Back to Semana Santa...

So here I am in this town San Ignacio where everyone I ask what to do says "the coolest things are outside of town, take a tour." I thought about it. Actually the whole reason I went was the California chica lured me with talk of zip lining and cave tubing. Once I actually got to the town though I felt like instead of paying $100 to hang out with tourists and do stuff that is actually offered in the United States I wanted to get to know the town, really see the Belize mainland for the two days I had there. 

The first day I walked along the river, through the town, and went to the "best" local bar. During the day I met up with some Canadians, Australians, and a Brit whom I went out with at night, a little extra security. I realized it was a beautiful town with colorful houses built into the hills and people relaxing with friends on every corner.

The second day I was about to do the same solo wandering when I met someone who offered to show me around town. A free tour from a local? Yes! We walked along the river where people were cooling off and passed by the jumping spot, a huge rock that rose above the river and provided the perfect platform for jumping into the water below.

After that we went back to his ranch. AWESOME. We picked all this fruits, many of which I have never seen before, straight from the tree and ate them. After walking around and seeing the land his sister cooked us a home cooked meal which showed me how self-sustaining the ranch actually is. Everything in the meal came from the ranch.

beans, tomatoes, and potato like thing - grown on the land

eggs - from chickens

orange juice - picked from a tree and fresh squeezed

water and ice - from the rain

It was incredible and shows how little you really need to be happy. A place to sleep, land, and a nearby river to dip in. As of 1989, when I was born, the ranch did not even have running water or electricity but they were doing great.