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Tacogirl Belize blog Est. in 2007

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I Dodged a Bullet and Admired Some Fancy Chandeliers

by tacogirl 22/11/2018
written by tacogirl 22/11/2018
Consolidated Water Belize

I was minding my own business doing my morning tacogirl thing and attending to some 40 emails that needed addressing and then was planning to write, when the universe pulled me in a completely different direction.

My messenger started going off, and water testing the San Pedrito Highway became my new priority. Pinch-hitting for crocodile Chris and Christina who were unavailable to do the job. I was back and forth with a few friends between a Facebook group post and messenger. It came down to Maureen Utsman, Robbie Zeske, Diana Evans and Susan Zell Watts, as the people who could help. I needed to get the four presence-absence coli-form test kit containers my friend Heather in Canada had lined up with Ismael at Consolidated Water, and get them filled with water samples. Susan ended up taking it on and thankfully so for me, Randy was with her. They had just eaten lunch at Mesa Cafe.

I can say without a doubt, chivalry is not dead and I really did dodge a bullet yesterday afternoon. Though I had my water runners on and was totally prepared to go in the swampiest, most toxic looking parts of the wetlands, I didn’t have to. Randy in his nice flip flops would not take no for an answer. He bravely went in the foul water in four different places to fill our sample bottles.

Ambergris Caye Water Testing

We headed south, down the San Pedrito Highway and started looking for the best four spots to test. Our first one came up across the road from a house we all passed many times during the clean up. It was right near the start. He almost lost his flip flops a couple of times there.

Ambergris Caye Water TestingAmbergris Caye Water Testing

Moving on down the road, we hit an area that was close to a couple of houses, and Grand Baymen on the other side of the runway.

Ambergris Caye Water TestingAmbergris Caye Water Testing

Next came near the tennis court area of the San Pedro Fitness Club. We made sure to pick the worst looking areas.

Ambergris Caye BelizeAmbergris Caye Water Testing

The two pictures above are fitting because they immediately bounced me to my garbage stash for 2017. The picture below was on October 10th, 2017 taken from the roof of the Fitness Club. The picture above to the left, the white building, was that very roof where I took the picture below. Not knowing that I would be helping water test that very area after the big Belize Tourism Industry Association San Pedro Chapter clean-up campaign. Amazing how the story unfolds.

Ambergris Caye Water Testing

The last area Randy picked as was near and dear to his hear. He spent pretty much all day of day three on the clean up campaign in this spot. Plus, we all agreed we needed one sample from the east side of the road. We noticed lots of film covering the water and the road.

Ambergris Caye BelizeAmbergris Caye Water Testing

While the San Pedrito Highway has vastly improved, it does look like a lot of what was remaining somehow made it’s way back into the wetlands – not good. Another full out clean up of this area is needed, as you can see, from the following two pictures. Which big entity is willing to take this on and help finish this important project?

San Pedro BelizeAmbergriis Caye Belize Garbage Crisis

A soon as we were done we zipped down to Consolidated Water to deliver the bottles to Ishmael. I will contact him soon to get the results.

Ambergris Caye BelizeAmbergris Caye Belize

I had to snap an outside pic because it looks pretty around the water plant. Click the link if you want to know how our system works. You can also see more pictures and read two great reviews of the Consolidated Water Belize plant tour. 

Ambergris Caye Water Plant

After that mission was accomplished, Randy had to go home to wash his feet and sterilize his flip-flops. Susan and I were not done yet, so our next mission was to go drive to the end of the huge garbage road just south of DFC. When we arrived we were happily surprised. Although we are not quite sure where it went (we saw a bulldozer leveling stuff out) or who moved it, the difference at the start of that road between then and last week was incredible. Notice the green roof house as the landmark. The picture on the left was taken November 9th – day one of the Ambergris Caye Clean Up Campaign, and on the right-hand side was yesterday, November 21st. Amazing difference.

Ambergris Caye Clean Up CampaignAmbergris Caye Clean Up Campaign

As you can see from these next pictures, there is still a long way to go. I will be posting a supply list soon so people can help contribute to future clean-up campaigns. Susan and I were concerned about a large area of unhealthy colored brown standing water on the right, it is next to about 6 homes.

If you are reading this and have a large scale comprehensive water test kit, please reach out. The state of our water island wide is extremely concerning.

If this is an area of interest, click through to read Diana Evan’s account of her volunteering at the Belize Tourism Industry Association San Pedro Chapter : Four day Ambergris Caye Clean up. You can also go to tacogirl blog Belize YouTube to view the Dark Side Series Directors Cut Version with Extra Disturbing Ambergris Caye Bonus Footage. This playlist link also contains the 4 days individually and two other videos, one from kids on the trash situation and another about the extreme health hazards from environmental scientist MaryBeth Sutton.

South Ambergris Caye

Our next task was to check in with the Ministry of Health and Belize Water Services. I went in and spoke to staff at both places and they were very helpful in directing me who to talk to next for more water testing help. I walked away with two great contacts as a next step. Both places agree help is needed.

After all this trash Susan decided it was time for a high-class break, so we headed over to check out the fancy new Maya Island Air Terminal for a refresher. She ordered a coke while I had a lime juice. I also scored a bacon and egg breakfast bagel from Brooklyn Bagels while there – absolute Heaven.

There is nothing like gorgeous crystal chandeliers to cheer a girl up after such a downright dirty and depressing errand.

Maya Island Air, Airport San Pedro BelizeMaya Island Air, Airport San Pedro BelizeMaya Island Air, Airport San Pedro Belize

The setting was peaceful, luxurious and relaxing, just what we needed to unwind and forget where we had just come from. We opted to sit at the bar and watch TV.

Maya Island Air, Airport San Pedro BelizeMaya Island Air, Airport San Pedro BelizeMaya Island Air, Airport San Pedro Belize

I will leave you with two last pictures, a great piece of Maya Artwork you should go see, as well as another room shot. This bar is going to be a hot spot for plane watching, catching the game, and special events.

Maya Island Air, Airport San Pedro Belize

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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6 comments

Carbunkle Trumpet 27/11/2018 - 5:30 am

I just want to know what poor soul will have to keep those chandeliers clean.

Reply
tacogirl 27/11/2018 - 7:23 am

That will be a massive detail job for sure.

Reply
ann bridgman 25/11/2018 - 12:46 pm

How can tourists help? We will be in for 5 days in december and would love to do what we can, at least for a few hours.

Reply
tacogirl 26/11/2018 - 8:25 am

I will be put out an Eco Friendly Belize supply list page in the store section on my site Ann. We have a location and are going to start stocking for future cleanups. The Phoenix Resort does a weekly peach clean up as well for another way to participate.

Reply
Emily Smith 24/11/2018 - 11:03 am

Great job with the cleanup and water testing! Obviously there is a long way to go, but it’s refreshing to see proactive people like you taking such an active interest in the environment of Ambergris Caye. It is too precious to ignore.

Reply
tacogirl 25/11/2018 - 9:27 am

Thanks, Emily. I agree to precious to ignore and finally, this big move made by the BTIASP has really started a ripple effect. I hope it keeps going and a next big entity steps in to do a cleanup campaign in 2019.

Reply

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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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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.

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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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