Tacogirl Belize blog Est. in 2007
  • –
  • Home
  • About Belize
    • My Move to Belize
    • Living in Belize
    • Belize Tourism Board
    • Blog Press
    • tacogirl.com testimonials
  • Flights to Belize
    • Flying in Belize
    • Flights From Belize
    • Duty Free Belize
    • Aerial Tours
    • World Nomads Travel Insurance
  • Belize Vacation
    • Vrbo Belize – A Paradise within a Paradise
      • Vrbo Ambergris Caye – Sunshine, Luxury & Fun
      • Vrbo San Pedro – Food, Fun, and Adventure
      • Vrbo Placencia – A True Getaway
      • Vrbo Hopkins Belize – Experience Culture
    • Ambergris Caye Accommodations by Price
    • Belize Resorts and Hotels
    • Pet Friendly Hotels
    • Belize Vacation Deals
  • Flight Discount
    • Big Belize Travel Deal
  • Travel Store
    • tacogirl Recommendations
    • Easy Donations
    • Eco Friendly Belize
  • Fun Activities
    • Getting Around Ambergris Caye
    • Google Maps Guide
    • Fitness
    • Things to do in Belize
    • Belize Excursions and Tours
    • Voluntourism
  • Travel
    • Central America
    • Yucatan
  • Home
  • Belize Weather
  • Belizean Food
  • Restaurants by Price
  • Beach Bars
  • Nightlife
  • Discounts
  • Hand Up
    • SAGA Humane Society
    • RRR Emergency Response Team
    • Island Road Safety
    • Road Safety Assessment
Tacogirl Belize blog Est. in 2007

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

  • –
  • Home
  • About Belize
    • My Move to Belize
    • Living in Belize
    • Belize Tourism Board
    • Blog Press
    • tacogirl.com testimonials
  • Flights to Belize
    • Flying in Belize
    • Flights From Belize
    • Duty Free Belize
    • Aerial Tours
    • World Nomads Travel Insurance
  • Belize Vacation
    • Vrbo Belize – A Paradise within a Paradise
      • Vrbo Ambergris Caye – Sunshine, Luxury & Fun
      • Vrbo San Pedro – Food, Fun, and Adventure
      • Vrbo Placencia – A True Getaway
      • Vrbo Hopkins Belize – Experience Culture
    • Ambergris Caye Accommodations by Price
    • Belize Resorts and Hotels
    • Pet Friendly Hotels
    • Belize Vacation Deals
  • Flight Discount
    • Big Belize Travel Deal
  • Travel Store
    • tacogirl Recommendations
    • Easy Donations
    • Eco Friendly Belize
  • Fun Activities
    • Getting Around Ambergris Caye
    • Google Maps Guide
    • Fitness
    • Things to do in Belize
    • Belize Excursions and Tours
    • Voluntourism
  • Travel
    • Central America
    • Yucatan
0

Extended COVID-19 Power Out, Did I Break any Rules?

by tacogirl 02/05/2020
written by tacogirl 02/05/2020
Empty park during Covid-19 in Belize

Thursday, April 30th, we had an extended Belize Electricity COVID-19 Power Out – 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Before it happened I had made up my mind I was going to put on a cute and inconspicuous swim dress and take a chance to at least walk in the water if not fully submerge at Ramon’s Dock. I planned to decide at the time, depending on what I saw when I got to the beach.

Extended Belize Electricity Covid-19 Power Out

Then I listened to a summary of what was to come, rule wise and I remembered that swimming was off the table right now. (The picture above was taken April 21st) I know they say it is off the table because it is an activity that promotes social gathering. However, as you will see in my other pictures below, there is plenty of public normalcy happening daily. Why should swimming be stopped when people are continuing to stand close together, hold hands, or publically hug? Yes, I actually saw two people hug (they looked like friends) outside the Front St. Atlantic bank machine on Monday. Swimming is therapeutic for both body and mind.

Trying To Follow The Rules

I decided I was going to avoid the beach and leaving home altogether if I could. I had kind of wanted to take pics, but I listened to a good friend, John Robo, after reading it lots times on his funny @ss, quirky, often visually tasty NYC blog stay the &*$@& home. Dean Barrow, Our Prime Minister, said the same only much politer.

So I decided since I had nowhere to go unless my apartment became downright unbearably hot, I was going to stay home and enjoy the 7h power out. Which I totally did. I have a fantastic place to self-quarantine.

