A U T U MN / WI N T E R 2 0 1 3 Y E A R 7 , I S S U E 1

I N S I D E T H I S
I S S U E
New Boat Service
1
Reef CI Celebrates
Ten Years
1
BTIA Toledo
Members List
2
Maroon Creole Drum
School
3
Calendar of Events
4
TIDE Fish Fest
4
Reef Conservation
International

5
PG Town Map
6
Birding with Lee
Jones
Christmas Bird
Count
7

7
Barranco the Dugu
Capital
9
Battle of the Drums
preview
9
Transport Schedules
10
11
Chocolate Festival
Cooking
Competition
13
ProWorld Belize
15
Word on the Street
16
Arzu Mountain Spirit
Medicinal Plants
17
Southern Voices: Dr
Joseph Palacio
18
Map of Toledo
District
20
Newspaper of the Toledo Chapter of the Belize Tourism Industry Association
Coastal Water Taxi Planned
AsToledoTourismcontinuestogrowso
doesthenumberofregisteredtour
guidesintheDistrictandtheToledo
TourGuideAssociationnowhasover50
members.TheAssociationundertakes
trainingandregistrationoftourguides
andconductsworkshopstoallowfor
continuousprofessionaldevelopment
andfurtherspecialisttraining.TheAsso
ciationalsoseeksanddevelopsnewop
portunitiesfortheirguidesandforthe
expansionoftheToledoTourismprod
uct.
Oneprojectcurrentlyinthepipeline
istheintroductionofaweeklyboat
servicetoPuntaNegraandMonkey
Rivervillageandasecondweekly
servicetoBarrancothreevillages
whicharecurrentlymoredifficultto
access.
PuntaNegraisasmallcoastalcommu
nitywithbeautifulbeachesandcoolCar
ibbeanbreezes,nestledbetweentwo
protectedareasthePortofHonduras
MarineReservetothefrontandPayne's
CreekNationalParktotherear.Itsa
perfectdestinationtoenjoyadayonthe
beach,combinedwithalittlehand
fishingandpreparingoneofthefreshest
lunchesyoucouldhopetotaste.
MonkeyRivervillageisthenorthern
mostvillageinToledo,asmallCreole
villagesituatedonthesouthernbankof
themouthoftheMonkeyRiver.Manyof
thevillagersarefishermenbuttheyare
alsowellknownfortheirtourguides
whotakevisitorsonboattoursonthe
MonkeyRiver.Tripswindthroughman
grovechannelsandbroadleafforests
wherevisitorscanseethetroopsof
HowlerMonkeysthatliveinthearea,as
wellasiguanas,crocodilesandmany
differentbirdspeciesintheriverinefor
ests.
Conversely,Barrancoisthesouthern
mostvillageinToledoandfamedforits
Garifunaculture.Anewweeklyboat
servicewouldallowforvisitorstotake
culturaltours,learningmoreaboutthe
Garifunawayoflifeincludingpreparing
cassavabreadandhudutfishcooked
withcoconutandservedwithmashed
plantains.TheTourGuideAssociation
hopestolaunchthisnewserviceearlyin
2014andyoucanbesurewewillbe
shoutingabouttheirprogresswiththis
greatnewinitiative.
Reef CI Celebrating 10 Years of Operation with Recognition
Aswegotopress,wehavejustlearned
thatReefCIhasbeenshortlistedforthe
WorldResponsibleTourismAwardsfor
theBestResponsibleWildlife
Experiencescategory.
TheAwardswerefoundedin2004to
recognisethebestofthebestin
responsibletourismtourismthat
createsbetterplacestoliveinandvisit
andtheyaredesignedtorecognise
thoseventuresaroundtheworldthat
makepositivecontributionstonature
andheritageconservationandtothe
economiesoflocalcommunities.
Theawardsareuniqueinthat
organisationsareinitiallynominatedby
theirguestsandthenarigorousjudging
processisundertakenbyapanelformed
bysomeoftheleadingexpertson
responsibletourismandfromthe
tourismindustry.
Thejudgesdecisionwillbeannounced
on6
th
NovemberattheWorldTravel
MarketinLondon,oneoftheworlds
largesttravelshows,onWorld
ResponsibleTourismDay.Wewish
ReefCIeverysuccessintheawardsand
havingreachedthisstagefthe
competitiontheyarealreadywinners
ofwelldeservedinternational
recognitionfortheirwork.
WheretogetyourcopyofTheToledoHowler
Distributionpointsinclude:
TourismInformationCentresthroughoutBelize
TropicAirandMayaIslandAirterminals
BTIAToledomembers
RequenasCharters,PuertoBarrios
Majorgasstations
Aswellasawideonlinepresenceinelectronicformat

PleasecontacttheToledoHowlerteamat7222531ifyouwouldliketobecomea
distributorforthevoiceoftourismdevelopmentinBelizesdeepsouth!
2

B T I A T O L E D O M E M B E R S 2 0 1 3
Business ContactPerson Phone Email
Asha'sCultureKitchen Ashton&StacyMartin 6328025 ashasculturekitchen@gmail.com
Belcampo ShirleymaeParham 7220050 info@belcampobz.com
BeyaSuites LisaAvila 7222188 info@beyasuites.com
BigFallsExtremeAdventures AndrewCaliz 6346979/6203881 andrewcaliz@bigfallsextremeadventures.com
CatarinaChoco CatarinaChoco 6346772 catarinachoco@gmail.com
Coleman'sCaf Thomas&PearleenColeman 6304069/6304432 belizetom@yahoo.com
CoralHouseInn AleCho 7222878 coralhousebelize@yahoo.com
CuxlinHaResort DonaScafe 7324747 cuxlinha@gmail.com
DreamlightComputerCenter TimothyDami 7020113 marketing@pgbelize.com
Garbutt'sFishingLodge DennisGarbutt 7220070/6043548 garbuttsmarineandfishinglodge@gmail.com
GoldenStreamPlantation Thomas&TessyMathew 7202014 goldenstreamspicefarm@gmail.com
HickateeCottages Ian&KateMorton 6624475 www.hickatee.com
IxcacaoMayaBelizeanChocolates JuanCho 7424050/6602840 ixcacaochocolate@gmail.com
IxchelWomen'sGroup TeclaAcal 6262338/6327938 IndianCreekVillage
LivingMayaExperience AnitaCal&MartaChiac 6277408/6324585 livingmayaexperience@gmail.com
MaroonCreoleDrumSchool Emmeth&JillYoung 6687733/6327841 methosdrums@hotmail.com
MayaBagsBelizeCraftsLtd. DesireeArnold 7222175 belizeexecutivedirector@mayabags.org
MountainSpiritWellnessCommunity Dr.AnaArzu 6003873 arzu@arzumountainspirit.com
ProWorldBelize NicoleAndrewin 6101063 nicole@proworldvolunteers.org
ReefConservationInternational PollyAlford 6294266 info@reefci.com
Requena'sCharterService JulioRequena 7222070 watertaxi@btl.net
TheFarmInn ReneeBrown 7324781 info@thefarminbelize.com
TheLodgeatBigFalls RobHirons 7324444/6716677 info@thelodgeatbigfalls.com
TideTours DelonieForman 7222129 info@tidetours.org
ToledoTourGuideAssociation BTIAOffice 6372000 ttgabze@gmail.com
TranquilityLodge Lee&SusanOltmann 6779921 tranquilitylodge28@gmail.com
WarasaGarifunaDrummingSchool Ruth&RonaldMcDonald 6327701 warasadrumschool@gmail.com
YumKaxWomen'sGroup ConcepcionaCoc 6628539/6369586 cocconcepciona@yahoo.com
3

Maroon Creole Drum School
WewelcometheMaroonCreoleDrumSchoolasa
newmemberoftheToledoBTIA.BasedinPunta
Gorda,theschoolisownedandrunbyEmmeth
Young.EmmethcomesfromGalesPointManatee,
anarrowpeninsulaintheSouthernLagoonbe
tweenDangrigaandBelizeCity.Emmethsaysthis
istheonlycommunityofMaroonCreoleinBelize,
agroupwhotracetheiroriginsbacktotheEbo
tribeinNigeria.TheMaroonCreolestartedasan
isolatedgroupofrunawayslaves,maroonedin
variouspartsoftheCaribbean.
TheMaroonCreolesharesomedrumming
rhythmswithotherCaribbeanandAfricancultures
butalsohaveuniquesoundsanddrumsdesigns.
Thedifferenttypesofdrumshavenameslikejun
jun,kinkinni,sangba,sambaianddjembe.The
sambaidrumisuniquetotheGalesPointcommu
nity.Ontheotherhand,thedjembeisoneofthe
mostpopularstylesofhanddrumplayedaround
theworldbecauseofitsversatilityandpowerful
sound.Emmethmakesandsellsalltypesoftradi
tionaldrums,bothtointerestedbeginnersand
professionalmusicians.Heusesavarietyoftropi
calhardwoodsforthebases.Goatskinispre
ferredfortheheadofthedjembe;thesambai
drumfromGalesPointtraditionallyhasadeerskin
head.
EmmethstartedhisdrumschoolinGalesPointin
1997andmovedittoPuntaGordatwoandahalf
yearsago.Hehasbeendrummingsincetheageof
eight,followingafamilytraditionsinceboth
grandfathersalsoplayed.Emmethhasmade
drumsandtaughtforovertwentyfiveyears.
ThoseofyouwhohavebeentoP.G.mayknowthe
DriftwoodCafonFrontStreet,ownedbyEmmeth
andhiswifeJill.Therearedrumsforsalealong
withothercolorfulcraftsandpaintings.Jillalso
offerstastyhotandcoldcoffeedrinksandhome
mademeals.
ThedrumschoolitselfislocatedalongJoeTaylor
Creek,ahalfmileinlandfromtheseainajungle
setting.Here,Emmethgiveslessonsandinstruc
tionsindrummakingwhileJillrustlesuptastyCre
olemealsforthestudents.Jillalsoofferstradi
tionalCreolecookinglessonsforinterestedvisi
tors.Thevisitalsoincludesa
presentationaboutCreole
culture,itsmythologyand
medicinalplants.Emmethis
whatsknownasagriotor
oralhistorian,askillpassed
onfromhisfather.Students
willlearnabouttheunique
Sambairhythm,whichtradi
tionallyaccompaniesafertil
itydancearoundthetimeof
thefullmoon.Apparently,acouplewhopartici
patedintheSambaidanceatEmmethsschool,
returnedhometotheUnitedStatestofindthat
theyhadconceivedachildafteryearsoftrying!
Emmethhasalwayslovedteachingchildrenand
nearlyfiveyearsago,startedamentoringprogram
calledDrumsNotGuns.Hewantedtoteachyoung
peopleaboutdrummingto
givethemanalternativeto
joininggangs.Hesaysthe
drumminggivesyouthsa
senseofpurposeand
teachesdisciplineandfocus.
Theycanbeproudoftheir
accomplishmentswithout
havingtoprovethemselves
withagunonthestreetsof
BelizeCity.
EmmethandJillwereawardedasmallgrantin
2012bytheSustainableTourismProgramofthe
BTBwhichhasallowedthemtodevelopandim
provethedrummingschoolfacilities.Theynow
haveasolarpanel,compostinglatrine,traditional
firehearthkitchen,diningroom,palapaandstage.
Thegroundsalsoincludeoutdoorartinstallations,
illustratingthehistoryandbeliefsofBelizefrom
mythicalcreatureslikeIxtabaitoMayanartifacts
andCreoleculturalscenes.Jillistheresidentart
ist.Emmethandhisschoolareendorsedbythe
NationalKriolCouncilofBelizeasanauthentic
Kriol(orCreole)experience.TheMaroonCreole
DrumSchoolisamagicalplacetospendafew
hoursimmersedinthisfascinatingculture.

