Day Nine: January 15, 2015

Patricia's Blog

Beautiful Morning in Placencia

Waking up in paradise, enjoying the comfy bed and head straight to the shower to feel refresh and ready to start our last full day in Belize. Woke up and took a nice warm shower. Got my clothes ready and went outside and saw the most beautiful sky ever. We all met up with our professor, as she tells us that just behind our place, there's a new establishment that does laundry. We all ran back into our little houses and packed up all our dirty clothes that smelled so damp and of forest and rushed to the place and each handed the person our dirty laundry. It's 7 am and we decided just to stroll along the water on the docks and just take in the great view. At 7:30 am we all met up at The Shack for breakfast. I ordered the Grand Slam which includes two pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, and some fruit with a nice glass of orange juice. Around the table we are talking about what we did the prior day after we settled in and had dinner. 

Laughing Bird Island 

Heading back to Placencia

After breakfast we all got into our bathing suits and water shoes, go our sun block, towels, sun glasses, and hats and met up at the main hotel office and walked over to where we were going to get on a boat to takes us to the Laughing Bird island and go snorkeling. We arrived at the hut where we get the snorkeling gear and meet up with our diver, we signed forms, and we all tried on flippers and mask for the first time. Into the boat we go, the rush of the wind and water splashing against us, what a rush. Thirty minutes in wide open waters, however a grey cloud was hovering over the other side, us praying for no rain, but with our luck we arrived at the island already soaking wet. We get off the boat and headed to our portion under the hut, grab a table and organized out belongings. The ranger of the island talked to us about the rules; took a potty break, and got out snorkeling gear ready. We walked along a very rocky portion at the edge of the island, put on our flippers, and Baljinder, Walkiria, and I hold on to each other as we walked backwards into the water and with our floaties like little yellow ballet totos. Into the water and we start to float around, looking at different fishes and coral reef, even saw a sting ray and touched a sea cucumber. Swimming back to shore, we went back to our table and a delicious lunch was waiting for us, fried chicken, rice with beans, and cole slaw. After lunch we had the option to go snorkeling again, I stayed behind as the sun came out and I decided to lay on the beach and try to get a tan. I was watching the pelican diving down to grab food. The others arrived back from the second snorkeling and we all had some coconut and started back to Placencia. 

Drink up 

Back in our little houses, we all took showers and decided to walk around to do some souvenir shopping. I bought so many hand painted magnets and a bracelet. We had our final dinner at The Secret Garden; I had a Cesar Salad and a grilled steak with shrimp top, mashed potatoes, and steamed veggies. After dinner all us girls decided to head back to the Tipsy Tuna and enjoy a night out. We all got frozen drinks topped with cherries. 
Placencia was such a thrill.....sadly the next morning we were off back to New York. 





The Legend of Walkiria's Bag 

Day 9 

Blue Dolphin House 

I woke up around 6:30am to a beautiful view of the sunrise and the beach. Took a shower I put on my bathing suit and shorts and tank top over. Today we would be going snorkeling the weather is so suppose to be sunny and beautiful till 4pm. Breakfast was at 7:30am but we were early so we decided to explore the boat docks and to take pictures of the views. Professor Lia told us about a laundromat that was $15BZ dollars to do a load. The girls and I went back to our rooms to get our load of clothes and took it to the place. We left our laundry and we went The Shak to have breakfast which was right around the corner. As we all ordered our breakfast everyone got their food except for me. I watched everyone eat but I was still waiting. Ken Hopper, a friend of Jacob's who tagged along with us asked the ladies what is happening with my food and apparently they had gotten confused since Patricia and I ordered the same meal. After I got my food I ate and then we went to the snorkeling post to get set up for a day of snorkeling. We had to sign waivers and information sheets in case anything happens (I signed my life way) and he took our sizes ad gave us al the equipment needed for snorkeling. As we were going to the laughing bird it rained on us, we were passing a big cloud but the raindrops were hurting. I said "In a few minutes we will get to a sunny place, you'll see" and sure enough we did! 

