Family Ties

My journey continues to bring great memories and fantastic starts. Yesterday in Belize City, Uncle Otto met dad and I at the pier. I haven't seen him in over 15 years. He made me laugh because he wasn't sure if he would recognize me but he said he knew for sure he would recognize dad. Ha ha. It was a picture perfect day. Uncle Otto said that just two days earlier they had a deluge of rain that was going on for about a week. The ground was still really wet in a lot of places but yesterday it was great. About 88 degrees and very humid and sunny. He took us all over town and dad got to see people he hasn't seen in many years. I'm not sure why he hasn't been to Belize in such a long time. Maybe because my parents are divorced, he feels divorced from the other relatives. I don't know. As for me, they all know Debbie moreso than I simply because she's older and my mother use to take her for travels as opposed to me. I got left back from the adventures all the time. Maybe that's why I take so many now.

Anyway, we did get the opportunity to visit grandma's gravesite. Uncle Otto and Ray keep her (and my grandfather's) grave well maintained. He did say they can't plant anything or leave anything on the headstone because of graverobbers. It's sad that they steal anything and everything. Who the hell steals from a gravesite?!? I left behind one of the ribbon roses I made aboard ship. I will keep sending them over for him to leave for her. I have grandma's hairbrush. I remember brushing her long silver hair. It was so soft. And she would always bring me an orange fanta soda for lunch. I made my father buy one for me while he was shopping in Brodies. My mother sent me with items she wanted to give to them as well as Uncle Albert. Uncle Otto sent us back with gifts as well. We filled him us with gas for the truck. Can you belive gas in Belize City is like 9.45 belizian...about five dollars U.S. Crazy! It took 85 dollars U.S. to fill him up.

After that, we stopped and had pinades for lunch. I got a great shot of this little girl sitting in a chair waiting for her food. She was fascinating to watch. She was quiet, patient, and curious. She turned and smiled for me once she saw me taking her picture. I think that is one of my favorites. The second favorite is one I took today of a little girl swing on treelimb near the shoreline. Today, the Gods were with me photowise. From the viewfinder, it looks like I captured some fantastic shots...especially the ones from the dorry ride through the Mangrove Tunnels. That view on the water was amazing. Such fantastic memories. I know my dad was freaked out by anything that involves water (even though he won't admit it). I know he is having a good time as well.

Tomorrow I will lounge by the beach at Spanish Bay Resort. I'll make sure to have something tropical and cold whild laying on the white sand beach. This will be another first. I said at the beginning of the year, I wanted to spend my birthday laying on a white sand beach. Tomorrow I will get my wish. I will pray to the weather god for two more great days of hot weather and sun. I will also eat at the French restaurant on board called "Le Bistro". I have never had French food so this will be interesting. What I know I will definitely enjoy is the orginal artwork on the walls. Monet, Picasso, Salvador Dali, Renoir. Amazing! I better go so that I can have minutes left for the next four days. I am so looking forward to tomorrow as I have with all the other days. I don't want this trip to end! Here's to another day of memories.