Formoreinformationandtobookavisitto
thedrumschool:
Phone:6687733or6327841
Email:methosdrums@hotmail.comor
pricklypeartat2@hotmail.com
Website:
www.marooncreoledrumschool.com
Facebookpage:MaroonCreoleDrumSchool
OrjustdropbytheDriftwoodCafifyoure
alreadyinPGandtalktoJill.Openinghours
are:8am4pm,SundaythroughFriday.
Preparing tasty Creole food on the fire hearth
4

Calendar of Events
Date Event Venue/Time OtherInfo

11October TIDEFishFestivalSeafoodGala FatherRingParishHall(seafrontentrance) TideToursinfo@tidetours.org
orcall7222129
12October TIDEFishFestivalYouthConservation
Competition
FatherRingParishHall TideToursinfo@tidetours.org
orcall7222129
13October TIDEFishFestivalFinale TIDEHeadquarters,CattleLandingVillage TideToursinfo@tidetours.org
orcall7222129
14October BankHolidayPanAmericanDay
25October OrganicFairSymposium PuntaGordaTownCouncilConferenceRoom
09:00
Free
26October OrganicFair CentralPark,PuntaGordaTown09:00 Free
16November BattleoftheDrums SportsComplex,PuntaGordaTown,19:30 BeyaSuites7222188
17November ParandaTop10:liveradiobroadcastonLoveFM
focusingonthedistinctiveParandasound.Music
performedbylocalPGParanderos.
BeyaSuites BeyaSuites7222188
18November LiveGarifunaDrumming CentralPark22:0004:00
19November YurumeinGarifunaSettlementReenactment
followedbyparadethroughPG(BankHoliday)
PGCooperativeWharf06:30
25December BankHolidayChristmasDay
26December BankHolidayBoxingDay
1January BankHolidayNewYear's
15November BattleoftheDrumsFoodandFete SocialSecurityBuilding20:0001:00
4January ChristmasBirdCount VariousareasinToledo.Precountmeetingon
3rdJanuary,held7pmatNaturesWay
Guesthouse
bzbirdman@gmail.com
2325May ChocolateFestivalofBelize PuntaGordaandToledoDistrict Www.chocolatefestivalofbelize.com
TIDE Fish Festival - 11th to 13th October 2013
Belizeisdevelopingareputationforitsrangeofvibrantfestivalsandcelebrations,andtheTIDE
FishFestivalwasoneofthefirstfestivalstobeestablishedinBelize.Whileotherdistrictsmay
havetheirlobsterfestandfishingcompetitions,TIDEsfishfestisacelebrationofallthings
marine,andistheonlyfestivaltobestagedbyaconservationNGO.
Toledoisfamedforitsworldclassmarineresourcesnotonlyarichsourceoffoodforthelocal
fishermen,butmorerecentlyasourceofalternativelivelihoods,asmorefishermentrainasfly
fishingguidesforthevisitorswhocomeheretotrytheirhandatthefabledgrandslamcatchof
tarpon,permit,andsnook.
TIDEtheToledoInstituteforDevelopmentandEnvironmentisveryconsciousoftheneedto
balanceprotectionoftheenvironmentwithsustainablepractices,andthisyearsFestivaltheme
isSustainableFishing,SecureLivelihoodswhichflowsthroughouttheweekendevents.
EventskickoffonFriday11
th
OctoberwiththeSeafoodGala,offeringaselectionofseafood
canapsandfingerfood,speciallythemedcocktails,andlivemusicfromsomeofToledosfinest
talent.TIDEbelievesinvestmentineducationiskeytofosteringasenseofappreciationand
understandingofournaturalresources,andtheirYouthConservationCompetitiononSaturday
12
th
Octoberseestalentedstudentscompetingforanumberoftertiarylevelscholarships.The
SundayfinaleisheldintheTIDEgroundswherethewinnersoftheearlymorningfishing
competitionwillbeannounced,andawholerangeoffunfilledactivitieswillbeonoffer,from
traditionalcoconuthuskingandcastnetthrowing,tovolleyballandkayakcompetitionsand
culturalentertainment.
Formoredetails,pleasevisitthewww.TIDEbelize.orgwebsite,theTIDEFishFestivalfacebook
page,oremailinfo@TIDEtours.org
TicketsfortheSeafoodGalaareBZ$40inadvancefromTIDE,orBZ$50atthedoorsubjecttospaceavailable.
5

Reef Conservation International
ReefConservationInternationalwasfoundedby
PollyWoodtenyearsagowhenshelefthercor
poratelifeinBritaintopursueherpassionfor
divingandmarineconservation.
AdivingtriptoRoatanin1999firstsparked
Pollysinterestinmarineconservationbutshe
quicklyfoundthattherewerefewshortterm
opportunities.Mostconservationprojectsand
placementswereforgapyearstudentsorother
longertermcommitments.
Realisingthattherewereotherswhofeltasshe
didandwhocouldhelpcontributemeaningful
datatoscientists,shestartedtoexplorethe
ideaofamarineconservationorganisation
whichcouldofferopportunitiestoamuchwider
groupofpeople.Pollytoldus,Iwantedtocre
atesomethingunique,whereanyoneofanyage
couldcomeandhelpcontributetowardsdata
collection,whetheritwasforoneweekorthree
monthsandforanylevelofdivingexperience,
frombeginnerstoexperts.Sheattendednu
merousseminarsoncitizenscienceandmarine
conservation,exploredvariouslocations,talked
toscientistsanddevelopedherbusinessplan.
Oneofthemajorfactorswasfinancialsustain
abilityand,havinglookedatoperationsthat
reliedonfunding,shewantedtousewhatwas
atthattimeafairlynewconcept,thevoluntour
ismapproach.Manyscientistsrelyonalimited
pooloffundingandgrantsandtheirabilityto
collectdataisoftenlimitedtoshortvisits.With
ReefCIbeingfundedonanonprofitbasisbythe
volunteersthemselvestheyareabletooperate
yearroundandconductregularmonitoringto
contributemeaningfuldatato
thescientificcommunitywith
outtakingfundsawayfrom
existingstudies.
ReefCIhasanumberofpro
grams,includingtheQueen
Conchstudy,lobstersurveys
andturtlenestingmonitoring.
Theyhavealsodevelopedtheir
ownReefCICheck,acoralreef
monitoringprotocolfocussing
ontheuniquemarineecosys
temofSouthernBelize.This
includesthemonitoringofindi
catorspeciesandthemapping
oftheconditionofthereef.
But,perhapsoneofthebiggestdrawsisPollys
growingreputationassomethingofawhale
sharkwhisperer.Whalesharksarethelargest
fishintheocean(upto46feetlongandweigh
ingupto15tonsforthoseofyouinterestedin
statistics)andtheBelizeBarrierReefattracts
oneofthelargestconcentrationsofwhale
sharksintheworld.TheSapodillaCayeslie
alongoneoftheirmigration
routes,meaningthattheyare
oftenseenforuptonine
monthsoftheyear.Pollyis
modestaboutherabilityand
saystheyareeasytospotifyou
knowthesigns.Theseinclude
boobiesandternsfeedingon
thesmallfryinthewaterwhich
areaidedbytheusuallycalm
conditionsattheSapodillas.She
alsosaysthathersecret
weaponisRoland,herhusband
whogrewupfishingthesouth
ernBelizewatersandhaseyes
likeahawk.ReefCIprovidesall
whalesharkdatatotheBelize
FisheriesDepartment.Guests
alsofeeddataintotheProjectAWAREWhale
SharkProject,reportingwhalesharksightings
andprovidingpicturesforapublicphotoidenti
ficationdatabasewhalesharkseachhavea
uniquepatternontheirlefthandsideaboutthe
pectoralfinakintoahumanfingerprint.
TheSapodillarangeconsistsofeightcayesform
ingahookshapeatthesouthernmostendof
theBelize.HuntingCayereputedtohavethe
mostbeautifulbeachinBelizeisabaseforthe
FisheriesDepartmentandCoastguardandalso
hasanimmigrationpost.Othercayesinclude
NicholasCaye,theGarbuttfamilysLimeCaye,
FranksCayeandTomOwensCayewhere
ReefCIisbased.Thecayesarerightontheconti
nentalshelfsoofferamazingwalldiveswith
sheerdropsandotherdiveswithagradual
slope.Theseprovideanamazinglyvariedenvi
ronmentwithspongesandcorals,pelagicfish,
rays,turtlesandsharks.ReefCIhasbetween15
and20divesitesthattheyregularlyvisit.As
wellasfindingnewsitesdiverswillrevelinthe
factthattherearenootherdiveboatsinthe
area.
TomOwensCayeismanypeoplesideaofa
perfectcastawayislandandisgreatfornovice
diversofferingdivingfromtheshore,warmwa
terwithfewifanycurrentsandgoodvisibility.
Pollyisacertifieddiveinstructor,havingtrained
over300diversandmorethan5000divesunder
herbelt.Theislandisanacreofsandandpalm
treeswithelevenguestroomsincabanasanda
mainbuildingwhichalsoservesastherestau
rant,trainingcentreandmeetingplace.
ReefCIoffersdivingconservationtripsstaying
onTomOwensCayefromMondaytoFriday,
includingalldiving(typicallytwotofourdivesa
day),divingequipment,traininginsurveytech
niquesandmethodology,accommodationand
meals.Formoreinformation,visit
www.reefCI.comandwww.facebook.com/reefci
ReefCIs Lionfish programme
LionfishareindigenousintheIndiopacific
oceansandtheRedsea.Intheirnatural
habitattheyarenotconsideredathreat,but
intheAtlanticCaribbeanbelttheyhaveno
naturalpredatorsandcanconsumehuge
quantitiesoffishandcrustaceansthatare
keytoourmarineenvironment.Onelionfish
wasobservedeatingmorethantwentyfish
inhalfanhour.
LionfishwerefirstseeninsouthernBelizein
2009andarepotentiallythemost
destructivethreattotheSapodillas.Theyare
nowseenonalmosteverydiveatevery
depth.Lionfishreachsexualmaturityatjust
oneyearoldandfemalesreleaseupto
20,000eggseveryfourdaysandtheycan
liveuptofifteenyears.Ontopofthat,theyhave
developedstrongsurvivaltechniques,abletogo
withoutfoodforthreemonthsandyetonlylose
10%ofbodymass.ReefCIhasobservedtheir
abilitytocamouflagethemselvesaccordingto
theirenvironment.Itiseasytoseewhysome
describethemasthecockroachoftheocean.
PollyistheBelizerecordholderforspearingthe
largestlionfish,awhopping44cmonly3cm
shortofthelargestrecordedlionfishspearedin
Florida.
ReefCIslionfishprogrammeremoves
manylionfisheachweek263inthe
firstweekofSeptemberanalysing
anddissectingaproportionofthem
toprovidedatatotheBelize
FisheriesDepartment.They
collaboratewithEcoMar
(www.ecomarbelize.org)andalso
offertrainingtodiveshopsand
fishermenonhowtosafelyspear,
dissectandpreparethefish(they
havetoxinsintheirspines).Lionfish
makeforverytastyeating(see
ReefCIslionfishcevicherecipeinthe
autumn2012editionoftheHowler)
andmanylocalrestaurantsarenowrequesting
lionfishfortheirmenusatastywaytohelpsave
theReef.ReefCIisalsoworkingwithlocalartisans
onaprojecttoincorporatetheuselionfishtails
andfinsspinesinjewellery.
6

