Bella Goes to the Capital

Thanks for reading my adventures. I've received some wonderful emails and comments. Sorry to those who have attempted to leave a comment and couldn't.  Technology, as we say in doggy world, can be a bitch.

Fake Smile Boarding the Water Taxi

Today was "Immigration Day." We got up at 5:30 am to take the 7 o'clock water taxi to Belize City, stopping first at our small neighboring island, Caye Caulker. The trip by water to Belize City takes about an hour and a half. After arriving, Shelley met up with her Belizean friend Anna who had gone to Belize City the previous day. Anna keeps a van in the city for her weekly wholesale grocery shopping at the big outdoor market. So Anna drove Shelley (and, actually, four others) to Belmopan about 50 miles inland, another hour and a half. Fortunately, the road was smooth and straight, and they made it to the government offices about 10:30 am.

Belmopan was established as the capital of Belize in 1966  following the devastation of Belize City by Hurricane Hattie in 1961. Ground-breaking began in 1966, and by 1970 most government offices and operations had already moved to the new location. (Interesting fact—kind of: Belmopan has a population of only 7,100 making it the world's smallest capital city.)

The Water Taxi

Don't ask Shelley to go into the details—It's too complicated and too boring—but the gist of it is that she was initially able to get a work permit as a real estate agent in San Pedro. That was expensive, but, unfortunately, the work permit isn't good for the occupation, only for a particular location. So when she tried to work with another real estate company, she was told she had to start all over again. She needed to go to the Immigration Office in Belmopan to get it straightened out. Oh, boy!

Immigration Officers Listening to Shelley

Small dogs are not allowed in Belizean immigration offices which is just fine by me. (Well, actually I had returned home on the golf cart with Tom! Okay, I know what you're thinking, can't believe anything you read these days. But, it's just a little indiscretion from a little guy.)  Shelley said she was packed into a room where she stood for another hour and a half just to get to the counter to hand in a form with three photographs attached. Turns out, it was a request for a criminal background check. Yipes!

After a quick lunch break, Shelley stood in another line to see another person who had meetings at another government agency. (Tried to tell you, it's boring.) Then, after a brief conference, Shelley was told, "We'll investigate and have an answer for you next week. On Monday check in with the local immigration office on the island." All in all, the government workers were helpful, and Shelley has the sense they are trying to work on her behalf. Will have to update you later.
 
She rushed back to Belize City in order to catch the last water taxi to avoid having to spend the night on the mainland. Home, at last, at 8 pm, 14 hours after starting.

Tom stayed at home with me. He did the laundry and cleaned the apartment, then hung out in town on the beach. Shelley wasn't impressed!

Good Place to Hang Out in San Pedro

Oh, well. Y'all come visit. At least you won't have to stand in government lines. You're gonna love Belize!