Howler 6.1 Web

O C T O B E R 2 0 1 2 Y E A R 6 , I S S U E 1

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E

Welcoming Yoli! 2

Colemans Caf 3

Calendar of events 4

The Farm Inn 5

PG Town map 6

Southern Voices: Wil Maheia

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Warasa Drum School and Battle of the Drums

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Transportation schedules, including new village bus schedule

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Backyard birding with H. Lee Jones

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Whats cooking: lionfish ceviche

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Living Maya Experience

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Big Falls Extreme Adventures

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BTIA member directory

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Port Honduras Marine Reserve

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Arzu on medicinal plants: piss-a-bed

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Toledo District map 20

Newspaper of the Toledo Chapter of the Belize Tourism Industry Association

Boost to Cultural Tourism TheintentionbehindBelizesSustainableTourismProgramistostrengthenthetourismsector'scontributiontothenationaleconomywhiletryingtoensurethatthegrowthissustainableinthatitenhancesconservationofnaturalresourcesandofcultures.TherearefourinfrastructureprojectsinSanIgnacio,Placencia,BelizeCityandAmbergrisCayeaimedatenhancingthetouristsexperiencebyimprovingtheFortGeorgeareaaroundthetourismvillageinBelizeCity,buildingapierinPlacencia,alongboardwalkonthelagoonsideinAmbergrisandpavingandimprovingthecentreofSanIgnacio.

Anotherstrandintheprogramistodiversifyculturaltourismproductsinemergingdestinations.TheSTPalsohasresourcesforthedevelopmentofculturaltourismbusinessesthatshowcasetheCreole,GarifunaandMayancultures.AftertrainingworkshopsfacilitatedbyCanadianconsultantswithexperienceindevelopingculturaltourismamongthefirstnationpeoplesofCanadaapplicationsfordevelopmentgrantswereinvited.

SuccessfulapplicationsfromToledoincludestwodrummers:RayMcDonaldsWarasaGarifunaDrumSchool(seethearticleonpage9)andEmmethYoung,aCreoledrummerwithabusinessonFrontStreet.TheWEartgalleryinPuntaGordarunbyDrLudwigPalacioandsituatedneartheairstripwasanothersuccessfulapplicantforadevelopmentgrant.

Outsidetown,grantswereawardedtotheMayanHomeStayPrograminAguacatevillage,theToledoEcotourismAssociationguesthouseinSanMiguelandCyrilaschocolateinSanFelipe.ThelastawardwenttotheLivingMayaExperienceinBigFalls,agroupofthreefamiliesofferingdistinctiveculturalhomevisitsbutmarketingthemselvesjointly.

DancersinPuntaGordascarnivalparadecelebratingBelizesindependence

Toledo wins Whitley Award again! LastyearwewereproudtofeatureRachelGrahamsWhitleyawardandthisyearweareequallypleasedtotellHowlerreadersaboutthesameawardwonthisyearbytheHon.LiselAlamilla,theMinisterofForestry,FisheriesandSustainableDevelopmentforherworktoprotecttheMayaGoldenLandscapeinherpreviouspositionasExecutiveDirectoroftheYaaxchConservationTrust.

ForBelizetowinoncewasacredittothecountry,towintwicewasquitere

markableandforbothawardstocomeforworkdoneinToledo,inlandandoffshore,isamarkofthequalityofscientificresearchandconservationeffortsinBelizessouthernmostdistrict.

ThehonourrecognizestheMinistersworktouniteandequipthepeoplewholiveintheGoldenStreamCorridorPreservetomatchdevelopmentpressures,includingpopulationgrowth,agriculturalchangeandincreaseddemandfornatu

ralresources,withprotectionfortheareasworldclassscenery,wildlifeandtraditions.

WhitleyAwardCeremony

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Colemans Caf in Big Falls Theysayofrestaurantsthatitisalwaysagoodsignwhentheyarepopularwiththelocals,andColemansisbothpopularwithlocalsandvisitorsfromoverseas.ItisafavouritestopforBelizeancommercialtravellerswhomakeregulartripstosupplythesouthwithmeat,

dairyproductsandgroceriesandmuchelsebe

sides.AndmanyoftheseBelizeansmakeapoint

ofstoppingatColemans,seducedbythegener

ouslunchtimehotbuffetwitharangeoftheirspe

cialdishes.

PearleenandTomColemanstartedcookingwhen

anEnglishman,withacrewofworkerswhowere

buildingthebridgeovertheRioGrandeatBig

Falls,askedPearleentocookforthegangwhile

theywereinthevillage.Prettysoonarchaeologists

diggingatNimLiPunitandLubaantunaskedTom

andPearleentohelpthemout.Sothentheybe

gancookingforthemandtheirstudenthelpers

whowerealsointhevillageforafewmonths.And,inthisway,oneofthebestlocalrestaurants

insouthernBelizewasbornin2001.

AtthattimeTomwasstillworkinginthedusty

environmentthatistheRiceMilljustahundred

yardsfurtherinfromthesouthernhighwayinBig

Fallsvillage.Hewelcomedtheopportunityto

makeacompleteswitchofcareers.Theywere

soonfoundbysometouroperatorsvisitingToledo

fromPlacencia.ThefirstwasBasilioMesofExotic

BelizeTours.Nowtouroperatorsarriveduringthe

seasonfromDangriga,HopkinsandPlacenciaon

theirwaytoBlueCreekcavefif

teenmilessouthorLubaantun

justsevenmileswestthroughthe

villagesofSilverCreekandSan

Miguel.

TherestaurantisrunbyTomand

Pearleen,TomJr.andhispartner

AdelitawhohasbeenlearningtocookunderPearleenssupervi

sion.Atlunchtimeyoucanfind

riceandbeansorwhitericeand

stewedbeansalongwithbaked

chickenandstewedbeefand

pork.Pearleendoesnotneglect

thevegetablesandotherdishes

includecohunecabbageand

calalooandPearleenshome

madechutney.Whenavailable

youcanalsofindgamemeatsuch

asgibnutandvenisonandallthis

comesforjust$15includinga

juiceorsoftdrink.

Overtheyearstheyhaveaddedmorecapacityandcannowseat

fiftyinanopenareasurrounded

bythegardenwhichisariotof

colourduringmuchoftheyear.

