I have a suggestion. I watch the board voraciously, and have found that I really don't fit in anymore. Over the years, the tone has changed and I think some more "topic" areas might be helpful. Some readers are new and fit in current topics. How about something for us "members" who would like to share different types of info, i.e. not so much vacation oriented as "hey, we're here for the long haul". ??? just a thought . . .

here, here, or is it hear, hear??? I was just at this moment asking Rick.."Where did everybody go??" Certainly we're not ALL too busy to keep in touch??? Sandshaker, Dave, Barefoot, Jessie, Zeke, Trevor, Mendi, Youself, Bill, JunePA, Marty, and ALL OLD TIMERS....does not mean we're old, just more wise!!! Let's start a thread.....C&R

We are around, just out of the loop. LOL

soon to be old timer here...I hope...and pray...everyday....

I've found that sometimes you really just need a break. You post and post and post and then all of a sudden you hit a brick wall. You need a rest...lol I am sure things will be back to normal in a week or so...

Denny has a point. I take breaks every now and then myself. I've been posting for over a year now, and jump in when I feel like I have something to say..... Actually, I was horrified to see how many posts I've actually contributed... LOL Maybe I'm full of hot air????
Rest assured. We're here......
Debbie

you think that's funny, check out my profile and see how many posts I'VE made since last year!!! i should be embarrassed!

I'm with M-A, I vote for a new thread. Having just returned from my first trip to AC, I feel like I'm a veteran and would like to get past "how much booze can you drink in one week stories" and on to more meaningful discussions regarding life in Belize, etc. (Don't get me wrong, I love to drink and can hold my own with the best of them) It would be nice to have another place to post messages.

Hey-I'm a newcomer who doesn't fit in! I'm a 40-ish 3rd grade teacher who is fit and loves the water/summer thing. After mental gymnastics with 27 9 year olds, I am really ready for my first out of country adventure to AC. But alas, I'm not a drinker. (Not a tofu eating earth-mother, but a dahlia growing, simple-livin kind of girl) Anybody out there like THAT?! (too weird, huh. That's okay, not the first time.)

Good suggestion M-A. I would like to see a forum dealing with "Living in Belize" or as Gela suggested as "Life in Belize". It would be a great guide for persons thinking of moving to Belize, and a terrific outlet for people who are now permanent residents of Belize.

Anyone else got any ideas on this?

**Jim

Tori, you fit in just fine. Everyone fits in in San Pedro. Okay, maybe not uptight people who refuse to believe the simple life is where true happiness is found.
Let me ease your mind about the drinking part. When I went down to San Pedro in April, my girlfriend and I had every intention of drinking some while there. Only we don't like rum, the liquor of choice on most islands, so we bought some Vodka at the grocery store. Well, about our 2nd night there, my friend realized she should have had her little monthly visit from mother nature and it hadn't happened, so we went to the Medical Center and got her a pregnancy test so we could find out if she was pregnant. Well, she was so that put a quick end to her drinking. And being the good friend that I am, I gave it up for the rest of our vacation too so she would not feel like she was missing out on anything. Not being able to drink did not in any way ruin our vacation or make us feel like we were missing out. Quite the contrary, we woke up early every morning as the sun was rising, stood on our balcony not believing how beautiful this island is and how lucky we were we to have husbands who let us get away from my 4 kids and her 100 art students she teaches, for 8 glorious days. And at night, we were out there with the best of them, dancing, talking, mingleing and having so much fun, even though we were drinking fruit juices or Rum Punches minus the rum. You will have a wonderful time and please don't think this board is only about drinking in Belize. Belize has so much to offer and the alcohol is not any part of it, you get that anywhere and everywhere. The people of Belize are what's really intoxicating, and of course the pure beauty of the island itself.
Punta Rebel Girl

that's a good one, jim. or one just of personal experiences seen or felt there.

i know we get weird and silly on the gossip thread, but many of us are really just like tori. i don't drink either, maybe one sometimes, and i am 37. i certainly am not skinnydipping there, or pool hopping. it was one of the reasons i stayed up north last time. quiet.

but there are all kinds, and all wish to share what they want or express their friendships in their own ways.

good luck, and keep in touch, all!

oh, and regulars, please don't forget to help out the new folks on the AC thread. they still need your wonderful input.

