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Tacogirl Belize blog Est. in 2007

You came to the right blog for Belize Resources and Information.

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Living in Belize is Like Living in the Wild West

by tacogirl 22/02/2015
written by tacogirl 22/02/2015
Mahogany Bay Belize

I have always maintained that living in Belize is like living in the wild west sometimes. Yesterday’s shut down of the Control Tower and the resulting airport chaos at Philip Goldson International Airport was a good reminder of how true that can be.

Until yesterday’s parallelization of both flights in and out of Belize. Due to the first and second shift of Air Traffic Controllers calling in sick and the last Professional Air Traffic Controllers strike (I know of one in 1981) the airport was closed.

The ‘Sick Out’ reminds me of the days when they protested with two-week-long bed-ins back in 1969. As a kid, I remember seeing a picture of my Aunt (who was a Hare Krishna at the time) with John and Yoko at the famous bed-in at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal.

I am sure there were a few disgruntled people who had their flights to Belize delayed by up to 24 hours by this incident. There were also those who were receiving an extra day of Belize time as a result of the Belize ATC “strike”.

I was following along with local Belize news yesterday and here is what our two island papers had to say about the incident.

“Sick” Air Traffic Controllers Shut Down Philip Goldson International Airport

The Ministry of Tourism, Culture, Civil Aviation and its Department of Civil Aviation were informed that the Air Traffic Controllers scheduled to work the 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. shift at the Control Tower of the Philip Goldson International Airport had reported in sick. Subsequently, the Department of Civil Aviation has also received an indication that the Air Traffic Controllers scheduled to work  12 a.m. to 6 p.m. reported in sick. Read the full Operations at Philip Goldson International press release in San Pedro Sun newspaper.

Chaos at Belize Airports Nationwide as Belize International Airport Shuts Down

Information given to Ambergris Today indicates that Delta’s early morning flight from Los Angeles to Belize was diverted. It landed in San Pedro Sula, Honduras after it circled a few times over Belize’s international airport. That flight is still grounded this morning in San Pedro Sula with 150 passengers. All other flight aircraft scheduled to land at the airport have been canceled for the time being. Reasons as to the strike are still unknown and airport authorities are looking into the matter to get the airport back in operations. Read more about how the worker’s strike at the Belize’s Phillip Goldson International Airport shutdown flights to Belize in Ambergris Today newspaper.

The other article that came up on Google for me was from The Belizean (Belize News, Updates and Advisories.)

Air Traffic Controllers Sick Out Shuts Down Belize International Airport

The Belize International Airport, also known as the PGIA was shut down today following a sickout by air traffic controllers. Over six international flights including Delta and Avianca were affected. Some flights were diverted to Honduras and Guatemala. Flights were also being canceled as chaos reigned in the early morning when air controllers failed to show up for work at the country’s only operational international airport.

Back to Everyday Belize Living

While all the Belize Airport chaos was going on Dennis and I were in “get healthy” mode and ready to feel the burn at Rose’s Pilates class. Saturdays are always fun and today she did something a bit different in honor of Feb being American Heart Month. She had us get our cardio on and do lots of dancing fun in between moves to sculpt our bodies into long lean lusciousness.

Two-year-old Tinker joined us for the first part of the class. She did a great job of jumping around and smiling a lot before she got bored of us and headed downstairs to play with Enzo at the Zen Arcade daycare playground (a well-used service).

After we finished Cindy and Tink offered us a ride home and suggested we all go to Rum Bean for a nice coffee treat first.

living in belize

Heading south to delicious coffee

belize coffee

Almost there

homes for sale belize

Another Road less traveled

belize people

Slightly less traveled

belize homes for sale

Mahogany Bay development

ambergris caye real estate

Mahogany Bay houses

ambergris caye real estate

Rum Bean coffee shop and Mahogany Bay Sales Offices

At Rum and Bean with Little Tink

Now for the fun pics. It is always interesting to watch young human beings grow and interact with other adults. Tinker wanted an adult beverage and like a parrot kept repeating ” I want coffee mommy.” Being regulars at the coffee shop everyone knew the drill and Tinker got her wish. A no caffeine version aka white foam which she happily enjoyed with a full out milk mustache and beard. 🙂

While waiting for our coffee to be made Tinker and Cindy were going over a fish guide. Tinker would ask “What’s that Mommy?” or point at a random diver with long brown hair and say “mommy” knowing her mother dives (very smart child).

As for my coffee, I asked them to make my usual (blended iced coffee with a banana and chocolate sauce). As an extra treat, they added whipped cream. Normally I would not go for that (so I am glad they did not ask first) as it is too much sugar, but was it ever good. I would totally do it again! Rum Bean whipped cream was so yummy, I could eat a bowl of it straight up. 🙂

 living in belize

Tinker learning about marine life

living in belize

Tinker knew the names of many animals in the book

living in belize

My iced coffee and Dennis reading

living in belize

“I want a coffee mommy,” said 2-year-old Tinker

living in belize

Tinkers version of a coffee warm foam in a small fry cup

Later that night we decided to skip town (our plan B after playing cards against humanity got canceled). Instead, we had a chilled out evening at home. I went downstairs to Barb’s for a bit to play on our new inversion machine and catch up. There was no new news on the Air Traffic Control strike. Having worked the airline industry in Europe a few years before moving to Belize, she agreed it was a wild west moment.

As we chatted I alternated from couch potato to hanging like a bat to stretch my spine. It felt really good, especially with my lower back being a bit sore. I’m learning just how much my core muscles can use strengthening in Pilates Class.

After “bat” time I came back upstairs and Dennis was cooking dinner. Afterward, he switched to being DJ and then we ended up playing a three-hour backgammon and acey duecey tournament.

A great end to a perfect day! 🙂

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.

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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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THE ORIGINAL BELIZE BLOG

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.

If you have any questions or want Belize discounts, Contact me.

SPARKING MY DESIRE

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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