I really enjoyed visiting my girlfriend's family in Esperanza, everyone was so nice, the food was awesome, the kids were happy most of the time, and our house fit handsomely on the river's edge in their side yard. I can't wait to run a weed wacker across the yard and plant some trees. We already have palms, bananas, oranges, craboo, limes, etc. It will be so exciting in March 2004 to get the place tamed. I want to be able to walk down to the river without the fear of snakes in the grass. Her father took us across the Belize River to his farm, which was being planted in milo that day. He rents out about a 100 acres to some mennonites who bring in the big tractors and plow, fertilize and plant. In the center of this farm, he has some shade trees and a pond for the horse to enjoy. He also has a few garden plots. I took down a seed catalog in August and told him to pick out anything he wanted to try. He chose pumpkin, pepper, those round yellow cucumbers, various indian corns, and some tomatos. He had planted all the seeds I sent a few weeks ago and the garden was just beginning to sprout.
I took the kids some books and costume jewelry, they had the best time with the jewelry, prancing around like models. They are so cute. They get real shy, looking from me to their mom and back again, finally their mom encourages them that it is ok, and it turns out they really, really would like to have some Chicle (chewing gum).
If you go to the photo gallery, and look at the Esperanza pictures, it will be easier to picture all of this. They have a huge yard and a main house that has a separate cooking area, outhouse, pig pen, chicken pen and grain storage area. Two of the daughters have houses in a far corner of the yard, they are separate households, but the main house is where the cable TV is. Everytime the spanish soap opera "Novello's" comes on an audience forms.
I wish I could explain this way of life. The ladies cook and wash clothes while laughing. The kids are everywhere, under seemingly very loose supervision. The father works everyday on his farm and various projects. He has another farm miles away which he goes to every Monday riding the horse.
The rent from the farm probably offers a great steady income, while selling produce at the market, selling off a surplus of dried corn or barrel of beans from time to time adds to the pocket. Oh, and there is the Lotto. Everyday or so the Lotto man comes and the girls fine a few dollars from somewhere and ante up, sometimes winning the $35us prize. One of the sisters might sell a couple of chickens or get some spending money for helping out on the farm. Bottom line is the house is paid for, no vehicle to pay for or insure, no fashion show to go to. The result is 2 nice showers a day and a some of the best food on the planet, much of which is homegrown. Ok some clothes here and there, supplies for the kids and money for an occassional doctors trip.
When you walk into this setting, the radio is often playing great latin music, the fire is going in the kitchen, the kids are so happy (most of the time), it is so relaxing. Sure everyone has responsibilities, there are hard times and sad times, but something calls me back again. That something is probably simplicity. If I ever make it there, I plan to work hard, and enjoy simple things.

*See the BELIZE COOKING section, and imagine those dishes on rotation at your house WOW.