Morning View

It was so amazing seeing those different sites of private Islands. I was literally on the way to the middle of nowhere and I didn't even have a problem with it. We get to the laughing bird and we get our things out of the boat and put them on a table. We took some time to use the bathroom and get ready. I was given a life vest because I could never fully trust my body to float. Our snorkeling coach had us wash our mask to make sure it was clear and put on our fins. He told us to walk backwards until We are on the clear part of the water. When we were all good we began swimming into the ocean.

Parrots

 I put my head under water and I was amazed. So many Coral reefs, fishes that were big and small I loved it. He pointed different fishes out. At one point he pointed out a Barracuda. The current was pulling me towards it but I was just learning to control how to stay in place and how to move so I was a little afraid. Every time I swam I felt like I was going to touch the reef but I was trying so hard not to. 

Waiting To go snorkeling 

 I saw a SHARK!! Not a baby shark but a BIG MAMA SHARK. As soon as I spotted it I popped my head out of the water and freaked out a little. I told the rest but they didn't see only a few saw. I can finally say I was close to a shark. I was scared but also happy that I got to experience that. It made me want to do it again. I also saw a stingray they blend in with the ground that as soon as they come out it kind of scares you.

Lunch Time ! We got out the water and our boat drivers had prepared food for us. There was rice and beans and fried chicken. We ate and spoke about how amazing snorkeling is. After an hour or two we were going to go back in but on the other side of the Island and go around. 

We were going back to Placencia and we were going to have our last dinner. We went back to our rooms to take a shower and get ready for Dinner. We went to the Secret Garden. The secret of the menu was the menu of Entrees. I had Spicy Jambalaya traditionally it's a New Orleans dish. It was very spicy and hot but I enjoyed it. After the secret garden, The girls and I went to Tipsy Tuna and we had a girls night out before we leave Belize. Apparently Thursday are the good nights to go out and have a good time.

Last Dinner

Tipsy Tuna 

Baljinder's Blog:

Thursday January 15, 2015. Today was most awaited day since last night. All of us woke up early around 6:30 and started preparing for the day. All we knew was that we were going snorkeling and shopping for gifts later in the day.  Once we were all ready we decided to explore some of the island by our little cabanas since we still had some time before breakfast. On our little morning journey, we encountered Professor Lia doing the same and she told us about a place that had a brand new opening for laundry. They charged 15BZ per pound. So we all decided to get our dirty clothes and head over to the laundromat. My laundry was already in rolls in a bag because I had packed all the wet clothes in one bag. 

After submitting our laundry we went to "The Shack" for breakfast. I ordered french toast with coffee. Unfortunately, Walkiria's breakfast was forgotten so we waited for her food to come after reminding the waitress, to eat. 

Surprisingly, my coffee was amazing because I don't really coffee. The milk for the coffee was creamy and evaporated which was probably made the coffee taste so good. I even got fresh fruit with my french toast and didn't hesitate to take pictures of my food. 

After breakfast we were to get ready to go snorkeling, so we went back to our cabanas and got towels and a change of clothes and wore the ones to snorkel in. Once ready we headed over to the Snorkeling registration where we signed off waivers and contact information. Then we were provided with snorkeling masks and flippers before we loaded the boat that would take us to the island we would be snorkeling off from. 

On our way in the ocean, we were splashed with mists of water, until we went through a rain cloud and were splashed with rain. It become a windy ride at some point. When we were at the island we settled our belongings onto a table and were given instructions on how to take care and wear our snorkeling masks. Dish soap helps masks not fog up. Walkiria, Patricia and I wore life jackets in case of panic in deep water and for me because I cant swim.

It was a little difficult getting into the water because of all the seashells and rocks. We started to float our way into the water. I was a little panicked when we went deeper into the water but Patricia and Walkiria were there being supportive. I floated most of my way and got the hang of swimming. I tried to do everything one step at a time while trying look into the water while floating. We had to be very careful around the coral reefs because we could harm them and ourselves of we didn't pay attention. I did end up scraping my knees on a big rock but it didn't matter because we enjoyed the different views and colors as well as the sea creatures.  

After going about 100-200 feet away from the island, we headed back to have some lunch. there were watermelons, rice and beans, and cahune leaf salad. 

Lunch was great and the sun parted through the clouds, we then prepared ourselves for a second round of snorkeling. This time Patricia stayed back to soak in some sun. 

