Bella Attempts Critter Control

In late November 2011, Shelley wrote to Tom and me from Belize while we were still in Texas:

"I rode over 5 miles on my new bike today!  Somebody, give me a medal!  It's a hot pink Beach Cruzer, and I look like Grandma Barbie on it, but I love it!  I rode two and a half miles to town, loaded up the basket with groceries, then rode the two and a half miles back."   

Shelley, who hadn't been on a bicycle for at least 25 years, repeated the trip for another two days and that's when she discovered, unfortunately, that bike riding wasn't her thing. She was immobile, in bed, for the next four days with a severely bruised tailbone and a sore rear end. (She likes to remind us that the dirt roads into town hadn't been graded, and then you hit the cobblestones. Poor Shelley).  Anyhow, you can understand why I had a few concerns when she dusted off the pink stallion this morning to have another go at it. 


The good news is that our new condo is practically in town. Even though I made a point of not riding in the basket (nor even being anywhere near her and the bike), I admit she did pretty well this time. She kept the distance to about a mile, and still seems to be able to walk--at least for now. We'll keep you informed.


Critter Alert #1.  Our friend Karen lives north of us just past the ultra-chic Phoenix Hotel. She's one of those folks who gets up at dawn and jumps in the Caribbean for a brisk swim. (Faithful readers may recall that I got up once--at Tom's insistence--to see the sunrise, and that satisfied any early-rising instincts I may have had.)  Anyhow, a security guy hollered at Karen this morning, "Don't go in the water. There's a bull shark!"  

Bull Shark. Yikes!

At first, she thought he was referring to a wounded, docile, slowly-recovering shark, which has been in nearby waters for over a year. That guy doesn't bother anyone. But this was a new guy, the kind that likes to bump their potential prey. Look out for these bad boys. They have a thick body, gray on top and white below, with that tell-tale short, blunt snout. Some people say they're the most dangerous sharks in the world. My Uncle Trey should know. He met up with a bull shark several years years ago while diving with his father. And, talk about too close for comfort, Trey actually punched that shark in the snout! Now, there's something that deserves a medal!

It's a peccary, silly.

Critter Alert #2.  The northern end of Ambergris Caye is home to wildlife not generally seen in town. There are peccaries, raccoons, and white-tailed deer, and some locals have even reported seeing jaguars (not to be confused with the nightclub in town called "Jaguar's"). Months previously, Shelley made a quality decision that she wasn't going to live far north on the island when she heard about a boa constrictor on the loose, and a bounty being offered to anyone who could catch it!

Well, anyway, we are town folks, and so it is with some dismay that I learned a family of five to seven raccoons is living behind our condo. Apparently, they didn't get the "stay in the north end" memo. I have enough trouble patrolling the beach in the front yard and the dive shop in the backyard without having to bark all night long at racoons! No wonder I have to sleep so much during the day. By the way, when Holly was here she had her picture taken with a local who was walking (yes, on a leash) his pet raccoon!  

My Secret Deli

Shelley, Karen, and I had a late lunch today at "My Secret Deli," a place the permanent residents know about and love. Located on Caribena Street between Middle and Back Streets, it was voted this year's "Best Local Deli." Oscar, the owner, was delightful and opened the door for us although three o'clock is their closing time. He even joined us later at the other end of the table. The fried chicken is just like your grandmother's, or, how she thought she cooked it! Delicious. Big portions of Belizean food at extraordinary low prices, this is one of those spots you'll miss unless you're looking for it. If you want to try local food, it's a great place to go.

Here's a shout out to our newest follower, Tracy H. Per your request, the local food review was aimed right at you!

 
Y'all come visit. We'll hunt down sharks and peccaries and raccoons and secret restaurants, then go for a long bike ride. Or maybe we'll just walk on the beach. You're gonna love Belize!