Bella Overcomes the Storm Troopers

We experienced an unexpected treat yesterday after we put Shelley on the plane to Belize City for a checkup. Take the first road to the right past Maya Island Air, and you'll come across a tiny outdoor restaurant called "Neri's." You might call it a hole-in-the-wall if there were a wall, or part of the food court if there were a court, but that doesn't diminish the quality and taste of the food. 

Neri's Food Emporium

Our friend Angie, Tom, and I had breakfast tacos (both chicken and pork) and crispy fry jack stuffed with beans and cheese. Usually fry jack has the consistency of bread, but the crispy fry jack is fried until it's, uh, crispy. And it's delicious. As a local Belizean friend says, "Tanks! Ah gwein go try dat rite now.Tanx again!" (Seriously, they talk like that!) By the way, the plural of fry jack is fry jack. You can have a stack of fry jack if you want.


Shelley's checkup went very well. She no longer needs to wear the arm sling and shoulder brace and now only takes Tylenol instead of the heavy-duty stuff she was taking. 

So where did Tom and I go last night, now that we can leave Shelley unattended for a few hours? Why, the Star Wars Party at Pedro's Inn, of course. Gino and the Shack Shakers were in fine live music form, and the crowd of tourists dressed for the occasion. 

 Uh, yes, that is Tom on the right even though he is cleverly disguised as "Storm Trooper Captain Rex." Our friend Ritchie on the left (from Ireland, as if you couldn't tell) went as nothing special--as usual. Excellent, Ritchie. 

Sir Richard

I overheard Pedro's manager Cindy complaining, "I'm not a storm trooper. I'm a Rebel Warrior!" A common mistake, my dear, I assure you.
 

Darth Vader

Tomorrow morning, 5am Belize time, we meet at Jock McPake's house to watch the Celtic/Rangers football contest broadcast live from Scotland. These two Glasgow giants dominate Scottish football and seem to exist simply to antagonize the other. The Celtics have been around since 1888 and will win. The other team won't, and anybody who says otherwise is crazy. And lest you think watching U.K. football in Belize is a bit bizarre, please remember, Belize was formerly known as British Honduras.

As you may already know, the Belize National Agriculture and Trade Show 2012 begins April 27th and runs for three days. A reporter from the mainland gives this advice: 

"Everyone is excited about the National Agriculture & Trade Show for this year. With the alarming increase in crime rate, there is a lot that worries me.  As a concerned citizen of this beautiful country, I would like to leave you with a list of 10 things you should avoid when being at the National Agriculture & Trade Show."

(And the number 1 reason is . . .)

"1. Don't drink and pass out anywhere -- you might just get robbed from your belongings without even knowing."

How true, how true.

 

Y'all come visit. We'll make Star Wars costumes out of cardboard boxes and eat fry jack at Neri's You're gonna love Belize!