Theyalsodooutsidecateringfororganiza

tionssuchasNGOs,theRiceMillitself,andthe

localhospitaljustcallthemforaquotation!

Theiropeninghoursarefrom10amuntil4pmand

thenfrom69pm.Theywouldpreferreservations

fortheeveningsessionandcanbecontactedat

thenumbersbelow.

Theyrecognizetheircloseconnectiontothetour

ismindustryandhavecementedthatrelationship

bybecomingoneofBTIAsnewestmembersin

Toledo.AsPearleensays,Everyyearitseemstobegettingbetterandbetter,withmorevisitorsarriving.

HowtofindColemans:

HeadnorthfromPGTownontheSouthernHigh

waytowardsthevillageofBigFalls.Crossthe

bridgeovertheRioGranderiver,andyoullsee

thesignforColemansCafonthelefthandside

ofthehighway.

Contact:

Tel:6304432or6304069

https://www.facebook.com/colemanscafe

Email:[email protected]

Familystylelunchbuffet

Tom&PearleenColeman

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Date Event Venue/Time OtherInfo

1214OctTIDEFISHFESTIVAL,includingSeafoodGala,YouthConservationCompetition,andFishingcompetition(Festivalheldannually,PanAmericanDayweekend)

TIDECompound,PGTown www.facebook.com/tide.toledoforfulldetails

13Oct MayaConcert CentralPark,PG,08:0012:00

2627Oct

SUSTAINABLEHARVESTINTERNATIONALORGANICFAIRincludingtourtoorganicfarminSanPedroColumbia,andcookeryclassesatGomiersVegetarianRestaurant

PuntaGordaTown,andSanPedroColumbia

[email protected],orcall7222010formoredetails

10Nov MissYurumeinContest ParishHall,19:00

16Nov BattleoftheDrumsFoodandFete Tobeannounced

17Nov BattleoftheDrums2012 SportsComplex,19:30

17Nov TOLTEX,showcasingsustainabletourism CentralPark,PG,09:00 [email protected]

18Nov ParandaTop10 BeyaSuites14:00

19Nov Yurumein:ReenactmentCeremonyoftheGarifuna FishermansCoopWharf,06:30

15Dec RotaryClubraffledraw,withmusicandBBQ CentralPark,PG LisaAvila,[email protected]

1921Dec DeerDance CriqueJuteVillage Contributionsrequested

20Dec BTIADinner&ShowGala BringinginthenewBaktun

5Jan ChristmasBirdCount ToledoDistrict Seepage12formoredetails

29Mar1Apr13 EASTERACTIVITIESthroughouttheDistrictmarkyourcalendarsnow,andcheckthenexteditionofTheHowlerfordetails!

2426May TOLEDOSANNUALCACAOFEST,foracelebrationofcacao,cultureandtherichflavoursoftheToledoDistrict!CheckthenexteditionofTheHowlerfordetails!

Oct2013 TIDEAnnualFishFestivalmarkyourcalendarsnow(PanAmericanDayholidayweekend)

Spreadthewordandpublicizeyourevent!EmaildetailstotheToledoHowlerTeamforinclusioninourcalendarofevents([email protected])

1Nov Drumming CentralPark19:0022:00

7Nov DrummingandvideoshowingthejourneyoftheGarinagu CentralPark19:0022:00

9Nov Cookoutdisplay,hudutmakingCassavabaking,sahaumakingWanaraguaContest CentralPark09:0014:00

Calendar of Events

Call 722-2531 for details or

email [email protected]

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Welcome to Bienvenido a... TOLEDO! Allowmetointroducemyself!MynameisDilmaYolandaCano,butjustcallmeYoli.IamtheTourismMarketingOfficerfortheBTIAchapterinToledo.

AtfirstglanceyouwouldthinkrightawaythatIamagringa.But,IamjustawonderfulblendofMopan,Kekchi,YucatecandSpanish.Iam100%BelizeanMestizo,100%bushy,andIlovevillagelife.Aftermanyyearsoflivinginacoupleofcities,IpreferthecountryorthebushasweBelizeansliketocallit.

Igrewupwithawesomegrandparentswhotaughtmetorespectyourneighbourandmostimportantly,nature.Iamastrongadvocatefor

myfavouritetreesmangroves.ButwhenIdieIwouldliketobeburiedundermymuchlovedceibatree.

IhavehadtheprivilegeofworkingwithmyparentsinthetourismindustrysinceIwasnineyearsold.Ihaveseentheupanddownsofthisfragileindustry.Belizeisfortunatetohavemanynichesinthetourismmarkettosell.Thereissomethingforeverybody,fromsun,sandandseadestinationstojungle,cultureandadventuresexperiences.And,youcanexperiencebothatthesametime.Bottomline,BelizeisblessedinmanywaysbutitwillonlylastaslongasallBelizeansworktogether(thatincludesyoutoo,Government),topreservingwhatisours,keepingitclosetoourheartsandfightingwithallourpassionandfurytokeepitsafe.

Tourismisabeautifulindustrytoworkin.Itisneverboringorpredictable.Expecttheunexpected.DuringmystudyingTourismManagement,inAustria,IrealizedthatIwillneverinmywholelifefinishunderstandingorlearningallthatthereistothetourismindustry.Everysingledayyougohomewithonemoregrainofwisdomandknowledge.

AndIamheretosharethatknowledgewithyou,tohelpmakeyourvisittoToledoandunforgettableexperience.PleasevisittheTourismInformationCentreinPuntaGordaTown,ortelephoneor

emailmewithanyquestionsyouhaveaboutToledo.

Toyoudeartraveler,Isaythankyouforvisitingmybeautifulcountry.Mayyoutakehomemanywonderfulmemoriesandspreadtheword.ToyoumybelovedfellowBelizeans,itsapleasuretocontinueworkingwithyouinthisbeautifulindustry.

ToledoTourismInformationCentreFrontStreet,PuntaGordaTown

MontoFri8amto4pm,Sat8amto11.30am

Tel:7222531Email:[email protected]

Just call me Yoli

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The Farm Inn, at San Antonio IfyouhadinvestedinpropertybetweenSanAntonioandtheborderatJalactefiveyearsagopeoplemighthaveraisedaneyebrowattheideaofestablishingabusinessinsuchanoutofthewayremotespot.Nowin2012asthepavingoftheroadbetweenBigFallsandJalacteproceedsapacethatinvestmentmakesfarmoresenseandevenlooksfarsighted.

