howler 6.1 web
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O C T O B E R 2 0 1 2 Y E A R 6 , I S S U E 1
I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E
Welcoming Yoli! 2
Colemans Caf 3
Calendar of events 4
The Farm Inn 5
PG Town map 6
Southern Voices: Wil Maheia
7
Warasa Drum School and Battle of the Drums
9
Transportation schedules, including new village bus schedule
10
Backyard birding with H. Lee Jones
12
Whats cooking: lionfish ceviche
13
Living Maya Experience
14
Big Falls Extreme Adventures
15
BTIA member directory
16
Port Honduras Marine Reserve
17
Arzu on medicinal plants: piss-a-bed
18
Toledo District map 20
Newspaper of the Toledo Chapter of the Belize Tourism Industry Association
Boost to Cultural Tourism TheintentionbehindBelizesSustainableTourismProgramistostrengthenthetourismsector'scontributiontothenationaleconomywhiletryingtoensurethatthegrowthissustainableinthatitenhancesconservationofnaturalresourcesandofcultures.TherearefourinfrastructureprojectsinSanIgnacio,Placencia,BelizeCityandAmbergrisCayeaimedatenhancingthetouristsexperiencebyimprovingtheFortGeorgeareaaroundthetourismvillageinBelizeCity,buildingapierinPlacencia,alongboardwalkonthelagoonsideinAmbergrisandpavingandimprovingthecentreofSanIgnacio.
Anotherstrandintheprogramistodiversifyculturaltourismproductsinemergingdestinations.TheSTPalsohasresourcesforthedevelopmentofculturaltourismbusinessesthatshowcasetheCreole,GarifunaandMayancultures.AftertrainingworkshopsfacilitatedbyCanadianconsultantswithexperienceindevelopingculturaltourismamongthefirstnationpeoplesofCanadaapplicationsfordevelopmentgrantswereinvited.
SuccessfulapplicationsfromToledoincludestwodrummers:RayMcDonaldsWarasaGarifunaDrumSchool(seethearticleonpage9)andEmmethYoung,aCreoledrummerwithabusinessonFrontStreet.TheWEartgalleryinPuntaGordarunbyDrLudwigPalacioandsituatedneartheairstripwasanothersuccessfulapplicantforadevelopmentgrant.
Outsidetown,grantswereawardedtotheMayanHomeStayPrograminAguacatevillage,theToledoEcotourismAssociationguesthouseinSanMiguelandCyrilaschocolateinSanFelipe.ThelastawardwenttotheLivingMayaExperienceinBigFalls,agroupofthreefamiliesofferingdistinctiveculturalhomevisitsbutmarketingthemselvesjointly.
DancersinPuntaGordascarnivalparadecelebratingBelizesindependence
Toledo wins Whitley Award again! LastyearwewereproudtofeatureRachelGrahamsWhitleyawardandthisyearweareequallypleasedtotellHowlerreadersaboutthesameawardwonthisyearbytheHon.LiselAlamilla,theMinisterofForestry,FisheriesandSustainableDevelopmentforherworktoprotecttheMayaGoldenLandscapeinherpreviouspositionasExecutiveDirectoroftheYaaxchConservationTrust.
ForBelizetowinoncewasacredittothecountry,towintwicewasquitere
markableandforbothawardstocomeforworkdoneinToledo,inlandandoffshore,isamarkofthequalityofscientificresearchandconservationeffortsinBelizessouthernmostdistrict.
ThehonourrecognizestheMinistersworktouniteandequipthepeoplewholiveintheGoldenStreamCorridorPreservetomatchdevelopmentpressures,includingpopulationgrowth,agriculturalchangeandincreaseddemandfornatu
ralresources,withprotectionfortheareasworldclassscenery,wildlifeandtraditions.
WhitleyAwardCeremony
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Colemans Caf in Big Falls Theysayofrestaurantsthatitisalwaysagoodsignwhentheyarepopularwiththelocals,andColemansisbothpopularwithlocalsandvisitorsfromoverseas.ItisafavouritestopforBelizeancommercialtravellerswhomakeregulartripstosupplythesouthwithmeat,
dairyproductsandgroceriesandmuchelsebe
sides.AndmanyoftheseBelizeansmakeapoint
ofstoppingatColemans,seducedbythegener
ouslunchtimehotbuffetwitharangeoftheirspe
cialdishes.
PearleenandTomColemanstartedcookingwhen
anEnglishman,withacrewofworkerswhowere
buildingthebridgeovertheRioGrandeatBig
Falls,askedPearleentocookforthegangwhile
theywereinthevillage.Prettysoonarchaeologists
diggingatNimLiPunitandLubaantunaskedTom
andPearleentohelpthemout.Sothentheybe
gancookingforthemandtheirstudenthelpers
whowerealsointhevillageforafewmonths.And,inthisway,oneofthebestlocalrestaurants
insouthernBelizewasbornin2001.
AtthattimeTomwasstillworkinginthedusty
environmentthatistheRiceMilljustahundred
yardsfurtherinfromthesouthernhighwayinBig
Fallsvillage.Hewelcomedtheopportunityto
makeacompleteswitchofcareers.Theywere
soonfoundbysometouroperatorsvisitingToledo
fromPlacencia.ThefirstwasBasilioMesofExotic
BelizeTours.Nowtouroperatorsarriveduringthe
seasonfromDangriga,HopkinsandPlacenciaon
theirwaytoBlueCreekcavefif
teenmilessouthorLubaantun
justsevenmileswestthroughthe
villagesofSilverCreekandSan
Miguel.
TherestaurantisrunbyTomand
Pearleen,TomJr.andhispartner
AdelitawhohasbeenlearningtocookunderPearleenssupervi
sion.Atlunchtimeyoucanfind
riceandbeansorwhitericeand
stewedbeansalongwithbaked
chickenandstewedbeefand
pork.Pearleendoesnotneglect
thevegetablesandotherdishes
includecohunecabbageand
calalooandPearleenshome
madechutney.Whenavailable
youcanalsofindgamemeatsuch
asgibnutandvenisonandallthis
comesforjust$15includinga
juiceorsoftdrink.
Overtheyearstheyhaveaddedmorecapacityandcannowseat
fiftyinanopenareasurrounded
bythegardenwhichisariotof
colourduringmuchoftheyear.
Theyalsodooutsidecateringfororganiza
tionssuchasNGOs,theRiceMillitself,andthe
localhospitaljustcallthemforaquotation!
Theiropeninghoursarefrom10amuntil4pmand
thenfrom69pm.Theywouldpreferreservations
fortheeveningsessionandcanbecontactedat
thenumbersbelow.
Theyrecognizetheircloseconnectiontothetour
ismindustryandhavecementedthatrelationship
bybecomingoneofBTIAsnewestmembersin
Toledo.AsPearleensays,Everyyearitseemstobegettingbetterandbetter,withmorevisitorsarriving.
HowtofindColemans:
HeadnorthfromPGTownontheSouthernHigh
waytowardsthevillageofBigFalls.Crossthe
bridgeovertheRioGranderiver,andyoullsee
thesignforColemansCafonthelefthandside
ofthehighway.
Contact:
Tel:6304432or6304069
https://www.facebook.com/colemanscafe
Email:[email protected]
Familystylelunchbuffet
Tom&PearleenColeman
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Date Event Venue/Time OtherInfo
1214OctTIDEFISHFESTIVAL,includingSeafoodGala,YouthConservationCompetition,andFishingcompetition(Festivalheldannually,PanAmericanDayweekend)
TIDECompound,PGTown www.facebook.com/tide.toledoforfulldetails
13Oct MayaConcert CentralPark,PG,08:0012:00
2627Oct
SUSTAINABLEHARVESTINTERNATIONALORGANICFAIRincludingtourtoorganicfarminSanPedroColumbia,andcookeryclassesatGomiersVegetarianRestaurant
PuntaGordaTown,andSanPedroColumbia
[email protected],orcall7222010formoredetails
10Nov MissYurumeinContest ParishHall,19:00
16Nov BattleoftheDrumsFoodandFete Tobeannounced
17Nov BattleoftheDrums2012 SportsComplex,19:30
17Nov TOLTEX,showcasingsustainabletourism CentralPark,PG,09:00 [email protected]
18Nov ParandaTop10 BeyaSuites14:00
19Nov Yurumein:ReenactmentCeremonyoftheGarifuna FishermansCoopWharf,06:30
15Dec RotaryClubraffledraw,withmusicandBBQ CentralPark,PG LisaAvila,[email protected]
1921Dec DeerDance CriqueJuteVillage Contributionsrequested
20Dec BTIADinner&ShowGala BringinginthenewBaktun
5Jan ChristmasBirdCount ToledoDistrict Seepage12formoredetails
29Mar1Apr13 EASTERACTIVITIESthroughouttheDistrictmarkyourcalendarsnow,andcheckthenexteditionofTheHowlerfordetails!