This time we had some sun while in the water, but also got some very fast tides. There was a moment when I removed my mouth piece to get some air and all I got was salt water. Walkiria spotted out a baby shark and pointed it out until she realized how close she was to it. It was pretty intense.

When we were done snorkeling we went back in the boat to our island of stay. 

The rest of the afternoon was spent on roaming through the market and buying chocolate, hot sauces, bracelets and other goods. We also had ice cream from the ice cream parlor. 

Around 7:00 we met up with Jacob at the Secret Garden for dinner, followed by some last cheers to the end of our trip in Belize.  

Dani's Blog

Our first morning in paradise! We all woke early (now out of habit) and watched the sun rise right on our front porch (total. perfection.) After soaking in all the beauty of an island paradise, we all convened and dropped out soggy (and jungle funk infested) clothes off at a cafe that offered laundry services. 

After breakfast (poor Walkiria was neglected) we made our way to the docks to be fitted for snorkeling gear. Today we were going to the reef! After a bit of paperwork we hopped in the boat and made our way out to the reef (the rain being to kind as to pay us another visit on the way there.)

Thankfully the rain stopped just before we reached the island, literally a little plot of sand in the middle of nowhere (by nowhere I mean ocean). We quickly got settled in and made our way to the entrance port (a challenge but we were all up for it). Before I knew it we were in the water, dipping down and looking at an underwater city. It truly was an unforgettable experience. After our excursion we came back to the shore for a lunch of some of the greatest food I've ever had. Coconut shrimp and fried chicken, fresh coconut juice and watermelon. Seriously out of this world. 

We rested up for a bit (tried to get warm between the sporadic rain showers) and when out again for a second round, but before long, it was time to head back to shore. After cleaning up a but we headed out for our last dinner in Placencia, a beautiful outdoor restaurant called the Secret Garden. Here we were responsible for paying for our own meals, so of course we all ate extravagantly. Although I never got the change to eat gibnut or conch, but I can vouch that the spiny lobster is delicious. 

After dinner we all went out for the last time, once again to the Tipsy Tuna bar (home of the free shots). This time around we ordered some frozen mixed drink, and after missing out on free jello shots, we decided to call it a night. 

Day Ten: January 16, 2015 Going Home

Patricia's Blog

Final morning in Placencia

Waking up to our last morning in Belize...sad. Woke up early and took a quick shower. Made sure everything was in my luggage, leaving what I didn't want behind and making sure my souvenirs were protected. Going outside it was hard to think it was our final morning in Placencia, a hint of purple in the sky, I was heart broken of leaving. Our taxi guy Phillipe came to pick us up and to drive us all the way to Belize City for the airport. We went to the place where we had dropped our laundry to have breakfast, however since we woke up late, we had to rush in eating. Well I took my sandwich to go, but we drank our coffee like a shot (wasn't a good idea because on the car ride over to the airport we all got nauseous). On the way we go to the airport, enjoying the scenery of Belize for the last time, then I actually took a nap on the ride over. 
Arriving at the airport, we said our goodbye to Ken and Phillipe, we all headed to check in our luggage and get our boarding passes. Once inside the waiting area we all ventured into the stores and got last minute souvenirs. Our flight to Miami got delayed, yet we said bye to Walkiria since she was on a different flight. The rest of us were waiting until our time to get into the plane, so Prof. Lia and myself got some lunch to eat while our way to Miami. 
Time to aboard the plane and I was happy it was one of the New American Airline planes with individual screens and more comfy seats. Once seated, we realized it wasn't a full plane, so we all changed seats to be closer to each other and have more room to ourselves. Less than two hours, we were in Florida....on our way to immigration to be welcome back into the states. For the first time, as we rode the air train to the other side of the airport, I was expecting a large line to immigration where a person will assist u, however there was a long line...but for a kiosk. This kiosk scans your passport and gives you a receipt with your picture on it. What got me startled was that my receipt had an X on it. So when we go to the area that beyond that point is to claim our luggage, I got separated from the rest and ended up in another line waiting to be questioned (I believe). Yet, the police guy stationed at my line switch with someone else who took forever to settle in and just rushed the line....took our receipts, stamped it, and let us go. I caught up with everyone once, declared I didn't bring any type of merchandise and left my bag once again and went threw security. At the point when everyone was together again, we said goodbye to Dani since she had a later flight going to LaGuardia, instead of JFK. Waiting and waiting, finally its time to get inside the plane to go home....however what happened next was...WOW. 
So we are sitting inside the plane, and literally over and hour inside, waiting to departure....when the captain on the loud speaker says we need to leave this plane due to mechanics and its going out of service. So we go back into the waiting room and thanks to our professor who got Bal and I, Pizza Hut. As we are finishing our pizza the person from our flight says we have to go all the way from E9 to D50 gate to get on that plane to go to JFK. Race to the other gate....we kept the same seats and off we go back home. We arrive Saturday morning, my dad picked me up, said goodbye to everyone, and off to my own bed. WHAT A TRIP. 