ThatiswhatKevinandReneeBrowndidwhentheybeganthedevelopmentthatisnowTheFarmInntwomileswestofSanAntonio.Drivingwestitislocatedamileafterthewaterfallontherighthandside.

Onedayinthenottoodistantfuturetheroadwillbecomplete,anewsouthernborderwillbeopened,andthentheFarmInnwillbethefirstaccommodationthatvisitorspassastheydriveintoToledofromGuatemala.

TheFarmInnissituatedonfiftytwoacresoflandincludingseverallimestonehillsandyearroundcreeksthatmeanderacrossthelandoversmallrockyfallsandprovideconstantbackgroundmusicforguestsintheiraccommodation.

KevinandReneearekeentomaintainthepropertyasahavenforallwildlifeandsoforeverytreethathashadtobesacrificedforbuildingtheyhaveplantedatleasttenmore.TheInnisnowmanagedbyReneesbrotherinlawPieterSteunenbergwhomovedtoBelizefromSouthAfricaafewyearsago.

Thefarmitselfisaveryimportantpartofthebusinessandtheyhaveplantedcoffeetrees,pineapple,vanilla,teak,allspiceand,ofcourse,cacao.Theyhavethreethousandcacaotrees,someofwhichhaveproducedtheirfirstcropthisyear.AsmembersoftheToledoCacaoGrowersAssociationtheircropwillfinallyendupinGreenandBlacksMayaGoldorganicdarkchocolate.

Theyalsokeepguineahens,turkeys,chickensandducks,andchildrenstayingatthefarmcanhelpcollectingeggsinthemorningandputtingthebirdsawayintheircoopsatnight.Ofcourse,theylovethisandformanyyoungvisitorsitmaybetheirfirsttimesoclosetoanimalsandnature.

TheFarmInnopenedthisyearandalltheirguestaccommodationiscontainedwithinasingletwostoreyhousebuiltonasteepbankoverlookingthecreek.Thereisamixofaccommodationwithallbutoneroomhavingtheirownensuitebathroomfacilitiesandonebeingsetupforafamilyoffourwithaqueenandtwobunks.Thereisacommunalsittingareaontheupperfloorwithanoutsideverandaharealookingdowntothestreamandacrossintothetreetops.Thismakesitawonderfulspotforalazybirdwatcherintheearlymorningandlateafternoonandevening.Thepresentcapacityisfourteenguestsbutanewfacilitywithanadditionaltwoensuiteroomsisnearingcompletion.

TheirSouthAfricanbackgroundhasledthemtointroduceAfricanstylecookingmethodsusinglargeironthreeleggedcookingpotstoproducedeliciousstews.Thesearecookedforhoursoveranopenfire.TheyalsohaveanAfricanstyleopenovenforroastsandotherbaking.

TherestaurantisopentothepublicforbreakfastandlunchfromWednesdaytoSunday.Theirmenuforthesemealsextendsfromsimpleburgersandfriestoextendedbuffetswithavarietyofmeats,withsaladsandothersidedishes.Andtheypridethemselvesontheirbakedgoodsincludingtheircheesecakethathasreceivedravereviewsfromaguestclaimingsomeexpertiseineatingcheesecakeifnotmakingit.

Theyarealsoabletohostweddingsandseminar

workshops.Likemostplacesitisaworkinprogress.TheHowlerwelcomesthisnewestadditiontoToledoaccommodation.

Contact:

Telephone7324781or6044918info@thefarminnbelize.comwww.thefarminnbelize.com

TheFarmInnshomebuiltovenandfireplaceandironcookingpots

Bug corner - orchid bees So,aswellasthewettestdistrict(readmostlush)thebugquestionoftenoccurswhentalkingaboutToledo.Therealityisthatwedohavesomemosquitoes(althoughfewerthansomeotherareasinBelize),butalsoawholehostofweirdandwonderfulcreatures.

Orchidbeesare,byandlarge,solitarybeeswhichcomeinarainbowrangeofcoloursandsizesandinmanycasestheyarethesolepollinatorforvariousorchids.Theytendnottocrosslargeropenareas,andfewspeciesoforchidbeeshavesurvivedtheagriculturisationofthetropicsandhabitatloss.WearefortunateinToledothatorchidbeesappeartobesurviving,ifnotthrivingalocalannualcensusrevealshighernumbers

yearonyear,aswellasapreviouslyunidentifiedspecies.

Themaleshavespeciallyadaptedpouchesintheirhindlegsinwhichtheygatherandstoreessentialoilsfromthevariousorchids(aswellassomeotherflowers),usingtheirbespokecolognetoattractfemales.

Vanilla(vanillaplanifolia)canoftenbefoundgrowingwildinToledo,andthebeautifulmetallicgreenEuglossaTridentata(picturedright)istheonlyknownnaturalpollinatorofthisorchid.

DontforgettocheckoutourarticleontheBelizeSpiceFarmandtheirvanillaproductioninthenexteditionofTheHowler.

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Sketch map of PG Town

TOURISM INFORMATION CENTRE

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Southern Voices: Wil Maheia

WilMaheiaispureToledobornandraisedinForestHomeandPuntaGordaTown,andleavingBelizeonlytocompletehisuniversityeducationintheUS.

WilisthefounderandformerexecutivedirectorofTIDE,ToledoslargestconservationNGO,andwasinstrumentalinhavingthePortHondurasMarineReservedeclaredaprotectedarea.WilnowspearheadsthePeoplesNationalPartyofBelize,andhostsapublicinterestprogrammeonPGTVNewsnetwork.

FamilyhistoryinToledo?

ImToledobornandbred,andproudofit!IwasbornandraisedinForestHome,andthenmovedtoPG.Mymumwasbornhere,althoughmyfathersfamilywassplitbetweenDoubleHeadCabbage,BelizeCity,andStGeorgesCaye.YoullfindtheMaheianameinBelizeCityandtheMullinsRiverarea,andyoullalsoseeaSpanishspelling,Majea,insomeSpanishandGarifunafamilies.

WhatarethemostsignificantchangesyouhaveseeninToledoinyourlifetime?