2426May TOLEDOSANNUALCACAOFEST,foracelebrationofcacao,cultureandtherichflavoursoftheToledoDistrict!CheckthenexteditionofTheHowlerfordetails!
Oct2013 TIDEAnnualFishFestivalmarkyourcalendarsnow(PanAmericanDayholidayweekend)
Spreadthewordandpublicizeyourevent!EmaildetailstotheToledoHowlerTeamforinclusioninourcalendarofevents([email protected])
1Nov Drumming CentralPark19:0022:00
7Nov DrummingandvideoshowingthejourneyoftheGarinagu CentralPark19:0022:00
9Nov Cookoutdisplay,hudutmakingCassavabaking,sahaumakingWanaraguaContest CentralPark09:0014:00
Calendar of Events
Call 722-2531 for details or
email [email protected]
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Welcome to Bienvenido a... TOLEDO! Allowmetointroducemyself!MynameisDilmaYolandaCano,butjustcallmeYoli.IamtheTourismMarketingOfficerfortheBTIAchapterinToledo.
AtfirstglanceyouwouldthinkrightawaythatIamagringa.But,IamjustawonderfulblendofMopan,Kekchi,YucatecandSpanish.Iam100%BelizeanMestizo,100%bushy,andIlovevillagelife.Aftermanyyearsoflivinginacoupleofcities,IpreferthecountryorthebushasweBelizeansliketocallit.
Igrewupwithawesomegrandparentswhotaughtmetorespectyourneighbourandmostimportantly,nature.Iamastrongadvocatefor
myfavouritetreesmangroves.ButwhenIdieIwouldliketobeburiedundermymuchlovedceibatree.
IhavehadtheprivilegeofworkingwithmyparentsinthetourismindustrysinceIwasnineyearsold.Ihaveseentheupanddownsofthisfragileindustry.Belizeisfortunatetohavemanynichesinthetourismmarkettosell.Thereissomethingforeverybody,fromsun,sandandseadestinationstojungle,cultureandadventuresexperiences.And,youcanexperiencebothatthesametime.Bottomline,BelizeisblessedinmanywaysbutitwillonlylastaslongasallBelizeansworktogether(thatincludesyoutoo,Government),topreservingwhatisours,keepingitclosetoourheartsandfightingwithallourpassionandfurytokeepitsafe.
Tourismisabeautifulindustrytoworkin.Itisneverboringorpredictable.Expecttheunexpected.DuringmystudyingTourismManagement,inAustria,IrealizedthatIwillneverinmywholelifefinishunderstandingorlearningallthatthereistothetourismindustry.Everysingledayyougohomewithonemoregrainofwisdomandknowledge.
AndIamheretosharethatknowledgewithyou,tohelpmakeyourvisittoToledoandunforgettableexperience.PleasevisittheTourismInformationCentreinPuntaGordaTown,ortelephoneor
emailmewithanyquestionsyouhaveaboutToledo.
Toyoudeartraveler,Isaythankyouforvisitingmybeautifulcountry.Mayyoutakehomemanywonderfulmemoriesandspreadtheword.ToyoumybelovedfellowBelizeans,itsapleasuretocontinueworkingwithyouinthisbeautifulindustry.
ToledoTourismInformationCentreFrontStreet,PuntaGordaTown
MontoFri8amto4pm,Sat8amto11.30am
Tel:7222531Email:[email protected]
Just call me Yoli
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The Farm Inn, at San Antonio IfyouhadinvestedinpropertybetweenSanAntonioandtheborderatJalactefiveyearsagopeoplemighthaveraisedaneyebrowattheideaofestablishingabusinessinsuchanoutofthewayremotespot.Nowin2012asthepavingoftheroadbetweenBigFallsandJalacteproceedsapacethatinvestmentmakesfarmoresenseandevenlooksfarsighted.
ThatiswhatKevinandReneeBrowndidwhentheybeganthedevelopmentthatisnowTheFarmInntwomileswestofSanAntonio.Drivingwestitislocatedamileafterthewaterfallontherighthandside.
Onedayinthenottoodistantfuturetheroadwillbecomplete,anewsouthernborderwillbeopened,andthentheFarmInnwillbethefirstaccommodationthatvisitorspassastheydriveintoToledofromGuatemala.
TheFarmInnissituatedonfiftytwoacresoflandincludingseverallimestonehillsandyearroundcreeksthatmeanderacrossthelandoversmallrockyfallsandprovideconstantbackgroundmusicforguestsintheiraccommodation.
KevinandReneearekeentomaintainthepropertyasahavenforallwildlifeandsoforeverytreethathashadtobesacrificedforbuildingtheyhaveplantedatleasttenmore.TheInnisnowmanagedbyReneesbrotherinlawPieterSteunenbergwhomovedtoBelizefromSouthAfricaafewyearsago.
Thefarmitselfisaveryimportantpartofthebusinessandtheyhaveplantedcoffeetrees,pineapple,vanilla,teak,allspiceand,ofcourse,cacao.Theyhavethreethousandcacaotrees,someofwhichhaveproducedtheirfirstcropthisyear.AsmembersoftheToledoCacaoGrowersAssociationtheircropwillfinallyendupinGreenandBlacksMayaGoldorganicdarkchocolate.
Theyalsokeepguineahens,turkeys,chickensandducks,andchildrenstayingatthefarmcanhelpcollectingeggsinthemorningandputtingthebirdsawayintheircoopsatnight.Ofcourse,theylovethisandformanyyoungvisitorsitmaybetheirfirsttimesoclosetoanimalsandnature.
TheFarmInnopenedthisyearandalltheirguestaccommodationiscontainedwithinasingletwostoreyhousebuiltonasteepbankoverlookingthecreek.Thereisamixofaccommodationwithallbutoneroomhavingtheirownensuitebathroomfacilitiesandonebeingsetupforafamilyoffourwithaqueenandtwobunks.Thereisacommunalsittingareaontheupperfloorwithanoutsideverandaharealookingdowntothestreamandacrossintothetreetops.Thismakesitawonderfulspotforalazybirdwatcherintheearlymorningandlateafternoonandevening.Thepresentcapacityisfourteenguestsbutanewfacilitywithanadditionaltwoensuiteroomsisnearingcompletion.
TheirSouthAfricanbackgroundhasledthemtointroduceAfricanstylecookingmethodsusinglargeironthreeleggedcookingpotstoproducedeliciousstews.Thesearecookedforhoursoveranopenfire.TheyalsohaveanAfricanstyleopenovenforroastsandotherbaking.
TherestaurantisopentothepublicforbreakfastandlunchfromWednesdaytoSunday.Theirmenuforthesemealsextendsfromsimpleburgersandfriestoextendedbuffetswithavarietyofmeats,withsaladsandothersidedishes.Andtheypridethemselvesontheirbakedgoodsincludingtheircheesecakethathasreceivedravereviewsfromaguestclaimingsomeexpertiseineatingcheesecakeifnotmakingit.
Theyarealsoabletohostweddingsandseminar
workshops.Likemostplacesitisaworkinprogress.TheHowlerwelcomesthisnewestadditiontoToledoaccommodation.
Contact:
Telephone7324781or6044918info@thefarminnbelize.comwww.thefarminnbelize.com
TheFarmInnshomebuiltovenandfireplaceandironcookingpots
Bug corner - orchid bees So,aswellasthewettestdistrict(readmostlush)thebugquestionoftenoccurswhentalkingaboutToledo.Therealityisthatwedohavesomemosquitoes(althoughfewerthansomeotherareasinBelize),butalsoawholehostofweirdandwonderfulcreatures.