The Legend of Walkiria's Bag

Day 10 

Today would be the day we leave this beautiful country. Waking up was tougher than any other day I've woke up in the morning. The bed was too comfortable perhaps. I get ready and make sure I packed all the things that I had. I double checked and triple checked the bed, the night tables, the bathrooms I wasn't leaving anything. I get my suitcase outside and head out the door. I take a couple of pictures with my brain to help me not to forget the beautiful scenery. It was too beautiful to even forget. We walk to the professor's cabin and we wait a while, we call to her but no answer. Then we saw her walk toward the cabin she had already been up and having breakfast. We follow her to the restaurant and we order something quick so that our stomach aren't empty while we are on our way to the airport. When we walk to the taxi, it's our good friend Felipe. He loaded the bags to the car and we finished our breakfast quickly. We got in the car and drove off. My flight was at 1:35pm I had enough time and the girl's flight was at 12:00pm. As we are driving Baljinder, Dani, and myself have conversations about everything and anything. It made the ride go by faster. We reminisced about the trip we even hoped to come back to Belize because it's such an amazing place. 

The car ride might of felt smooth but we felt a bit car sick.. might of been because we rushed our breakfast down our throats. Half way on the road, Felipe pulls over to a gas station and let's us come out to stretch and use the restrooms.. Thank goodness he did I was getting really car sick. 

We get in the car and continue on the drive. We get to the airport and say our last goodbyes to Ken and the taxi driver. It was nice having to spend time with them. I go to where Delta airlines check in was and the other girls go where American Airlines. When I checked in I used the Kiosk machine and I printed my boarding card. I went to the agent to check in my bigger bag so it can be on the same plane as me (This time my bag won't have a second legend story). After having checked in and all I meet up with the girls so that we can go past security together and then we'd have to go our separate ways. We were in the waiting area I was Gate 4 and American Airlines was Gate 5. I sat with them and waited till our plane arrived. The girl's found out that their plane has been delayed from where ever it's coming from. So I concluded they'd be leaving at the same time I would. 1:30 pm arrived and their plane still didn't arrive. We saw some boutiques in the airport and we decided to shop and see what there is to buy. I bought some things for my family to bring back to them. I got my little sister a little toucan, my mother a mug, I got myself some books, I got my aunt a framed quote and my cousin a globe with an iguana because she likes that animal, two mini bottles of Belizean rum and a post card for a good friend who loves post cards. I was waiting for Delta airlines announcements in case they called my name and they did. I went to the agent and picked up my new boarding card. I was in first class and she told me in 20 minutes they should begin the boarding process. I say bye to Professor Lia, Dani, Baljinder and Patricia I grab all my belongings and walk to the gate. Lia is walking behind me to make sure that I board the plane and I don't get left behind (sometimes I've learned she's literally like a mother). I give my ticket, they scan it and I walk to the plane I board it and I sit in my seat (1C) and sit down. 