Ithinkitwouldhavetobeimprovedinfrastructure:electricity,watersupply,androadsandtransportation.Asachildweusedtotakeoldpainttinsandstandinlinetofillthemupatthestandpipe,andwedidnthaveelectricityinthevillage.EvenmovingtoPGthepowerusedtogetshutoffat9pm,whenthegeneratorwasturnedoff.ThebuildingoftheSouthernHighwaymadeabigdifferenceand,alongwithmanyotherkidsfromForestHome,IworkedonJamesBuslinewhichwasownedbymyUncleJamesJamesBuslineisawholeotherstoryinitself!

AreyouoptimisticaboutthedevelopmentoftourisminToledo?

Toledoisbeautiful,weresorichinsomanyways,andwehavesuchalottooffervisitorsthatitwouldbedifficulttoimaginetourismwouldntdevelop.But,weneedproperplanning,astrategicplan,todeterminewhatcouldandshouldhappen,andwhen.Weneedimprovedborderfacilities,notnecessarily24/7,butcertainlyweneedtomakeiteasierforboatownerstovisitBelizefromGuatemala,streamliningtheentryprocessandmakingitaffordableforthem.TherearealotofboatsintheRioDulce,andImprettysurethattheypresentatourismopportunity,especiallyif

facilitiesatJoeTaylorCreekcouldbemadebigger.

WhatcouldGovernmentdotopromotetourismtoToledo?

Well,Toledosstillthoughtofasoneofthemoredifficultdestinationstoreach.Lowerairfareswouldcertainlyhelp,buthelpingestablisharegularwatertaxibetweenPGandPlacenciaandmaybepointsinbetweenandevenextendingittoBelizeCitycouldbeagreatwayforvisitorstotravelsouth.

CostsinToledoarehighcomparedwiththerestofthecountry,andhavecountrywideratesforfixedpricegoodscouldgiveusamorelevelplayingfield.Whatsthepointofhaving,forexample,fixedgaspricesifToledohastopayahigherfixedpricethantherestofthecountry?

HowcanweimprovetourisminToledo?

Well,first,togetherisalwaysstronger,andweneedtoworkasateamthepublicandprivatesectors,thetourguides,accommodation,restaurants,andallthegroupsthatmakeupthetourismproduct.

Somemorecoordinationforbusroutescouldhelpmakeiteasierfortouriststovisitinlanddestinations,andIdliketoseepeoplebeingmorecreative,andlookinglongerterm.Ourtripscanbeexpensive,soweneedtooffermoreaffordableactivitiestoattracttourists,andtobeconstantlythinkingaboutnewpossibilities.ItookatripuptoBoomCreekvillagerecently,andkayakingontheMoho(River)intotheAmadolagoonwasfantastic.

Reeforrainforest?

ThatsanunfairquestionhowcanIchoosebetweenthejungleandalltheamazingwildlife,andtheoffshorecayes.

NameonecantmissplaceoractivityinToledo

19thNovember!Ilovethesoundofthedrums,andgrowingupIrememberhearingdrummingallovertown.Drummingseemedtobedyingout,butBattleoftheDrumsandWarasa,tonameacouple,aredoingalottohelprenewinterest,withkidslearningtheskill.November19thinPGisveryspecial,andIloveseeingpeoplecomingtogethertohavefunandcelebratetheGarifunaculture.

Mostmemorableencounterwithawildanimal?

HikingintheGoldenStreamCorridoritwasareallyhotdayandwestoppedforaquickrest.Lookatthat,andIturnedroundtoseeajaguaronly50feetyonder.

Whatsyourfavouritetimeofyear?

Eastertimetheweatherisniceanddry,anditsthetimewhenBelizeanscometogethertocelebratefriendsandfamily.(But,IalsolovethethunderstormsinToledo).Everymonthhassomethinggoodtoofferus.

WhatsyourfavouriteBelizeandish?

Asachild,definitelyhicateeandwhiterice.Weallknowhowscarcethehicateeisthesedays,soInowhavetosaycohunecabbage.Mymumwouldmakecohunecabbageforusall,andshetaughtmywifehowtomakeit.

Redbeansorblack?

Blackbeans,cookedasriceandbeans.ButIdolikewhitericeandstewbeansalso!

Anyfutureplansyoudliketosharewithus?

ImgoingtocontinuetolobbyforsustainabledevelopmentinToledo,includingtourism.IdalsoliketoseemoreagriculturalmicroenterprisescacaoisareallygoodopportunityforToledo,spices,andcoffeeanyonewhostastedToledocoffeeknowsyoudontnecessarilyneedhighlandtoproducegoodcoffee,justgoodprocessingandroasting.

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Warasa Drum School - paint, plywood, and vision! DrummingisjustoneofthetangibleelementsoftheGarifunaculture,andWarasaDrumschoolisaptlynamedwarasameaningourcultureintheGarifunalanguage.

WarasaDrumSchoolwasfoundedin2010byRonaldRaymondMcDonald,andhiswife,Ruth.RuthoriginallyhailsfromScotland,andshereminiscesthatafewweeksaftertheyfirstmetRaysharedhisdreamwithherofopeningaGarifunadrummingcentrenotonlytoteachdrumming,butalsohowtomakedrums,andtosharetheGarifunaculturewithothers.WithbothofthemworkingandsavinghardtobuildtheirhouseattheGarifunareservetheystruggledtoseehowthisvisioncouldbecomearealitybut,decidingtheyhadtostartsomewhere,spentaweekenddesigningasign,puttingpainttoplywood,anderectingthefinishedproductoutsidetheirrentedhouse.

Thesigndiditsjob,piquinginterest,andRaybeganteachingfourlocalchildren.HewasalsoengagedbyaPGguesthousetoprovideweeklydrumminglessonsfortheirguests,andinterestquicklyspreadtoincludeperformancesandlessonsatanumberoflodgesthroughouttheDistrict.

Rayisanengagingcharacterandaverypatientandskilledteacher.BeingfiercelyproudoftheGarifunaculture,lessonsarefilledwithanecdoteswhichprovideextrainsightintotheGarifunacultureaculturewhichwaslittleknownoutsideoftheregionuntilrecently,butonewhichisnowrecognizedbyUNESCOasamasterpieceoftheoralandintangibleheritageofhumanity.

