Today we had the opportunity to walk through the city of San Pedro. We began with breakfast at a local shop. There I enjoyed a dish of fresh fruit and enjoyed the company of a "very interesting" transplanted local. He offered more information than requested about one of his "future ventures". Later in the day we walked to one of the schools. There was a fundraiser for the principal's father and students from the school along with interns from UNCW painting a mural on an outside wall. The event seemed successful and everyone enjoyed the food and music. I was struck with easy shown by the children around strangers. They seemed extremely comfortable and not inquisitive in the least. Not sure if they just make assumptions about who we were or if they were just so used to new faces that seeing more was not a huge event.
Walking through the streets we noticed that the main methods of transportation is the use of golf carts, followed by bikes and then walking. Small children ride very bravely on the handle and middle bars of the bikes. I have seen children as young as 2 years old riding this way with very little support from the adult or older child pedaling the bike. As a mother, I think in terms of my own children's skills and level of independence. There is no comparison. It seems the children of Belize much more brave and innovative when it comes to getting from point A to point B then my own. I am having to adjust my understanding of the "norm". It has been a very interesting and challenging experience.
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