Sketch map of PG Town
Garbutts Marine & Fishing Lodge
+(501) 722-0070 or 604-3548 garbuttsmarineandfishinglodge@gmail.com
7

VictorBonilla,EmmanuelChan,WilfredMutrie
andIwereperchedatopanoldfirelookouttower
deepwithintherainforestatBFREE(BelizeFoun
dationforResearchandEnvironmentalEduca
tion).Itwas4:30a.m.Whathadbroughtustothis
remoteperchahundredfeetabovetheforest
flooratsuchanungodlyhourwasourquestfora
record.Andmoney.
Therecord:totallythelargestnumberofbirds
recordedbyoneteamofbirdersinonecalendar
day.ThisquestisknownasaBigDay.Themoney:
pledgeddonationstotheBelizeRaptorResearch
Institute,orBRRI.ABigDaythatisalsoafundrais
ingeventiscalledaBirdathon.
Hereshowitworks.Peoplepledgemoney,say$1,
inthiscase,toBRRIforeachbirdweareableto
correctlyidentifybysightorsoundduringa24
hourperiod.Ourgoalis205species,onemore
thantherecordsetbackin1999bythelateSam
Tillett,MarcusEnglandandmyself.Itisafunway
toraisemoneyforaworthycause.
Bystartingwellbeforedawn,wewerehopingto
hear,orwithalittleluck,seetherareGreatPotoo,
abirdwehadheardinthisveryspottheevening
before.Alas,thebirddidnotcooperate,butwe
didhearVermiculatedScreechOwl,MottledOwl
andafewothernightbirdsbeforefirstlight.We
hadplannedourdaycarefully.Weallowedour
selvesfourhoursatBFREE,twohoursforthe6
miledriveoutthroughthepinesavanna,oneand
ahalfhoursatAquaMarShrimpFarm,anhourat
NimLiPunitandtwohoursinandaroundPunta
Gorda.Factoringindrivingtimeandshortstops
alongtheway,thatshouldputusattheDump,a
lowmarshyareaandformerricefield,by5p.m.
Thatwouldgiveusplentyoftimeattheendofthe
daytopickuptherailsandothermarshbirdsthat
wewouldnotgetanywhereelse.Thedaywehad
selectedforourBigDaywas24
th
March2013.
WhenweleftBREEat8:45,wehadalreadylogged
animpressive112species.Weweremorethan
halfwaytoourgoalwithnearlyten
hoursofdaylightleft.Butwereal
readyfifteenminutesbehindsched
ule,thankstoaleisurelybutdelicious
breakfastattheBFREEcaf.
WearrivedatAquaMarShrimpFarm
at10:40,cautiouslyoptimisticfora
recordsettingday.Butwehadnot
doneaswellasexpectedalongthe
roadfromBFREEbacktotheSouth
ernHighway.Bythetimewereached
thepinesthetemperaturewasal
readywellintothe80sandbirdactiv
ityhaddroppedprecipitously.Never
theless,wehad142specieswhenwe
reachedthefirstpondatAquaMar.
Becausewewouldnothavetimeto
visitallseventyponds,onlyafewof
whichwouldhavethecongregationsof
shorebirds,wadersandwaterfowlthatwewere
lookingfor,wehadscoutedAquaMarthedaybe
fore.Wehadtalliedthirtyeightspecies,mostof
whichwerebirdswewerenotlikelytopickup
anywhereelse.Ifwewereabletopickupjust
twentyfivenewbirdsinthetimewehadallotted,
wewouldbepushing170species,wellonourway
toanewrecord.
Thefirstdryingpondwithsuitablemudflatswhere
weexpectedtoseeamixedcongregationof
shorebirdswasutterlydevoidofbirds.Sowasthe
secondandthethird.Butwestill
hadntreachedtheonepondthat
wasloadedwithbirdsthedaybe
fore.Nevertheless,wewerecon
cerned.WherewerealltheBlack
belliedPlovers?Wehadseen250
yesterday.Andthe500cootswe
hadcountedyesterday?Andthe
110BluewingedTeal.Sofarwe
hadrecordedonlyafractionofthe
cootsandtealandnoBlackbellied
Plovers.Wewereanxiouslyawait
ingtheplethoraofbirdsthat
wouldbefeedinginthemudand
shallowwaterinthelarge,drying
pondthathadbeensofruitfulless
than24hoursearlier.Thatwould
getusbackontrack.
Aswetoppedtheleveethatgave
usourfirstviewsofthispond,foursets
oftrainedeyespeeredeagerlyacross
thelargepondthroughfourpairsofhighpowered
binoculars.Noshorebirds.Onlyacoupleoftern
andafewLaughingGulls.Wehadexhaustedour
search.Therewerenomoreponds.WeleftAqua
Marwithonly18newspecies,sevenshortofeven
ourmostmodestgoal.Wehadonly160species
anditwasalreadyhalfpastnoon.Howwouldwe
possiblyget45morespeciesbydaysend?The
temperaturewasnowwellintothe90s,record
breakingheatforthistimeofyearanditwasgo
ingtogetevenhotterbythetimewereachedNim
LiPunit.
Ournewgoalwassimplytobreakthe200barrier.
WerecordedafewnewspeciesatNimLiPunit
andelsewherealongtheway.WedidOKinP.G.
butmissedafewobviousones.Bythetimewe
reachedtheDumpat5:20,only20minutesbehind
schedule,wewerestillmissingafewubiquitous
specieslikeGroovebilledAni,GreatBlueHeron,
GrayHawk,YellowbilledCaciqueandincredibly
BlueblackGrassquit,oneofthemostcommon
birdsinBelize.Howwasthatpossible?Onthe
drivetotheDumpfromCattleLandingIhadcome
upwithaquickcountof189specieswhileatthe
sametimescanningthelandscapeforanis,Gray
Hawkandafewotherroadsidespecieswestill
needed.
AttheDumpwegotouranis,aGrayHawk,a
GreatBlueHeron,YellowbilledCaciqueandBlue
blackGrassquit(whew!).Atsunset,aSharp
shinnedHawkflewover,easilyourbestbirdofthe
day.Itwasafittingendtoalonghotday.Buthad
wegottenthesixteenspeciesneededtobreakthe
record?Itwasgoingtobeclose.Icountedthelist
whiletheothersheldtheircollectivebreath100,
150,180,200andIstillhadntreachedthelast
page.Imusthavecountedonepagetwice.205,
anewrecord.210,215.219.Impossible!I
countedagain.219again.Wehadsmashedthe
oldrecord.
Afewdayslater,Victordiscoveredthatwehad
failedtoincludethePhiladelphiaVireothatheand
Wilfredhadseenclosetodusk.Wehadalready
alertedourdonorsofthe219total,soitwastoo
latetoaddittoourfundraisingtotal,butnottoo
latetoaddittoourofficialBigDaytotal,which
nowstoodataneven220.
Wecouldneverhaveachievedthisremarkable
totalwithouttheincredibleeyesandearsof
Wilfred,ChanandVictor.Jobwelldoneguys!On
tonextyear.230?235?Wevealreadystarted
planning.