When I was in AC (returned May 14), I found myself drinking a whole lot less than I usually do on vacation. I enjoyed waking up early to watch the children walk to school and the dive shops begin to prepare for the day. My memories are filled with wonderful conversations with the people from the young man about 17 years old who explained why he thought it was in bad taste for women to wear shorts skirts to evening mass to a woman explaining how acupuncture has made a big difference in her life. I agree with Janeinpa, the people are very intoxicating and everyone can find their niche in Belize. You better Belize it!

I'm with you. After about a month here everything seems to get repetitive. So, a while back I set up an egroup for people who live in Belize (at least part time) and those who want to live in Belize. Anyone is welcome to join us and contribute.
go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BELIZELOVERS

Scubaldy, do I have to sign up to get into the files to see Jude's diary? TIA

yes, my question also...couldn't get in??? our server is msn??? not very computer literate lol HELP Please remember that Judy's Diary is from Caye Caulker, not AC

[This message has been edited by rickcheri (edited 05-21-2001).]

how about it Marty??? This is a good idea for a thread...people living/moving to AC....would rather view it here on this board, makes it more convienent

I realize that the diary is about Caye Caulker but I look forward to reading it anyway. I recently read Paget's Belize Journal and enjoyed it very much even though it was about experiencing Dangriga. These are the kinds of real life stories that help with perspective.

Ok Folks...signed up for the other board...as Diver_Ax...so I'm there too...
Note to Marty: I'm still commited to this one....I'm not jumping ship...

I agree it's important that any new forum on living in Belize should have articles and opinions from the people living there or wanting to live there, including positive criticism about all areas of Belize, including AC.

Not all will settle on AC and there are many other geographical areas of Belize that healthy discussion would benefit.

I tend to think there would be more factual evidence and believability, if the posts from the expats or residents living there already, were the ones with the POSITIVE CRITICISM.

If you don't live there yet, how can you criticize the lifestyle or ways of doing things if you haven't experienced the problems associated with residency?

It could be a great tool for information about living in Belize, it's do and don'ts, it's good and bad points, it's best shopping places and the not so good shopping places for residents, the best and the not so good customs brokers and their fees, and the best or the no-no ways to cut through the red tape of government, and get things done.

BUT HAVING SAID ALL THAT... I THINK OPINIONS GOOD OR BAD SHOULD BE KEPT WITHIN THE BOUNDS OF GOOD TASTE AND MANNERS. Negativity for personal agendas, vendettas, or just for the fun of it, should not be tolerated, period!

This is my personal and positive opinion. I hope I have not offended any of our posters.

**Jim

[This message has been edited by Sandcrab (edited 05-22-2001).]

Hey everyone, especially Punta Rebel Girl, I loved hearing about the beauty, the adventure, the fun, the gentleness of Belize. Thanks for the kind words! Mmooooooaaaaaahhhh!

I know Bill is down on A.C. until August. Had pleasure of meeting him. Nice guy and funny. Told him I was so envious of his lifestyle which allowed him to spend half a year in Belize.

Tori, you are so welcome!!!!
Hope you feel better about fitting in here. When is your trip again? I cannot wait to hear your story and how Belize touched you. Please don't hesitate to ask any more questions about the island. There are so many people on these boards that have San Pedro and all of Belize in their hearts, there is so much to learn.
Have a great day!!!
Punta Rebel Girl

????? The new thread would be really cool!! No feedback from the Yahoo site??

My husband and I have a home in southern Belize, have made over 50 trips over a period of twelve years. I seldom post to this message board because every time you post anything negative about Belize everyone on this board is up in arms against you. Belize is a wonderful country, filled with a great group of people. However it does have it's flaws. It's obvious to me that on this board that there is not a free flow of information, some of the monitors are very quick to delete posts. Hey I wish that everyone could go to Belize have the same wonderful experiences that I have had but that is not the way the world turns. You have to be prepared to take the good with the bad. I just don't know if this board could adjust to looking at some of the serious problems that one encounters in Belize. Are you prepared for debates in the areas of crime, animal control, immigration,
duty, problems with living in Belize, employment, health care, fuel prices, electric prices. Even a simple question is capable of bringing such a variety of responses. For instance what if we were to have someone bring up the concerns of people regarding the development of timeshares in Belize. Now you are going to get an awful lot of differing opinions on this issue alone. Are the board monitors going to be able to handle the posts that will follow?
Now I would be the first to vote that you set up such a forum but just worried about the deletion of posts that don't give glowing reports of happenings in Belize.

Recent incidents that come to mind are the "Idaho divers" report, before that someone asked about "interaction with the locals". Those would just be two examples that I can remember.

[This message has been edited by kcbc (edited 05-22-2001).]