Now I'm in Atlanta the previous flight was good. I had to go through immigration and customs (That's always been scary for me, but I know it's important). I see the line and I went on it. The guy says "Where you see a green light you may use that kiosk" I found one and I did the customs form on it, it took my picture then printed my customs form. I walk to the other line after I was done and wait till I was called. 2 people ahead of me and I watch the process of how the immigration officers do their job. Suddenly, it's my turn and he calls next. He ask me where I came from and I said Belize and he said What did I go for and I answered study abroad, then he asked me what did I bring back and I said my knowledge. He looked at me and laughed, I laughed too I think I might of made his night. Then I had to get my luggage and recheck it to my final destination. I found my bag and walked over to security and left my bag with the agent who was taking care of the flight to NY-JFK. My flight to New York isn't until 8pm and I had arrived in from Belize City at 5. I had a couple hours to spare. Finally 8pm arrived and they were starting the boarding process. I kept watching the screen to track whether I would get on the plane or not. Finally, I hear them call my name I go to the desk and they give me my new boarding pass. I went to board the plane and soon enough I'd be home. 
Flying out of Atlanta is always the hardest simply because the airport in Atlanta is a busy airport. 

Finally I land in New York. I cringed at the thought of cold air especially since I am coming back from a hot and tropical place. My mother calls me and asks me "Where are you ?" and I say I just landed. She told me to go to baggage claim, where she works to meet her. I exit the plane and I walk all the way from gate B38 to the end of the gates and turn to get to baggage claim. In the meantime I take out my mother's gift so that when I see her I want her to see it. I get to carousel 10 where baggage claim is and I call out to her, she comes out and she says "My daughter! I miss you". I was happy to see her and glad to be with her. Since then I started to reminisce about Belize and tell her everything I did and all that happen. Then, we went home and that was my Day 10! 

Baljinder's Blog:

Friday January 16, 2015.  Today was the day we were going back home. We woke up early in the morning to make sure we were packed and ready to go. We met Prof. Lia, Ken, and Jacob at The Shack for breakfast although we were unaware that if we wanted breakfast we'd have to be there for 6:30 am. We ordered coffee and literally swallowed it down and rushed to the van. When we were loading up the taxi, to our surprise our taxi driver from day one was there. We were so happy to see him. 

Soon enough we were loaded into the van and we headed off  Placencia to the International Airport. We couldn't believe that we were already leaving. There was so much more to see. Most of our ride consisted of talking and learning more and more about each other and our backgrounds. 

Because we drank the coffee so fast some of us started to feel sick, but were alleviated of the nausea once we stepped out of the  van for some fresh air and a bathroom break. Ken's flight was at 10 so we didn't want to have any delays in our venture. Walkiria's flight was at 12:30 to Atlanta, Georgia. The rest of ours was at 1:30 to Florida. From our locations we were to connect to our connecting flights to NYC. 

The flight to Florida was about two and a half hours and about an hour and a half was spent in immigration forms and check in. 

Patricia had a short problem because she was led to a different line. 

From there Dani was supposed to go to another flight heading towards LaGuardia Airport in NYC, while ours was to JFK Airport. 

We boarded the plane at 6:30 pm. Unfortunately we encountered some problems when the maintenance had an unresolved issue. We were sitting on the plane for almost two hours until we were told to de-board. I was getting impatient while sitting there and not moving. I felt so sorry for Patricia for having to hear it from me being impatient. 

My mom was already at the airport waiting for me to come since the flight was to land around 9:40 pm. Prof. Lia was trying to comfort me and told me its not my fault. Eventually the airline found another plane for us to board onto and we headed back to NYC. I was telling Patricia that we could have stayed a day longer in Belize if this were the case.
We landed around 1:00 am, my mom and little sister were happy to see me. Once  I collected my bags We bid farewell to each other and headed home. 

This was my adventure to and from Belize. I hope to go back some day and experience more than all the fabulous things I learned. 


Dani's Blog

Last day in Belize, last day in Placencia, last day in paradise. Gosh, what an adventure it has been! We all watched the sun rise for the last time, took at least a thousand more pictures and met up with our old friend Phillipe. No time for breakfast, so we all piled in and took off for the airport. The Belizian landscape flashed by at a pace seemingly days faster than it had been within the first days we arrived. In no time we were back in Belize City, organizing our belongings and getting ready to board the plane. A delay allowed us to pick up some last minute souvenirs for friends and families back home, and soon enough we were boarded looking out on the country I had come to love for the last time (last time this trip, I have every intention of returning)

Walkiria left on a different plane, so Bal, Professor Lia, Patricia and I all left together, and like a blink of an eye we were back in the states. Immigration however, was anything but swift. Patricia was held up for a brief time, and unfortunately I couldn't change flights so we could all be together, so once we passed through customs we had to go our separate ways. My plane was delayed for over an hour although it surprisingly wasn't too terrible, and after phasing in and out of sleep I was once again in the concrete jungle I called home. 

