As the family bus rattled and kerpluncked away from the Cockscomb Wildlife Preserve, we wondered with glee what adventures lay beyond the jaguars and waterfalls. After a ride through the supple and sensuous, rolling valleys of the Maya Mountains, we were delivered to the breathtaking savannahs of lowland Belize, until arriving at our final destination. As we drove through the sandy streets of Hopkins Village, our sweaty faces were glued to the bus windows, taking in the scenery of our long awaited paradise. The family said, "bring it on!" (Bz Family, 2012).
GETTIN INTO THE GARIFUNA GRIND
Perfumed flowers
Sun shining for hours
Happy childrens' faces
Heather taking new paces
Into the crystal blue sea
Her first encounter, feeling free
Straws in coconuts
"Thank god these aren't cahune nuts"
Garifuna drummers goin' nuts
UVM kids shakin' their butts
Dylan's spicy moves
Launched us into Hopkin's nighttime grooves
Scrumptious barbeque, HAPPINESS STEW
Real World Belize
Jay did not expect his eardrums to be blown out upon showing the girls their home for the next 2 nights. Every time a door was opened to reveal a new bedroom a chorus of screams would ensue. You could say we were kind of excited.
Picturesque
Some lovely flores adorning our walkway
Babysitter's Club
We had a gaggle of local nuggets showin' us the ropes. This is Anson.
"Coo Coo For Coconuts!" (The Coco Boys, 2012)
So, Hopkins was pretty laid back. It was so great for the family to get in some needed r&r. But let me tell you, chopping the tops off those coconuts and making them into drinking utensils was very strenuous!
HALLELUJAH
Our German hosts sure knew how to cook! Promptly at 7, this glorious feast awaited us. Succulent grilled meats, scrumptious tropical fruits, and an abundance of vegetables meant it was surely to be an evening of indulgence.
Blazing Trails, no pun intended
The following morning, we were lucky to receive a personal tour about the colorful community of Hopkins. A few of us bought some conch jewelry from a local vendor. While we were stopped, we witnessed a plump, Texan tourist on a golf cart pull over and pay a little girl on her bike a dollar to take her picture. It was weird. The only thing sustainable about that development was how uncomfortable we felt. Am I right, or am I right?
Go Fish
A depiction of Hopkin's traditional fo' eva fishin' flow.
Hopkins is a Garifuna Village, technically meaning it is inhabited by the descendants of African explorers to the Lower Antilles in the 1300s and the Arawak natives of the West Indies. Their heritage is little known and utterly remarkable. Today, Garifuna culture spans coastal settlements throughout Nicaragua, Belize, and Honduras. These souls of the sea are known for their food, music, dance, language, and vibrancy.
CocoCrustYaNuts!
Our mouths are watering reminiscing about the delicious coconut crust we ate at the Belfuna Bakery. This vibrant women's cooperative employs primarily single mothers in Hopkins Village. Making use of old ovens with innovative baking techniques, the women of Belfuna have intentions of expanding their beachfront enterprise to include a medicinal garden and affordably priced cabana rentals. Our charming hostess tickled the cockles of our hearts and left the whole family hungry for more!
Ted Talks: ideas worth spreading
Ted McKoy, our tour guide and Hopkins wiseman, delivered a heady lecture about what community development means for his seaside, Stann Creek village and the rest of the Caribbean. Ted's the name, social media and communication is the game.
To learn more, visit his websites:
Bust a Move
The whole family got to rock out on the deck of our casa to a private show from a local Garifuna band and their junior buddy. They have been breaking out of Belize with recent international
gigs to perform Punta percussion. Punta is the traditional music and dance of the Garifuna people. Each of us got a chance to play the bass drum with the rest of the band. Then we danced!
gigs to perform Punta percussion. Punta is the traditional music and dance of the Garifuna people. Each of us got a chance to play the bass drum with the rest of the band. Then we danced!
We were all sad to leave Hopkins. Despite the challenge it faced of revitalizing local players in the tourism economy, Hopkins was a proud community striving to develop on its own terms.
We will surely find our way back to the melodious voices, warm smiles, inspiring minds, and open hearts of the dear people who made our visit to Hopkins Village so memorable.
This blog entry was brought to you by Demelza Levick and Julia Prince. 02/21/2012
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