This board is meant to be an aid to visitors to Ambergris Caye, not a debating board on Belize. Try http://www.belizeforum.com/cgi-bin/Ultimate.cgi
You'll find what you're looking for there.

Hi kcbc,

Welcome back. I may not always agree with you or others, but that's life. I've found your posts on any board to be super-informative, timely, mature, and well thought out. You bring over 10 years of experience about visiting and living in Belize to this board.

My personal opinion is, "Thank you for your interest and involvement, and keep on posting...."

**Jim

[This message has been edited by Sandcrab (edited 05-23-2001).]

My personal opinion is that I enjoy reading about everyone's opinion. We are all very different and no one's opinion is more valid than any other's, just different. As I have said before, that is what makes the world such an interesting place!

Laurie

The board is very informative, good information, lots of opinions on both sides. Why do so many of the threads turn into personal chats on a totally unrelated subject having absolutely nothing to do with the originator or anything else relevant though?

Just another opinion.

Thats a really good question! Wish I knew the answer. Marty created the "Chat" area to keep all the nonsense off the main board but that didn't work out. So I and many other residents here have pretty much given up on trying to answer questions.

Well, Jesse, as I just returned from my first of hopefully many future visits to A.C., I was always appreciative of your comments on this board, especially after the hurricaine. I hope you keep posting because you have had some very helpful information.

By the way, I did climb the three flights of stairs across from the Hideaway. Hoping for a mango colada, but nothing was up there. It was closed. I guess it is a new place under construction or something. Got some good pics of the island, though.

Laurie

Oh man..... A mango colada??? Sounds like heaven.... I'm drooling......Where does one go to get a good mango colado or a daquiri????? Tell me please. Even a mango smoothie would suit me just fine.... I know Estell's has fabulous lemon aide.....
Debbie

Go to MANGO'S restaurant and bar beach side by the library.

LIMEAIDE Debbie! LIMEAIDE!
Limes in Belize not Lemons!
Belize it!

Thanks Chloe!!! I had one in Mexico once and it was to die for.... I'll check it out.
Debbie

OH NO Jessie, don't give up!!!All this happened because after Marty created "chat", after some time, people stopped posting there and all the 'action' started happening on the other side. Rick and I used to answer many questions...and ZEKE..we needed this 'whole' board right after Kieth or it might have delayed supplies..it was nothing but serious info being exchanged. Marty was up for DAYS keeping up w/everything! It was chaos for days after...So what do you say people??? Let's give it a shot..I even think serious inquiries should be 'over there' in my opinion and even trip reports over here....anyway you can add "trip reports" with chat>????? So it reads "Chat and Trip Reports" Let's just see if we can make it work....good for everybody!

Oh man, I don't know, I guess we can make a new category....

I hate to remove trip reports from the regular area, because it helps people to read how things go, and they might miss them over here.

over here, over there, I'll make a new category and see how it goes...

Hey Tori, my wife and I are 40-ish, she's a fifth grade teacher, we are back to nature-ish and love growing dahlias!

so we are not alone.....

where are you from? we live in oregon...

you will love AC, its a great break from those maniacs that keep my wife busy all day and night...

:>

she loves her maniacs....

they just did an overnight with 60 of them in eastern oregon, sleeping in teepees...
had a great time....


[This message has been edited by Marty (edited 05-26-2001).]

Yo Marty,
Tell your wife I admire her greatly and aspire to be just like her! I recently took 120 second graders for an overnight trip to the local zoo. It wasn't the maniacs that kept us awake, but the flamingos... who seem to chat all night long. Tell the wife to stick to the teepees and avoid any sort of tents anywhere near a zoo!
P.S. Dahlias .. thumbs up! Oregon ... all body parts up! LOL

So, Marty... If I showed up on your block on "dahlia-dividing day", I wonder if a few would find their way into my car???

Kathy

Hey Marty, Dahlias seem to have struck a chord! They are just such a gorgeous chunk of color, aren't they? A couple of summers ago one of our daughters got married and we had the reception in our yard. Forget the florist, we put clear vases of dahlias on every table and everywhere else. Borrowed blooms from others too, for a most magnificent rainbow! I've noticed that everyone sniffs a dahlia- thinking that much color MUST have a fragrance! Now I snip lengths of daphne and stick in with them. Viola! Scented dahlias.My husband and fam are up here in Washington.(We've had a gorgeous week, but true to tradition, its raining on Memorial Day). We are sceduled for AC June 23-27, then Guatemala for a few days after that. And what started my brave intro to this chatroom- any tips for a first timer?