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Tacogirl Belize blog Est. in 2007

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Another Side of Paradise

by tacogirl 03/04/2007
written by tacogirl 03/04/2007
San Pedro Belize beach pictures

I went to the school today to take my friend Carole, her mother-in-law Janet and the kids to drop off donations that Janet had collected for Holy Cross. She brought so many wonderful things including big crayons that are easy for small hands to hold, tooth paste & brushes, puzzles, stickers, hand made knit toys by a woman at her church and much needed bowls and cups in bright Caribbean colors.

It is Easter holidays for the kids right now, but many of them were hanging out at the school as a group from the states arrived Sunday and came to volunteer with carpentry, painting and bible study. It is not often you see kids excited to go to school during holidays, but the kids were so happy to have these folks spend time with them. It is important that they have the option come to school over Easter break because the area where many of the students live is not really a place where they can run around play and just be kids.

San Mateo is an area of San Pedro that many never get to see when they visit the beautiful island paradise of Ambergris Caye. It is right across the bridge to the north and behind Holy Cross School. Many of the students that attend Holy cross live in this area. Most of the houses are made from found materials and are not in the best of shape. While there is some running water in this area they get it for maybe a couple of hours a day and there is no sewage system.

My walk to pick up Carole Janet and the gang, the school, San Mateo and back was 2.04 miles which = 7186 steps. That works out to 41 minutes of aerobic activity and 4165 aerobic steps. No wonder I was ready for a sandwich and fresh pineapple juice when I got home.

Carole, Janet and the kids getting the tour

Snack time a cup of Cheerios a banana and a nature valley bar

Kids hanging out in the classroom

Enjoying juice and fruit

Kids singing and having a ball

Back area of the school

The bridge that takes the kids from San Mateo to the school every day

Homes are often made using found materials

Plank walkways are common to this neighborhood as it is very swampy and the land surrounding the houses is rarely dry

Many of the houses are quite small when you consider a family is living there. Some people have bigger bathrooms and walk in closets

Not much yard space for the kids to play

Next time you are going home consider how lucky you are not to have to walk a plank to get to your house
More found materials for building

This house has a bit of a deck beside it

Imagine carrying a load of groceries home

The houses on low ground

Related

tacogirl

Laure Norton grew up dyslexic and was very challenged by the school. She never dreamed she would move to Belize and become a writer. A year after her move to Ambergris Caye, Laurie became an entrepreneur and professional writer starting tacogirl blog in 2007. Since then she has helped many people plan their vacations or move. She also has been published in Great Destinations Belize Guidebook, Moon Guide to Living in Belize, Insight Guides, Island Magazine several times and USA Today. Currently Laurie resides in downtown San Pedro and enjoys being a "city girl" on a tropical island.

previous post
Belize City Travel
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San Mateo Needs Help

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2 comments

SHowarth 13/08/2007 - 7:23 pm

Having just returned from Ambergris Caye, I can tell you that the pictures on this website barely give you a feeling for what living conditions in San Mateo are like. The prior comment regarding electricity is correct: no electricity, no running water, and no sewers. The ares outside the “houses” serve as instant dumps, because there is no other option for residents. The work Holy Cross is doing is unbelievably needed and incredibly wonderful! If you have the chance, GO see this place and participate in its growth and service. You will be changed by the experience.

Reply
HUGHENA 22/04/2007 - 2:44 am

Wow what do they use for cooking? Most places do not seem to have electricity or chimneys. This is the side of Paradise that most vacationers never get to see. Thanks for the insight.