RayclaimsthathecanteacheventhemostnonmusicaltomasteratleastoneofthesixtraditionalGarifunarhythms,andIwascuriousastowhetherheliveduptohisreputation.IwonderedhowIwouldfareatmyfirstlesson(especiallybeingkackhandedwhichhadpreviouslyledtosomeinterestingexperimentswithstringedinstruments),butRaybrokedownthesimplestParandarhythmintoeasystagestheheavybeatfromtheleadhand,inter

spersedwithahalfbeat.Withinafewminuteswewererockingmyprovidingtheleadbeatonthelargersegundadrum,withRaydazzlinguswithcomplexrhythmsonhissmallerprimerodrum,handsmovingseeminglyatthespeedoflight,beforebreakingintosonginhisrich,mellowvoice.

Althoughmytechniquecouldhavedonewithquitesomeimprovement,wethenmovedontotheGunjeirhythm.Ohmy,notonlywasalotmorebeatinginvolved,butsuddenlyyourhandsneedtomovepositiononthedrum.Itlookedamazinglycomplexbut,again,Raybrokeitdownintosmallpartsandafewminuteslatertheonetwoandthreeandfourand(coupledwithabackandforthfromthecentretotheedgeofthedrum)wasstartingtobecomemorefluid.

Thedrumsthemselvesarealabouroflove,hollowedoutfromcedar,mahoganyoryemerilogs,

toppedwithdeerskinheldinplacebyvines,andawireorstringsnaretointensifythesound.(Notetoladies:youshoulddresssuitablysoastopreserveyourmodestyalargedrumandshortskirtcanmakeforsomeprettyrevealingphotographs,soshortorlongpantsareagoodidea).

EachGarifunarhythmisusuallyaccompaniedbyadifferentstyleofsinginganddancing,withthe

PuntaprobablybeingthemostpopularstyleinBelize,andasclosetoanationaldanceasyoucanget.VisitorsareoftenmystifiedhowBelizeansareseeminglyabletomovetheirbuttsindependentlyoftheirbody,andtheresawidespreadmyththatBelizeanshavedevelopedspecialmuscles.Raydisputesthat,andalsoteachesGarifunaDancethesecret,hesays,isallinshiftingyourknees!Ruthagrees,andshehasnowmasteredboththePuntaandParandadance,butIdecidedtoleavethoselessonsforanotherday.

Warasahasgrownfromstrengthtostrength,andtheyarehelpingtoraiseawarenessofToledoandourrichculturalheritage.ThiseditionoftheHowlercoincideswiththeirmovefromWestStreettotheirnewhomeattheGarifunaReserveonNewRoad,arounda10minutewalkfromtheairstripinPGTown.

TolearnmoreaboutWarasa,visittheirwebsiteatwww.warasadrumschool.com,andtheirFacebookpagewww.facebook.com/WarasaDrumSchool

OverthepastsevenyearsTheBattleoftheDrumshasbecomeanintegralpartoftheGarifunacelebrationsthatculminatewithYurumein,thereenactmentofthearrivaloftheGarifunaontheshoresofBelizeon19November.

OntheeveningofFriday16NovembertheBattleoftheDrumsFood&Fetebringspeopletogetherfromallwalksoflifetosocialize,networkandenjoyaneveningofgoodfoodandgreatGarifunamusic.ItwillshowcaseGarifunaCuisinefusedwithcontemporarycookingstyles,dishesandmenuspreparedbychefsfromtheRadissonFortGeorgeinBelizeCity,LaruBeyainPlacenciaandBelcampoLodgeofPuntaGorda.Itwillalsofea

turelocalandnationalGarifunamusicalperformersperforminggreatparandaandotherGarifunamusic.PerformerswillincludePaulNabor,MarioandtheUmalaliGroup,GodfreyShoandtheCultureDynamicsandLascelleMartinezandthePGVibes.

TheBattleoftheDrumsCompetitiononSaturday17NovemberisadrummingcompetitionandshowthatallowsgroupstocompeteanddisplaytheirmusicalartistryinplayingfivedifferentcategoriesofGarifunadrumming.ThefirstBattleoftheDrumswasheldinPuntaGordaTownonNovember17,2006andwaswellreceivedbyspectatorsfromhomeandabroad.In2007,therewas

evenabiggeraudienceandgreaterenthusiasm.In2008theeventevolvedintoaninternationaldrummingcompetitionandshowinvolvingdrumminggroupsfromvariouspartsofBelizeaswellasfromneighbouringGuatemalaandHonduras.

TheYurumeinCeremonytakesplaceat06:30.atthePuntaGordaCooperativewharfareaandpresentsadramatizationthatdepictsthefirstarrivaloftheGarinagutotheshoresofBelize.AfterthereenactmentceremonythereisaparadethroughtheprincipalstreetsofPuntaGordaTownfollowedbyachurchservice.

Battle of the Drums

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Service DepartPG Destination Callingat... Days ReturntoPG

Pop 10:30 GoldenStream Dump,BigFalls,IndianCreek Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat 06:45

Chub 11:30 CriqueSarco SanFelipe,SantaAna,Midway,Conejo,SundayWood Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat 05:15

Kan 11:30 Aguacate Dump,Mafredi,BlueCreek MontoSat 05:20

Chen 11:30 SanVicenteDump,Mafredi,SanAntonio,SantaCruz(forRioBlanco),SantaElena,PuebloViejo,Jalacte

Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat 02:00

Chunny 11:30 JalacteDump,Mafredi,SanAntonio,SantaCruz(forRioBlanco),SantaElena,PuebloViejo,Jalacte

MontoSat 03:00

Chunny 11:30 SanAntonio Dump,Mafredi MontoSat 06:00

Sho 11:30 SanJose YemeriGrove,Dump,Mafredi,CriqueJute,NahLumCa Wed/Sat 04:00

Cucul 11:30 SilverCreek Dump,SanPedroColumbia(forLubaantun),SanMiguel MontoSat 06:00

Pop 11:30 MedinaBank Dump,BigFalls,Hicatee,IndianCreek(forNimLiPunit) MontoSat 05:30

Bobby 11:00 SantaAna SanFelipe(forCyrilasChocolate) Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat 07:15

