25+ Things about Belize

We returned from Belize over two weeks ago.  The country made a huge impression on us and we hope to return soon.  The locals were so friendly and accommodating, very laid back.  I could make a very long list of facts and idiosyncrasies I picked up on the trip, but I will keep them at around 25 as usual. Visit the country if you can!

1.     Belize is the only English-speaking country in Central America. It was a British colony until 1981.

2.     Though English is the official language, Spanish is increasingly popular, especially since Spanish-speaking neighbors surround Belize.

3.     Kriol (Creole) is spoken widely on the island as well. Derived mainly from English, it also incorporates Native American and African languages. 

4.     The Belize Barrier Reef is part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second largest coral reef in the world. 

5.     Snorkeling is the biggest tourist attraction in the country. 

6.     Belize uses its own dollar, but US dollars are also accepted everywhere. Two Belize dollars equal one US$.

7.     The country is the most expensive tourist destination of the Central American countries, a 3^rd World country with 1^st world prices!

8.     Gas is over US $5 a gallon!

9.     Be sure to pay for what you can in cash and you will usually avoid the high 12.5% tax.

10.  Europeans and people from the US are buying up property and retiring in Belize due to the ease of setting up accounts and real estate laws.

11.  Belizean folklore tells of a 3-foot tall, evil dwarf called El Duende. The thumb less dwarf is said to hang out in the forest and punish any children who kill animals.

13.  Belize is the smallest and least populated country in Central America.  It is also the least densely populated.

14.  Belize has hundreds of cayes (small islands) off the coast. 

15.  ‘Go Slow’ is the motto is Caye Caulker. The small island of dirt roads and no autos is very laid back and relaxed.

16.  Ambergris Caye is the most developed and ‘touristy’ of the cayes.

17.  Belize is a beautiful country with miles of coastline.  Unfortunately, many of the beaches have a lot of trash.  Some locals claim it comes from other countries like Mexico and Guatemala.  Others say that cruise ships dump it close to the shoreline.

18.  Over a quarter of Belize territory is environmentally protected, second only to Costa Rica in Central America. 

19.  Guatemala has a long feud with Belize and claims the country rightfully belongs to them.

20.  Lobster season closes from mid-February to mid-June.  We just missed it!

21.  The former capital Belize City was nearly completely destroyed by Hurricane Hattie in 1961! After hurricane Hattie, the capital city was moved to Belmopan. With just over 12,000 inhabitants Belmopan is the smallest capital city in the World!

22.  There are a number of Mayan ruins in Belize and most of them have yet to be fully excavated.

23.  Belize has 6 districts, similar to our 50 states.

24.  There is no McDonalds, Burger King, Starbucks or KFC in the entire country of Belize! Yay!

25.  Coconuts have so many uses in the country, especially the oil which is used to cook many dishes.

26.  It is illegal to hunt and eat iguana eggs, but many locals continue to do so.

27.  Minimum wage is only $1.50 US an hour.

28.  The Mennonites have purchased a significant amount of land in Belize.  They are well known for their dairy products and farming techniques in the country.

29.  It seems a Chinese family owns every supermarket!

30.   Sargassum, a type of seaweed, washes ashore more and more often according to locals.  They use a pitchfork and wheelbarrow to remove it all and it takes a long time!

31.  Apparently, there is a shortage of sand in the country because so many resorts are being built and using it to make beaches.  The country now imports sand!

32.  The alcoholic drinks (like rum punch) tend to be a bit stronger than most places and make you do something like the girl below.

33.  Jaguars, the national animal of Belize, are endangered. However, the country also has the only jaguar reserve in the world.

Who the Hell Are We?

WHO THE HELL ARE WE?

