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Tacogirl Belize blog Est. in 2007

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“Hot Enough To Fry An Egg On A Golf Cart”

by tacogirl 21/09/2017
written by tacogirl 21/09/2017
Independence Day Parade

The rooster next door gave one loud crow at 10:40 reminding me that while the 10:00 am Independence Day Parade was likely on Belize time, the clock was ticking and I better get my one errand done and get to the festivities.

As I was heading down Back St. in my sensible black t-shirt and athletic skirt, I thought how this event is like Halloween in reverse. 

11 years ago I started out wearing cute or sexy sporty color themed September Celebrations outfits. Now I have transitioned to comfortable and sun protection for parade day wear. The reverse part – in Canada as I got older the Halloween costumes got less skimpy and more cold weather practical. In San Pedro it is huge, (Annual Holiday Hotel Halloween Party) and being as we are never under the impending doom of winter, we can wear anything and not worry about freezing our bits off.

Even in the sexiest costumes, it was hard for anyone to remain cute, but they did a great job. It was officially “hot enough to fry an egg on a golf cart” and we were all dripping.

I started out heading towards the high school, planned meet up area with my friend Cindy, as we were looking to find her daughter Tinker and Tink’s dad Andy, who were sailing there.

I found a great vantage point, not crowded, shade, a beverage shelf (fence ledge) and a great yard party to watch while waiting. Turns out the rooster was right about being on Belize time. The scheduled 10:00 am start began crawling by at noon. 

Just as the parade started sirens blaring my phone rang; it was Cindy. I held up phone knowing she would understand the loud wailing noise meant I was in the thick of things and could not talk.

We promptly started texting and after the first float I headed down to the Phoenix to find her. Turns out Tink and her dad had sailed up to Tiki Maya (the old Palapa Bar) so we watched the parade on our own and planned to hook up later in the park.

As always loads of people were clustered throughout town waiting for the parade to pass by.

San Pedro Town Belize

Shaded spectators 

San Pedro Belize

Some opted for seats over standing and practicing their reverse parking skills

Ambergris Caye

For a closed store Castillo’s hardware parking was packed

Independence Day Parade

People watching while waiting for the parade to start

Independence Day Parade

Finally the sirens grew closer

Belize Celebrations

The ball man gaining speed on the firetruck

Ambergris Caye

Happy 36th Belize

Miss San Pedro on Town Council Float

This year I unexpectedly ended up doing my own parade route and caught the start of the parade 3 times, Boca Del Rio, Phoenix Resort and once more in town. 

Independence Day Parade

There were many Bejeweled Beauties

Belize Independence Day Parade

Lots of brightly colored well made costumes

Ambergris Caye Belize

This group of warriors was my favorite

Ambergris Caye

After Siren trucks, flag and first float in Boca, I made it to the Phoenix in time to watch it again with Cindy 

This next group gets a shout out for great customer service. I bought a small appliance at Island City Supermarket the other day and the cashier had the bag girl open the box and test it. She discovered that the motor was not working great and proceeded to get me the other one which worked much better. I totally appreciated this small gesture, it saved me getting frustrated, walking back to try and explain and return – that was huge.

Independence Day Parade

Island City pick up truck

Independence Day Parade Belize

Sandy Toes had a big set of wheels and a large group behind it

Independence Day Parade

Cindy and I agreed it was a crazy move to wear wigs in this heat

Jump Up Independence Day Parade

Not uncommon to stop your parade vehicle to talk to a friend during the parade

As it was coming to an end we decided to boldly swim upstream and head towards the beach where Cindy’s cart was parked. The plan was to hightail it down the back road, bypass the parade and catch it on front street with Tinker and Andy.

Independence Day Parade

Swimming against the last of the parade

Independence Day Parade

Middle street was consumed by parading beauties in fancy costumes

San Pedro Belize

Heading to town on the road less traveled and bypassing the parade

Downtown San Pedro

Girls and their luggage got paraded and had to wait until it passed dispersed in Central Park

First town council float group was hanging out the last of their candy

Independence Day Parade

Everyone scattered all directions as soon as they reached the park

An unlikely place for a rest break

The party in the park after is always a fun people watching experience. They did chalk party and helicopter drop again this year but we did not stay that long – we were well fried and ready for an air-con break at my house.

Independence Day Parade

Travelers, warriors and pink lady after the parade

Belize Independence Day Parade 2017

Selfie time

Central Park Downtown San Pedro

Tinker enjoying the ever popular trampoline

Independence Day Parade

Coincidentally this was the last person I took a picture of at last years parade

As we walked back to my apartment I enjoyed a happy ending feeling washing over me.

After 11 years it is easy to do something out of routine and feeling like you would not care if you missed it this time around. My day kind of started like that and although the parade was very small this year, I thoroughly enjoyed it, and was taken back to the fun feeling (in a slightly different way) of the first time I unexpectedly saw it all those years ago.

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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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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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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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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