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Heartbreaking and Heartwarming

by tacogirl 13/11/2018
written by tacogirl 13/11/2018
San Pedrito Highway San Pedro Belize

As some of you know from social media and the San Pedro Sun, Ambergris Caye just underwent a 4-day massive clean up organized by the Belize Tourism Industry Association with assistance from the American Crocodile Education Sanctuary, Oceana Belize, and San Pedro Town Council. The most important and first was the San Pedrito “Highway” which has been a longstanding area of trouble. I first remember starting to document the garbage in that area back in 2012, but it was there a long time already. I also remember coming home in tears one day after being asked to go there and take progress pics, and watched a big yellow bulldozer spread the trash around for landfill. It broke my heart.
The areas listed below were also scheduled to be cleaned depending on how progress went on the areas before them. 

  • November 9th Target Areas: San Pedrito Highway, San Pedrito, San Pablo, Boca Ciego, and San Juan.
  • November 10th Target Areas: Boca del Rio, Lagoon Boca, San Juan and Lagoon San Juan – DFC.
  • November 11th Target Areas: Escalante, Esmeralda, Alta Mar and DFC.
  • November 12th Target Area: San Mateo.

Other than a small bit of Boca del Rio nothing else got touched. Why? Because the airstrip area was allowed to get so bad that it took up all the time and resources.

With 60 or so people a day, golf carts, trucks, trailers, backhoes and bulldozers, four days was not enough to clear the area of garbage. We did what we could, and the Town Board has now said they will step up and finish the job to make the San Pedrito “Highway” pristine as it should be.

Having won TripAdvisor awards for Travelers Choice #1 Island in the world for 2013 and 2014 it is extremely unacceptable that the following video should even exist. I almost feel like it’s a complete a sham that we won. I say almost because I know many wonderful people of this island helped a great deal in our wins. 

When you see this video (and the two coming up in my next clean-up campaign coverage) you will have no doubt in your mind, we are in a full out environmental crisis and we need all hands on deck to turn this slow-motion train wreck around and make Ambergris Caye green and clean.

No one should have to live beside garbage or see that much of it on their way home. Childhood memories should not be filled with massive piles of trash in their neighborhoods. Tourists should not see this coming in on the plane or when they drive around – which they have been for years.

Day one Ambergris Caye Belize clean-up campaign

Purging with Words

On the last day of clean up and her second day of volunteering, my friend Diana Evans needed to word purge and get her thoughts out on the experience. She started the process in my messenger and offered to share her words below with the world. I thought it was a great way to begin my coverage of this monumental event. I will be doing a second post documenting my four days at the cleanup campaign , and doing 2 more important videos. That post will also include a full list once I get it as, so many people need to be thanked in getting us this far.

A heartfelt moment from Diana Evans island resident and business owner:

The clean up of the San Pedrito road was heartbreaking and heartwarming. It was an emotional experience.

Heartbreaking because the life-giving mangroves are being poisoned. Humans have deliberately put trash in the water. The mangroves are trying to grow in water that is scary to look at. The water is a strange polluted color. It looks and is, toxic.

Heartwarming because there were so many hardworking people doing their best to remove this trash. They were standing in the water hand picking the trash and placing it on the road for pick up. This is not fun work. It is simple depressing backbreaking work. 

Then it was either loaded into trucks or placed into bags to be hauled off.

There were not enough volunteers or enough trucks. Not enough water or snacks. Not enough garbage bags or gloves, yet the volunteers persisted. All of this done in the hot sun. 

On the way to the dump, there is even more trash that has been used to make roads. It is simply unbelievable. You immediately feel furious that this has been allowed to happen. The clean up on just one of these roads will take weeks.

Then you turn to the dump. There is more trash on the side of the road. Cars, fridges, couches etc. where people have, I presume, not been able to pay the trash fee so have abandoned their stuff right on the side of the road.

The dump itself is awful. There is a large warehouse-like building where the household trash is kept before it gets barged off the island. The stench is unbearable. Outside of this building, the trash from the mangroves is being sorted. The piles are the size of buildings. It is a depressing place to be yet the workers there are helpful and hardworking.

Every person in San Pedro should visit the dump to see what goes on.

My lasting impression is that I want to be part of the solution. I want to help organize every single person who lives here to take action and save this island. It is so obvious that we are destroying our environment. We will not have a reef or a habitable island in a few short years. It’s as simple as that.

Every single person who lives here is dependent on tourism. We have the choice right now. To be an embarrassment to the world or to be an example to the world. We can render our island uninhabitable with a dead reef or we can clean up our act and be proud of what we have done.

The answer is obvious. Lets do it. NOW!

Day two Ambergris Caye Belize clean-up campaign

Day three Ambergris Caye Belize clean-up campaign

Day four Ambergris Caye Belize clean-up campaign

tacogirl directors cut Ambergris Caye Belize clean-up campaign

I close with a happy but heavy heart. I am so pleased with what got accomplished on the San Pedro BTIA clean up inititative, it was a huge task they took on. It’s sad how can we allow such enviornmental devestation to happen, click to see the results of the water testing on the San Pedrito Highway after the clean up – not good. The country of Belize needs to step up more and do better to protect our environment and it’s inhabitants both human and animal. 

San Pedrito Highway San Pedro Belize

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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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
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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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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
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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
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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
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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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