See how the poor countries live

Reaching towards our way of life

Still possessing a modest simplicity

Yet slowly giving way to strife 

Consumerism gaining a grip

Dependence taking a strong hold 

Better off countries would be

Following growth within their own mold

And intelligent we would be

Incorporating lost knowledge of our past

Into our technological daily routine              

Else our downfall will come fast

Imperialist America

Losing the true nature of humanity

Speeding up the world's destruction

On the brink of global insanity 

Wake up before the chaos 

Reaches a point of no return

Create a sustainable environment

From past mistakes please learn

Stop policing the globe

And spreading a dead end capitalist democracy

Peace and justice will only come

By ending this futile hypocrisy

Leaving ABQ...

ABQ, the Duke City.  We had misconceptions before we arrived, due in part to the media hype.  Theft, crime, rampant drug use.  Our instincts almost stopped us from coming.

But we wanted the southwest, a place with good weather and hiking nearby.  No jobs were available in our first choice, Northern Arizona, and so we took our chances and moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Immediately we fell in love with the sky.  Either it stayed completely blue most of the time, or the wispy, cirrus clouds added a bit of character to the vast azure canvas.  Near sunset, the sun reflected off the tiny bits of feldspar in the granite to give the Sandia Mountains their trademark pinkish, watermelon tint. 

A light rain happened only one time during our three months stay.  The climate was dry, but not too dusty.   In the mornings and evenings the temperature was cold, but the days were ideal for getting outside and being active. 

We rented a home in neighborhood of Nob Hill, not too far off Central Avenue, the once famed Route 66.  Depending on where you are the street can be lined with modern restaurants and shops or run-down motels and shady looking locals.  In fact, most big cities have homeless, but ABQ had more than I had ever seen.  Almost every intersection had someone asking for money. Some lived on the streets by choice, while others were colorfully insane as they walked down the street talking to themselves.    

Our location provided us a quick 10 to 15-minute drive that led to the Sandia Mountains on the east and the Rio Grande River on the west.  Both sides allowed plenty of hiking and running trails surrounded by nature, either the bosque or the mountains.  The mild weather and location let us take full advantage of our days as we often hiked and went trail running.

The city itself is gritty but colorful and unique, giving off a self deprecative character like I have witnessed in other big cities, a ‘love to hate’ attitude.  Vibrant, colorful murals brighten the sides of buildings and give life to areas that would otherwise be drab and plain.  Slowly, the older buildings are being renovated and newer ones, mostly big business ventures, are being constructed. From city to city across the country, downtowns are becoming more alike. 

Yet even though this is true, many cities still maintain their own vibe.  In ABQ, Hispanic and Native American influence dominate the culture as can be seen in the street names, neighborhoods, and other areas. The delicious foods have the influence as well. Chile cheeseburgers, Frito Pies, Posole, Bizcochos, and the like give the palate a never-ending supply of options to fill the belly. A diverse city, and of course, the influence is obvious in the darker tones of skin of the people. 

If I ever choose to live in New Mexico, I would probably go farther North, like Santa Fe or near the smaller towns of Taos or Cerrillos.  These small towns are full of art and life and surrounded by natural beauty, like Albuquerque, but they appear to lack most of the problems associated with big city life.

I can’t say ABQ is a place I would want to live long term, but the city gave us a good taste of the southwest and I am glad we had the opportunity to spend time there.  Gritty, colorful, and unique, the city has tremendous potential.  The home of Breaking Bad was better than we expected. But we always make the best of wherever we go. That’s just how we travel. 

Top 10 Things To Do in Albuquerque

Traveling full time has been good to our family so far. For the last 3 months, most of our time has been spent in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  In a city of almost 1 million people, there are plenty to things to do and our family is all about taking full advantage of our time wherever we go.  Here is a list of our top 10 recommendations in ABQ:   

1.      Hot Air Balloon Ride

Is this not on almost everyone’s bucketlist? It should be! I can’t think of a better way to see a city, especially a beautiful one with mountains and rivers. Sunrise or sunset is best.  Ask for Troy at Rainbow Ryders. The man has set world records! 