Orchidbeesare,byandlarge,solitarybeeswhichcomeinarainbowrangeofcoloursandsizesandinmanycasestheyarethesolepollinatorforvariousorchids.Theytendnottocrosslargeropenareas,andfewspeciesoforchidbeeshavesurvivedtheagriculturisationofthetropicsandhabitatloss.WearefortunateinToledothatorchidbeesappeartobesurviving,ifnotthrivingalocalannualcensusrevealshighernumbers
yearonyear,aswellasapreviouslyunidentifiedspecies.
Themaleshavespeciallyadaptedpouchesintheirhindlegsinwhichtheygatherandstoreessentialoilsfromthevariousorchids(aswellassomeotherflowers),usingtheirbespokecolognetoattractfemales.
Vanilla(vanillaplanifolia)canoftenbefoundgrowingwildinToledo,andthebeautifulmetallicgreenEuglossaTridentata(picturedright)istheonlyknownnaturalpollinatorofthisorchid.
DontforgettocheckoutourarticleontheBelizeSpiceFarmandtheirvanillaproductioninthenexteditionofTheHowler.
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Sketch map of PG Town
TOURISM INFORMATION CENTRE
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Southern Voices: Wil Maheia
WilMaheiaispureToledobornandraisedinForestHomeandPuntaGordaTown,andleavingBelizeonlytocompletehisuniversityeducationintheUS.
WilisthefounderandformerexecutivedirectorofTIDE,ToledoslargestconservationNGO,andwasinstrumentalinhavingthePortHondurasMarineReservedeclaredaprotectedarea.WilnowspearheadsthePeoplesNationalPartyofBelize,andhostsapublicinterestprogrammeonPGTVNewsnetwork.
FamilyhistoryinToledo?
ImToledobornandbred,andproudofit!IwasbornandraisedinForestHome,andthenmovedtoPG.Mymumwasbornhere,althoughmyfathersfamilywassplitbetweenDoubleHeadCabbage,BelizeCity,andStGeorgesCaye.YoullfindtheMaheianameinBelizeCityandtheMullinsRiverarea,andyoullalsoseeaSpanishspelling,Majea,insomeSpanishandGarifunafamilies.
WhatarethemostsignificantchangesyouhaveseeninToledoinyourlifetime?
Ithinkitwouldhavetobeimprovedinfrastructure:electricity,watersupply,androadsandtransportation.Asachildweusedtotakeoldpainttinsandstandinlinetofillthemupatthestandpipe,andwedidnthaveelectricityinthevillage.EvenmovingtoPGthepowerusedtogetshutoffat9pm,whenthegeneratorwasturnedoff.ThebuildingoftheSouthernHighwaymadeabigdifferenceand,alongwithmanyotherkidsfromForestHome,IworkedonJamesBuslinewhichwasownedbymyUncleJamesJamesBuslineisawholeotherstoryinitself!
AreyouoptimisticaboutthedevelopmentoftourisminToledo?
Toledoisbeautiful,weresorichinsomanyways,andwehavesuchalottooffervisitorsthatitwouldbedifficulttoimaginetourismwouldntdevelop.But,weneedproperplanning,astrategicplan,todeterminewhatcouldandshouldhappen,andwhen.Weneedimprovedborderfacilities,notnecessarily24/7,butcertainlyweneedtomakeiteasierforboatownerstovisitBelizefromGuatemala,streamliningtheentryprocessandmakingitaffordableforthem.TherearealotofboatsintheRioDulce,andImprettysurethattheypresentatourismopportunity,especiallyif
facilitiesatJoeTaylorCreekcouldbemadebigger.
WhatcouldGovernmentdotopromotetourismtoToledo?
Well,Toledosstillthoughtofasoneofthemoredifficultdestinationstoreach.Lowerairfareswouldcertainlyhelp,buthelpingestablisharegularwatertaxibetweenPGandPlacenciaandmaybepointsinbetweenandevenextendingittoBelizeCitycouldbeagreatwayforvisitorstotravelsouth.
CostsinToledoarehighcomparedwiththerestofthecountry,andhavecountrywideratesforfixedpricegoodscouldgiveusamorelevelplayingfield.Whatsthepointofhaving,forexample,fixedgaspricesifToledohastopayahigherfixedpricethantherestofthecountry?
HowcanweimprovetourisminToledo?
Well,first,togetherisalwaysstronger,andweneedtoworkasateamthepublicandprivatesectors,thetourguides,accommodation,restaurants,andallthegroupsthatmakeupthetourismproduct.
Somemorecoordinationforbusroutescouldhelpmakeiteasierfortouriststovisitinlanddestinations,andIdliketoseepeoplebeingmorecreative,andlookinglongerterm.Ourtripscanbeexpensive,soweneedtooffermoreaffordableactivitiestoattracttourists,andtobeconstantlythinkingaboutnewpossibilities.ItookatripuptoBoomCreekvillagerecently,andkayakingontheMoho(River)intotheAmadolagoonwasfantastic.
Reeforrainforest?
ThatsanunfairquestionhowcanIchoosebetweenthejungleandalltheamazingwildlife,andtheoffshorecayes.
NameonecantmissplaceoractivityinToledo
19thNovember!Ilovethesoundofthedrums,andgrowingupIrememberhearingdrummingallovertown.Drummingseemedtobedyingout,butBattleoftheDrumsandWarasa,tonameacouple,aredoingalottohelprenewinterest,withkidslearningtheskill.November19thinPGisveryspecial,andIloveseeingpeoplecomingtogethertohavefunandcelebratetheGarifunaculture.
Mostmemorableencounterwithawildanimal?
HikingintheGoldenStreamCorridoritwasareallyhotdayandwestoppedforaquickrest.Lookatthat,andIturnedroundtoseeajaguaronly50feetyonder.
Whatsyourfavouritetimeofyear?
Eastertimetheweatherisniceanddry,anditsthetimewhenBelizeanscometogethertocelebratefriendsandfamily.(But,IalsolovethethunderstormsinToledo).Everymonthhassomethinggoodtoofferus.
WhatsyourfavouriteBelizeandish?
Asachild,definitelyhicateeandwhiterice.Weallknowhowscarcethehicateeisthesedays,soInowhavetosaycohunecabbage.Mymumwouldmakecohunecabbageforusall,andshetaughtmywifehowtomakeit.
Redbeansorblack?
Blackbeans,cookedasriceandbeans.ButIdolikewhitericeandstewbeansalso!
Anyfutureplansyoudliketosharewithus?
ImgoingtocontinuetolobbyforsustainabledevelopmentinToledo,includingtourism.IdalsoliketoseemoreagriculturalmicroenterprisescacaoisareallygoodopportunityforToledo,spices,andcoffeeanyonewhostastedToledocoffeeknowsyoudontnecessarilyneedhighlandtoproducegoodcoffee,justgoodprocessingandroasting.
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Warasa Drum School - paint, plywood, and vision! DrummingisjustoneofthetangibleelementsoftheGarifunaculture,andWarasaDrumschoolisaptlynamedwarasameaningourcultureintheGarifunalanguage.
WarasaDrumSchoolwasfoundedin2010byRonaldRaymondMcDonald,andhiswife,Ruth.RuthoriginallyhailsfromScotland,andshereminiscesthatafewweeksaftertheyfirstmetRaysharedhisdreamwithherofopeningaGarifunadrummingcentrenotonlytoteachdrumming,butalsohowtomakedrums,andtosharetheGarifunaculturewithothers.WithbothofthemworkingandsavinghardtobuildtheirhouseattheGarifunareservetheystruggledtoseehowthisvisioncouldbecomearealitybut,decidingtheyhadtostartsomewhere,spentaweekenddesigningasign,puttingpainttoplywood,anderectingthefinishedproductoutsidetheirrentedhouse.
Thesigndiditsjob,piquinginterest,andRaybeganteachingfourlocalchildren.HewasalsoengagedbyaPGguesthousetoprovideweeklydrumminglessonsfortheirguests,andinterestquicklyspreadtoincludeperformancesandlessonsatanumberoflodgesthroughouttheDistrict.