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Corey Holm
Corey Holm
04:38 25 Feb 20
I take the seniors from our academy to Belize every year for their senior trip. One of the first people I contact when... I start planning the trip is Laurie with TacoGirl Belize. She knows the island of San Pedro better than anyone else out there. Trust me, I have looked. If you are looking for the best restaurants, hang outs and shops then Laurie help plan your vacation.read more
Carol Taylor
Carol Taylor
15:53 24 Feb 20
Love Taco Girl Blog @LaurieNorton! I've been reading this blog since I started visiting Ambergris Caye in Belize almost... 10 years ago. It is filled with helpful up-to-date information and recommendations that I wouldn't necessarily find on my own. Laurie Norton's knowledge and extensive network on the island provides her with the ability to share perks/discounts/coupons with her readers, which come in handy year after year. Things on the island change daily - new businesses pop up constantly and LaurieNortonstays on top of these developments. Whenever I plan my return trip to the island, I always check her blog first - and I recommend you do the same. Trip Advisor ain't got nuttin' on Taco Girl!read more
Heidi
Heidi
20:01 20 Feb 20
Laurie's blog is my official “go to” source for tourist and local information on San Pedro. Of course, it’s always nice... to see her guides on “what to do” in San Pedro, but I also appreciate her “insider” advice and human interest stories on what it’s like living as a local on the island. There is so much information it's amazing! Thank you Laurie!!!read more
Nick Goodman
Nick Goodman
21:23 30 Nov 19
I am considering a move to Belize and I have serendipitously found tacogirl.....what a treasure! She is full of great... advice, helpful hints.....knows everybody on Ambergris Caye and has a thousand useful recommendations and suggestions. Whether you are planning a vacation or relocating, you should make use of the many services she has to offer…..read more
KellyDivePhotography
KellyDivePhotography
20:58 30 Nov 19
I’m so pleased to see tacogirl's blog on Google. Laurie's blog is my official “go to” source for tourist and local... information on San Pedro. Of course, it’s always nice to see her guides on “what to do” in San Pedro, but I also appreciate her “insider” advice and human interest stories on what it’s like living as a local on the island. I especially enjoy her guest articles, providing a different perspective of all things San Pedro. Her tipping quide is a classic, and don’t forget her Tropic Air flight code and on-island discounts. You’re not up-to-date with what’s going on in San Pedro if you’re not regularly reading tacogirl's blog.read more
Sandra Godfrey
Sandra Godfrey
15:58 23 Nov 19
I have known Laurie (Taco Girl) for several years. She has been a wealth of good information for me in all of my... pursuits in Belize. I highly recommend her for any services you may require.read more
William Jones
William Jones
13:39 06 May 19
Do yourself a favor. Read this BEFORE any trip to San Pedro - Ambergris Caye or Belize in general. Not saying “do what... everyone else says”, but Laurie has frank and honest info which will make your stay in country a little more fun, a little more informative, and often at a great cost savings. Best thing: it’s unbiased, honest, and factual. Personal note: thank you for your personal tailored help in answering mine (and my wife’s) questions.read more
Kimberly Robinson
Kimberly Robinson
18:28 03 May 19
Taco Girl (Laurie) is amazing. She has so much knowledge about Belize and has great connections with many of the... businesses in Belize. Because of her connections she is able to offer many perks and discounts that you wouldn't have been able to find otherwise. She is super responsive and I always go to her for all my travel needs. From golf cart rentals, to spas, to places to eat. She's got the inside scoop on all!read more
Michael Rieck
Michael Rieck
20:22 21 Apr 19
Since 2003, my wife and I have been to Ambergris at least once a year to experience the fantastic diving. About twelve... years ago we me Tacogirl on a blog giving us discounts on golf carts, local airfares, and restaurants. Over the years we have grown a friendship and I look forward to her weekly blogs about he changes on my favorite home away from home. The island changes every year, and she always shows you what to see, do, and eat.read more
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ABOUT ME

I took the plunge and moved to San Pedro Town on the Island of Ambergris Caye, off the coast of Belize, Central America. Originally from Canada, I made the life-changing move to escape winter for good (in 2006) after one three week vacation.

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3 childhood memories that shaped my desire to move to Belize from a young age.Sailing in the Virgin Islands, seeing a rainbow out the window of an island hopper as we flew from Virgin Islands to Puerto Rico, Christmas in Hawaii and many trips to Florida.

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