2.     La Luz Trail

There are so many trails in the Sandia Mountains and in the city that I could probably make a top 10 trails list, but this one was my favorite, strenuous but worth the effort. We rode the Sandia Peak Tram to the top and hiked down. It was still 10 grueling miles, especially with the unexpected snow and ice, but the amazing overlooks of the valley and the surrounding mountains and forest made it worth the effort. They were the kind of views that make a person happy to be alive!   

                                                                       

3.     Petroglyphs

How cool is it to see preserved rock carvings that are literally hundreds of years old?  They may be child scribblings or have some deep hidden meaning, but no matter, to me, the carvings are amazing!  The Petroglyph National Monument offers trails that give great views of the valley and the rocks, and the place is perfect for kids. They can have fun climbing, exploring, and hiking. We even saw tons of jack rabbits and a coyote running around the area!

4.     Food & Beer

With 40+ breweries in a city known for it’s IPAs, there was no shortage of beers to keep me happy. No way could I hit every one of them, but I made a dent. The food, mostly Hispanic influenced, was delicious as well - chiliburgers, sopaipillas, Posole, tacos, Bizcochos, and more.  Never a shortage of good foods and restaurants to try!

5.     Route 66

Yeah, there are a lot of old, run down motels, throngs of homeless, and jacked up traffic, but cruising down Route 66 (now Central Avenue) through Albuquerque gives a sense of true Americana.  The street has been the lifeline of New Mexico and much of the West for many years, some say as far back as when the Native Americans used it for a trade route. Route 66 definitely has character and a personality all its own. No telling what you might see. 

6.     Santa Fe, Taos, Madrid, Cerillos, Jemez

Technically, these towns are outside of ABQ, but they are awesome day or weekend trips. The beauty of northern New Mexico is unparalleled and these destinations all offer their own taste of the state. Santa Fe is the biggest with so much to see, and Meow Wolf is a must.  The other towns are smaller, but with just as much character. 

7.     Old Town

This is where American Indian, Hispanic, and modern cultures collide. The Old Town Plaza conjures the days of Spanish rule, where San Neri Church, still standing strong at almost 300 years old, casts its shadow over the entire plaza. The older adobe buildings, the Native Americans selling their crafts, and art and souvenir shops give locals and tourists alike a place to congregate and enjoy a taste of the past. A significant amount of city activities take place throughout the year, like the lighting of the Christmas Tree, Feast Day celebrations, lighting of the luminarias, and more. 

8.     Explora

A children’s museum, you ask?  Yes, but this one is just as fun for adults.  I could spend every weekend at Explora and find something new to do.  From blowing giant bubbles to experimenting with music and art to riding a bike across a tightrope, the place is a blast!                                                                                                                                              

9.     Breaking Bad

Call me a nerd, an overzealous fan, or whatever you like, but I had a great time mapping out Breaking Bad locations across town. The show is as popular in ABQ now as when it was on TV. People pay good money for tours where you can ride an RV like the one that Jesse and Walter used to cook in.  Since I had plenty of time, I mapped out some of the places I wanted to see and when I was near the area, I dropped by and snapped some pics. Of course, I also ate at Twister’s (Pollos Hermanos), bought some blue meth from the Candy Lady, and had chili dogs at The Dog House!    

                                                                                                            

         10.   Taekwondo                                                                                                     

Yes, taekwondo!  With a few months in ABQ, our family decided to find an activity all of us could enjoy together.  I chose taekwondo, and much to my surprise, our family loved it!  Well, except my daughter Sofiah, but she proved her toughness and grit by sticking with it.  Not only did the lessons allow us to spend more time together, but we gained some skills, made friends, and got great workouts!  It helped that we had a good teacher, Master Mokurai, at Silent Thunder.  I suggest every family choose a challenging, new activity to participate in together.                                                                

These are my top 10 in Albuquerque, although I could easily add a more.  Have you been to the city?  If so, what would you add?

25+ More Things about ABQ (Albuquerque)

1. Remember Bugs Bunny often using this phrase? “I knew I should’ve taken that left turn at Albuquerque.”  

2.  At the time of this writing, there are over 40 breweries in the city!

                                                                                   

3.  The Spanish supposedly planted the first vineyards in the Americas in New Mexico.     

         

4.  The New Mexico flag is yellow and red.  The colors were taken from Spain’s flag.  The red symbol in the middle represents the sun used by the Zia tribe.

