I have had a love of Belize since I first set foot there in 1988. This message is for all of those (prospective tourists, residents and tourism advocates) who had me pegged as an alarmist.

What has happened to Belize this last few weeks is a real tragedy (not just the hurricane, but the flooding as well). Families displaced, lives lost, futures forever altered...I tried to explain the situation as best I could after my return to the States and was met with derision by some who may have thought I had an ulterior motive in my descriptions.....

I am relieved that the gov't has stated that tourism will be more feasible in November. That is more realistic than the "next week" that was originally said. Now that you have all read the reports on the health situation and the availabilty of services, I hope that you will forgive me for having been so graphic in describing what has come to be "the truth". Belize will survive and prosper again in the not-too-distant future, and be as warm and friendly as ever. I am thankful that I have had the opportunity to raise my son in his most formative years there - no regrets.

Marty, you're the best. Thank you for having allowed me to express my views and exchange information on your forum. I hope that the gov't. of Belize will compensate/recognize you for having been the Coconut Telegraph in a time when there was no other way to communicate and also for your future efforts, you deserve it. You have done more, from thousands of miles away, than most people who were "on the scene". I have an enormous amount of respect for you and also for Sandshaker. Thanks again.

Take care,
Celeste Phillips cphillips001@hotmail.com

[This message has been edited by Celeste (edited 10-14-2000).]

Hats off to you girl!
Good luck to you and yours! Take care of that baby...he's a cutie.
Yes we will thrive again and we expect to here some tunes from you from time to time.
Next time you go to Pensacola....go by Jubilee's and have a Bushwacker for me
I'll be coming home for Christmas.....maybe we can hook up?
Best Wishes Always,
Tammy

Thanks Celeste, I wish I could find that "next week" post, someone printed one out and carried it to town saying Marty said they would be ready in a week.

Baffles me, must have been some super early post or a misunderstanding.

Thaks for helping us figure out the situation. Its not always clear from here.

Celeste, I for one knows, that your accounting of San Pedro, was the turning point, of more clear cut answers to so many questions. You did everyone a huge favor in your reporting, and we could see the truth in your writings, and certainly it was not taken as you were alarmist by most.
It was difficult for some readers, to accept the truth. Godspeed to you and your child.

Hi Celeste: I'm glad your all high and dry. I know that's a relief particularly with Carter. I got word that Celestino Garcia and Ercillia are alive and well living in Dr Elmers old apartment. With them is the Preacher and his family from down stairs. There not like Americans, da more da merrier. We need our space. The Wood Plex, as ya had reported, is gone. Haven't heard any word of the families there. I gather their OK, as the homeless can be. I look forward to listening to your beautiful music, back in the shadows, back in San Pedro. As Warren Beatty and Dustin Hoffman sang in Ishtar "Telling the truth is dangerous business" If ya haven't seen it, ya should. Take care: Bill Billizer1@yahoo.com

Hi Celeste,
Glad to here your ok, Im glad you posted the info you knew of and would love to here from you personally

Phil and Lee

Hi Celeste,

You were asking about Barefoot Skinny and family a while back - just heard from Ana & Pablo that Tim & gang are in Miami for a week or so. Maybe Dave's sister in Dallas has heard from them if you're trying to get in touch.

Greetings everyone,
Thanks for the replies and support. Marty, I read the post about the island being ready for tourists next week (now). I can't remember who posted it, but I am positive it wasn't you.(By the way, MY posts ended up in the hands of Patty Arceo herself, and she now wants my head on a platter.) I believe it was someone who was told by their resort to show up or lose their money.(I don't think we ever actually did find out which resort even though Belize Mama and Sandshaker both offered to interecede...) It would have been a huge mistake on the part of the resort to encourage (extortion, really) these folks to come to a place that wasn't ready. Better to wait and get a glimpse as it should be than to become an unwitting "survivor"/inadverdant volunteer, when all those people wanted to do in the first place was relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings and people....

'Nuff said.

Please keep in touch if you wish. I do expect to come to SP when Carter's school lets out in June, at least for a visit. But we have turned another page in our lives....

Thanks to you all for having been our friends. We will be thinking of you often.

Good luck and God Bless,
Celeste Phillips cphillips001@hotmail.com

I believe the "ready next week" message (to which several of us posted a reply strongly disagreeing) was posted by Ray Auxilliou, who for some reason is able to post as "Marty". Ray means well, but he has a tendency to restate rumors or opinions that he has heard as though they were fact without investigating. He was only trying to help but got his facts wrong.
MARTY: You might want to set it up so that only YOU can post as "Marty," because when you say something, we all know that its true. Ray should be able to post his own messages as himself like everyone else, same for Peter and others.

YIKES...........CELESTE...NUDDA PAGE ....YU MIEN U AINT GONNA BE MEKIN YUR HOME WITH CARTER ,,AND YUR MUSIC IN BZ NO MOE.........!!!!!! YIKES...DIAMMMM....JUS WHEN WE GOT TO KNO YOU TOO.....GEZZZZZ GAL YOU KNO YOU CIAN STAIWEH...!!!
I FOR ONE [and some of you kno who is dis] AM DISSAPPOINTED...AS I'M SURE THOUSANDS OF TOURISTS ARE..{""what !!! no celeste...singin this year""....is what they'll be sehin}....
I'D BE INTERESTED WHY YU GAAN,,,?GEZZZ GAL SAN PEDRO GONNA MISS YOU AN CARTER...GEEZ WE NO GET TO SEE DI BWAI GROW....YOU WONT BE GON LONG..FAH SURE!!
we'll be hearin you sing AGAIN B4 WE KNO IT,,,,OH OHhhhh AH DI GET CHOKED UP !!!