Toledo Big Day Birding: Lee Jones

Boat-billed Heron
Mottled Owls
Punta Gorda Christmas Bird Count - 4th
January 2014 Everyoneiswelcomeregardlessofexperience.TheobjectiveoftheCBCis
tocount(bysightorsound)asmanybirdsaspossibleinonecalendardaywithinanareaencompassedbya
circle15milesindiameter.Theresultsofthisandmorethan2,000otherCBCsarepublishedannuallybythe
NationalAudubonSociety.TheP.G.countcircleincludesallofPuntaGordaandextendsnorthtoBigFalls,
easttotheRioGrande,westtoSantaAnnaandsouthtotheMohoRiver.Eachyearanywherefromsixtoten
groups,dependingontheturnout,areassignedspecificareastocoverwithinthiscircle.Everyteamisledby
atleastoneexpert,sothisisagreatopportunityforthoseofyouwhoarealittlerusty,orperhapsjust
gettingstartedintheworldofbirding,tolearnfromtheexperts.Wemeeteveryyearat7:00p.m.the
eveningbeforethecountatNaturesWayGuestHousetogetacquainted,assignteamsandfigureoutthe
transportationandotherlogistics.AttheendofthecountdayaroundduskweagaincongregateatNatures
Waytotallyourresults.Ilookforwardtoseeingyouonthecount.Spouses,siblings,childrenandfriendsare
alsowelcome,aslongastheyhaveaninterestinbirdsanddontmindgettingtheirfeetwet.Ifyouhaveany
questions,youcanemailmeatbzbirdman@gmail.com.
Groove-billed Ani
8

BTIA Toledo and the Toledo Howler
WhatisBTIA?
Vision
Astheleadingnationalprivatesectortourism
association,BTIArepresentsaunifiedvoice
whichadvocatesforissuesthatbenefitits
members,influencestourismpolicy,legisla
tionandmarketingforthesustainabledevel
opmentoftheindustryandimprovedquality
ofthevisitorexperience.
Mission
Todeveloparobustandprofessionalmem
bershipassociationwhichpromotes,advo
catesandrepresentstheinterestsofitsmem
bersforthebenefitandsustainabledevelop
mentofthetourismIndustry.
Togetherwerestronger!Becomeapartof
BTIAandmakeapracticalcontributiontothe
economicdevelopmentofToledoDistrictand
benefitfromourpromotionalwork.Wemeet
monthlyattheTourisminformationCentreon
FrontStreet.
HowDoIJoinBTIA?
Visitwww.btia.orgtoreadaboutBTIAandall
themembershipbenefitsandtodownload
anapplicationform.Completetheformand
handitinattheTourismInformationCenter
onFrontSt.
WhatdoesBTIAdoinToledo?
BTIAmanagestheTourismInformationCen
treonFrontStreetandensuresthatallour
visitorshaveuptodateandaccurateinfor
mationaboutaccommodation,restaurants,
transportandactivitieswithinToledo.
BTIAproducesTheToledoHowlerforana
tionalandinternationalaudienceshowcas
ingourculturesandopportunitiesfornature
andadventuretravelinToledo.Ittellsstories
toattractvisitorsfromwithinBelizeand
abroadandisdistributednationallyinhard
copyandoverseasinelectroniccopy.Ifyou
wouldliketoregularlyreceiveanelectronic
copythensendanemailtoDilmaCanoat
theemailaddressbelow.
BTIAorganizestheannualChocolateFestival
ofBelizeinpartnershipwiththeToledoCacao
GrowersAssociationandotherstakeholders.
BTIAToledoofficers
Chair:DennisGarbutt
Treasurer:DonaScafe
Councilor:PlacidaRequena
MarketingOfficer:DilmaYolandaCano

TheHowleriswritten,editedandproduced
by:
DilmaCano:btiatoledo@btl.net,7222531
RobHirons:rob@thelodgeatbigfalls.com
MartaHirons:marta@thelodgeatbigfalls.com
KateMorton:cottages@hickatee.com
9

Thereprobablyhasnotbeenasmuchpublic
attentioninBelizeonthedgceremonyaswithin
thepasttwoweeks,thankstothestatementsaid
byahighlevelmanagerwithintheNorwegian
CruiseLine(NCL)aboutthedgdance.What
wassaidatajointpressconferencebetweenthe
GovernmentofBelizeandNCLaboutthe
MemorandumofUnderstandingontheproposed
investmentatHarvestCayeopenedthefloodgates
foropinionsonthedgceremonyandits
potentialinsertionintolargescalecruisetourism.
Thiscertainlywasnotthescenarioinsouthern
BelizewhentheCayetanotwinsSebastianand
Fabianandtheirsiblingsdecidedtobuilda
dabuyaba,whichtheycalledtheMarcelo
CayetanoComplexashortdistancefromthecliff
inthevillageofBarrancoin1996.Mostofthe
materialscamefromthesurroundingbush.
Themaincircumstancesleadingtothe
constructionwerenotunusualcomparedtothe
preparationsforotherdgsinGarifuna
communities.Thefamilymembershadbeen
havingrecurringbadexperiences,suchasillnesses
andcaraccidents.Thespiritsoftheancestors
appearedindreamsstatingthattheywanteda
celebration.Somespelledoutthedetailsofwhat
theyexpectedatthefeast.Buyeiswereconsulted
andthroughtheirdivinationconfirmedthat
indeedadglastingafewdayswasneededby
givenancestors.Butwherewouldthistakeplace
fortherewasnodabuyabainthevillageatthat
time.Thespiritsdirectedthatanewoneshouldbe
built.HencethebeginningoftheMarcelo
CayetanoComplex(MCC)!
Asthelargest,bestbuiltandbestappointed
dabuyabainBelize,theMCCattractedmuch
attentionfromwithinBelizeandneigbouring
Guatemala.After1996,dgshavebeenheld
therealmosteveryyearusuallybetweenJuneand
lateAugust,aperiodwhichhasnowbeendubbed
astheyearlyvillagedgseason.Interestingly,the
ceremoniesaregettingbiggerfromthesheer
numbersofparticipants.Nobodykeepsanexact
countbutinwhatwascertainlyoneofthelargest,
takingplacethisyear,villagersestimatedthat
between300to400personscame,certainly
quadruplingournormalpopulationof100.Atleast
foritssmallpopulationBarrancocanboastofitself
astheDgCapitalofBelize.
Whyisthisso?Becausedugusareafunctionof
history,thereasonhastobefoundinthelife
patternofourancestors,whohadlivedin
Barrancothreeandmoregenerationsago.Many
ofthosehonouredhadlivedinBarranco,evenif
theirdescendantshadmigratedafterwards.Our
researchhasshownthatbetweenthe1860sand
theearly1900sseveralmenandwomenhad
movedtothevillage.Theinmigrationwasagain
repeatedduringthe1930spulledbythebanana
boom.UnlikeotherGarifunacommunities,
BarrancowasnotfirstsettledonaCaribReserve
orimmediatelyadjoininglargeprivate
landholdings,suchasestatesnearNewTown,the
precursorofHopkins.Barrancowasfirstsettled,
accordingtoaccountsbytheBritishthemselves,
onlandsnotownedorusedbythem.Land
availability,therefore,becameabeaconattracting
manytothevillagefromGuatemalaandHonduras
aswellasfurthernorthinBelize.
Landisamajorresourceneededforasuccessful
dgtoproducecassavabread,pigs,chickens,
leaves,dyesandotheraccessoriesthatare
needed.Althoughmostoftheseprerequisites
havetobebroughtintothevillageatthistime,it
wastherealityofapreviouseraofabundancethat
continuestoremaininthememoryofthe
ancestorsbeinghonoured.
Anothermainattractionofthevillagetotheliving
aswellasthespiritsofourancestorsisthesmall
facetofacenatureofthevillagesetting.Having
drivenintothevillage,onecanleaveonesvehicle
andwalkaround,goinghousetohousechatting
withtheresidentsastheysitbytheirverandahs.
Inotherwords,theoverallecosystemthatlends
itselfforthedgextendsfromtheavailableland
togetherwithitsbountytothesmallruralvillage
setting.Adginthevillageabsorbstheattention
ofeveryone,residentandvisitoralike.
ThisbringsusbacktothedebacleoftheNCL
allusiontothedgdancetheywouldliketo
featureattheirpropertyatHarvestCaye.The
historicityembeddedintotheMCCandthe
intimacyofthesmallruralcommunitycannotbe
repeatedwithintheartificialitythatNCLwillre
constructatHarvestCaye.
Ontheotherhand,theNCLincidenthasopened
thelargerdebateontheroleofculturewithin
largescaletourism,whichistakingplaceallover
theworld,especiallywhereindigenouspeoples
arefound.InthecaseoftheGarifunawehavea
selfconsciousculturethatisdiverse,vibrantand
photogenic,whichwehavebeensharingwith
others,includingvisitorstoourshores.Butasa
nationwehavethecapacitytodefinewhatwewill
sharewithwhatvisitors.Thepressreleasefrom
theofficeoftheNationalGarifunaCouncil
Presidentsaiditquiteclearly,Thedgisa
sacredceremonyandisnotperformedas
entertainmentforanyaudience.
Indeed,itwasthecombinedworkofmanyofus
thatledtotheUNESCO2001Proclamationof
Garifunalanguage,danceandmusicas
masterpieceoftheoralandintangibleheritageof
humanity.InacceptingtheProclamationthe
governmentofBelizereaffirmeditscommitment
tomaintainthedignityandintegrityofGarifuna
culture.Fortunately,theGarifunahavenotwaited
forthegovernmentbuthavegoneaheadto
articulatetheirposition.
Toalargeextentthebasisforthishasbeenthe
dedicationofourpeopleincommunities,suchas
Barranco,thathasgivenallofusthecollective
strengthtoupholdthedgasthemostsacred
componentofourspirituality.TheMCCandother
dabuyabaareperformingafunctionextendingfar
beyondourcommunities;andreachingouttoall
indigenouspeoplesandsimilarlymarginalized
peopleswherevertheyare.
ContributedbyDr.JosephPalacio
Barranco the Dg Capital
Thisdrummingcompetitionandshowallows
groupstocompeteanddisplaytheirmusicalart
istryinplayingfivedifferentcategoriesofGarifuna
drumming.ThefirstBattleoftheDrumswasheld
inPuntaGordaTownonNovember17,2006and
waswellreceivedbyspectatorsfromhomeand
abroad.In2007,therewasanevenlargeraudi
enceandgreaterenthusiasm.In2008theevent
evolvedintoaninternationaldrummingcompeti
tionandshowinvolvingdrumminggroupsfrom
variouspartsofBelizeaswellasfromneighbour
ingGuatemalaandHonduras.Thiscompetition
andshowhasbecomeamajorlocalandinterna
tionaltouristattractionandacatalystforsignifi
canteconomicactivityinthePuntaGordaArea
duringtheperiodwhenitishosted.
FoodandFeteistheopeningnightofthe
BattleoftheDrumsweekendfestivities,heldon
Friday,November15,2013from8:00p.m.to1:00
a.m.
Thiseventbringspeopletogetherfromallwalksof
lifetosocialize,networkandenjoyaneveningof
goodfoodandgreatGarifunamusic.Itwillshow
caseGarifunaCuisinefusedwithcontemporary
cookingstyles,dishesandmenuspreparedbyex
ecutivechefsfromBelcampoLodgeofPunta
Gorda.
ItwillalsofeaturelocalandnationalGarifunamu
sicalperformersperforminggreatparandaand
otherGarifunamusic.PerformerswillincludePaul
Nabor,MarioandtheUmalaliGroup,GodfreySho
andtheCultureDynamicsandLascelleMartinez
andthePGVibes.
TheBattleoftheDrums!15thand16thNovember
10