By no means was I in the mood to deal with trains, buses, shuttles, or anything of the public transportation species, so I took a cab and went straight home (my first cab!) but not before navigating the airport and receiving my first call since I was back (my beloved Benji). Once home I got a text from Bal explaining they were delayed for hours back in Florida, so I guess for me it was a good thing that I couldn't change flight. I got into my apartment, set down my things (gear, trinkets, clothes and all) flipped through a few photos on my phone (to remind me that all this really did happen) and soon after fell asleep. 

Belize, what a beautiful adventure you were!

Day Five: January 11, 2015

Patricia's Blog
Waking up at BFREE with the howler monkeys as our alarm clocks. The monkeys sounded, for me, to be literally right next to my bed and the other on the opposite side of the bunk house; what a wake-up call. Now daylight I can freely go to the bathroom thats like a mile away (just exaggerating), however there's always a spider in the stall which freaked me up. 

Sitting in the river, hailing to the sun

At BFREE, the weather was nice, so after lunch we all decided to go and bathe in the river. We had to take advantage of this warm day, since rain is all we were getting. The river was a bit high tide and warm. Getting into the water felt so refreshing and made me relaxed. However, we couldn't swim since the river was only a bit higher than our ankles, so I sat in the river and started collecting rocks of different size and actually piling them up and created a rock skyscraper (the architect in me). 

LUNCH

First design presentation

Lunch time, after we got ready and dried a bit from our river bath, we walked to the dining hall and had a great lunch provided by Maya one of the cooks. Now it was time to start measuring the dining hall and have an overall idea where everything is lay out and start coming with ideas. We all collaborated in measuring different portions of the area and coming together to have a general idea on how tall the space is, the post heights, wall distances, furniture length, etc. From here all the way until dinner, we spent our time designing ideas on how we see the dining hall changing to try and provide a bigger kitchen and potential new space for the hangout area. Two spoke to Maya, interviewing her what she would like to see the kitchen and what she needs added. Papers all over the table with dimensions and sketches; we all sat down and started brainstorming different designs to give a presentation after dinner. Another productive day in BFREE!

The Legend of Walkiria's Bag 

Day 5 

Sometimes it felt like the Howler monkeys were right on the door of the bunk house so around 3 am when I had to use the rest room and I heard their beautiful noise I made the courageous decision of going to use the bathroom. I grab my headlamp I grabbed toilet paper and I was on my way. I was so afraid there were spiders with reflective eyes on the floor, I heard noises I never heard before and, and the howler monkey noise sounded like it was by my ear. I literally just wanted to run! I used the bathroom and went straight to bed.. In a few hours I woke up again this time around 6 enough daylight to not be as scared as I was when it was 3 in the morning. I got my clothes ready, grabbed my towel and my soap and took a shower. The cold water is already normal for me so I finished my shower, got dressed and waited for the other girls so I can go to breakfast with them. We went to go have Breakfast by 10:30 it started getting sunnier and we noticed that the air was not humid. We thought that'd be a perfect time to dry some clothes that had gotten wet the day we came in from our hike when we got to BFree. Also we took that opportunity of warmth and sunshine and decided to bathe in the river. 

Dani was cold she's a trooper! 

Patricia enjoyed the current

We've had enough of water but Lia loved it ! 

Is she modeling ? 

 At noon, we got out the water and got ready for Lunch at 12:30. After Lunch we had to measure the dining and Kitchen space to get a rough estimate to sketch more or less how we intend the new proposal can be. Some of us come up with ideas such as building up, building out, Expanding the existing. In the night, at dinner we were going to present our ideas for our first project to the client to understand what his needs and requirements were. We had to speak with him and also speak with Maya, BFree's current cook (Who by the way cooks all the 

amazing food breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner).

It is important to know what Maya might want

different in her kitchen because she is the one 

who is mostly there. 