           

5.   Colorful murals on the walls of buildings are numerous in all parts of town.  Many big cities have a lot of murals, but Albuquerque may top the cake.        

6.  Take advantage of Taco Tuesday in the city.  There are so many tasty places to eat!    

7.  Chile is the state’s official vegetable.  Chile cheeseburgers are a local favorite (and delicious)!

8.  New Mexico’s nickname is the ‘Land of Enchantment’.

9.  The Candy Lady, a store in Old Town, made the blue crystal meth for Breaking Bad.  She now sells it as rock candy. 

10.  Albuquerque was founded in 1706 and is one of the nation's oldest inland communities. 

11.  Gila National Forest, located in New Mexico, is the largest national forest in the USA.

12. A large part of The Avengers (2012) movie was filmed in Albuquerque.  In fact, a number of popular movies and TV shows are filmed in New Mexico.                 

                                                                                               

13.  Transportation has always been a major part of the economy.  Railroad Avenue  became Route 66.  Now Central Avenue, the street still is still important and runs through the city.      

                                                                                  

14. Albuquerque is the nuclear capital of the United States. Much of the nation's nuclear research program is conducted or supervised here.                                                                                   

15.  Jesse Tyler Ferguson, the star of the popular TV show Modern Family, is from Albuquerque.      

                                                                                                            

16. The city of Santa Fe, about an hour north of Albuquerque, has the oldest capitol building in the United States -- the Palace of the Governors, built in 1610.                                                       

17.  The Tiwa Indians were the first inhabitants in the area of Albuquerque. 

18.  There were several UFO sightings in Albuquerque in the late 1940s.  New Mexico supposedly continues to have the largest number of reported UFO sightings in the United States.

      

19.  Bill Gates and Paul Allen founded Microsoft in Albuquerque in 1975.  The building where they started the company is now a smoke shop!      
         

                                                                                            

20.  Albuquerque was the home of Ernie Pyle, the famous war correspondent. Pyle wrote, "If we could only have one house, then it has to be in New Mexico, preferably in Albuquerque." Pyle's home is now a memorial library.   

                                                

21. New Mexico’s largest employer is The University of New Mexico, mostly in ABQ.     

                              

22. Albuquerque is the home of the famous racing family, the Unsers, who are multiple winners of the Indianapolis 500 Auto Race: Bobby, Al Jr., and Al Unser.  

                                                                                                                     

23. ABQ has the largest number public parks per capita in the entire United States!           

24. The 2.7-mile aerial tramway located five miles northeast of Albuquerque is the longest in North America. It has the third longest span in the world. The tram whisks visitors from the base of 6600 feet to the top of 10,378 foot Sandia Peak in about twenty minutes.                                                                     

25. The UNM Lobos have never won a national championship in football, but that does not stop fans from supporting them enthusiastically.         

                                                

26.  The famous Pan American Highway, which runs from the top of Alaska to the bottom of South American, runs through ABQ.

                                   

27.  In 1926, Route 66 became a major highway through the USA and went through ABQ.  Even though the highway was decommissioned, the street, now Central Avenue, is the main artery through the city.  You can see old motels, signs, etc. along the historic route.

28. The Sandia Mountains house the world's highest television towers -- those belonging to Albuquerque's three commercial and one educational network.    
                                          

29. Approximately 40% of the uranium reserve in the United States is found in deposits 70 miles west of Albuquerque.                                                                                                              

30. The Sandia National Laboratory was originally the engineering division of Los Alamos Laboratory, the central laboratory of the top-secret Manhattan Project (the atomic bomb) during WWII.                                                                                                                                 

31. ABQ has no professional sports teams, but the Albuquerque Isotopes are a Triple-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies.                                                                                                       

32. Smokey the Bear was created in New Mexico.