Now hasn't this been a real release of stuff.
But informative, and good imput and output.
I for one say "enough of the toilet" talk. LAUGH, just kidding.

Yeah, we've pretty much covered the sewage question I think, except to say this. I'm not being the ugly American here. I'm being a consumer of services that AC goes to great leangths to promote.

When I last visited the Florida Keys, about a year ago, they were wrestling with this same problem, the expense was profound and very hard on the locals. When I think of this and other common human problems, I don't see boarders, I see people. I don't think I could possibly have a less "colonial" attitude about Belize, or anyplace else. The things I've said about the food on AC would be just as true of my hometown. You can't get a good meal here. But we're not promoting ourselves as a vacation destination, either.

The thing is that Ambergris Caye and many of the businesses on it advertize pretty heavily in the dive magizines and on the web in order to attract vacationing divers. Divers in general are a pretty good group to try to attract because they tend spend quite a bit of money. Diving itself isn't cheep, and then there are all the cool toys.

And that's just it. I paid $120.00 US to make that trip down to Truneffe. That is serious money for a dive day anywhere you want to go, and for it I expect a little better then the place we had lunch, is all. It's not like I want to tell the Belizans what to do or how to live. But where I'm taken for lunch, when I'm paying and paying well, that IS my business.

Some of the things I've said relate back to my dislike of the Great Southwestern American Car Culture. I mean, when I see the power lines strung around all over in the air in San Pedro, I think to myself about home, where we do it the same damn ugly way, and I'm wishing better for the folks on AC. I think strip malls with vacant lots inbetween and power lines dominating the skyline and everything built on the scale of cars not people, well, it's ugly, and I'm not wishing it on anyone.

I think AC has the somewhat rare opportunity to by-pass many if not most of the bad things about industrialized sociaty. Pollution, social detachment, stratification of wealth, abuse of the land.

I really hope they keep their "island life" too, and keep the shorter work week and mandate many holidays and good vacation for their workers, with emphisis on time to be with one's family. I've worked a 96 hour work week for the last 20 years, and looking back that was a mistake. (I work 56 hours per week as a firefighter/paramedic and a minimum of 40 hours a week at my off-duty job. It's not as tough as it sounds, but it should be no great shock that I'm twice divorced and barely know my child.) Happily, I am retiring in 74 days, at 45, and I'm going to be making some changes.

[This message has been edited by Florian (edited 06-02-2001).]

Florian, Bravo! I like the way you write and tell us what is on your mind and heart.
Good insight. I know I would love to meet you and talk, you are my kind of person.
Now Now I am not hitting on you, I could be your Mom almost. LOL When you speak, I do not have to ask where is the "beef". Your profession has given you much understanding, wisdom and maturity at a young age.

[This message has been edited by Chloe (edited 06-02-2001).]