We had an awesome time at the river 

Baljinder's Blog:

Sunday January 11, 2015. We all got ready as usual, and headed for a Bat Demo at 7:00 am, unfortunately no bats were caught for the demonstration, so we went straight for the hammocks until breakfast was ready at 7:30. 

After that we went down to the Harpe House in which Jacob showed us how some houses were built in BFREE. 

After the Harpe House, Prof. Lia, Dani, Walkiria, Patricia and I went to the tower to take some measurements. On our way Dani spotted a turtle walking along our path. We informed the the rest a few feet behind and Prof. Lia thought it was an endangered Hicattee turtle that might have escaped. So Walkiria and I headed back towards the main kitchen to see if we could find Jacob and see if he could identify the turtle. 

Five minutes later we found him and he told us it was just a mud turtle based off or descriptions and photos taken. So a little excited and disappointed we went back to the trail going towards the tower and we found the rest of the ladies by the Hicattee pond and told them we had to let the mud turtle go. We bid farewell to the turtle and headed back towards the Tower. 

Dani, Walkiria and I headed up the tower to take some measurements, we were also very excited about going up. Patricia and Prof. Lia stayed on the ground and measured the foundation because they did not want to go up. 

Once measurements were done, Dani, Walkiria, and I headed back down after taking some selfies and pictures of the structure. We took some pictures of the foundation before we headed back to the kitchen to sketch what we remembered and took notes on. 

When we were a little tired we thought we would take a break by bathing in the river. 

Dani did most of the bathing while the rest of us just enjoyed the water. We even brought our clothes so that they would dry in the sun while we had it.

However, my sock left me stranded with a missing pair when it decided to drop in the river while my hands were full of wet clothes. Our clothes hadn't dried from the first day that we were at BFREE, and they were starting to reek. 

I guess my sock didn't want to dry anymore and wanted to be apart of the river. 

Once refreshed we headed back to the kitchen to work on some design, and then were invited to go on a short hike to the "Blue Lagoon" after lunch. It wasn't as blue as we thought it would be and Jacob called it the "Brown Lagoon". Dani, Walkiria and I examined some of the precious rocks by the river guided by Canti who had also come with us. Patricia had stayed back to work on more design. 

By the time we headed back to the kitchen, it was time for dinner. 

We had some amazing brownies. 

We presented a little more of our designs to Jacob, and narrowed down some ideas.

Then it was time for a mini hammock break before we went to sleep. Dani starting adding some lyrics together and made up he song called "The Legend of Walkiria's Bag". We were really excited about our designs as well. Marcelleno had stayed back to listen to our stories while everyone called it a night a little while before we headed off.

In the midst of our laughter I thought I spotted a worm by the the toad that was in the room for quite a while. But when I examined closer, it was moving away really fast, Marcelleno took a look at it and told us it was actually a small coffee snake. The toad hopped away, upset that we disturbed its dinner. 

After watching the snake go back to its habitat, we put our shoes on and headed to sleep.

Not to mention, Walkiria found a spider in her shoe.

Sleep.

Dani's Blog

Apparently Howler monkeys took the time out of their morning to wake everyone within a 10 mile radius, but fortunately I slept like a rock. After breakfast Jacob toured us around the quality and building style of the structures on site at BFREE and eventually we made our way back to the observation deck for measurements (and skyline touring part 2) 

After all the hard work of looking out on the Belize forest reserve, we rewarded ourselves with a brief river break. At the recommendation of Aurora's reading back at the Maya Center, I performed a personal ritual of bathing in the river, and after splashing around for a bit we headed back to the dining hall for lunch. 

We made a little more headway on design before being invited on another "short" hike to the Blue Lagoon. Since it hadn't stopped raining for more than 6 hour intervals once we found ourselves in Belize, it was safe to say we were perpetually soaked (yes to warm weather) and the river temporarily renamed to the Brown Lagoon. 

Since the hike was so "short," it was dinner by the time we got back to BFREE. After dinner and a brownie (or two) we whittled down on some of the things Jacob wanted for the Dining hall (still no "clear" direction, but all a part of the experience!) After a brief but well deserved hammock nap (and some baby snake excitement), we headed back to bed for the night.