T O L E D O V I L L A G E B U S E S
Service DepartPG Destination Callingat... Days ReturntoPG
Kan 11:30 Aguacate Dump,Mafredi,BlueCreek MontoSat 05:20
JnL 12:00 Barranco SanFelipe(forIxcacao),SantaAna,Midway Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat 06:00
Garcia 11:00 BigFalls Dump,Jacintoville, Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat 08:00
Chub 11:30 CriqueSarco SanFelipe,SantaAna,Midway,Conejo,SundayWood Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat 05:15
Ack 12:00 Dolores
Dump,Mafredi,Jordon,SantaTeresa,Mabilha,SanLucas,
CorazonCreek,Otoxha
Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat 03:00
Pop 10:30 GoldenStream Dump,BigFalls,IndianCreek Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat 06:45
Pop 13:00 GoldenStream Dump,BigFalls,Hicatee,IndianCreek(forNimLiPunit) MontoSat 07:30
Pop 17:00 IndianCreek Dump,BigFalls,Hicatee MontoSat 12:00
Pop 21:00 IndianCreek Dump,BigFalls,Hicatee MontoThurs 15:30
Bol 06:00 Jalacte
Dump,Mafredi,SanAntonio,SantaCruz,SantaElena,
PuebloViejo
MontoSun 05:00
Chunny 11:30 Jalacte
Dump,Mafredi,SanAntonio,SantaCruz(forRioBlanco),
SantaElena,PuebloViejo,Jalacte
MontoSat 03:00
Bol 16:00 Jalacte
Dump,Mafredi,SanAntonio,SantaCruz(forRioBlanco),
SantaElena,PuebloViejo,Jalacte
Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat 15:00
Shol 12:00 Laguna Elridgeville Wed/Fri/Sat
Pop 11:30 MedinaBank Dump,BigFalls,Hicatee,IndianCreek(forNimLiPunit) MontoSat 05:30
Chunny 11:30 SanAntonio Dump,Mafredi MontoSat 06:00
Coc 12:00 SanAntonio Dump,Mafredi MontoSat 06:30
Coc 12:00 SanAntonio Dump,Mafredi MontoSat 13:30
Teck 12:00 SanBenitoPoite Dump,Mafredi,BlueCreek(forHokebHa),SantaTeresa Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat 04:30
Sho 11:30 SanJose Jacintoville,Dump,Mafredi,CriqueJute,NahLumCa Wed/Sat 04:00
Choc 12:00 SanJose Dump,Mafredi,CriqueJute,NahLumCah Mon/Fri 05:00
Chen 11:30 SanVicente
Dump,Mafredi,SanAntonio,SantaCruz(forRioBlanco),
SantaElena,PuebloViejo,Jalacte
Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat 02:00
Chen 05:30 SanVicente
Dump,Mafredi,SanAntonio,SantaCruz,SantaElena,
PuebloViejo,Jalacte
Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat 14:00
Bobby 11:00 SantaAna SanFelipe(forIxcacao) Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat 07:15
Cal 04:30 SilverCreek Dump,SanPedroColumbia,SanMiguel MontoSat 13:00
Cal 11:00 SilverCreek Dump,SanPedroColumbia(forLubaantun),SanMiguel MontoSat 06:00
Cucul 11:30 SilverCreek Dump,SanPedroColumbia(forLubaantun),SanMiguel MontoSat 07:00
Cucul 16:00 SilverCreek Dump,SanPedroColumbia,SanMiguel MontoSat 12:30
Cucul 21:00 SilverCreek SanPedroColumbia,SanMiguel MontoThurs 16:00
11

Flights
DepartPuntaGorda ArrivesBelizeCity ServiceProvider DepartBelizeIntl. ArriveInPuntaGorda ServiceProvider
06:45 07:55 MayaIslandAir 08:10 09:15 MayaIslandAir
06:30 07:30 TropicAir 07:50 09:00 TropicAir
09:30 10:35 MayaIslandAir 10:10 11:15 MayaIslandAir
09:20 10:20 TropicAir 10:20 11:30 TropicAir
11:30 12:35 MayaIslandAir 12:20 13:30 TropicAir
11:35 12:35 TropicAir 14:20 15:30 TropicAir
13:35 14:35 TropicAir 14:40 15:45 MayaIslandAir
16:00 17:05 MayaIslandAir 16:40 17:45 MayaIslandAir
16:00 17:10 TropicAir 16:40 17:40 TropicAir
JamesBusLineSchedule
DepartsP.G. ArrivesBelizeCity DepartsBelizeCity ArrivesP.G.
03:50 10:30 05:15Express(exceptSun) 10:30
04:50 11:30 06:15 12:45
05:50 12:30 07:15 13:45
06:00Express 10:45 08:15 14:45
07:50 14:30 09:15 15:45
09:50 16:30 10:15 16:45
11:50 18:30 12:15 18:45
13:50 20:30 13:45 19:45
14:50 21:30 15:15 21:45
15:50(exceptSat) 21:15 15:45Express 20:30
BoatstoandfromPuertoBarrios,Guatemala
ServiceProvider DepPuntaGorda ArrivePuertoBarrios DepartPuertoBarrios ArrivePuntaGorda
RequenasCharterService 09:30 10:30 14:00 15:00
Pichilingo 14:00 15:00 10:00 11:00
Memos 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00
BoatstoLivingstondepartonTuesdaysandFridaysat10a.m.
Marisol 16:00 17:00 13:00 15:00
T R A N S P O R T S C H E D U L E S
BTIA Welcomes More New Members
IxchelWomensGroup
TheIxchelWomensGroupinIndianCreekvillageisoneofthelongestestab
lishedwomensgroupsinToledohavingbeeninoperationforthepastfif
teenyears.ItstenmembersfromthecommunityofIndianCreekmakeand
sellcraftsandshowguestshowtheygrindandmakecorntortillas,extract
rawsugarfromthecaneandothertraditionsoftheMaya.Wewroteabout
theIxchelgroupinapreviousissueofTheToledoHowlerandnowwelcome
themasoneofthenewestmemberofBTIA,workingtogethertopromote
therichcul
turaldiversity
weoffervisi
torstothe
south.
MayaBags
BTIAwelcomesbackMayaBags.Theyproducehighqual
ityproductssoldinNewYorkdepartmentstoresandBe
lizehotelgiftshops.
ContactMayaBagsatbelizeexecutivedirec
tor@mayabags.orgorcall+(501)7222175andspeaktoDe
sireeArnoldthelocalmanager.
12

13

Chocolate Festival of Belize
Chocolate Cooking Competition
SweetCategory
DarkTemptationCakebyKatarinaPolonio
Ingredients
Prebakedbrowniesforcenter
2cupssugar
1cupsofflour
1cupcocoapowder
1teaspoonbakingpowder
1teaspoonsbakingsoda
1teaspoonsalt
2eggs
1cupmilk
cupvegetableoil
2teaspoonsvanillaessence
1cuphotdarkcoffee
Method
1.Heatoven350F.Greaseandflourtwo9inchroundpansora
13x9bakingpan
2.Stirtogetherthesugar,flour,cocoa,bakingpowder,baking
sodaandsaltinalargebowl.Addtheeggs,milk,oilandvanilla.
Beatonamediumspeedfor2minutes.Stirinhotcoffee.Pourthe
batterintothepreparedpan.
3.Bakefor3035minutesforroundpansand3540forthe
13x9panoruntiltoothpickinsertedinthecentrecomesout
clean.
Coolfor10minutesthenremovefrompans.
Coolcompletely
Thenfrostwithyourfavoritefrostingandgarnishwithcocoanibs
andchocolatebarchunks.
Thebrowniesthatarebakedintothecenterofthecake...
1boxofHershey'sbrowniemix
Mixedassaidonthebox
Bakedinarectanglepan.
Cutinto1inchsquarebites.