Cal 11:00 SilverCreek Dump,SanPedroColumbia(forLubaantun),SanMiguel MontoSat 07:00

JnL 12:00 Barranco SanFelipe(forCyrilasChocolate),SantaAna,Midway Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat 06:00

Ack 12:00 DoloresDump,Mafredi,Jordon,SantaTeresa,Mabilha,SanLucas,

CorazonCreek,OtoxhaMon/Wed/Fri/Sat 03:00

Teck 12:00 SanBenitoPoite Dump,Mafredi,BlueCreek(forHokebHa),SantaTeresa Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat 04:30

Coc 12:00 SanAntonio Dump,Mafredi MontoSat 06:30

Coc 12:00 SanAntonio Dump,Mafredi MontoSat 13:30

Choc 12:00 SanJose Dump,Mafredi,CriqueJute,NahLumCah Mon/Fri 05:00

Shol 12:00 Laguna Elridgeville Wed/Fri/Sat

Pop 13:00 GoldenStream Dump,BigFalls,Hicatee,IndianCreek(forNimLiPunit) MontoSat 07:30

Cal 04:30 SilverCreek Dump,SanPedroColumbia,SanMiguel MontoSat 13:00

Bol 16:00 JalacteDump,Mafredi,SanAntonio,SantaCruz(forRioBlanco),SantaElena,PuebloViejo,Jalacte

Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat 15:00

Cucul 16:00 SilverCreek Dump,SanPedroColumbia,SanMiguel MontoSat 12:30

Chen 05:30 SanVicenteDump,Mafredi,SanAntonio,SantaCruz,SantaElena,

PuebloViejo,JalacteMon/Wed/Fri/Sat 14:00

Pop 17:00 IndianCreek Dump,BigFalls,Hicatee MontoSat 12:00

Bol 06:00 JalacteDump,Mafredi,SanAntonio,SantaCruz,SantaElena,

PuebloViejoMontoSun 05:00

Cucul 21:00 SilverCreek SanPedroColumbia,SanMiguel MontoThurs 16:00

Pop 21:00 IndianCreek Dump,BigFalls,Hicatee MontoThurs 15:30

Garcia 11:00 BigFalls Dump,Jacintoville, Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat 08:00

T O L E D O V I L L A G E B U S S E S

Slow travel - how to get around by bus Oneofthedefiningelementsofslowtravelistheopportunitytobecomepartoflocallifeandtoconnecttoaplaceanditspeople.Slowtravelisaboutconnectiontoculture,andwhatbetterwaythantakingalocalvillagebus!

But,withsuchacomplexnetworkofvillagebussesitcansometimesbedifficultforvisitorstofigureouthowtheycangettovarioussites.Weveincludedourfulllistofthevillagebusses,soworkthroughitandyoullseethatyouareabletovisitmanyinlanddestinationsontheseretiredUSschoolbusses.

Forexample,ifyouwantedtovisitLubaantunthenyoucouldtakealatemorningbustoSilverCreek

fromPGTown(bussesleavefromJoseMariaNunezStreet,nearTatesGuestHouse),askthedrivertodropyouatthedrivewaytoLubaantun.TheSilverCreekbusthenreturnstoPGTownat4pm,passingtheLubaantundrivewayaround4.20pm.

NimLiPunit,GoldenStreamSpiceFarm,andGoldenStreamCorridorPreserve(forYaaxchesRangerforaDaypatrolhike)arealleasytoreachbybothvillagebus,orJamesBus.

TherearemanybusseswhichheadtowardstheGuatemalanborderwhichstopinSantaCruztoallowyoutovisitRioBlancoNationalPark.

Itsagreatwaytotravel,seeingarealsliceoflocallife,andthefarescannotbebeaten!

TheDeerDancewillbeperformedinCriqueJutefrom19to21December.VisitCriqueJutebybus!

TheChocbusandShobuspassthroughCriqueJuteontheirwaytoandfromSanJose

11

FlightsDepartPuntaGorda ArrivesBelizeCity ServiceProvider DepartBelizeIntl. ArriveInPuntaGorda ServiceProvider06:45 07:55 MayaIslandAir 08:10 09:15 MayaIslandAir

06:30 07:30 TropicAir 07:50 09:00 TropicAir

09:30 10:35 MayaIslandAir 10:10 11:15 MayaIslandAir


11:30 12:35 MayaIslandAir 12:20 13:30 TropicAir


13:35 14:35 TropicAir 14:40 15:45 MayaIslandAir

16:00 17:05 MayaIslandAir 16:40 17:45 MayaIslandAir


JamesBusLineScheduleDepartsP.G. ArrivesBelizeCity DepartsBelizeCity ArrivesP.G.

03:50 10:30 05:15Express(exceptSun) 10:30

04:50 11:30 06:15 12:45

05:50 12:30 07:15 13:45

06:00Express 10:45 08:15 14:45

07:50 14:30 09:15 15:45

09:50 16:30 10:15 16:45

11:50 18:30 12:15 18:45

13:50 20:30 13:45 19:45

14:50 21:30 15:15 21:45

15:50(exceptSat) 21:15 15:45Express 20:30

BoatsTo&FromPuertoBarrios,GuatemalaServiceProvider DepPuntaGorda ArrivePuertoBarrios DepartPuertoBarrios ArrivePuntaGorda

RequenasCharterService 09:30 10:30 14:00 15:00

Pichilingo 14:00 15:00 10:00 11:00

Memos 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00

BoatstoLivingstondepartonTuesdaysandFridaysat10a.m.

Marisol 16:00 17:00 13:00 15:00

T R A N S P O R T S C H E D U L E S

WheretogetyourcopyofTheToledoHowlerDistributionpointsinclude: TourismInformationCentresthroughoutBelize TropicAirandMayaIslandAirterminals BTIAToledomembers RequenasCharters,PuertoBarrios MajorgasstationsAswellasawideonlinepresenceinelectronicformat

PleasecontacttheToledoHowlerteamat7222531ifyouwouldliketobecomeadistributorforthevoiceoftourismdevelopmentinBelizesdeepsouth!

12

Backyard Birding for Science and RecreationIn1987,researchersatCornellUniversityinNewYorkstartedaprogramforbackyardbirderscalledCitizenScience.Thepurposeofthisprogramistoencouragenonscientiststoparticipateinnationwideprogramstohelpscientistslearnmoreaboutaviandistribution,seasonality,behavior,andlongtermpopulationtrends,simplybyobservingthebirdsintheiryard,i.e.birdingwithapurpose.