Rayisanengagingcharacterandaverypatientandskilledteacher.BeingfiercelyproudoftheGarifunaculture,lessonsarefilledwithanecdoteswhichprovideextrainsightintotheGarifunacultureaculturewhichwaslittleknownoutsideoftheregionuntilrecently,butonewhichisnowrecognizedbyUNESCOasamasterpieceoftheoralandintangibleheritageofhumanity.
RayclaimsthathecanteacheventhemostnonmusicaltomasteratleastoneofthesixtraditionalGarifunarhythms,andIwascuriousastowhetherheliveduptohisreputation.IwonderedhowIwouldfareatmyfirstlesson(especiallybeingkackhandedwhichhadpreviouslyledtosomeinterestingexperimentswithstringedinstruments),butRaybrokedownthesimplestParandarhythmintoeasystagestheheavybeatfromtheleadhand,inter
spersedwithahalfbeat.Withinafewminuteswewererockingmyprovidingtheleadbeatonthelargersegundadrum,withRaydazzlinguswithcomplexrhythmsonhissmallerprimerodrum,handsmovingseeminglyatthespeedoflight,beforebreakingintosonginhisrich,mellowvoice.
Althoughmytechniquecouldhavedonewithquitesomeimprovement,wethenmovedontotheGunjeirhythm.Ohmy,notonlywasalotmorebeatinginvolved,butsuddenlyyourhandsneedtomovepositiononthedrum.Itlookedamazinglycomplexbut,again,Raybrokeitdownintosmallpartsandafewminuteslatertheonetwoandthreeandfourand(coupledwithabackandforthfromthecentretotheedgeofthedrum)wasstartingtobecomemorefluid.
Thedrumsthemselvesarealabouroflove,hollowedoutfromcedar,mahoganyoryemerilogs,
toppedwithdeerskinheldinplacebyvines,andawireorstringsnaretointensifythesound.(Notetoladies:youshoulddresssuitablysoastopreserveyourmodestyalargedrumandshortskirtcanmakeforsomeprettyrevealingphotographs,soshortorlongpantsareagoodidea).
EachGarifunarhythmisusuallyaccompaniedbyadifferentstyleofsinginganddancing,withthe
PuntaprobablybeingthemostpopularstyleinBelize,andasclosetoanationaldanceasyoucanget.VisitorsareoftenmystifiedhowBelizeansareseeminglyabletomovetheirbuttsindependentlyoftheirbody,andtheresawidespreadmyththatBelizeanshavedevelopedspecialmuscles.Raydisputesthat,andalsoteachesGarifunaDancethesecret,hesays,isallinshiftingyourknees!Ruthagrees,andshehasnowmasteredboththePuntaandParandadance,butIdecidedtoleavethoselessonsforanotherday.
Warasahasgrownfromstrengthtostrength,andtheyarehelpingtoraiseawarenessofToledoandourrichculturalheritage.ThiseditionoftheHowlercoincideswiththeirmovefromWestStreettotheirnewhomeattheGarifunaReserveonNewRoad,arounda10minutewalkfromtheairstripinPGTown.
TolearnmoreaboutWarasa,visittheirwebsiteatwww.warasadrumschool.com,andtheirFacebookpagewww.facebook.com/WarasaDrumSchool
OverthepastsevenyearsTheBattleoftheDrumshasbecomeanintegralpartoftheGarifunacelebrationsthatculminatewithYurumein,thereenactmentofthearrivaloftheGarifunaontheshoresofBelizeon19November.
OntheeveningofFriday16NovembertheBattleoftheDrumsFood&Fetebringspeopletogetherfromallwalksoflifetosocialize,networkandenjoyaneveningofgoodfoodandgreatGarifunamusic.ItwillshowcaseGarifunaCuisinefusedwithcontemporarycookingstyles,dishesandmenuspreparedbychefsfromtheRadissonFortGeorgeinBelizeCity,LaruBeyainPlacenciaandBelcampoLodgeofPuntaGorda.Itwillalsofea
turelocalandnationalGarifunamusicalperformersperforminggreatparandaandotherGarifunamusic.PerformerswillincludePaulNabor,MarioandtheUmalaliGroup,GodfreyShoandtheCultureDynamicsandLascelleMartinezandthePGVibes.
TheBattleoftheDrumsCompetitiononSaturday17NovemberisadrummingcompetitionandshowthatallowsgroupstocompeteanddisplaytheirmusicalartistryinplayingfivedifferentcategoriesofGarifunadrumming.ThefirstBattleoftheDrumswasheldinPuntaGordaTownonNovember17,2006andwaswellreceivedbyspectatorsfromhomeandabroad.In2007,therewas
evenabiggeraudienceandgreaterenthusiasm.In2008theeventevolvedintoaninternationaldrummingcompetitionandshowinvolvingdrumminggroupsfromvariouspartsofBelizeaswellasfromneighbouringGuatemalaandHonduras.
TheYurumeinCeremonytakesplaceat06:30.atthePuntaGordaCooperativewharfareaandpresentsadramatizationthatdepictsthefirstarrivaloftheGarinagutotheshoresofBelize.AfterthereenactmentceremonythereisaparadethroughtheprincipalstreetsofPuntaGordaTownfollowedbyachurchservice.
Battle of the Drums
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Service DepartPG Destination Callingat... Days ReturntoPG
Pop 10:30 GoldenStream Dump,BigFalls,IndianCreek Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat 06:45
Chub 11:30 CriqueSarco SanFelipe,SantaAna,Midway,Conejo,SundayWood Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat 05:15
Kan 11:30 Aguacate Dump,Mafredi,BlueCreek MontoSat 05:20
Chen 11:30 SanVicenteDump,Mafredi,SanAntonio,SantaCruz(forRioBlanco),SantaElena,PuebloViejo,Jalacte
Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat 02:00
Chunny 11:30 JalacteDump,Mafredi,SanAntonio,SantaCruz(forRioBlanco),SantaElena,PuebloViejo,Jalacte
MontoSat 03:00
Chunny 11:30 SanAntonio Dump,Mafredi MontoSat 06:00
Sho 11:30 SanJose YemeriGrove,Dump,Mafredi,CriqueJute,NahLumCa Wed/Sat 04:00
Cucul 11:30 SilverCreek Dump,SanPedroColumbia(forLubaantun),SanMiguel MontoSat 06:00
Pop 11:30 MedinaBank Dump,BigFalls,Hicatee,IndianCreek(forNimLiPunit) MontoSat 05:30
Bobby 11:00 SantaAna SanFelipe(forCyrilasChocolate) Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat 07:15
Cal 11:00 SilverCreek Dump,SanPedroColumbia(forLubaantun),SanMiguel MontoSat 07:00
JnL 12:00 Barranco SanFelipe(forCyrilasChocolate),SantaAna,Midway Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat 06:00
Ack 12:00 DoloresDump,Mafredi,Jordon,SantaTeresa,Mabilha,SanLucas,
CorazonCreek,OtoxhaMon/Wed/Fri/Sat 03:00
Teck 12:00 SanBenitoPoite Dump,Mafredi,BlueCreek(forHokebHa),SantaTeresa Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat 04:30
Coc 12:00 SanAntonio Dump,Mafredi MontoSat 06:30
Coc 12:00 SanAntonio Dump,Mafredi MontoSat 13:30
Choc 12:00 SanJose Dump,Mafredi,CriqueJute,NahLumCah Mon/Fri 05:00
Shol 12:00 Laguna Elridgeville Wed/Fri/Sat
Pop 13:00 GoldenStream Dump,BigFalls,Hicatee,IndianCreek(forNimLiPunit) MontoSat 07:30
Cal 04:30 SilverCreek Dump,SanPedroColumbia,SanMiguel MontoSat 13:00
Bol 16:00 JalacteDump,Mafredi,SanAntonio,SantaCruz(forRioBlanco),SantaElena,PuebloViejo,Jalacte
Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat 15:00
Cucul 16:00 SilverCreek Dump,SanPedroColumbia,SanMiguel MontoSat 12:30
Chen 05:30 SanVicenteDump,Mafredi,SanAntonio,SantaCruz,SantaElena,
PuebloViejo,JalacteMon/Wed/Fri/Sat 14:00
Pop 17:00 IndianCreek Dump,BigFalls,Hicatee MontoSat 12:00
Bol 06:00 JalacteDump,Mafredi,SanAntonio,SantaCruz,SantaElena,
PuebloViejoMontoSun 05:00
Cucul 21:00 SilverCreek SanPedroColumbia,SanMiguel MontoThurs 16:00
Pop 21:00 IndianCreek Dump,BigFalls,Hicatee MontoThurs 15:30
Garcia 11:00 BigFalls Dump,Jacintoville, Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat 08:00
T O L E D O V I L L A G E B U S S E S
Slow travel - how to get around by bus Oneofthedefiningelementsofslowtravelistheopportunitytobecomepartoflocallifeandtoconnecttoaplaceanditspeople.Slowtravelisaboutconnectiontoculture,andwhatbetterwaythantakingalocalvillagebus!
