! BELIZE HAS TENS OF THOUSANDS OF CHINESE, BUT THEN, BELIZE IS INCREDIBLY DIVERSE.
4 percent of population in Belize is–no kidding–Mennonites. I’ve already had an invitation to one of the smaller Mennonite communities, one with 40 families where these two young men live, and look forward to visiting someday soon.
So I made it over to the big weekly market in San Ignacio Saturday, where one finds row after row of very affordable and healthy beans, veggies and fruits at stalls and under massive canopies. Was a little surprised at all the other vendors, hawking everything from bicycles and couches and stick-free skillets (bought one) to dazzling, hand-carved crafts.
In the photo above: I was surprised in my pre-move research on Belize to learn there is such a large population of traditional Mennonites in western Belize. Mennonites are of the same spiritual lineage as the Amish (Anabaptist) and are committed to pacifism and simple living whereby they plow with mules and get around (most of them) in buggies, although they aren’t above catching the cheap cabs and even cheaper public buses that I use my own self. It takes 75 cents by bus for me to get to the bustling twin towns of San Ignacio/Santa Elena, which fits my budget fine and besides–some of the bus drivers play American rock classics at about 95 decibels for those sitting up front.
Guess where I sit?
Heading back home to Succotz Village the other night, the driver had “Hotel California” blaring from the boom box he has mounted at the front and he and I and the porter started singing along to Don Henley’s haunting classic song, the one where you can check out any time you like (but you can never leave). I asked the driver if he had any Texas music and at the next stop he pulled out a Freddy Fender CD and played us some “Wasted Days and Wasted Nights” and some Texas Tornadoes, “Hey Baby, Que Paso?”–another great singalong for a bus ride.
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Belize also has a huge number of Chinese who have been here for a long time and own most of the grocery stores and a number of other shops and businesses. I’ve been in some quite diverse countries but Belize truly has to have the most amazing mix of bloodlines I’ve ever seen. Latin, Caribbean, Creole, Mayan, European Mennonites, African and mixes of interesting varieties–they all are here. The small population of over 300,000 includes 4,000 American expats who have permanent residency status, which is easy to attain if you live here 12 months with no more than 14 days travel outside the country in that year, and 4,000 Canadian snowbirds who came to escape the winters. Plus a lot of Brits since Belize was British Honduras until it voted for independence in the eighties. Members of the Royal Family are in some part or other of Belize once in a while–Prince Charles visited here in western Belize earlier this year, in fact, for a commemoration at one of the Mayan sites.
More pix for you . . . .
SATURDAY MARKET IN SAN IGNACIO, WHERE THE GROWERS BRING IN TONS OF TROPICAL FRUIT, LARGE ORGANIC VEGGIES AND BAGS OF RED BEANS, BLACK BEANS, BLUE BEANS, AND IF YOU LIKE BEANS YOU WOULD LOVE WESTERN BELIZE. GOOD STUFF, AND CHEAP.
Belize has that bang de drums Caribbean vibe and more so in the Village of Santa Elena.
AND THEN THERE’S COOKWARE, CLOTHES, ARTS AND CRAFTS–EVEN SOME GOOD NEW FURNITURE STREWN ABOUT THE MARKET GROUNDS FOR SALE.
AND THEN THERE’S THE “PARIS BAKERY” IN SAN IG. NOT EUROPEAN GOOD BUT NOT A BAD BAKERY AT THAT. AND THEY HAVE LOAVES WITH GIANT SLICES OF WHOLE GRAIN BREAD FOR MY HEALTH, AMONG OTHER GOOD STUFF.
ABOUT AS BIG AS BUILDINGS GET IN BELIZE.
I KNOW; I COULD USE SOME SIESTA TIME MY OWN SELF
FLAGS OVER EVA’S FINE WATERING HOLE AND EATERY IN SAN IG WHERE YOU CAN SIT AT THE RAILING AND WATCH THE TOURISTS COVERED IN OIL STROLL BY. MY FAVORITE HANGOUT WHEN IN TOWN AND A GREAT PLACE TO MEET TRAVELERS FROM ALL OVER THE GLOBE–MET A YOUNG MAN FROM BOSTON WHO IS BACKPACKING ON VACATION FROM HIS MARKETING JOB. TURNED OUT HE HAS GRANDPARENTS IN OKLAHOMA AND RELATIVES IN DALLAS.
Jitterbugging for Jesus 
Great post with beautiful photos. You have giving us a sense of life in this country. On my trip to Amish country this week our guide was a mennonite. Thanks for sharing this wonderful post.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
Yep, they’re sweet folks the Anabaptists.
Very nice, Paul. I was not aware of all the different cultures living in Belize. Love the pics pero donde es su casa? The only similar experience I’ve had was the International School of Bangkok where 40 some-odd different countries were represented from around the world. The people of Bangkok itself were from all over SE Asia & China but the school was truly INTERNATIONAL! Oh, did I forget donde es su casa?
I forgot! The barber shop would not be for me, would it? Keep those pics coming bud. It’s like a photographic travelogue. Pablo, donde es su casa?
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Had to post this on the Cayo Scoop!
Amazing post… love feeling like I’m experiencing Belize with you!