Indoor Power Outage Fun

As soon as I finished Reef TV news live on FB and hot spotting my laptop online that morning so I could get my last write up about Hungry Grouper, and a great story sent in and sponsored by Ron Weisguth about the owner, Chef Argyle, I clocked out and stepped away from my desk.

Which meant it was time for some serious backgammon app time followed by a long leisurely nap. But first I decided to enjoy some art time and take a few mandala pictures. My Camera Mx app has a kaleidoscope app, and I find it very relaxing to play with sometimes. The first picture is a plumeria on my coffee table from Kunahmul Organics. I took lots that day and got many good ones, but that was the best one for this purpose.

The next two came the day after as I was ordering $10 chicken fingers and fries from Juvenie’s Ceviche on the corner. While waiting for my food, I walked back home and snapped palm trees in the middle and a group of plants on the left.

  •  Covid-19 mandala art by tacogirl Belize Blog
  •  Covid-19 mandala art by tacogirl Belize Blog

As for my long nap, thanks to a great friend Courtney who was willing to bring down a USB rechargeable fan on her last visit, I slept deep and comfortable. On medium, speed, my Harta 8-inch desk fan with rechargeable lithium battery outlasted my sleep, which was almost three hours. (Picture courtesy of Harta listing on Amazon.)

Extended Belize Electricity Covid-19 Power Out

COVID-19 Belize Update

Post shuteye, I listened to a summary of what was to come to rule wise (I recently wrote about rules happening in threes around here.) One of the leading hot button issues is the $5000 BZD or two years in jail fine for not wearing a mask.

Do I think this heavy-handed rule is crazy insane at this stage of the game? You bet I do. Will I wear a mask outside? Absofrigenlutely.

Did I already forget it once? Unfortunately, yes, and the look of shock on another customer’s face clued me into my error. When I went back to get my $10 take out, I had a mask on. I still believe it should be a choice.

Was I wearing one up till now? Very little. On Business Insider from the beginning of April, I read, WHO said there is no need for healthy people to wear masks.

Insider WHO quotes: “There is currently no evidence that wearing a mask (whether medical or other types) by healthy persons in the wider community setting, including universal community masking, can prevent them from infection with respiratory viruses, including COVID-19.” WHO also said community masking could lead to a “false sense of security” and cause people to ignore other evidence-based measures like handwashing and self-isolation.

As I struggled with my ill-fitting mask, I felt weird not having the choice when it has been proven that masks are not always good. Especially here, when people do not wash them enough, touch them too often or, in one case, reported on FB share them to get into a place. While that last one is technically an urban legend, I do not doubt it could happen here as people are simply not good at social distancing and are very used to sharing.

*Please note the following pictures were all taken right before it was set in place for us to be fined for not wearing masks. As I went for an essential errand to pick up my Mobile Market Fresh Food Delivery order Wednesday night, Coconut Drive was looking rather busy for a few minutes. The left side image was taken on Tuesday while doing a hardware and grocery store run in the area. Newish dividers on the beach road, and a cart full of people looking rather ordinary all things considered.

I heard water taxis, and soon Tropic Air will be running with limited passenger service making essential travel a hot button issue as well. Especially with resorts and hotels being allowed to open for in-country use since our borders are still closed until at least June unless something significant changes.

  • Extended Belize Electricity Covid-19 Power Out
  •  Extended Belize Electricity Covid-19 Power Out

Finishing the Power Out

Something else I did that day was, play with water. If you did not catch my last taco tip on FB or Instagram here, it is…..

taco Tip # 27 Cooling preparation for extended power outages.

Use empty vitamin bottles to make ice and keep condiment shelves cool in the fridge. Tall thin vinegar ones work well too. Having extra ice packs for the refrigerator is also handy. If you don’t have extras, yogurt containers work well.

Were you wondering about the doubloons on ice? They are my DIY barometers. A sunken quarter means I had a thaw. Due to the length of the outage, I made some bigger ones to help double duty. They helped cool my fridge and gauge my degree of a thaw in my freezer that day.

Extended Belize Electricity Covid-19 Power Out

So my extra ice pack barometers worked, and they lasted a long time. I did not need it, but the extra jars in the photo below were tap water in case I felt like I wanted a cool-down rinse during the outage. The smaller recycled container was also great as chunky-sized ice kept my afternoon iced coffee cooler a lot longer. As for the barometer, at the end of the day, my quarters were still floating. I moved that one to the fridge for the picture below.