But,withsuchacomplexnetworkofvillagebussesitcansometimesbedifficultforvisitorstofigureouthowtheycangettovarioussites.Weveincludedourfulllistofthevillagebusses,soworkthroughitandyoullseethatyouareabletovisitmanyinlanddestinationsontheseretiredUSschoolbusses.
Forexample,ifyouwantedtovisitLubaantunthenyoucouldtakealatemorningbustoSilverCreek
fromPGTown(bussesleavefromJoseMariaNunezStreet,nearTatesGuestHouse),askthedrivertodropyouatthedrivewaytoLubaantun.TheSilverCreekbusthenreturnstoPGTownat4pm,passingtheLubaantundrivewayaround4.20pm.
NimLiPunit,GoldenStreamSpiceFarm,andGoldenStreamCorridorPreserve(forYaaxchesRangerforaDaypatrolhike)arealleasytoreachbybothvillagebus,orJamesBus.
TherearemanybusseswhichheadtowardstheGuatemalanborderwhichstopinSantaCruztoallowyoutovisitRioBlancoNationalPark.
Itsagreatwaytotravel,seeingarealsliceoflocallife,andthefarescannotbebeaten!
TheDeerDancewillbeperformedinCriqueJutefrom19to21December.VisitCriqueJutebybus!
TheChocbusandShobuspassthroughCriqueJuteontheirwaytoandfromSanJose
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FlightsDepartPuntaGorda ArrivesBelizeCity ServiceProvider DepartBelizeIntl. ArriveInPuntaGorda ServiceProvider06:45 07:55 MayaIslandAir 08:10 09:15 MayaIslandAir
06:30 07:30 TropicAir 07:50 09:00 TropicAir
09:30 10:35 MayaIslandAir 10:10 11:15 MayaIslandAir
09:20 10:20 TropicAir 10:20 11:30 TropicAir
11:30 12:35 MayaIslandAir 12:20 13:30 TropicAir
11:35 12:35 TropicAir 14:20 15:30 TropicAir
13:35 14:35 TropicAir 14:40 15:45 MayaIslandAir
16:00 17:05 MayaIslandAir 16:40 17:45 MayaIslandAir
16:00 17:10 TropicAir 16:40 17:40 TropicAir
JamesBusLineScheduleDepartsP.G. ArrivesBelizeCity DepartsBelizeCity ArrivesP.G.
03:50 10:30 05:15Express(exceptSun) 10:30
04:50 11:30 06:15 12:45
05:50 12:30 07:15 13:45
06:00Express 10:45 08:15 14:45
07:50 14:30 09:15 15:45
09:50 16:30 10:15 16:45
11:50 18:30 12:15 18:45
13:50 20:30 13:45 19:45
14:50 21:30 15:15 21:45
15:50(exceptSat) 21:15 15:45Express 20:30
BoatsTo&FromPuertoBarrios,GuatemalaServiceProvider DepPuntaGorda ArrivePuertoBarrios DepartPuertoBarrios ArrivePuntaGorda
RequenasCharterService 09:30 10:30 14:00 15:00
Pichilingo 14:00 15:00 10:00 11:00
Memos 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00
BoatstoLivingstondepartonTuesdaysandFridaysat10a.m.
Marisol 16:00 17:00 13:00 15:00
T R A N S P O R T S C H E D U L E S
WheretogetyourcopyofTheToledoHowlerDistributionpointsinclude: TourismInformationCentresthroughoutBelize TropicAirandMayaIslandAirterminals BTIAToledomembers RequenasCharters,PuertoBarrios MajorgasstationsAswellasawideonlinepresenceinelectronicformat
PleasecontacttheToledoHowlerteamat7222531ifyouwouldliketobecomeadistributorforthevoiceoftourismdevelopmentinBelizesdeepsouth!
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Backyard Birding for Science and RecreationIn1987,researchersatCornellUniversityinNewYorkstartedaprogramforbackyardbirderscalledCitizenScience.Thepurposeofthisprogramistoencouragenonscientiststoparticipateinnationwideprogramstohelpscientistslearnmoreaboutaviandistribution,seasonality,behavior,andlongtermpopulationtrends,simplybyobservingthebirdsintheiryard,i.e.birdingwithapurpose.
Thesearethesortsofthingsornithologistsstudy.Butthereareonlysomanyornithologiststogoaround.Imaginehundreds,oreventhousands,ofordinarypeoplegatheringsmallbitsofdataonthesefourparameterssimplybybecomingmoreawareofthebirdsintheirownyard.
Toascientist,everyyardrepresentsasmallsampleplotfromwhichmuchvaluableinformationcanbecollected.Ifyouconsideryourselfacasualbirder,youcancontributetolargescalestudieslikethesebykeepingrecordsonthecommonbirdsinyouryard.HowmanyKiskadeesresideinyouryard?Doesthisnumberchangeovertime?Isthereaseasonalpattern?Alongtermdeclineorincrease?Randomfluctuations?Asteadynumberofbirdsthroughouttheyear?Whataboutotherspeciesinyouryardthatyoucanidentify?Doyouseethesamepatternsordifferentpatterns?Youmayrecognizethatafewspeciesarenotpresentyearroundbutaremigratory.ThosethatarenothereyearroundincludeYellowWarbler,AmericanRedstart,GrayCatbird,WoodThrush,andSummerTanager.Allofthesebirdshavespecifictimesthattheyarriveinfallandleaveinspring.
InNorthAmerica,ornithologistsarelearningthatmanyspeciesarearrivingearlierinspringthanformerlyandleavinglaterinfall,oneindicatorthattheplanetisgraduallywarming.PresumablythereverseofthisistrueinCentralAmerica.ThesesamespeciesthatspendthewinterinBelizeshouldbearrivinginfallonaveragealittlebitlatereachyearandleavingalittlebitlatereachspring.Butifdataonredstartsfromhundredsofbirders,eachkeepingtrackofthebirdsintheirownyard,showsthatonaverageredstartsarearrivinglaterinfallthantheydidtenortwentyyearsago,thenwewouldhaveamuchstrongercaseforconcludingthatredstartsaremigratingsouthlaterinthefallthantheydidadecadeortwoago.
AugustisthemonththatmanyoftheNorthAmericanwarblersbeginarrivinginBelize.BymidSeptemberfallmigrationisinfullswing.InearlyMarch,specieslikeSwallowtailedKite,YellowgreenVireo,andSulphurbelliedFlycatcherreturnfromwinteringgroundsinSouthAmericatonestinBelize.Andsoon.Afterayearortwo,newspeciesmaybehardertoadd,butyouwillneverreachtheendofthelist.Therewillalwaysbenewspeciestoadd.
Butmoreimportantly,youwillbegintoseetrends.Youwilllearnthatdifferentspecieshavedifferentpatternsofoccurrence.TheLouisianaWaterthrusharriveslikeclockworkeveryJuly,butitsclosecousin,theNorthernWaterthrush,doesnotarriveuntilafullmonthlater.YellowWarblersarriveinAugust,SummerTanagersinSeptember,GrayCatbirdsinOctober.SeptemberisalsothemonththatEasternKingbirdscanbeseenpassingoverheadbythehundreds,followingthecoastlineastheyheadtoSouthAmericaforthewinter.InOctober,itwillbeHookbilledKites.InNovember,TreeSwallows.OctoberandAprilarethemonthstolookforScarletTanagersastheyheadsouth,thennorth,commutingtoandfromwinteringgroundsinSouthAmericaandbreedinggroundsinNorthAmerica.Inadditiontothesepredictableannualeventsareaseeminglyendlessnumberofrarerspeciesthatmightturnuponlyafewtimesinadecadeoronceinalifetime.
