A Quick Update and pics from Gracie Rock

Just a quick note on my recover from the surgery.... everything is coming along fine. I was cleared by the doctor to go back to work yesterday. I do have a few restrictions, such as no bike riding for 4 more weeks and no heavy lifting for 10 more weeks. I'm feeling better every day and should be 100% soon. I just have to remember to take it a little easy and not to over do it too soon.

We have picked out our apartment that will be our home for the next two years. We were given a heads up to it by another couple who just left Belize City. The gentleman has been leasing it out to PCV's for 6 years or so. It's very nice in that it comes fully furnished (down to the sheets and plates.... even has a blender!) and it is also fully fenced. Also comes with a German Shepherd guard dog. Having the dog makes me feel a lot better about leaving Keri alone if I have to travel. The big kicker is........ it has AC!!!!!! Some of you may remember me saying we may be living in a grass shack or a nice apartment with cable? Well we are definitely the later. We will post a video when we move in the middle of November.

This Sunday we are heading back to Belmopan for our swearing in ceremony on 10/22. We will finally be official Peace Corps Volunteers! It should be a relatively swanky affair and is being hosted by the Governor General of Belize. I believe the US Ambassador will also be in attendance. We will be glad to put training behind us and get down to the work we have been assigned. We will post some pics from the ceremony, dinner, and the party when we get back. A little side note.... Belikin Beer donated a keg for our swearing in party! WOOHOO!

Now a few pictures from our trip to Gracie Rock and the caves they have there. This area is where they filmed Mosquito Coast.... very appropriate as I have NEVER seen mosquitoes so thick! The cave system was interesting.... actual Mayan pottery shards, cutting tools, even spear heads all visible about the cave. Oh yeah, and also bats.... tons of them! Right over our heads, I'm sure we really freaked them out. Check out the pictures below. The walk through the jungle was beautiful all by itself. After we hung out for a while at the guides house and discussed eco-tourism and it's future in Belize. Gained a lot of insight.

We miss you all dearly.... thanks for the emails and posts! Till next time!

Our site assignment in Peace Corps Belize!

So the big day had finally come and where were we? Laying in a hospital bed in Belize City recovering from my appendectomy the night before! It was so frustrating for both Keri and myself. We have spent 7 weeks bonding with our Trainee group that we will serve with for the next 2+ years only to be separated on THE big exciting day. Well dear readers, have no fear as we did join the group via cell phone and received our assignments over speakerphone. So without further adieu, here they are:

Keri - The Association of Protected Areas Management Organizations (APAMO) is Belize’s leading network of environmental non-governmental organizations, particularly in the areas of protected areas management. Its 18 member agencies are responsible for or involved in the management of twenty-one (21) terrestrial protected areas and nine (9) marine protected areas.

Basically a newly formed "umbrella" organization for all the NGO's that run every cool place in Belize! Keri is very excited! Check out their website at: http://apamo.net/members/members.html

There is a clickable link and you can see all the areas.

Pat - The Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA) The BTIA’s mission is aimed at promoting sustainable tourism, while maintaining the natural and cultural integrity of Belize.

Basically every hotel, guide, tour, restaurant, and bar in and around all the cool places Keri is working with! Check out their website at: http://www.btia.org

Needless to say we are very excited! We will fill you in on more details later, but for now we will be based out of Belize City and be traveling extensively to work with our respective chapters. I can't wait to heal all the way up and get busy! Please keep the emails/posts coming as they really mean alot!

Pat's Plastic Surgery Disaster!

Well last Tuesday I started to feel a little tenderness in my lower right abdomen. By Thursday it wasn’t getting any better, so I had the nurse at the Peace Corps office take a look. She arranged for an appointment with a doctor in Belize City and both Keri and I took off for the big city. I saw the doctor and he gave me the bad news.... appendicitis! Surgery was scheduled for 3 hours later and I nervously waited in my hospital bed with Keri. To make a long story short, I now have a 4 inch scar and no longer have my appendix. I can not believe it happened here in Belize! I am now recovering in a hotel room in Belize City with Keri. She is taking good care of me and I hope to be back on my feet in a week or so.