The English colony of Belize stands out among its Central American counterparts for its allegiance to the Queen, and consequently its main language, English. However, a strong Latino and Caribbean flavor is present.
It is interesting to note that the infamous Mayans were able to repel the Spanish, only to fall to the British Buccaneers. The Kriol language is intriguing to the ear, with hints of English amidst a slurry of words from African languages.
Caye Caulker is a typical island getaway, highly accessible to from the capital of Belize, Belize City, as well as a port to and from surrounding cays and Mexico/Honduras. Coral reefs surrounding the area are home to thousands of fish species, and the famous shark and ray alley in the protected national park is a spectacle for all.
Amidst the ruins that were once a testament to the mighty Mayan civilization, modern Guatemala is still rich with culture, yet struggling to keep up with the industrialized world. There still remain patches of rain-forest, hearkening back to the natural environment from which we all emerged.
There is certainly many a reason to visit the nation, and once there, further incentive to return. This author's short-lived stay will certainly be followed by a tour of the pacific side in the near future.
"Seinfeld" the sitcom which has reached cult status, has remained appealing and many can relate to its hilarious situations. As it was addressed in the episodes during which Jerry and George were marketing their pilot episode, the show about "nothing" could either be hit or miss. Now, there are Seinfeld naysayers, however many have found such a deep comical connection to the show, for the very fact that the most detailed and seemingly unimportant daily occurrences are highlighted and scrutinized.
Perhaps the reason why a sit-com like Seinfeld is still watchable is because it is the little things that are what we draw meaning from. This idea was reinforced for me when I came across a lecture by Neil Pasricha, author of 1000 Awesome Things, on Ted Talks. His talk was referring to the creation of his book, an expansion on his blog, which had gone viral in 2010. This Canadian author had experienced the highs of life, and had been sunken by the lows. Then amidst the lows, he realized that we need to stop and appreciate the little things that are constantly going in our favor; he realized how lucky we really are. In his lecture, he identified the 3 A's of awesome, and subsequently of happiness: attitude, awareness and authenticity. Here's the video:
These awesome occurrences are evidence of our collective human nature; deep down we retain the childhood awe and curiosity, yet we simply forget to express it. Here are my top 15 awesome things from the book:
1. Illegal naps 2. Getting the milk to cereal ratio just right (neither cornflake beach, nor drowning in white) 3. Staring out a still water 4. Paying with exact change 5. Absolute silence 6. The smell of books 7. The gas arrow on the dash, indicating the side for the tank opening 8. Fixing electronics by smacking them 9. Hitting a bunch of green lights in a row 10. The smell of rain on a hot sidewalk 11. The friendly nod between strangers doing the same thing 12. When you're watching one of your favorite movies and you realize you don't remember how it ends 13. Getting a trucker to blow his horn 14. When you know your TV remote so well you don't need to look at the buttons 15. Remembering how lucky you are
SCUBA: acronym for self contained underwater breathing apparatus
While some scientists argue vehemently that we at one point emerged from the water onto the land. Regardless, we have always been lured into the deep, towards the darkness and mystery, towards the mythical creatures only whispered about, but most importantly, towards a world within the world we call earth, which we know little about.
To dive, providing ourselves with the much needed oxygen, devoid of gravitational forces from the terra firma, is an experience and a high, sometimes quite literally (see nitrogen narcosis), an escape into another realm. Some look to explore the visage of our past, while others marvel at the enormity and diversity of the blue and its inhabitants.
The Bay Islands are an exceptional spot to engage in scuba, for affordability as well as pristine coral reefs. Look to the hobbyist to protect his endeavor, which in this case is a large task, protecting the ocean.
Utila, just off the Caribbean coast of Honduras, is an original pirate settlement, with Caymanian and British Buccaneer blood running deep. Thus the creole language has its roots in Utila, now part of the Spanish country.
Divers share a bond simply because they have lived, albeit briefly in the sea, and marveled at the experience, something that can not be expressed in a few words.
For years, Nicaragua was not included in the travelers itinerary when it came to Central America. Nicaragua is a country marred by natural disaster and political struggle, dating back to the Somoza regime and the Sandinist party, FSLN, which still resides today. However, it has emerged as a tourist destination in the past few years, and certainly has much to offer.
Isla de Ometepe on Lake Nicaragua is magical with its two volcanoes, mystically shrouded in the clouds.
The colonial gem of Granada, hearkens to the older times, a romantic, laid back feel.
Pura vida, literally translated as pure life, signifies the laid back Tico mentality. Better translated as full of life, real living, or going great, it symbolizes an appreciation for the situation and surroundings. The saying reflects Costa Rica's geography as well: the Pacific swells provide great surf, the jungle holds a rich biodiversity, and the numerous volcanoes rise through the clouds.
It is inevitable that the country's tourism sector is as big as it is today. Both a blessing to the economy and a probable curse to environment, the Costa Rican people, or Ticos, are greatful for what they have.
The surf haven on the coast both coasts attracts surfers from all nationalities, while the rainforest and volcanoes call over the outdoorsmen, hikers and wildlife enthusiasts of all types. With a strong North American market for tourism, many Westerners have found it a suitable place to escape the hectic modern world, and reconnect with the natural world.
Panama, the southernmost country in Central America is famous for its canal and subsequently US connections. The canal itself, over 90 years old, is tantamount to shipping and transport across the Americas from Pacific to Atlantic and vice versa. Crossing over instead of around the landmasses means a lot of revenue for the country.
The thin isthmus is the thinnest piece of land between the continents, yet it is still 80km of locks, meaning 8 hours crossing time, from one side to the other. The whole procedure involves the filling of locks with fresh water and locomotive and tugboat action. Taxed by weight, the average for freighters and tankers to pass is $200-300 thousand dollars.
Along with a sophisticated canal, Panama city shows off a modern skyline, complete with skyscrapers and many more to come. However, being a Latinamerican country, the stratification of classes is also present, and slum areas are not disguisable.
Away from the city, one can escape the bustle and enjoy the Caribbean coast. The Bocas del Toro archipelago is a haven for surfers, beachcombers and anyone looking to kick their feet up and appreciate what nature has to offer. Yet another postcard place.