Rollthebakedsquarebitesintoaballbyusingyourhands.Wedge
achocolatebarchunkintothebrowniebite.Thenplacetheminto
thegreasedandflouredpanbeforepouringinthecakemix.
SavouryCategory
ChocolateChilibyJillBurgessYoung
Ingredients
2mediumonions
coconutoil
3tomatoes
1headofgarlic
3quartswater
cupchilipowder
cupofcuminpowder
1teaspoonblackpepper
1teaspooncinnamonpowder
GroundchilipepperfromPGMarket
1/8cupofsugar
1teaspoonsalt
23cupsofblackbeans,boiledandpureed
3smallcanstomatopaste
to5/8cupgratedcacaobeans
Plantain(optional)
1.Sauttheonionsinatablespoonofcoconutoilandsoften
them.Addchoppedtomatoesandchoppedgarlic,saut.Addthe
water,chilipowder,cumin,blackpepper,cinnamon,bigpinchof
groundchilipepper,sugarandsalt.
2.Simmerthenaddtheblackbeanpuree,tomatopasteandgrated
cacaoandstiruntilwellmixed.Simmerslowlyuntilitthickens.
Note:Althoughitisniceandthickensitupalittle,thetomato
pasteisoptionalandIsometimesomititbecauseitgivesme
heartburn!Highlyrecommendthebeanspureedorwholeand
squishedabit,notonlytothickenitbuttoaddprotein.The
plantainisatexturesubstitute,notaproteinsubstitute.The
plantainwillthickenthechiliaftersimmeringafewminutes.

ThefollowingtworecipeswereenteredintothechocolatecookingcompetitionaspartoftheTasteofToledocelebrationsonFrontStreetinPunta
GordaontheSaturdayofthisyearsChocolateFestival.WearepleasedtoreproducethembelowforourreaderswiththankstoKatarinaPolonioandJill
BurgessYoung
14





10 Reasons t o c ome t o t he DFC
1.ValuationsAtNoCost
2.Lowcostclosing/LegalFees
3.LowestRatesonProductiveSectorLoans8.5%
4.LowestInterestRatesonMicroSectorLoans8%
5.FlexibleRepaymenttermsupto15yrs
6.Adequategraceperiodupto4yrs
7.Soundprojectformulationandanalysis
8.AccesstoTechnicalAssistance
9.FriendlyandWelcomingStaff
10.AnofficenearyouCorozal,OrangeWalk,BelizeCity,SanPedro,Belmo
pan,Dangriga,PuntaGordaTown(UpperfloorofSSBBuilding)inorour
websiteatwww.dfcbelize.orgorwriteusatinfo@dfcbelize.org

15

ProWorld Belize
Exactlyfifteenyearsago,theidea
ofProWorldstartedtoferment
inRichardWebbsmind,aborn
Peruvian.HemetNick
Bryngelsonwhileworkingatan
NGOintheSacredValley,Peru.
Bothsharedthesamephilosophy
andideasandstartedmaking
planstostartProPeru.
ProPerusgoalsweretohelp
Peruwithcapacitybuilding,co
createprojectswithinthe
communityandhelpthelocal
economy,byhavingtheseinterns
stayandeatatlocal
establishments.In2000ProPeru
hadtheirfirstgroupofstudents
visitCusco.
In2003,NickvisitedBelizeand
fellinlovewiththecountry.
ProPeruwasnowcalled
ProWorldandBelizewasthesecondcountry
whereProWorldvisitorscouldcomeandlearn
abouttheBelizeanpeopleanditsdifferent
culturesandatthesamehelpwithworkshops
andprojectswithinthecommunity.ProWorlds
firstofficewasoperatedbyGreyPowellin
Hopkinsvillage.Threeyearslateritwasmoved
toSanIgnacio,amorecentraltownandeasierto
accessotherareasofthecountry;ProWorld
Belizehadbecomeverypopularanditwasa
hugesuccess.Therewasaneedforexpansion.
ProWorldhasofficesinovertencountries.Their
philosophyisservicelearningorinotherwords
visitorsexperienceandlearnaboutthe
communitytheyarevisitingandatthesametime
helpviateachingandsharinginthesame
community.Visitorsgivesomethingbacktothe
communitieswheretheystay.Internships
offeredbyProWorldare:Health,Education,NGO
management,Media,EnvironmentConservation
andEconomicDevelopment.
NicoleAndrewin,whonowheadstheofficein
Belize,firststartedtoworkattheSanIgnacio
officesevenyearsago.Shesawpotentialinthe
Toledodistrictandthreeyearsago,withthehelp
ofCherriMaeAvilez,thesecondofficeinBelize
wasopenedinPuntaGorda.
TheinternsthatProWorldbringstoToledostay
withfamiliesorfamilyrunestablishmentsand
workinvariousprojectsandworkshopsaround
thedistrict.ProWorldbringsbetween500to700
gueststoBelizeeachyear.Theaverageintern
staysforfourweeks.
ProjectsaccomplishedbyProWorldsguests
includeaseptictankthatwasbuiltthisyearfor
theToledoCommunityCollege.Manyhealth
educationfairshavebeenorganizedinPunta
Gordaandsurroundingvillagesfocusingon
balancednutrition.WorkshopsinHealth
Educationhavealsobeendeliveredinalotof
schools.AlibrarywasestablishedatSt.Benedicts
schoolinIndianvillewherethevolunteersputup
alltheshelvingandandorganizedandcatalogued
thebooks.AtSt.PeterClavierSchoolshedsand
tableswereconstructed.
ProWorldhasalsoassistedand
workedwiththePTAofBarranco
villageinrebuildingandre
thatchingguesthouseinthe
village.Profitsgainedfromthis
guesthousegoestowardsthe
childrenseducation.
Otherexamplesofcommunity
projectsare:organizing
workshopsforToledoBusiness
Association.Buildingabiogas
digesteratColumbianRiverCo
op.HelpconstructTumilKins
radiostationandtoilets.
Proworldhasalsocollaborated
withSustainableHarvest
Internationalinconstructionof
solarlatrinesandcleanburning
stoves.
ProWorldisnotonlyabout
bringingintourismintoBelizebut
alsoaboutempoweringandinspiringBelizeansto
appreciatetheircountryandcommunity.
AsNicoleputsit,"OurStaffatProWorldworks
forthecommunityandparticipantscomingfrom
abroadtoensurethatbothshareandlearnfrom
eachotherinawaythatbenefitseveryone.
FormoreinformationaboutProWorldplease
contactNicoleAndrewinat6101063oremailher
atNicole@proworldvolunteers.org
CanadianhighschoolstudentsdiggingmassiveholeforBiogasdigesterattheColumbiaRiverCoop
ProWorldguestsbuildingacleanburningstovewithSustainableHarvestInternational
16

Word on the Street: The Visitors Perspective
KimandherhusbandBobarefromMissouriand
firstcametoBelizein1999whentheywantedto
visitacountrythatwaswarm,butnottoo
developedortouristy.Kimrecallsthattheygot
hookedonBelizeandtheyvemadeseveralreturn
visitssincethen,bringingwiththemanumberof
familymembersandfriendsontheirvarioustrips.

WetrackedKimdownonhertravelsaroundthe
DistricttogetavisitorsperspectiveonToledo.

WhatattractedyoutoToledo?
Myfirstvisitsouthwasin2003whenIwantedto
get"offthebeatenpath"andwasinterestedin
learningmoreaboutthevariouscultures.It
seemedToledowastheperfectplacetodothis
andIlovetheculturaldiversitythatyoufindhere.
HowdoesToledocomparewithotherplacesin
Belize?
Geographically,it'ssimilartoCayointermsof
waterfalls,riversandruinsbutwithoutthecrowds
andwiththeaddedbonusofthecayes.Toledo's
variousculturesaremuchmoreintactthan
elsewhereandyouoftengetthefeelingof
witnessingsomethingfortheveryfirsttime.
FindingalicensedguideinToledoismore
challengingthaninotherareas.Idontmeanthat
tosounddismissiveasToledohassometruly
exceptionalguidesbuttheydontadvertiseas
heavilyassomeotherareasinBelizewhichiswhy
theyremorechallengingtofind.
[Editor:Visitorsareadvisedtobooktours
throughoneofthelicensedtouroperators,who
arelegallyresponsibleforensuringyourguide
hasavalidlicenseandthatyouarecoveredby
publicliabilityinsuranceincaseofaccident.See
listoftouroperatorsonPage19]

