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Tacogirl Belize blog Est. in 2007

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

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Happy Garifuna Day and Two Important Opportunities

by tacogirl 19/11/2021
written by tacogirl 19/11/2021
garifuna restaurant

As I quietly reflected back over the years of celebrating Garifuna day this morning, I am grateful to have enjoyed many great variations of this Belizean cultural holiday. Everything from sunrise Garifuna day celebrations in Central Park to getting paraded on the way to my friend’s house. The sunrise experience was especially cool as we watched a great reenactment of the first landing of the Garifuna which occurred on November 19th, 1802. A boat came ashore with people in traditional dress and they had plantain suckers (shoots), sugarcane, and cassava sticks as a representation of the food they arrived with.

While November is a great time to take your vacation and observe this cultural holiday, you can connect with the Garifuna no matter when you come. Dangriga has the largest concentration and is actually where they first landed, and Hopkins is also another area rich in Garifuna history through storytelling, dancing, and music.

If you want to experience the culture while on Ambergris Caye, then head to the Garifuna Restaurant and Cultural Center. Julia Martinez and her crew will give you a fun, delicious, and educational experience. I had an enjoyable time at the restaurant learning about the Queen Conch and how to cook traditional conch dishes. Julia made it easy for us, however, I tried cooking conch on my own it was an epic fail – haha.

Belizean Teacher Training Abroad

It’s that time again when the Belizean teachers that qualified for timed contract work in the USA are returning and settling back into their home country lives. This opens the positions to give opportunities to new teachers who want a paid learning experience. The last time I posted about the recruitment process, it was of huge interest, and I am hoping the same happens again. It’s a great career move for Belizean educators to receive teacher training through this temporary international job. Participating teachers will learn a lot during their time away, and return home to share their exciting experiences with students.

Participate Learning is offering 100 positions for Belizean educators, to internationally broaden their professional experience.

• Today’s professionals can access institutional and organized models to ensure an optimal international work experience.
• Participate Learning opens 100 positions for educators seeking to broaden their professional experience internationally.
• Belizean educators can find more information and apply at this link for international professional development.

Acquiring multicultural experience, strengthening soft skills highly valued by the labor market, significantly increasing the ability to perform in a second language, and developing a remarkable and fruitful network of professional contacts; these are four real advantages obtained by those who decide to take the leap to leave their comfort zone and venture to test their professional skills in a new country.

We live in times when the boundaries of professional geographic space are increasingly blurred and, of course, globalization has strongly impacted the trend of more workers deciding to go beyond their own borders. What does it take? Firstly, the security in performance that comes from knowing one’s own profession in-depth and, secondly, the adaptation and flexibility to adapt to a different cultural context.

Thus, one of the first aspects that will define the potential of an international worker is related to his or her soft skills such as resilience, autonomy, determination, self-confidence, and cultural openness, among others.

The other aspect, no less important, is to have a clear vision of the purpose and conditions that the professional seeks by obtaining professional experience abroad. In this sense, it is recommended to have carried out a prospection of the target countries to which to aim, to determine the characteristics of the labor market in the eligible country or countries and, of course, to be clear about whether the learning obtained can be used to develop their own skills in their country of origin.


The Importance of Organizational Support

While being willing to face uncontrolled situations is part of the logic of the professional adventure abroad, the truth is that today’s workers can also count on the support of organizational structures that facilitate logistical aspects for professionals. One example is the Participate Learning program, designed for educators coming to teach a second language in the United States. To date, in a country like Belize, since 1987, 12 educators have been part of this exchange, of which 10 are actively working in the United States.

Participate Learning is a complete program that offers educators with more than two years of full-time experience, the possibility of doing their job without having to worry about aspects such as obtaining a work visa on their own, arranging to rent a house, finding a transportation mechanism to take them to their job, making sure they have legal working conditions, well supported and with all the benefits and guarantees that a citizen of the country can have, or even having to worry about the immigration status of the worker’s family if they decide to travel in the company of their loved ones.

In the case of the Participate Learning program, all of the above-mentioned aspects are facilitated by an organizational structure that helps the selected educators, after the due recruitment process, to have the necessary conditions to be able to concentrate 100% on their professional performance.

The Participate Learning program is now open to apply for the recruitment process with 100 positions for new teachers who want to travel to support bilingual teaching and cultural exchange in the United States. Other requirements for eligibility are two years of experience as a full-time educator, fluent in English and Spanish, officially certified teachers, a current driver’s license, and driving experience.

Participate Learning currently has open applications for dual language elementary education positions, both Spanish/English and Mandarin/English alternatives, as well as dual-language (Spanish/English) social studies, math, or science teaching positions.

Those who wish to get more information or apply to the current selection process – click the link. Although the process will be open until January of next year, it’s recommended to send the applications now.

belize teacher training abroad

Last But Not Least

A very important upcoming event on Ambergris Caye, The San Pedro Red Cross (SPBRC) quarterly blood drive.

Saturday, November 27, the SPBRC will host a blood drive at the Polyclinic from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Donors must be 18-65 years of age and should be: well-rested, well-hydrated, and eat a healthy breakfast or lunch before donating. Call any of the following numbers to make an appointment: 615-4300, 614-9115, 615-2005, or 630-2005. Walk-ins will also be accepted. Both travelers and islanders are welcome. Give the Gift of Life.


Garifuna Restaurant featured image and other pictures courtesy of Julia Martinez.

Participate Leaning – Belize teacher training, image, and information courtesy of Doris Estrada.

SPBRC Blood drive infographic provided by Brenda Letendre.

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.

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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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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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.

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