Thesearethesortsofthingsornithologistsstudy.Butthereareonlysomanyornithologiststogoaround.Imaginehundreds,oreventhousands,ofordinarypeoplegatheringsmallbitsofdataonthesefourparameterssimplybybecomingmoreawareofthebirdsintheirownyard.

Toascientist,everyyardrepresentsasmallsampleplotfromwhichmuchvaluableinformationcanbecollected.Ifyouconsideryourselfacasualbirder,youcancontributetolargescalestudieslikethesebykeepingrecordsonthecommonbirdsinyouryard.HowmanyKiskadeesresideinyouryard?Doesthisnumberchangeovertime?Isthereaseasonalpattern?Alongtermdeclineorincrease?Randomfluctuations?Asteadynumberofbirdsthroughouttheyear?Whataboutotherspeciesinyouryardthatyoucanidentify?Doyouseethesamepatternsordifferentpatterns?Youmayrecognizethatafewspeciesarenotpresentyearroundbutaremigratory.ThosethatarenothereyearroundincludeYellowWarbler,AmericanRedstart,GrayCatbird,WoodThrush,andSummerTanager.Allofthesebirdshavespecifictimesthattheyarriveinfallandleaveinspring.

InNorthAmerica,ornithologistsarelearningthatmanyspeciesarearrivingearlierinspringthanformerlyandleavinglaterinfall,oneindicatorthattheplanetisgraduallywarming.PresumablythereverseofthisistrueinCentralAmerica.ThesesamespeciesthatspendthewinterinBelizeshouldbearrivinginfallonaveragealittlebitlatereachyearandleavingalittlebitlatereachspring.Butifdataonredstartsfromhundredsofbirders,eachkeepingtrackofthebirdsintheirownyard,showsthatonaverageredstartsarearrivinglaterinfallthantheydidtenortwentyyearsago,thenwewouldhaveamuchstrongercaseforconcludingthatredstartsaremigratingsouthlaterinthefallthantheydidadecadeortwoago.

AugustisthemonththatmanyoftheNorthAmericanwarblersbeginarrivinginBelize.BymidSeptemberfallmigrationisinfullswing.InearlyMarch,specieslikeSwallowtailedKite,YellowgreenVireo,andSulphurbelliedFlycatcherreturnfromwinteringgroundsinSouthAmericatonestinBelize.Andsoon.Afterayearortwo,newspeciesmaybehardertoadd,butyouwillneverreachtheendofthelist.Therewillalwaysbenewspeciestoadd.

Butmoreimportantly,youwillbegintoseetrends.Youwilllearnthatdifferentspecieshavedifferentpatternsofoccurrence.TheLouisianaWaterthrusharriveslikeclockworkeveryJuly,butitsclosecousin,theNorthernWaterthrush,doesnotarriveuntilafullmonthlater.YellowWarblersarriveinAugust,SummerTanagersinSeptember,GrayCatbirdsinOctober.SeptemberisalsothemonththatEasternKingbirdscanbeseenpassingoverheadbythehundreds,followingthecoastlineastheyheadtoSouthAmericaforthewinter.InOctober,itwillbeHookbilledKites.InNovember,TreeSwallows.OctoberandAprilarethemonthstolookforScarletTanagersastheyheadsouth,thennorth,commutingtoandfromwinteringgroundsinSouthAmericaandbreedinggroundsinNorthAmerica.Inadditiontothesepredictableannualeventsareaseeminglyendlessnumberofrarerspeciesthatmightturnuponlyafewtimesinadecadeoronceinalifetime.

IknowsomeoneinBelizewhohasamassed247speciesonhisyardlist.Granted,helivesinaverybirdyareaandhaslivedinthesamehouseforalmost20years,butthatisstillquiteanaccomplishment.Whatisevenmoreimpressivetomeisthat20yearsagohewasntevenabirder.Nowheisanexpert,andmuchofthatlearningcurvewasaccomplishedwithintheconfinesofhisownyard.Butthemostimpressivethingofall?Hehaskeptdailynotesonthebirdsinhisyardandnowhasaninvaluablesetofdataonyouguesseditdistribution,seasonality,behavior,andlongtermpopulationtrendsthatcouldnothavebeenachieved

otherwise.

TheCitizenScienceprogrambegunbyCornellUniversity25yearsagonowhasmorethan15,000peopleparticipatingannuallytheUnitedStatesandCanada.WecoulddothesamethinghereinBelize,albeitonasmallerscale.

Ifyouareinterestedinkeepingtabsonthebirdsthatresideinyouryard,dropbyforanoccasionalvisit,orusetheaerialskywaysaboveyouryard,[email protected].

H.LeeJones

WhitecollaredSeedeater

BlackcowledOriole

Record Your Sightings at eBird.org Arealtime,onlinechecklistprogram,eBirdhasrevolutionizedthewaythatthebirdingcommunityreportsandaccessesinformationaboutbirds.Launchedin2002bytheCornellLabofOrnithologyandNationalAudubonSociety,eBirdprovidesrichdatasourcesforbasicinformationonbirdabundanceanddistributionatavarietyofspatialandtemporalscales.

eBird'sgoalistomaximizetheutilityandaccessibilityofthevastnumbersofbirdobservationsmadeeachyearbyrecreationalandprofessionalbirdwatchers.Itisamassingoneofthelargestandfastestgrowingbiodiversitydataresourcesinexistence.Forexample,inMarch2012,participantsreportedmorethan3.1millionbirdobservationsacrossNorthAmerica!

EachyearLeeJonesorganizesaChristmasbirdcountindifferentareasofBelize.ThisyearsbirdcountinToledowilltakeplaceonSaturday5thJanuary.Duringthedaywecountthenumberofspeciesaswellascountingorestimatingthenumberofindividualsofeachspecies.Youdonthavetobeanadvancedbirdertojoininalthougheachgroupwillbeledbyanexpert.IfyouareinterestedthengetintouchwithLeeathisemailaddressabove.Theareaofourcountiswithinaradiusof19milesfromPuntaGorda.

