We Have Arrived!

Finally made it to Belize City, Belize! Our group had no problems going through customs, other than being questioned of our excessive amount of school supplies (they thought we were importing goods). It is HUMID here. After immediately coating on the bug spray, our group hopped on an old school bus and headed to the Belize Zoo while we waited for the rest of our people to arrive. 

What I loved about this zoo is that almost all of the animals there are rescued from a dangerous environment or near death situations and are placed in this friendly, natural environment where they are well cared for daily. Since the zoo is only locally funded, one of the ways that they raise money is by allowing visitors to walk into a cage and letting the jaguar, Junior, play in the environment around us (humans in the cage, plot twist!) Obviously I had to take up this opportunity! It turns out he loved impressing us by doing rolls, strutting around, and jumping on top of the cage so that we could pet his toes and tail (with no doubt of being rewarded with chicken legs in return). 

After leaving the zoo, we took the bus to San Ignacio where we will spend the next few days exploring the Mayan culture and other historic sites. One of the great things that I noticed about this city while driving in is how families were sitting on their porches enjoying their evening in nearly every house we passed. Although some of the houses looked like they might fall apart at any second, it was beautiful to get a glance at the different life that they live here.