 Extended Belize Electricity Covid-19 Power Out

The pic below was taken at 7:30 pm, almost 12 hours after the large size yogurt had been put in the freezer to help keep my meat frozen. That is a pretty big solid chunk left.

 Extended Belize Electricity Covid-19 Power Out

I will leave you with a final thought and a couple of more pictures.

If our daily outside world in Belize keeps looking so visibly normal, why are they consistently making us step backward with their confusing or outdated rules? Keep opening things up safely and logically and help financial movement get flowing within the country. Instead, they keep making unclear and crazy rules with lots of gray areas. Like allowing salons, mani-pedi, and barbershops but not spas. They also seemingly want to stop people who can, from spending money ( except on masks 😀 ) on some things that could be generating income.

The two images below were taken Wednesday evening before the mask rule, and hefty fines ($5000 Belize dollars or two years in jail) went into effect. I took the pictures to show closeness. People are used to it, and every day it happens. If it is going to look normal on the street, please allow the safe opening of all businesses for country use and enable the owners to decide how they can make it work best. In case you are wondering, it has been 19 days since our last COVID-19 case. That feels like light-years on a small island.

  •  Extended Belize Electricity Covid-19 Power Out
  •  Extended Belize Electricity Covid-19 Power Out

Related

tacogirl

Laurie 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
Why You Should Hungry Grouper
next post
How Many Times Did I Go Out? And Farm Fresh List

You will also like

A Local Perspective On The Loosening Of Covid...

04/03/2022

Repeat Offenders Club of Ambergris Caye

15/02/2022

NYE, I Got Tasered I mean Pfizered, Covid...

03/01/2022

Central Park was Dark and Santa’s Afternoon Nap

12/12/2021

Happy Garifuna Day and Two Important Opportunities

19/11/2021

Fish Counting Fun

16/10/2021

Small Group Dive & Snorkeling Tour

08/10/2021

October Updates On The Belize Covid Coaster

01/10/2021

A Great Belize Holiday Tech Tip & Independence...

21/09/2021

Two Fun Beach Bar Trivia Night Options

20/09/2021

1 comment

Pirate Jim 03/05/2020 - 10:39 am

A BZ quarter is a shilling not a doubloon.. BIG difference!!! A doubloon is a gold coin worth up to $,5,000 U.S./ Piece of Eight is a silver coin, worth a little less. Ask a Pirate! And you’ll get the right scuttlebutt…RRRRRrrrrrr… STAY SAFE KIDDO!

