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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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Double Collection Brought Great Rewards

by tacogirl 04/10/2015
written by tacogirl 04/10/2015
Beautiful Belize

Oceana Belize and Scout Association

Through the joint efforts of Ocean Conservancy and the Scout Association of Belize, islanders teamed up and helped them take action for a big ocean conservation clean-up day – an annual event. The goal was to clean up as much water trash as possible and keep our aquatic environment clean and healthy.

I got a participants list from Scout leader Martin who was involved in the organizing. On Ambergris Caye, in addition to the organizers, he listed Ecologic Divers, South Neighborhood Watch, The Phoenix, San Pedro Town Council, Leos Club and Cadets and tacogirl.com took part this important event.

Originally we were supposed to go on Ecologic Divers boat and cover Mexico Rocks area. Plans changed last minute and our group of 5 ended up joining the Seaduced crew on their boat. We set out to clean the mangrove channel area up to Osmin’s Mechanic Shop area in Boca Del Rio.

Not long after we set out we realized to make our work easier we needed to go back and get 2 kayaks as they would be able to get to some of the garbage what was buried deeper in the mangroves. This worked well and so did the two gaffs that Shelly brought. It was agreed more gaffs were needed for next year and a rake or two. We also brainstormed concepts for some sort of a mid-size framed net on a pole would be helpful for scooping.

After the channel, we still had some time and garbage bags so we cut across the lagoon and went to the west side of Brahma Blue area. It was shocking how much garbage was in both areas. We got what we could before running out of trash bags and time.

The garbage we found included way too many motor oil containers; tires, toys, various plastic bottles, lots of styrofoam, fishing line with hooks, rope, metal, PVC pipe, spray cans, metal bike wheel frame, pillow, shoes, coolers, buckets, plastic bags and more.

The amount of garbage we saw floating along the shoreline in the mangroves was disheartening. I walked away feeling saddened that we had barely made a dent yet knowing our efforts were important all the same. We collected at least 12 big bags of trash plus a lot of big stuff that was not bagged. As you can see in the pictures below the pile on Municipal Pier was growing big and that was only from 2 groups efforts.

First Friday group also did their monthly clean up this week. I heard about it in more detail from Sue at the blood drive. She noted this time was their best ever. They had about 20 people show up and there was a noticeable improvement of less trash this month (except for the area by the movie theater and around the bridge) To read more about that and see pictures of who showed up click through to Robert Hawkins write up The winds of change are in the air on Ambergris Caye.

Beautiful BelizeBeautiful BelizeBelize newsOcean ConservancyBeautiful BelizeOcean ConservancyBelize newsAbout BelizeBeautiful BelizeBeautiful BelizeNews from BelizeBelize newsOcean ConservancyOcean ConservancyOcean Conservancy

Blood Drive

Yesterday we did out first extended hours Blood Drive at the San Pedro Poly Clinic – 9:00 am – 7:00 pm. It was a long day and we were all pleased with the success of collecting 34 pints.

Being a Red Cross volunteer teaches us a lot of things and one of the big ones is flexibility. All week I was scheduled for the 9:00 am shift and willing to stay the full time if we were short on help. The day before the blood drive I got rerouted to the afternoon shift as a bunch of Med Students were now planning to come in the morning. I did not mind as that allowed for me to join the Oceana/Scouts clean up above.

By the time I got to the blood drive at 3:30 and I was tired from being on the water in the hot sun picking up trash all morning. I got an instant pick-me-up with a cup of Caye Coffee donated by Paul to help our volunteers get through the day. Not only did he get us coffee, knowing that we did not have a coffee maker to be able to use his donation, he went and asked Simon at SP Hardware if he would donate a coffee maker to the Red Cross. Simon did not hesitate to fill his request.

San Pedro Belize Red CrossSan Pedro Belize Red CrossSan Pedro Belize Red CrossSan Pedro Belize Red Cross

We Could Not Do It Alone

Belize Red Cross San Pedro branch and SP Cancer Society appreciate all the donors that came out to yesterday’s blood drive. A shout out to volunteers from both, the Washington University Medical School and the SP community who came to help out.

We would also like to give a big thank you all of our sponsors: Tropic Air, Ramon’s Village Resort, Caye Coffee, El Fogon, Marbucks, Coco Locos, and SP Hardware. Also Dr. Otto Rodriguez Polyclinic for hosting us and providing a large water.

The successful blood drive could not do it without everyone’s help. Thanks also goes out to all those that made a cash donation, watch local press and BRCSP Facebook for the total raised.

More Information

In addition to the 34 pints mentioned above, the Red Cross is super pleased that 3 of those pints the were rare O-. There is now a “rare blood types list” started and the Red Cross is working towards filling it, this way it will be easier to get in touch with donors when O- blood is needed.

Another thing that was done this time to increase the donations was to group text message all the regular donors the day of the drive. Several people said this was very helpful in making sure the blood drive got on their Saturday to do list.

If you want to get on either of the lists mentioned above, please make contact via our Facebook page or by email both listed below.

The blood collected at each island blood drive is held “in trust” at the Belize Blood Bank for use specifically by the Ambergris Caye Community whether it be for locals or tourists; a planned procedure or an emergency situation. While we have a set allocation in our reserve, blood has a shelf life. Approximately 36 days at refrigerated temperatures.

With that in mind, it would be all too easy for the country to have very little or no blood between usage and expiry.This is why what the Red Cross is doing is so important and really is grateful for all the support. We are setting our goals high to get more regular donors at our quarterly drives. We also want to eventually get the whole country more involved and see a need for this as people from Punta Gorda, Corozal, Dangriga, Belize City and Belmopan have all looked to us for help after learning about our reserve.

Get Involved

If you would like to take our monthly first aid course, become a member or volunteer for Belize Red Cross San Pedro Branch please contact info.brcsp@gmail[dot]com. You can also show support by liking our Facebook page Belize Red Cross – San Pedro and inviting all your local friends to do the same. Like Belize Volunteer Blood Donor Service Facebook page if you want to keep up with what they are doing beyond our San Pedro Blood Drives.

San Pedro Belize Red Cross

So excited thanks to Caye Coffee Paul and SP Hardware Simon we now have a new coffee maker

Caye Coffee Belize

You can bet the volunteers were happy for a Caye Coffee station with a 10 hour day for many of them

San Pedro Belize Red Cross Blood Drive

Dion one of our rare 0- blood times was cool as a cucumber his first time donating

San Pedro Belize Red Cross Blood Drive

Preliminary screening and blood typing

San Pedro Belize Red Cross Blood Drive

Regular blood donator and community supporter

Sweet Love

In addition to a welcome cup of coffee mentioned above, I was surprised and delighted to see that there was still some heart shaped cookies left from Marbucks by the time I arrived for my shift. I was sure they would be all gone. Marlene and her husband both showed up to donate blood as well.

San Pedro Belize Red Cross Blood Drive

Heart shaped cookies are always a hit

After Party

After the blood drive, Sue had plans to go to dinner with the Belize Blood services crew and invited me to join them. Since Ramon’s Village resort was hosting them, we decided to eat at their onsite restaurant Pineapples and Dion from San Pedro Sun joined us. I had so many questions I wanted to ask Belize Blood services but after such a long day I left them for future and just enjoyed getting to know everyone more on a personal level.

Ramons Village

Love their metal tiki lamps

Ramons Village

Poolside dining and live music at Pineapples

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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