HowdidyoutraveltoToledo?whatwasgood
andbadaboutthejourney?
IvenotmadethewholejourneybybusIlove
bustravelinBelize,butImalwayskeentotryand
maximizeourvacationtime,sowevebothflown
andrentedavehicleondifferentoccasions.
FlyingfromBelizetoPGisanexperiencethe
viewsarewonderfulandbythetimeyoureach
Placenciamostofthepassengershavedeplaned
andyoucangetacquaintedwiththefew
remainingtravellers,whichhasledtosomereally
greatconversations,aswellastipsonthingsto
do.
Ifyou'reinagroupoffourormoreandsharethe
costs,rentingavehiclehasitsadvantagesand
oneofthebiggestformeisthebeautiful
HummingbirdHighway,closelyfollowedby
stoppingatColemansCafforlunch.Havingsaid
that,theweatherdoesntalwaysbehaveand
althoughitseemsprettypointlessdrivingalong
themostscenichighwayinthecountryinthe
pouringrain,youcan'tseethehillsandthe
knucklesonthesteeringwheelarewhite,itsstill
worthtakingthatchance!(Butdodrive
cautiously)
Howlongareyoustaying?
Ivemetlotsofpeoplestayingonlythreeorfour
daysbut,inmyopinion,anythinglessthanaweek
isbarelyworthit.Ittakesadayortwoto
becomeacclimated,afewmoredaystoseethe
sights,thenanotherdayortwotoletthe
relaxationsinkin.Personally,thefirsttwotimesI
visitedToledo,IstayedlongerthanI'doriginally
planned.
Whatwasthemostsurprisingthingaboutyour
visit?
ThenewlypavedroadwestofDumpheadinginto
theMayavillagesitwasquitestartlingtohavea
faster,smootherjourneyuptoSanAntonioandI
canseethatwhenitsfinisheditwillrivalthe
HummingbirdHighwayforbeautifulviews.The
othereyeopenerwasthelackofsnakesonWest
SnakeCaye!
Whatwerethehighlightsofthistrip?
MyfirstsuccessfulvisittoUxbenkaandRio
Blancofalls.
Whatdidyouliketheleast?
Thetemperature!Weweresurprisedbyacold
frontandwhenjumpingintoariverafteraday
ofhikingandvisitingruinsdoesn'tsoundthe
leastbitappealing,youknowit'scold!
Favouritefood?
Seafood!It'ssofreshandit'spreparedinso
manyways.Butcohunecabbagecomesaclose
second.
Reeforrainforest,cayesorculture?
Ithinkmoreresearchisneeded!Letsjustsay,
youcandoitallfromhere.
Favouriteactivitiesandtours?
Strangeasitmightsound,myfavoriteactivityin
Toledoistolisten.Therearesomanypeople
withamazingstories(tourguides,caretakers,
etc).MymostmemorableexperienceinToledo
wasstayinginSanMiguelvillage,wherewe
hikedtoTigerCaveandreturnedbyadugout
canoe.Iknowtherehavebeenchangesinthe
pasttenyears,butI'dlovetotryitagain.
SpendingadayinBarrancoisafavorite,too.The
roadcanberough,butitsworththetrip.The
HouseofCultureholdsahistoricalrecordofthe
GarinaguinBelizeandAlvinwhoactedasour
guideisatruegem.Besuretotryhudutandvisit
AndyPalaciosgrave.
Ya'axche'sRangerforaDayprogramisntatour,
butitsagreatactivity.Weaccompanieda
Rangeronhisdailytransecttodocumentrecent
wildlifeactivity.AstheGoldenStreamCorridor
Preserveisn'topenforgeneraltourism,we
feltprivilegedtohavebeengivenaglimpseofthe
areaandtohaveplayedasmallpartinits
preservation.
Traveltips?
Bepolite!!Askyourhotelstaff,othervisitorsand
tourguidesabouttheirfavoritetoursoranynew
toursavailable.Ifyoupreplaneverydayofyour
tripyoumaymissoutonaonceinalifetime
experience.ALWAYShiresomeonetoguideyou
throughtheMayasites;there'sahugedifference
betweentakingphotosofapileofrocksand
learningaboutthesite.
Willyoubecomingback?
There'saprettygoodchance:)
Golden Stream
17

Arzu Mountain Spirit: Natural Solutions for Low Libido
Manyhealingtraditionsinterpretalowlibidoasasign
ofdeclininghealthandnotnecessarilyasignofold
age.Thelossofpassionconditionisnotexclusiveto
men,asitaffectsbothmenandwomen.Itiscalled
frigidityinwomenandimpotenceinmen;bothlabels
refertothesamelowlibidocondition.Frigidityin
womenisasexualunresponsivenessandinabilityto
achieveorgasmduringintercourse.Impotenceinmen
iswhereyoucanperformsexuallysomeofthetime,
butnotalways,evenwhenyouhavethebestofinten
tions.Impotenceisalsorecognizedasasymptomofa
medicalconditioncalledErectileDysfunction,orED.
Wehearmostlyaboutthemalesidebecauselowsex
ualvitalityandlossoflibidoismorenoticeableinmen.
Mendonthavethebenefitofbeingabletofakesex
ualperformance;andwhentheycantperform,they
needhelp.
Traditionalmedicinebalancesthelibidointhesame
mannerregardlessofgender.Naturedoesnotdis
criminate.Thereareavarietyoftreatmentsforimpo
tenceavailabletoday;bothnaturedanddenatured.
Therearedifferentnoninvasive,drugfreethingspeo
plecandotoenhancetheirlibido.Butfewareexercis
ingthatoption.Mostpeople(mostlymen)areusing
denaturedpharmaceuticalssuchasViagra,Cialisand
Levitratoenhancetheirlibidoregardlessoftherisks
involved.
Viagraiscurrentlythemostpopulardrugforimpo
tenceandthesexuallyactivealike.Onlyqualifieddoc
torscanprescribethisdruganditsellsataround$10
perpill.Viagratakesanywherefrom30minutesto
overonehourtotakeeffectandwarnsofadverse
drugreactionswhichinclude:sneezing,dizziness,
headaches,flushing,dyspepsia,photophobia,palpita
tions,priapism,heartattacks,strokes,andsudden
deathandtherearemorerecentfindingsthatlinkVia
gratoblindness.Theseserioussideeffectscanhappen
andhavehappenedandtherearemanynewsstories
aboutmenwhohavefallenvictimtothesesideef
fects.
Cialisisanotherdrugthatdoestheexactsamethingas
Viagra,eventhoughtheyhavedifferentchemical
structures.CialisisfivetimesstrongerthanViagra.It
cancostupto$22perpillandlastover36hours
(comparedtoViagrawhichlasts4hours).Itiscalled
the"weekendpill"duetoitslonglastingbenefit.
Someofitssideeffectsincludebackpain,flushing,
musclesaches,headaches,stuffy/runnynoseandloss
ofvision.
Anotherimpotencedrugrecentlyonthemarketis
Levitra;verysimilartoViagraandCialisanddoesthe
exactsamethingtheydo.Levitraeffectslastfrom45
hoursintotalandtakesmorethan40minutestotake
effect.Ithasamorepowerfuleffectthantheother
twoonlybecausethedosageisbigger.Levitraeven
hasmoresideeffects.Inadditiontocausingnausea,
abdominalpain,backpain,eyepain,rash,palpitation
andheartattacks,Levitrahastheaddedsideeffectof
causingpermanentpeniletissuedamagealongwith
permanentlossofpotency.
Therearealternativeremediesforenhancingtheli
bidomadewithnaturedingredientsthathavesimilar
effectsasthechemicaldrugs,excepttheyhavenoside
effects.Thebenefitsoftheseherbalalternativesare
that:theyaresafe,cheapertoobtain,morereadily
availableandthereisnoprescriptionorconsultation
feerequired.Everycountrygrowstheirnativelibido
helper.AfricahastheirnativeYohimbe,ahormone
stimulanteffectiveintheproductionoftestosterone.
IthasbeenusedinAfricaforthousandsofyearsto
healimpotencyandtostrengthensexualdesireand
vitality.NorthAmericahasthemildaphrodisiac
Damiana,anherbusedtobalancemalehormonesand
treatimpotence.Itcontainspropertiestostimulate
themalehormonetestosteroneandisusedforthe
femalereproductiveorgansandaidstoenergizeand
stopfrigidity.AndBelizehastheStrongback,aka
AmorSeco.Thenamesaysitall.
Strongbackhasbeenusedbytraditionalhealersasa
teatocalmpeoplewithedgynerves(nervousness).It
growswildalloverBelize.Ithasbeenusedforthou
sandsofyearsbypeopleforavarietyofhealthissues.
TheGarifunaBuyeibelievetheplanthasmagicpowers
inlovemattersandmagicallyimproveslovemakingin
marriages;theyprescribeanherbtonicmadeof
Strongbacktocouplestorekindleawaningromance.
ThroughoutCentralAmericaStrongbackisusedto
restoremoistureinlovemaking,hencetheSpanish
nameAmorSeco(drylove).Notabadherbtohaveas
anallywhenreclaimingyourpotency.Thisherb
worksonlywhenyoulovetheperson,asitwill
awakenonlywhatisalreadythere;agreatrelaxing
herbforimpotence.Italsoworkstoalleviatemuscle
painandbackaches,bytheway.
Sciencehasdeterminedtheprimaryphysicalcauseof
impotenceisnutritionaldeficiencyduetoapoordiet.
Naturalcuresforlowlibidoinvolverestoringthebio
chemicalbalanceofyourbodyandmakingthedietary
andlifestylechangesyouneedtomaketoimprove
youroverallhealth.Soletsstartbymakingsureyou
areeatingtherightlibidoraisingfoodsandgetting
theproperamountofdailynutrition.
Inyourgreens,youcanincludealittleknownfood
usedtraditionallytobalancethelibido;theladyfin
gers.Ladyfingers,morecommonlycalledokra,isa
veryusefulvegetableandinexpensivevegetablemedi
cinethatisavailablepracticallyyearroundandeasyto
grow.Okracontainssolublefiberwhichhelpscontrol
thecholesterollevelinourbodies.Itisusedintradi
tionalmedicinetoboostsexualvigor;duetoitsaphro
disiacqualities.Itgoodforthebodyanditsgoodfor
ladiestoo,especiallythoseclosetomenopause.Okra
promotesfriendlybacteria(probiotics)oftheintesti
naltractandhelpsinbiosynthesisofvitaminB.Itisa
richsourceofmanynutrients,includingfiber,vitamin
B6andfolicacid.Itdoesnothurttoincludeitinyour
diet,evenifnotforyourlibido.Doitforyouroverall
health.
Zincdeficiencyiscommoninpeoplewhosufferfroma
sexualdysfunction.Raiseyourzinclevel.WildYam,a
Belizeannative,isanherbthatbalanceshormones
andstimulatestheproductionofnaturalsteroidhor
mones,asinprecursorsofprogesteroneanditcon
tainshighamountsofzinc.Shellfish,seafoodand
crabs,whichareinabundanceinsouthernBelize,are
veryhighinzinc.BukutTea(StinkingToe)increases
sexualandphysicalenergy.Italsostrengthensendur
ance,bloodcirculationandbuildsblood.Thereisan
ancientaphrodisiacmadefromchayanowcoined
Chayagria.YouhavetoaskthemenaboutthatasI
haveonlyheardtell.
Eliminatehighfatteningandhighcholesterolfoods
thatonlysendplaqueandcholesteroltoyourarteries.
Choosehighfiberfoodsthatarelowinfatinstead.
Thismeansadoptingadietthatincludesmoregreen
vegetables,groundfoods,seasonalfruitsandmore
seafood(notfried)andlessdeadmeat.Strongbackis
bestusedifmixedwithwildyamand/orsawpalmetto
berries.
Strongback
18

