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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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Tis the Season to be Busy

by tacogirl 10/12/2016
written by tacogirl 10/12/2016
Ambergris Caye Belize

December on Ambergris Caye

The start of the Holiday Season has everyone busier than ever. Events are popping up faster than people can mark their calendars. Planning and boat decorating meetings are happening. People are counting down the days till Christmas, bears are being bought.

Below is a bit of the story of a few amazing ways that Santa has already done early deliveries on both Ambergris Caye and in Belize City.

Help Santa Reach Ambergris Caye Kids

This is year two of the adopt a bear program and there are more locations than ever to get you bear and help give a kid a Happy Christmas; Sandbar Hostel, Wayo’s Beach Bar,  Crazy Canucks Beach Bar, Palapa Bar & Grill, Marbucks Coffee House and Truck Stop (sold out.)

Easy Shopping

Whether you are in or out of the country, there is a local elf who is willing to make your shopping easy for this great brown bear effort. Facebook Message or call Scott Barkhouse at 620-7480 for new backpacks $60BZD and tablets $120BZD.

There are lots of brown bear pictures circulating on the internet to encourage you to buy a bear. Here is a photo collage from 2015 gift day at the Lions Den. The excitement in the room was amazing. Just watching the kids was so worth it and they greatly appreciated their presents with thank yous to Santa and beaming smiles.

December on Ambergris Caye

Be a part of making a Happy Holiday season for kids

Karen Brodie Photography Belize

Miss San Pedro Marisha Thompson modeling bears by Karen Brodie

Early Christmas on Ambergris Caye

Tuesday night, the Red Cross was pleased to assist in handing out early presents from The Wheelchair Foundation and a whole bunch of their Californian Elves. San Pedro Belize Red Cross will be sending an official thank you list for press asap. What a great night it was. The Lions Den was the perfect place to host the event and as always they were helpful throughout the night. Earlier that day, another volunteer (and one of my 3 workout partners) Sandie and I also delivered a chair.

Brenda, the Red Cross volunteer who was in charge of this effort on our end and Ramon’s Village Resort both worked with us to get the chair delivered to Karen Brodie. After a recent accident, she was in need of a temporary chair and thanks to the foundation’s generous gift, we were able to help.

Ambergris Caye

Chair delivery and the Wheel Chair Foundation ceremony.

Early Christmas in Belize City

Back to the beginning of the week. Monday I was pleased to take one of our blood drive reporters to help cover a most important story – himself.

A friend put tagged me in a post someone had reached out on Facebook to get help find rare 0- for his sister. Dion was willing to donate a pint since he had missed our last drive and Tamara, his boss and co-owner with her husband Ron of San Pedro Sun News Paper were happy to allow him the time to go.

Tropic Air was very helpful with our arrangements and waiting to board us last as Dion sprinted from work. When we arrived at Municipal Airport we both agreed that breakfast was in order first and we chose Kisses and Bites Pastry House for scones, tea and iced coffee. While there, I made contact with Hymie and Ivarine the brother and sister of the woman getting Dion’s rare blood and Adrian at Belize Blood Services to let them know we were on our way.

It did not take us much to find the place because, I had a map and we are both familiar with the city. Had it been someone who was not familiar it would have definitely been more challenging and we cab would be the way to go. Same if someone was coming from Caye Caulker or Ambergris Caye by water taxi to donate blood.

It was also helpful that Dion spoke good creole as none of the few people we asked could tell us exactly where the blood bank was. The most common answer was go to the closest landmark building, Social Security and ask there. Sure enough the guy at the security booth was able to direct us down the road through a large metal gate and around the corner to a tiny building.

When we arrived Ivarine was waiting for us and we all went inside and rang the doorbell to notify them we had arrived. It did not take long and Adrian gave me permission to take pics while Dion was donating blood and was willing to look at my map and help me mark the path.

After Dion was finished donating blood, we had to take the receipt across the street to Patricia’s doctor at Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH). Since Ivarine happens to be an accountant there, she was willing to help escort us to do that job and have us meet her sister Patricia who was getting the “Precious Gift of Red” from Dion. It was a special moment in time seeing one of our top rare donors and his recipient side by side – we were all joyous. Her husband arrived just in time to say a heartfelt hello as we were leaving.

We do not always get to meet the people we help and so this trip was a magical early Christmas present for both Dion and myself.

Ambergris Caye Belize

Our trip to Belize City

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

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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