Bella Goes Green

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!  

Don't think that there is no St. Patrick's Day celebration in San Pedro just because we are thousands of miles from the Emerald Isle. Belize has a rich Irish tradition, and we will be sure to commemorate the holiday today.

Why don't the Irish Guard wear green jackets?

Here's Something You Probably Didn't Know: The Irish Guard was formed on April 1st, 1900, by order of England's Queen Victoria to commemorate the Irish people who fought in the Second Boer War for the British Empire. In 1973, the  Guardsmen were sent to Belize from Hong Kong, then again, in 1979, the Irish Guard was posted to Belize to protect the country from threatening advances from Guatemala. 

And Yet Another Thing You May Not Know: Why, you may ask, is 

"stout" so popular in Belize? Perhaps the most important--or at least best-tasting--legacy left by nearly three centuries of British imperialism (and Irish overtones) is a national affinity for dark beer. Nowhere else in Central America will you find swill as hearty and "morena" as you will in any bar, restaurant, or corner store in Belize. Stout and beer are advertised separately, a good sign indeed for those who prefer more bite and body to their brew. 

At the top of the heap are the slender, undersized (280 ml) bottles of Guinness "Foreign" Extra Stout, known affectionately by Belizeans as "short, dark, and lovelies." Yes, that's right, brewed in Belize under license from Guinness (behind the famous St. James's Gate in Dublin), and packing a pleasant 7.5% punch! Amazing! And the national beer, Belikin, comes in regular and stout. Be careful. Both come in the same bottle with the same label. Regular has the green cap, stout has the blue cap!

You better Belize I'm green!

Also, let's not forget that Belize is one of the "greenest" countries on the planet. From their "go green" recycling programs in elementary schools to fierce protection of one of the greatest ecosystems in the world, the government of Belize is a committed protector of the environment.

Big parties tonight at Fido's, Wet Willy's, and Pedro's. I will be wearin' the green in an attempt to win the "Best Costume" prize at Pedro's. (Don't laugh. In 2010, I won the Halloween best costume contest after my Aunt Honey and best friend forever Taylor colored me hot pink! Not to worry, it was just a little strawberry jello mixed with water. I looked good! Then, they added the pink tutu and lots of bling.)

Here's a hearty shout out to faithful followers Allison and Jess (Shelley's niece and nephew-in-law) who are celebrating their anniversary today. WOOF WOOF! And another shout out to my anonymous follower in Ireland (really). Write me a comment!

Y'all come visit. We'll dress up in costumes, raise a jar of Belikin stout, and do silly things. You're gonna love Belize!

"The Irish ignore anything they can't drink or punch."

                                                          (Irish Proverb)