Reply

Leave a Comment

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Search Belize by Category

belize specialist certificate

Duty Free Discount

Find tacogirl On Facebook

Find tacogirl On Facebook
tacogirl Belize blog
tacogirl Belize blog
5.0
Based on 49 reviews
powered by Google
Darrell Moore
Darrell Moore
13:15 18 Apr 22
Laurie was super helpful in providing places to eat, things to do and best yet had ongoing blogs that allowed us to... look back on other places that she pointed out. A fantastic resource for both first time and return visitors of Ambergris Caye!read more
B W
B W
18:01 08 Feb 22
Fantastic service .I needed to find a place where I could buy a local sim card as my UK sim doesnt work in belize and... Tacogirl put me on the right path .Decided to walk across town and discovered so much more in beautiful San Pedro.Many thanks.BWread more
Kristi Palm
Kristi Palm
20:40 12 Oct 21
We have been using TacoGirl for what feels like decades when planning our trips to Belize! It has only been a few... years but she is the first place we stop to see what is happening in our favorite vacation spot. She knows all the best spots to get away and do so many fun things - whether it is relaxing or exploring! We are planning our next trip with our twins and she was the first person I reached out to. Knowing we have a resource like her, makes trip planning a breeze!read more
D Zep
D Zep
12:39 01 Oct 21
Found tacogirl while doing some research on an upcoming trip to Belize. This is the place for all the information you... need to plan your vacation. Incredibly helpful and responsive. I sent an email with lots of questions and received a very quick and detailed response that helped us finalize our plans.read more
Kelley Adams
Kelley Adams
20:19 21 Sep 21
We have been following TacoGirl for years now and before booking any trip to San Pedro we check to see what is... currently happening. We love the emails to let us know when a new blog has been posted. Keep up the great work Laurie, we feel like we know you.read more
Pamela Nixon
Pamela Nixon
18:36 20 Sep 21
I first got my Passport in 2012 and Taco Girl was my first connection back then Great then and Marvelous Now! She's... blossomed and developed into a wonderful contact for any and all information Belize. She goes above & beyond to respond with information that you need whether visiting Belize or relocating! I wasn't able to fund the move then but now that I have much more equity I am doing it.This time she was the 1st person I reached out to! Now I am selling and moving to Belize. She responds immediately! Like I do in my Pet Sitting Business! I was so impressed I followed her all this time. And was not disappointed!Pamela Nixonread more
Chris S
Chris S
17:12 17 Sep 21
Wanted to give a shout-out to tacogirl belize for helping us! She is a plethora of knowledge and was super helpful and... responsive in helping us find longer term stay on the island. Thank you so much for your help!read more
Ty Willingham
Ty Willingham
01:47 20 Aug 21
I've spent the last month exploring Belize. I'm retired & seriously considering moving down to Belize permanently from... the US. I contacted the local San Pedro expert "Taco Girl" to help me get started in finding an apartment to rent. With her help, I've located several places that meet my needs & budget requirements. Thank you Laurie!read more
Greg Cox
Greg Cox
18:58 04 Aug 21
I am very glad I found you and asked you a question about a spice in Belize. You helped me figure out the name of it... and where i could buy it. You went above and beyond to help. Thanks again.read more
Katherine Jones
Katherine Jones
18:41 02 Aug 21
I am so grateful for the time and energy Laurie has taken to share about her experiences traveling to and living in... Belize as well as provide thorough recommendations for planning a trip there. I was so thankful (and honestly surprised) that Laurie took the time to respond to several of my questions via email. I highly recommend reading Laurie's blogs and helping to support her business. Thank you Laurie!!read more
Greg R
Greg R
02:12 29 Jun 21
tacogirl was very nice to share her knowledge with us and assisted with planning our trip to Belize; thank you for the... help and info, it was helpful and allowed us to plan utilize our time accordingly while both on the mainland and islands of this great country.read more
Katherine Carlson
Katherine Carlson
18:46 02 Jun 21
As a Canadian—tired of long winters—I cannot wait to spend some time in Belize. I haven't set foot yet, but I am... yearning for lots of Caribbean adventure. Thanks so much to tacogirl for her endless enthusiasm and generosity of spirit. She is a constant stream of up-to-date information. Her knowledge and love of the area is priceless, and I will need her expertise for future endeavours!read more
Kathleen Ward
Kathleen Ward
18:29 02 Jun 21
We started coming to Ambergis Caye in 2014 and stumble on to Tacogirls blog, so glad we did! We used her 15% discount... at The Premier Duty-Free shop in the airport! It worked great all we did was let them know we read it on her blog . She has great information awesome pictures, we have tried several places she has recommended, all were amazing. Highly recommend reading her blog. Kathleenread more
ksniegoc1
ksniegoc1
17:45 02 Jun 21
It was my first time visiting Belize and San Pedro so naturally I had a ton of questions when it came time to planning... the travel. Taco Gril's blog was an invaluable source of information for all the travel questions in Ambergris Caye. I was able to learn a lot of basic information, as well as many tips and tricks. In addition when I reached out to Taco Girl for advice on finding a local photographer and a restaurant recommendation, she was very quick to respond and gave me many helpful suggestions. She also provided a lot more information from a local's point of view, which was much for valuable than than a typical guidebook. Thanks to her helpful suggestions we were able to celebrate my daughter's birthday at a nice restaurant, and had a great photo family session with a local photographer. I'm very thankful for all her resources and knowledge.read more
Myra F
Myra F
01:30 25 Mar 21
I started coming to San Pedro Belize in 2007 and that is when I met the online presence of Taco Girl. Her blogs on the... island and area are very personable and informative. She gives out promo codes from time to time so watch out for those. You cannot go wrong with someone who was a tourist and now lives here for quality info. Thanks Taco Girl for helping make my trips memorable!read more
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
Next Reviews
js_loader

 

 

Belize Humane Society

 

 

john mcafee story

 

 

 

 

 

Get the latest posts by email

Tripadvisor logo

Search Belize by Month

Facebook Twitter Instagram Linkedin Flickr Youtube

Belize Blog Est. 2007

belize travel specialist

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 help planning and booking, please feel free to contact me.

SPARKING MY DESIRE

A few 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.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Linkedin
  • Flickr
  • Youtube
  • Email

tacogirl.com San Pedro Belize © 2021 Content of this website may not be used elsewhere without permission. Sitemap


Back To Top