IknowsomeoneinBelizewhohasamassed247speciesonhisyardlist.Granted,helivesinaverybirdyareaandhaslivedinthesamehouseforalmost20years,butthatisstillquiteanaccomplishment.Whatisevenmoreimpressivetomeisthat20yearsagohewasntevenabirder.Nowheisanexpert,andmuchofthatlearningcurvewasaccomplishedwithintheconfinesofhisownyard.Butthemostimpressivethingofall?Hehaskeptdailynotesonthebirdsinhisyardandnowhasaninvaluablesetofdataonyouguesseditdistribution,seasonality,behavior,andlongtermpopulationtrendsthatcouldnothavebeenachieved
otherwise.
TheCitizenScienceprogrambegunbyCornellUniversity25yearsagonowhasmorethan15,000peopleparticipatingannuallytheUnitedStatesandCanada.WecoulddothesamethinghereinBelize,albeitonasmallerscale.
Ifyouareinterestedinkeepingtabsonthebirdsthatresideinyouryard,dropbyforanoccasionalvisit,orusetheaerialskywaysaboveyouryard,[email protected].
H.LeeJones
WhitecollaredSeedeater
BlackcowledOriole
Record Your Sightings at eBird.org Arealtime,onlinechecklistprogram,eBirdhasrevolutionizedthewaythatthebirdingcommunityreportsandaccessesinformationaboutbirds.Launchedin2002bytheCornellLabofOrnithologyandNationalAudubonSociety,eBirdprovidesrichdatasourcesforbasicinformationonbirdabundanceanddistributionatavarietyofspatialandtemporalscales.
eBird'sgoalistomaximizetheutilityandaccessibilityofthevastnumbersofbirdobservationsmadeeachyearbyrecreationalandprofessionalbirdwatchers.Itisamassingoneofthelargestandfastestgrowingbiodiversitydataresourcesinexistence.Forexample,inMarch2012,participantsreportedmorethan3.1millionbirdobservationsacrossNorthAmerica!
EachyearLeeJonesorganizesaChristmasbirdcountindifferentareasofBelize.ThisyearsbirdcountinToledowilltakeplaceonSaturday5thJanuary.Duringthedaywecountthenumberofspeciesaswellascountingorestimatingthenumberofindividualsofeachspecies.Youdonthavetobeanadvancedbirdertojoininalthougheachgroupwillbeledbyanexpert.IfyouareinterestedthengetintouchwithLeeathisemailaddressabove.Theareaofourcountiswithinaradiusof19milesfromPuntaGorda.
BelizeChristmasBirdCount
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RestaurantGuideName Address Cuisine Phone OpeningHours
Colemans Cafe Big Falls Village, near the rice mill Belizean
720-2017 Daily: 11:30-16:00 & 18:00-21:00 (Reservations Preferred)
Earth Runnins Caf and Bukut Bar Main Middle Street, PG Belizean/International 702-2007
600-9026 Wed-Sun: 07:00- 14:00 & 17:00-23:00
Fajina Firehearth Food Front St, PG Local Mayan Food 666-6144 Mon-Sat: 07:00-19:30. Closed on Sundays
Gomiers Restaurant and Soy Centre Alejandro Vernon St, near PG Wel-come sign
Local & international vegetar-ian / Seafood
722-2929 Mon-Sat: 08:00-14:00 & 18:00-21:00. Closed Sundays
Graces Restaurant Main St. PG Belizean/ International 702-2414 Daily: 06:00-22:00, including holidays
Hang Cheong
Restaurant Main St, PG Chinese 722-2064 Daily: 10:00-14:00 & 17:00 -midnight
The Lodge at Big Falls Big Falls Village, near the rice mill International/ Belizean/ Mid-dle Eastern
732-4444
Daily: 11:3014:00 & 18:3021:00 (Reservations Required)
Machaca Hill Lodge Wilsons Road Pan Central American and International
722-0050 Lunch: noon-14:30. Dinner: 19:30-22:00. (Reservations preferred)
Mangrove Restaurant Cattle Landing, by the curve Belizean / International 722-2270 Daily: 17:00-22:00. (Reservations preferred)
Marians Bay View Restaurant Front St, south of the market by the sea
East Indian/ Belizean 722-0129 Mon-Sat: 11:00-14:00 & 18:00-22:00 Sun & Hols: noon 14:00 & 19:00-21:00
Martinas Kitchen BTL parking lot, PG Belizean 623-3330 Mon-Sat: 07:00-15:00. Closed on Sundays
Moms Restaurant Queen St, PG, by the park Belizean 620-1607
661-1359
Mon-Sat: 06:00-14:00 &
16:00-21:00 Closed Sundays
Rainbow Cafe Queen St, PG, by the park Belizean 631-2309 Mon-Sat: 70:00-14:00. Closed on Sundays
Rainforest Cafe Big Falls Village, just south of the bridge
Belizean 669-0080 Daily: 10:00-22:00
Reef Bar & Restaurant Front St, upstairs by the market International/Belizean 625-8652 Daily: 10:00-14:00 & 16:00-midnight. Closed on Tuesdays
Shos Local Restaurant Entrance to Blue Creek Village Belizean/ Catering 668-6540 Mon-Sat: 07:0020:00. Closed Sundays. Group reservations required
The Snack Shack BTL parking lot, PG Breakfast & lunch/ Snacks, shakes, juices & pastries
702-0020 Mon-Sat: 07:0015:00. Closed Sundays
Walucos
Opposite TIDE pier in Hopeville Belizean/East Indian/Seafood/Catering
670-3672 Mon-Thurs: 07:00-14:00 & 17:00-22. Weekends: 07:00-late
Asha's Culture Kitchen 80 Front Street, south of market, only building over the sea
Creole/Seafood/BBQ 632-8025 Daily from 11:00-14:00 (lunch only during high season) 16:00-24:00 (dinner/bar year-round), closed on Thursdays.
Wat dat smell? Wats Cookin? I hungry...
LionfishCeviche2largelionfish,cleanedandfilletedanddicedintosmallpieces
3limes
1bunchofcilantro,finelychopped
2tomatoes,diced
1mediumonion,diced
3clovesofgarlic,finelychopped
1habaneropepper,deseededandfinelychopped
Saltandpeppertotaste
Putthelionfishinamixingbowl&squeezethejuicefromthelimesuntilallthefishiscovered.Whilethelionfishismarinating,choptherestofthevegetables.Mixtheonion,garlic,tomatoes,habanero&cilantro(coriander)together.
Stiralltheingredientsintothelionfishandlimejuice.Seasonwithsalt&peppertotaste.
Putintoarefrigeratorforabout4hours.
Servewithtortillachips.
ThankstoReefCIfortheirlionfishcevicherecipe!
ReefCIoffersvolunteerdiveconservationtripstotheSapodillaCayes.YoucanreadmoreabouttheSapodillaCayesandwhalesharksinthenexteditionoftheToledoHowlerpublishedinFebruary2013,andvisitwww.ReefCI.comtolearnmoreabouttheirconservationwork.
Eatemtobeatem!LionfishhavebeenmultiplyingintheCaribbeanformorethanadecade,andhavefewnaturalpredatorsoutsidetheirnativehabitatinthePacificaroundAustraliaandIndonesia.Belizehasneverseenamassmarineinvasionofthiskindbefore,andmanypeopleareconcernedthatitwillsetoffacascadeofecologicaldamagetonativefish,coralreefs,andtheirdelicatehabitat,aswellasthreateningourfisheriesindustry.
Belizehasdeclaredwaronlionfish,andismakingaconcertedefforttoridourwatersoftheseinvaders.Whatbetterwaythanto
catchthemandeatthem!
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The Living Maya Experience TheLivingMayaExperienceisasetofthreedistinctculturalhomevisitsinBigFallsandHicateethatmarketthemselvescooperativelybutoperateindependently.
TheChiacfamilyhavemadetheirlivingfromsellingcraftstoothervillagersanduntilnowhavenotrealizedthepotentialforsaleoftheircraftstointernationalvisitors.JuanChiacmakeslargebaskets,hammocks,shoulderbags,palmfansandsmallrosewoodcarvings.HiswifeHilariaweavescuxtalbags.
