From a friend...
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Just imagine a fishing trip near Bannister Bogue. Beautiful water, healthy
green mangroves, big jacks, barracudas and tarpon cruising along the
channel. The sun is bright, the clouds and sky absolutely spectacular,
God's creation on display...even better than being in church.
The guide shuts off the engine and the silence is yours, I don't even think
I need to fish.
Suddenly there is a sound, the sound of music.
Not music of the sea, not music of the atmosphere, not the music of the
reef: but sounds that pierce into and right through your body. Around the
nearby point of mangroves comes the almost deafening sound of music, loud
blasting music from a powerful system intended to ENTERTAIN the cruise ship
tourists now coming into view, scores lying on plastic beach chairs in the
sun.
Excess flab rolls over brightly colored swim wear trying to reach the sand
to hide like an ostrich from the noise of this MUSIC. Bikinis made to fit
over a 55 gallon drums are pulsing to the MUSIC. Wow! What a cultural
experience these cruise tourists are getting on this man made island
recently converted from lush mangrove drowned cayes by a dredge.
"Folks, this is Belize, this is why you came on this cruise, to see our
culture, to learn how we live in this third world country. This is our
music, imported just for you, enjoy your visit to Belize, buy something,
take my picture, welcome and please come back again".
As they say, this is development!

What a visual ....

Where (N.E.) is this happening. And just when I was considering moving there.

shudder

monorail, monorail, monorail...

interesting really...just had a discussion with many full time locals about this sort of thing. Reminds me of that damn WIngs and their HORRIBLE blasting. YUCK!

i have a friend who lives in maui. and he said that the island itself either accepts or rejects you. I have been here long enough to know that Belize has the strength to do the same thing. I am starting to see why people talk about the gringo's coming down here wanting to change everything...but more on that another time.

in the meantime, just remember folks...slow season will be here and we will all be free from enormous people in tiny swim suits, the loud screaming all the time, and the music.

saw a couple in a Victoria House golf cart on monday night, driving like complete A&*HOLES. they were PASSING cars on FRONT street in the middle of the evening commute, they were driving all over the road all night, and even stopped at roadkill to try to steal charlie, pedros dog! a friend suggested i keep a carton of eggs in my cart for just such people....

but alas, what a conundrum...the tourism dollars are so needed on the island, but how can we do it while preserving what we have today? not likely to be done, so its best to realize you moved here during a snap shot of what it is, its always changing, and its not like it was 10 years ago already. we all move here because we like it when we came. others will move here 10 years from now when most of us are long gone as we just couldnt take it anymore!

I would much rather have our cruise ship visitors out on a man made caye rather than flooding AC for three hours a day (Cozumel). Thankfully that has stopped. Belize City really needs this industry. I really hope it works out for the area. There isn't a whole lot of Belize but I think enough to go around for everyone. For those not wanting visitors, check out gloversreef.com.bz

SIN