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Tacogirl Belize blog Est. in 2007

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

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  • Travel
    • Central America
    • Yucatan

Spring has Sprung at Marco Gonzalez Maya Site

by tacogirl 29/03/2019
written by tacogirl 29/03/2019
Marco Gonzalez Spring Equinox Blessing

With the coming of spring brings the annual celebration at our small but very cool Maya ruin site located in South Ambergris Caye. Being that I have not mastered my powers of magic enough to be in two places at once, I got lucky on this one. While my temporary roommate Heather and I were in San Ignacio, my friend Robbie volunteered to help cover the event for you.

Marco Gonzalez Spring Equinox Blessing By Robbie Zeskie

Nothing like a ritual of bringing in the new spring season to pull you out of the winter doldrums. And here on San Pedro we got to collect as a community and indulge fully in a refreshing ceremony filled with incense burning, dancing, anointing with water and prayers offered by an authentic Yucatan priest. The weather lately couldn’t have been more perfect leaving the grounds of the Marco Gonzalez Archaeological Reserve prime for the trekking of so many visitors at one time. The most rustic and beautiful raised walking trail was made from remains of an old nearby dock donated after the last hurricane blew through. Signage strategically placed along the trail to notify visitors of different flora, both dangerous and healing as well as some history of the dig site and of course artifacts and ancient building sites that are being excavated. For a history buff like me, well, I was in heaven!

Marco Gonzalez Spring Equinox Blessing

In conjunction with the ceremony of the blessing of the Spring Equinox, there were some educational guides on hand to discuss the artifacts and their use to interested visitors both local and tourists. There were Mayan spears to throw, raffles to enter and festive food and drink to purchase. Belize Chocolate Company was also set up at a table to explain how the Mayans would process and use the cacao bean.

Marco Gonzalez Spring Equinox Blessing

One of my favorite parts of the ceremony was the Mayan princess and warrior in costume. It was so easy to imagine yourself 1500 years back in time with these two in character. The costumes seemed authentic even though they were obviously modern day garnished with real animal skulls, teeth and embellished with the springtime Mayan symbol of the rabbit.
After the Spring Equinox Blessing Ceremony was complete tours of the excavation site were available for all visitors.

Marco Gonzalez Spring Equinox Blessing

The tour was so much more than I expected! Numerous shards of pottery, bones, stones, and mounds of seashells where homes made out of them once stood. Most fascinating to me was the idea that the land crabs actually did most of the uncovering of daily artifacts! Nature at it’s finest! The area can be swampy sometimes with tides creeping up making it a prime blue crab habitat. These crabs bury themselves down into the earth and disrupt the centuries-old artifacts from their ancient burials, kicking them right out their front door for the archeologists and volunteers to pick up. Toward the end of the tour, we were treated to an encounter with a nice sized boa constrictor and a beautiful blue-headed snake I often see on my bike rides up north.

Marco Gonzalez Spring Equinox Blessing

I needed to shake off the winter from my cold visit back to the states and jump into my spring cleaning. You should definitely fit it into your “To Do” list for next year! Or if you visit the island, be sure and look up Marco Gonzalez Maya Site on FaceBook and schedule a tour. Hats off to the many volunteers and board members who spent hours planning, cleaning and working so all of us could enjoy such a unique and authentic Mayan tradition.

Tips for Marco Gonzalez Maya Site Tour

  • Dress for the jungle.
  • Pack repellent.
  • No pets or kids under 5.
  • 1/4 mile hike into the site, single file on a rustic boardwalk.
  • Carry out what you carry in, no more no less.

To book a tour call Jan Brown at 672-2725 or email – janetbrownbz@gmail.com

Other News

Beat the Monday Blues in Belize

Finally, something to help you love work on Monday Mornings 😀 This Private Island Bungalow on Tobacco Caye is one of the best office space views ever.

Tourism Numbers

According to the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB), the 4th quarter Gross Domestic Product (GDP) report, the total value of goods and services produced in Belize was $706.4 million. Growth for the first three quarters of 2018 was as follows: first quarter 1.8 percent, second quarter 5.4 percent, and third quarter 3.3 percent. Source Breaking Belize News.

Travel List

Yesterday I was contacted by James Dyde to say he had published an article about the best English-language websites and blogs covering life and travel in Central America. I was excited to be included on their list as a well-rounded source of information.

Here is what they had to say about my blog 🙂 Tacogirl: Are you traveling or moving to Belize? Or just interested in the place? This San Pedro-based info source is a one-stop shop, no matter what you’re looking for in 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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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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THE ORIGINAL BELIZE BLOG

THE ORIGINAL BELIZE BLOG

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 discounts, Contact me.

SPARKING MY DESIRE

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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