Itisonlywhenyouvisitthefamilythatyourealizetheamountofworkthatgoesintomakingabasketfromthetaitaivine.FirstJuanmusthikeintotheforesttocollectthevines.Hethenstripsthebarkfromthevineonthespotandpackstherollsofvineintohissacktobringhome.Backhomethevinesarestretchedoutanddriedbeforeuse.Tomakehammockshecollectsthelongleavesofthehenequenplant.HenequenisamemberoftheAgavefamilyanditsleaveswhichmaybesixorsevenfeetlongarepackedwithstrongfibers.Hemanuallyspinsthefibresintoastrongthreadfrom
whichhemakeshammocksandbags.Thisalreadysoundslikeawholelotofwork,andrememberthathehasyettomakeanything!
VisitorstotheChiacscanallhaveagoatmakingthesecraftsunderthetutelageofJuan,HilariaandtheirdaughterMarta.Thevisitlastsacoupleofhours.Thetimereallyfliesbyandguestsleavewiththeirfacemusclesachingfromallthelaughingtheyhavedone;mainlyatthemselves.
CristobalCalandhiswifeAnitahaveoftentalkedaboutthelossoftraditionalwaysandknowledgeastheeldersinthecommunitypassononebyone.InordertostemthislossandgivetheyoungergenerationprideintheirpastheandAnitahavecreatedaMayanhomeasitwouldhavelookedbeforetheadventofelectricity,plasticandpackagingandotheraspectsofthemodernworld.Theyhaveabedinwhichthemattressismadefromtherolledoutbarkofthemacapalormohotreeandabenchseatmadefromabalsatrunk.Theygrowfourdifferentkindsofcorn,white,yellow,redandblack,haveamanglepressforextractingthesugarfromtherawcaneandasackofberriesfromthesoapberrytreeforgueststousetowashtheirhandsbeforeeating.Yes,theyalsopreparemealsfortheirguestswhocanrolluptheirsleevesandgetinvolvedinthepreparationwithAnitaandherdaughters.Theirguestsalsoroastandgrindcacaobeanstomakecocoadrunkfromacalabashbowl.
PabloRashisafarmerlivingclosetothejunctionatHickateejustnorthofBigFalls.HeisalsoaMayanhealerandusesavarietyofherbsandplantsinhistreatments.Heisdevelopingaherbalmedicinegardenaroundhishousesetonthetopofahill.Inthiswayhewillbeabletoshowvisitorswhichplantsheusesfordifferentailmentsand
treatmentsandthegardenwillalsoaidhisownpracticesincehewillhavemoreoftheimportantplantscloseathand.
TogetherthesethreehomevisitsgiveguestsafascinatinginsightintotheMayanwayoflife.Eachvisittakesacoupleofhoursandvisitorsdecidewhichtheywouldliketoexperienceortheycaniftheywishplanthetimetovisitallthree.
HowtobookyourLivingMayaexperience:
AnitaCal6277408
MartaChiac6324585
PabloRash6365227
CraftmakingattheChiacs.
Young Alva gives Judy a lesson in tortilla making
Mrs Basilia Cal grinding cocoa beans.
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Thebiggestsurprisetome,myfirsttimeonthezipline,wasthehighpitchedzingingsoundasthemetaltrolleysglideoverthesteelcables.
ThesecondwasthatImanagedtoovercomemyfearofheightsandgettoquiteenjoythefeelingoflaunchingmyselfoffawoodenplatformhighabovetheforestfloorandglideeffortlesslytothenextlandingplatform.AbitlikeTarzanwithoutthelianavinestoswingon,andnoJaneeither.
Theziplinehassixrides.ThatissixsectionsbetweenlandingplatformseitherupinthetreesordownonthegroundwithfourcrossingsoftheRioGrandealongtheway.Thedifferentsectionsrangefrom350450feet.Attheendofeachrideisalandingplatformandtakeoffplatformforthenextride.Assoonasyouarriveateachplatformtheguideshookgueststofixedpointssothateveryoneiswellanchoredtotheplatform.
SafetyofguestsisthenumberonepriorityforAndrewCaliz,DavidFrancohispartnerandtheirstaff.Davidsaid,Everydaywearelookingforthingstoimprove.Thelinewasdesignedwithsafetyinmind.Forthisreasontheyhaveadoublecable,doublecarabinersanddoubletrolleyswiththeriderharnessedatthreepoints.Andproperbriefingandorientationareallpartoftheemphasisontheenjoymentofguestsinasafeenvironment.RigorousstafftrainingandcertificationasguidesisalsopartoftheirprofessionalapproachaswellastheiruseofthehighestqualityequipmentfromNorthAmericaandEurope.
Aswellastheziplinetheyofferrivertubingonaroutethatgoesaboutamilefromjustnorth
ofBigFallsvillagebackdownstreamtodisembarkunderthebridge.OnthewayguestscanmakeastopatthecreekthatenterstheRioGrandefromahotspringonthehillsidehalfamileaway.Whilenothot,thewaterisstillwarmandgettingbackintothemainriverafterareststophereisachillysurprise.
TheyuseCanadianTubeProtubeswhichhavetheoptionoflashingaseatintotheholealthoughmostvisitorsprefertofloatwiththeirderriereinthewater.Thewholetubetriptakesaroundanhourwithatwentyminutestoptowallowinthecreek.
TheseasonalityofthetourismbusinessinBelizeaffectsBigFallsExtremeAdventuresjustlikeanyother.Andrewsays,TherearedayswhenitistoughbutmostdaysItotallyenjoywhatImdoingandIhaveafeelingthatwewillhaveabetterseasonthisyear.
Andtheyhavenotfinisheddeveloping.AndrewandDavidhaveplanstoputinfasterrunsaswellasalongerrideof12001500hundredfeet.AsDavidcommented,Everydaywearelookingforthingstoimprove.Nextyeartheywillbephoto
graphingguestsonthelineandprintingphotosforgueststotakeawaywiththemandtheirrestaurantthatoffersBelizeanfoodwillbeextendingtheirmenu.
Thisisagreatdayoutforareasonableprice.YoucanfinddetailsontheirwebsiteandagreatvideooftheexperienceonYouTube.ItcombineseasilywithavisittotheLivingMayaExperiencejustacrosstheriver.
Big Falls Extreme Adventures
Gettingready,lastminutechecks.
Gliding sixty feet over the river!
Findoutmore
Tel:+5016346979or+5016313497
Email:[email protected]
FacebookBigFallsExtremeAdventures
YouTubehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnT973AdIisZipLineandRiverTubingnSouthernBelize4:23minutevideo
TripAdvisorhttp://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Reviewg2507140d2484439ReviewsBig_Falls_Extreme_AdventuresBig_Fall_Toledo.html
http://www.bigfallsextremeadventures.com/
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Arzu Mountain Spirit on Medicinal Plants: Piss-a-Bed Pissabed(SennaAlata)isalargeevergreenleafsennaplantknownalsoascandlebush,senna,candlestick,andringwormbush.Itisabeautifulwildfloweringbushwithagenerousbrightyellowbloom.ThisBelizerainforestnativegrowsuptotenfeetinheightandislovedbybees,butterflies,birds,andnativehealers.
EverybodyinBelizeknowsofPissabeduseinpurgeandpiss,butwehavepaidlittlehomagetotheotherhealingmarvelsthisaptlynamedplantiscapableof.
IfirstbecameinterestedinthePissabedwhenmyunclegaveanaccountofhavingusedthejuiceandpulpofthisplanttohealaskindiscolorationdisorderthataffectedhislegs.ThePissabedleafjuicetreatmentcompletelyclearedtheconditionandithasneverreturned.
Sciencefinallylentcredencetomyuncleshealingwhen,in1994,afteratenyearhumanstudyinIndia,researchfoundPissabedleafjuiceindeedtobeareliableherbaltreatmentforskindiscoloration.FindingsrevealedthatPissabedleafjuicekillsthefungusthatpreventsskincellsfromproducingcolor.
TheGarifunanameforPissabedisGanibisi,andeveryGarifunacommunityhasareveredGanibisibushsomewhereintheirlot.MedicinaltraditionprescribesGanibisileafteaforintestinalpurging,bloodcleansing,andforloweringbloodsugar.Theteaisalsousedtoimprovedigestion,andcanbedoubledinstrengthtoreduceexcesswaterinthebody,alleviateswelling,andrelievepain.
