Several weeks ago Albert Avila encouraged me to write about my Peace Corps experience in Belize in the 1970s. I was hesitant to do so because I cannot trust my memory to accurately describe events and activities of almost 45 years ago. Fortunately, I just came across more than 100 letters that I wrote home during that time. These letters, when taken chronologically, form a journal or diary of my daily experiences. Based on these letters, I will post a weekly recap of my Belize struggles, triumphs and misadventures. Some of these dispatches will be mundane, while others will be more interesting. I hope you enjoy this as much as I am enjoying reliving some of the best times of my life.

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Journal Entry 1

August 5, 1976 / Howard Johnson's Motor Lodge, Miami, Florida:

So far, this has been an interesting trip. Glenn [my brother] drove me to Ontario International Airport in time to catch Golden West Airlines to Los Angeles. My suitcase was checked through to Miami, and I carried my shoulder bag and typewriter. I was the only passenger on the 18-seat plane. We flew low enough that I could clearly see the features of the Pomona and San Gabriel valleys and the L.A. Basin. At LAX I struggled with my typewriter and shoulder bag to the National Airlines terminal. While waiting in line for my seat assignment, I stood next to a woman who was the Peace Corps Director for the Kingdom of Tonga. She was very pleasant and patiently answered my questions about being a new Peace Corps Volunteer.

I was upgraded to first class and was assigned a seat in the center two-seat section, so I couldn't look out the window very well. However, I did see the sunrise at 3:13 a.m. Pacific time. It was quite impressive. First class was not that special; we were served the same meal as coach, except that we were provided white linen tablecloths and napkins. The plane stopped briefly in Tampa and finally arrived in Miami at about 8:15 a.m. (local time), a few minutes late. I only got about 20 minutes sleep-too excited.

While waiting at the airport for the shuttle ride to the Howard Johnson's Hotel, I met Keith, a new Peace Corps Volunteer who was also heading to Belize. There were four of us new PCVs on the plane-three going to Belize and one to Guatemala. Keith, Mark, another PCV and I got a room together. Both Keith and Mark are agriculturalists and will be assigned to Punta Gorda and San Antonio in the south of Belize. They are both easy to get along with, as is everyone I've met so far.

We had a meeting at 3:00 p.m. that first day. It was an introductory exercise where everyone was encouraged to get to know each other. Most of the PCVs (about 30 of us-15 to Belize, 15 to Guatemala) are young (early 20s) except for two middle aged couples. We broke at 5:00 p.m. for dinner. Keith, Mark and I took the bus to a cafeteria. I had chicken and biscuits which was the first thing I'd had to eat since leaving home-too excited [nervous stomach] to eat before. Before the dinner break, we were all issued a government check for $65 which was to cover hotel bill, meals and incidentals while in Miami. My room is $18 for the two nights, which leaves me with $47 for meals. I don't think I'll be spending it all.

After dinner we reconvened in the meeting room at the hotel for medical orientation-more forms and a few words about getting shots the next day. We then got together with the country director, Reggie Ingram, for a few introductory remarks and an hour-long film on Belize. I was so tired I fell asleep during the film. What I saw of it, however, was interesting. We were dismissed at 9:00 p.m., but Mark, Keith and I stayed an extra half-hour to talk to Reggie. He's a large African American, ex-military, raised in Brooklyn, and has only been assigned to Belize since April. He's excited about the country and will gladly talk hours about it. I got to bed around 10:00 p.m. and slept well.

The next day we were up at 6:30 a.m., had breakfast at the hotel, then walked to the Federal Building for our shots. We got typhoid, smallpox, and yellow fever immunizations and were issued a World Health Organization booklet which we must have as proof of our immunizations to get into the country. (Can't go swimming today or the smallpox vaccination won't take.) We are to get more shots when we get to Belize.

At 11:00 a.m. today we will have a lecture on "Training Lifestyle." Lunch at 12:00. I have an interview with Reggie at 4:30 p.m., and then there is a slide presentation at 7:00 p.m. This will be a slow day.

Tomorrow at 8:30 a.m. there will be a meeting regarding Peace Corps policy/forms/airline tickets/passports and an evaluation of the staging process. We leave for the airport at 12:00 noon and depart on TACA Airlines Flight 311 for Belize at 3:35 p.m.

Right now, I've got to go to the bank to cash my check.

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