Southern Voices: Dr Joseph Palacio
DrJosephPalaciohasadoctorateinanthropology
andisawellknownandrespectedfigurethrough
outBelize.HewasborninBarrancobutmoved
withinayeartoliveandgrowupelsewhere.He
waseducatedattheUniversityofToronto,The
UniversityofManitobaatWinnipegandtheUni
versityofCaliforniaatBerkeley.Hewasthefirst
BelizeanArchaeologicalCommissioner.Hehas
recentlymovedhometohisbirthplaceandwas
electedChairoftheBarrancoVillageCouncilin
May.
HaveyoualwayslivedinToledo?Iwasbornhere
inBarrancobutleftbeforeIwasyearold.Ilivedin
SanAntonio,Toledowheremybrotherwasa
teacherandotherplacesaroundBelize.Ithinkit
wasthismovement,introducingmetotheMaya
andCreoleculturesandgrowingupinthem,that
sparkedmyinterestinanthropology.ItwaswhatI
mightcallapatchworkgrowingupthatisnotat
allunusualfortheGarifuna.Ididnotreturnto
BarrancountilIcamebacktoconductmydoctoral
fieldworkanditwasthisthatreallymarkedmyfull
timeentryintothecommunity.
NowthatyouaretheChairoftheBarrancovil
lageCouncilcanyoushareyourvisionforBar
rancointheyearsahead?Wewereonlyelected
on19
th
Mayandsoarejustfourmonthsintoour
term.Wearetryingtode
velopanactionplanfor
thingsthatneedimmediate
attentionandadevelop
mentplanwithalonger
termstrategy.Whatever
theplan,youarecon
strainedbythenatureof
thevillagecouncil;thatitis
voluntaryworkwithno
remuneration;thecouncil
hasnosourcesofrevenue
andthevillagehashigh
expectations.Ourfirstac
tionsweretoreclaimthe
CommunityCentrefrom
thedogsthathadmovedin
andtorestoreittoitsin
tendeduse.Wehavedone
thatbyestablishingrela
tionshipswiththeMinistry
ofWorksandalsothelog
gingconcessionairesalong
theroadtoMidwayvillage
whoprovidedlumberfor
thework.Thelongerterm
developmentplanwould
addressissueswiththe
roadsandaccessandsani
tation.Wewouldalsolike
tohelpthecraftmakersinthevillagedevelop
theirmarket.AndafittingmonumentforAndy
Palacioisessentialforthevillage.
Oneofouroverridingconcernsrightnowisthe
viabilityofthevillageschoolwithsuchasmallresi
dentpopulation.
Whatarethemostsignificantchangesyouhave
seeninthedistrictinyourlifetime?Thehighway
isprobablythesinglemostsignificantchangebut
thedevelopmentoflocalenvironmentalandcul
turalconsciousnessthroughSATIIM(SarstoonTe
mashInstituteforIndigenousManagement),the
YaaxcheConservationTrustandMayaLeaders
Allianceareencouraging.IneducationtheUniver
sityofBelizeToledocampus,ToledoCommunity
College,JulianChoTechnicalHighSchoolatDump
junctionandthenewhighschoolinCorazonare
allmajorfactorsinbringingchange.
Howdoyouseethedevelopmentoftourismin
Barranco?Itisimportantthatweputasignature
ormarkonwhatitisthatwearemarketing.We
havenotyetexhaustedthepotentialforcultural
tourism.Forexample,ourGarifunasistersand
brothersvisitinlargenumbersatleasttwicea
yeartoparticipateintheancestralritualcalled
dg. WehavelargegroupsvisitingBarranco
twiceayearforpilgrimageandceremoniesaswell
asothersmallergroupsthroughouttheyear.If
touristsareinterestedinculturalexperiencesthen
IwoulddefinitelyincludeBarranco.. Theycould
getinvolvedincassavabreadmakingthatisa
processthatstretchesovertwodays.Orthey
couldgofishingortakeaboattouralongtheTe
mashRiverwheretherearethesitesofearlier
plantations. TheToledoEcotourismAssociation
(TEA)guesthousehasnowbeenturnedovertothe
ParentTeacherAssociationandtherevenuere
ceivedfromvisitorsgoestothePTAandthe
school.(TobookcallAntoinetteZunigaon605
0215).Touristscouldgetinvolvedincassavabread
makingthatisaprocessthatstretchesovertwo
days.Ortheycouldgofishingortakeaboattour
alongtheTemashRiverwheretherearethesites
ofearlierplantations.
BarrancoisthedugucapitaloftheGarfiuna
world.Theduguisaceremonyfortheplacation
oftheeldersandhealingofthesick.Ittakesplace
inthedabuyeba(temple)nowknownasthe
MarcelCayetanoComplex.MarceloCayetanowas
thegrandsonofJuanPedroCayetanowhowas
amongthefirstGarifunatobeborninCentral
AmericaaccordingtorecordsfromLivingstonin
Guatemala.Thesearebaptismalrecordsfroma
BelgianRomanCatholicmissionestablishedthere
around1840.TheavailabilityoflandaroundBar
rancoattractedpeoplefromSeineBightandPunta
Gordaandastheyarrivedandsettledthereligion
andculturedeepenedleadingtoBarrancospre
eminenceasaceremonialcentre.
Doyoupreferthereeforrainforest?Therainfor
estbecausewearesurroundedbyitbutthevil
lagehaslookedbothwaystoseaandinland
duringitshistory.Thebananaindustryflourished
duringtheTwentiesandThirtiesalongtheTemash
Riverbutwhenitdeclinedcommercialfishingbe
camemoreimportant.
WhatisyourfavouriteBelizeandish?Afoo,itisa
yellowyamthattastesalittlebitter.Itispounded
ashudut,whichisusuallymadefromgreenplan
tain.Andtikinisthesaucethatitiseatenwith.
Thathasaflourbasethatissautedwithonion,
garlicandotherseasonings.Ofcourse,thesauce
containssomefreshfish.
Well,thanksforyourtimeDrPalacio.Wewish
youeverysuccessindevelopingBarranco.You
arewelcome,Howler.
DrPalaciosmostrecentpublicationisGarifuna:ContinuityinLand:BarrancoSettlementandLand
Use1862to2000JosephOPalacio,CarlsonJTuttle,JudithRLumb2011ProduccionesdelaHamaca,
CayeCaulker.ThebookisavailablefromAmazon.
TheBarrancostoryshowsthecapacityoftheGarinagutoorganizethemselvesfirstlyandafterwards
withintheframeworkofBritishcoloniallegislation....exploreseverynookandcrannyofthenumerous
aspectsinwhichlandandlandtenurearelinkedtogetherinBarrancofrom1860tothepresent
OdileHoffmann,InstitutdeRecherchepourleDeveloppement,UniversiteParisDiderot,France
Thisfascinatingstudy...isatonceasearingportraitofthebirthandpersistenceagainstallodds,ofa
particularGarifunacommunity;anaccountoftheconflictiverelationsbetweenthatcommunityand
thestatepower,whethercolonialornationalist;...Welearnhowtheywereformed,developed,rav
agedbywar,forcedintoexileandhowtheyroseoutoftheashesofmilitarydefeatandexpulsion
fromtheirhomelandtopreservethemselvestriumphantlyasanationacrossborders.AssadSho
man,PrensaLatina,Havana,Cuba.
19

ToledoTourismIn
formationCentre
FrontStreet,Punta
GordaTown
MontoFri8amto
4pm,Sat8amto
11.30am
Tel:7222531
Email:BTIA
toledo@btl.net
Toledo Online
ThereisanincreasingnumberofsiteswithinformationaboutToledofromwebsitesforhotels,guesthousesandtouroperators,nongovernmental
organizationsandblogs.Thisissuewefeaturethree.
Findoutaboutcacaogrowingbyvisitingwww.tcgabelize.comthehomeoftheToledoCacaoGrowersAssociationthathasdonegreatworkencour
agingthedevelopmentofcacaoorganiccacaofarminginToledoandrepresentingtheinterestsofthelocalcacaofarmerswhomakeupthemember
shipoftheassociation.
www.yaaxche.orgYa'axchConservationTrustisaBelizeanorganizationwhichaimstomaintainhealthyforests,riversandreefsforthebenefitofall.
Throughprotectedareamanagement,advocacy,andworkinghandinhandwithcommunitiesYa'axchstrivestodevelopcapacityforthewiseuseof
landandnaturalresourcesinandaroundtheMayaGoldenLandscapeinToledo.
http://blog.warasadrumschool.com/LivingLifetomyOwnDrumbeatisthepersonalblogofRuthMcDonaldtheScottishwifeofRayMcDonaldalocal
Garifunadrummer.HerlatestpostbeginsSomevisitorstoBelizemayleavewiththeillusionthatmanyofitsresidentsare,shallwesay,under
worked.Storesthatclosefortwohourlunchbreaks,peopleloungingaroundinhammocksinthemiddleoftheday,peoplethatextendeventheBeliz
eandefinitionofrightnowtoseeminglyendlessstretchesoftime.ButjustasyouwouldntjudgetheoverallproductivityofSpainbyobservingtheir
lunchtimesiesta,orassumetheynevereatdinnerjustbecausenoneoftherestaurantshaveopenedbythetimeyougotobedat10pm,takeapause
forthoughtbeforeyoujudgeacountrywithoutknowingorunderstandingthecultureandeconomicrealities.Nowvisitherblogandreadon.
Licensed Tour Operators in Toledo District
Belcampo - 722-0050
Big Falls Extreme Adventure - 634-6979/620-3881
Cotton Tree Lodge - 670-0557
Garbutts Marine & Fishing Lodge - 722-0070/604-3548
The Lodge at Big Falls - 732-4444/610-0126
Reef Conservation International - 629-4266
Suncreek Lodge - 665-6778/604-2124
TIDE Tours - 722-2129
20

E: ixcacaochocolate@gmail.com T: (501) 742-4050/660-2840
W: www.ixcacaomayabelizeanchocolate.com