Pissabedisrecognizedbysciencetocontainagroupofchemicalsthatareknownlaxatives.In2003scientistsproducedevidencethatPissabedleavesarenotonlyantiinflammatory,butalsohavepainrelieving,andhypoglycemic(loweringbloodsugar)properties.
MorerecentstudiesrevealedthatPissabedleavesalsocontainachemicalwiththeabilitytoreducestickybloodanddissolvearterialplaque(asincholesterol).Itistreasuredbyfarmerswhosaveonveterinaryexpensesbyusingtheleafpulpontheiranimalstotreatskinafflictionslikemange,fungus,removingticks,mites,andotherexternalparasites.Asatopicaltreatment,it
worksforthosewhouseit.Healersandnonhealersalikecanmashtheleavesofthisplantintoanallpurposeskinsalveanduseittotreatinsectbites,ringworm,syphilissores,herpesulcers,scabies,shingles,eczema,skinsores,ripenboils,evenoutskintone/color,relieveitching,andanytypeofrash.
Althoughthisplantisanintelligenthealerbydesign,itisnotadvisabletotryinternalPissabedtreatmentwithoutconsultingaqualifiedherbalist.Itisusedbyhealerstotreatincontinenceandpreventbedwetting.DrinkingPissabedteaincreasesurinationand,(hencethename)willmakeyoupissanybed.
Itwillalsomakeyousweat.Itisanexcellentherbalremedyfordetoxificationasithelpsclean,strengthenandtonetheorgansofboththeurinaryanddigestivesystem.Pissabedisnottakenformorethansevenconsecutivedays.AnditisNOTtobetakenalongwithanydiureticmedicationorpharmaceuticals.
Pissabedisaneasytopropagatelowmaintenanceplant.Itgrowsfromseeds,rootballs,andcuttings.Allowforthepodstodryontheplantsandbreakthemopentocollecttheseeds.Theseedslastalongtime,canbestored,andcan
keepforuptoayear.Onceplanted,itwillselfsowfreelyaslongasithasfullsun.Itbeginsfloweringfrom4feetandcontinuestodosoeveryyear.Pissabedmakesagorgeousadditiontoanygarden.
Contributedby
ArzuMountainSpirit(LafuruguWubu)[email protected]
Senna Alota, a Belizean rainforest native plant
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BTIA Toledo, and the Toledo Howler Togetherwerestronger!BecomeapartofBTIAandmakeapracticalcontributiontotheeconomicdevelopmentofToledoDistrict,andbenefitfromourpromotionalwork.WemeetmonthlyattheTourisminformationCentreonFrontStreet.
HowDoIJoinBTIA?
Visitwww.btia.orgtoreadaboutBTIAandallthemembershipbenefitsandtodownloadanapplication form. Complete the form andhand it in attheTourismInformationCenteronFrontSt.
BTIAToledoofficersChair:DennisGarbuttSecretary:RobHironsTreasurer:DonaScafeMarketingOfficer:DilmaYolandaCano
TheHowleriswritten,editedandproducedby:DilmaCano:[email protected],7222531RobHirons:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]
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Port Honduras Marine Reserve MentionToledotosomepeopleandyoustillrunasmallriskoftheirconjuringupanimageofthewettestdistrict,andMayavillages.Ofcoursewegetsignificantrainfall(mostofitatnight),andwehaveasizeableKekchiandMopanMayapopulation(alongsidemanyothercultures),butdontforgetourrainforesttoreefreputation,withtwomarinereservestheSapodillaCayesaround35milesoffshore,andPortHondurasjustafewmilesnorthofPuntaGordatown.
ThePortHondurasMarineReservewasdeclaredaprotectedareain2000anareaofover160squaremilesofhighbiodiversity,whichprovidesacriticallinkbetweenterrestrialandmarineecosystems.Thatallsoundsverycommendable,butwhatdoesitmeanforthevisitor?Therealityisthatstringentmanagementofthereserve,coupledwiththemanysmallcayesdottedthroughouttheReserve,providesagreathabitatnotonlyformarinelife,butalsoagreatmarineexperiencefortourists.
TheReserveisafavouriteareaforworldclassflyfishermen,manyofwhomreturnyearafteryeartoattempttheirgrandslamcatchofsnook,tarpon,andpermit,aswellasbonefish,andPGboastssomeextremelytalentedflyfishingguides.
SnorkellerslovethetranquilityofWestSnakeCayeatwoacrepalmcoveredgem,boastingsandybeachesandtheoccasionalredboasnakeintheinteriorandthattheyareoftentheonlypeopleinthearea.ArecentadditiontotheToledoTourismportfolioaretheintroductorySCUBAdivingcoursestakingadvantageoftheshallowwatersaroundtheCayefordivinginstruction,leadingtodivingamongstthecoralformationssurroundingtheisland.
Itsobviouslynotguaranteed,butvisitorsoftenseepodsofdolphinsontheirwayoutorbackfromPortHonduras,andmanateescanbesightednearDeepRiver.
TheMarineReserveiscomanagedbyTIDE(www.TIDEbelize.org)andtheFisheriesDepartment,whohaveintroducedstrictnotakezonesinnurseryareas,andwhopatrolthewaterstoensurecompliancewiththeregulationsinforceto
protectthevariousecosystems.TourswillusuallyinvolveavisittotheTIDERangerStationatAbaloneCayetopaytheUS$10Reserveentrancefee,butalsotolearnfromtheRangersaboutTIDEswork.Youarealsowelcometoclimbtheobservationtowerforsomegreat360degreeviewsofPortHondurasor,ifyourenotafanofheights,oneoftheRangersisusuallyhappytotakephotosonyourbehalf.
LesserknownpartsoftheReserveincludeWildCaneCaye,animportantMayaarcheologicalsite.ItsnaturalharborandproximitytoDeepRivermadeitanaturalancienttradingpostthatreemergedinrecenthistoryinadifferentformasaportofcallfortheHeronH(thepassenger,mailandfreightboatwhichactedasthemainsourceoftransportationbetweenPGandBelizeCityuntilthemid70s)
Archaeologist,DrHeatherMcKillopconductedindepthresearchatWildCaneCaye,buthasmorerecentlybeenworkingatPaynesCreekNationalPark,whichliestothenorthandeastofPortHonduras.CallinattheBTIAToledoTourismInformationCentretoviewtheexhibit!
Howtogetthere?SnorkellingandfishingtripsareofferedbyTIDETours,GarbuttsMarine,andTiburonTours.IntroductorySCUBAcoursesareavailablethroughGarbuttsMarine.
Contactdetails:TIDETours(www.tidetours.org)tel7222129,[email protected]
GarbuttsMarine(www.garbuttsfishinglodge.com)tel7220070,[email protected]
TiburonTourstel6022483,[email protected]
PaynesCreekNationalParkandtheancientMayaPaynesCreekNationalParkishometotheonlyknownClassicMayawoodenstructureswhilstwoodandotherorganicmaterialsdontusuallysurvive,thewaterloggedenvironmentatPaynesCreekcreateduniquepreservationconditions,givingarareglimpseofhowtheancientMayausedtimber.
Athreeyearproject,ledbyLouisianaStateUniversityProfessor,HeatherMcKillop,willseetheconstructionofanobservationalplatforminPaynesCreekNationalPark.Visitorswillbeabletoobservetheunderwaterarchaeologicalsitethroughawindowintheplatformwithoutanyriskofdamagingtheremains.
AspartoftheprojecttwoexhibitswereopenedoneattheTourismInformationCentreonFront
Street,whichincludesaMayacanoepaddle,andthesecondattheTIDERangerStationinPaynesCreek.
Theseexhibits,inconjunctionwithaseriesofworkshopsandtalks,aredesignedtoraiseawarenessofthisuniqueMayasite,andwillbeexpandedperiodically,Awebsiteforarchaeologicaltourismisalsoplanned.
Whenandwhere?
VisittheexhibitattheToledoTourismInformationCentreduringopeninghours,MondaytoFriday8amto4pm,orvisitPaynesCreekNationalParkthroughwww.TIDEtours.org,[email protected] SketchplanoftheproposedUnderwaterMayaobservation
platforminPaynesCreekNationalPark
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