BelizeChristmasBirdCount

13

RestaurantGuideName Address Cuisine Phone OpeningHours

Colemans Cafe Big Falls Village, near the rice mill Belizean

720-2017 Daily: 11:30-16:00 & 18:00-21:00 (Reservations Preferred)

Earth Runnins Caf and Bukut Bar Main Middle Street, PG Belizean/International 702-2007

600-9026 Wed-Sun: 07:00- 14:00 & 17:00-23:00

Fajina Firehearth Food Front St, PG Local Mayan Food 666-6144 Mon-Sat: 07:00-19:30. Closed on Sundays

Gomiers Restaurant and Soy Centre Alejandro Vernon St, near PG Wel-come sign

Local & international vegetar-ian / Seafood

722-2929 Mon-Sat: 08:00-14:00 & 18:00-21:00. Closed Sundays

Graces Restaurant Main St. PG Belizean/ International 702-2414 Daily: 06:00-22:00, including holidays

Hang Cheong

Restaurant Main St, PG Chinese 722-2064 Daily: 10:00-14:00 & 17:00 -midnight

The Lodge at Big Falls Big Falls Village, near the rice mill International/ Belizean/ Mid-dle Eastern

732-4444

Daily: 11:3014:00 & 18:3021:00 (Reservations Required)

Machaca Hill Lodge Wilsons Road Pan Central American and International

722-0050 Lunch: noon-14:30. Dinner: 19:30-22:00. (Reservations preferred)

Mangrove Restaurant Cattle Landing, by the curve Belizean / International 722-2270 Daily: 17:00-22:00. (Reservations preferred)

Marians Bay View Restaurant Front St, south of the market by the sea

East Indian/ Belizean 722-0129 Mon-Sat: 11:00-14:00 & 18:00-22:00 Sun & Hols: noon 14:00 & 19:00-21:00

Martinas Kitchen BTL parking lot, PG Belizean 623-3330 Mon-Sat: 07:00-15:00. Closed on Sundays

Moms Restaurant Queen St, PG, by the park Belizean 620-1607

661-1359

Mon-Sat: 06:00-14:00 &

16:00-21:00 Closed Sundays

Rainbow Cafe Queen St, PG, by the park Belizean 631-2309 Mon-Sat: 70:00-14:00. Closed on Sundays

Rainforest Cafe Big Falls Village, just south of the bridge

Belizean 669-0080 Daily: 10:00-22:00

Reef Bar & Restaurant Front St, upstairs by the market International/Belizean 625-8652 Daily: 10:00-14:00 & 16:00-midnight. Closed on Tuesdays

Shos Local Restaurant Entrance to Blue Creek Village Belizean/ Catering 668-6540 Mon-Sat: 07:0020:00. Closed Sundays. Group reservations required

The Snack Shack BTL parking lot, PG Breakfast & lunch/ Snacks, shakes, juices & pastries

702-0020 Mon-Sat: 07:0015:00. Closed Sundays

Walucos

Opposite TIDE pier in Hopeville Belizean/East Indian/Seafood/Catering

670-3672 Mon-Thurs: 07:00-14:00 & 17:00-22. Weekends: 07:00-late

Asha's Culture Kitchen 80 Front Street, south of market, only building over the sea

Creole/Seafood/BBQ 632-8025 Daily from 11:00-14:00 (lunch only during high season) 16:00-24:00 (dinner/bar year-round), closed on Thursdays.

Wat dat smell? Wats Cookin? I hungry...

LionfishCeviche2largelionfish,cleanedandfilletedanddicedintosmallpieces

3limes

1bunchofcilantro,finelychopped

2tomatoes,diced

1mediumonion,diced

3clovesofgarlic,finelychopped

1habaneropepper,deseededandfinelychopped

Saltandpeppertotaste

Putthelionfishinamixingbowl&squeezethejuicefromthelimesuntilallthefishiscovered.Whilethelionfishismarinating,choptherestofthevegetables.Mixtheonion,garlic,tomatoes,habanero&cilantro(coriander)together.

Stiralltheingredientsintothelionfishandlimejuice.Seasonwithsalt&peppertotaste.

Putintoarefrigeratorforabout4hours.

Servewithtortillachips.

ThankstoReefCIfortheirlionfishcevicherecipe!

ReefCIoffersvolunteerdiveconservationtripstotheSapodillaCayes.YoucanreadmoreabouttheSapodillaCayesandwhalesharksinthenexteditionoftheToledoHowlerpublishedinFebruary2013,andvisitwww.ReefCI.comtolearnmoreabouttheirconservationwork.

Eatemtobeatem!LionfishhavebeenmultiplyingintheCaribbeanformorethanadecade,andhavefewnaturalpredatorsoutsidetheirnativehabitatinthePacificaroundAustraliaandIndonesia.Belizehasneverseenamassmarineinvasionofthiskindbefore,andmanypeopleareconcernedthatitwillsetoffacascadeofecologicaldamagetonativefish,coralreefs,andtheirdelicatehabitat,aswellasthreateningourfisheriesindustry.

Belizehasdeclaredwaronlionfish,andismakingaconcertedefforttoridourwatersoftheseinvaders.Whatbetterwaythanto

catchthemandeatthem!

14

The Living Maya Experience TheLivingMayaExperienceisasetofthreedistinctculturalhomevisitsinBigFallsandHicateethatmarketthemselvescooperativelybutoperateindependently.

TheChiacfamilyhavemadetheirlivingfromsellingcraftstoothervillagersanduntilnowhavenotrealizedthepotentialforsaleoftheircraftstointernationalvisitors.JuanChiacmakeslargebaskets,hammocks,shoulderbags,palmfansandsmallrosewoodcarvings.HiswifeHilariaweavescuxtalbags.

Itisonlywhenyouvisitthefamilythatyourealizetheamountofworkthatgoesintomakingabasketfromthetaitaivine.FirstJuanmusthikeintotheforesttocollectthevines.Hethenstripsthebarkfromthevineonthespotandpackstherollsofvineintohissacktobringhome.Backhomethevinesarestretchedoutanddriedbeforeuse.Tomakehammockshecollectsthelongleavesofthehenequenplant.HenequenisamemberoftheAgavefamilyanditsleaveswhichmaybesixorsevenfeetlongarepackedwithstrongfibers.Hemanuallyspinsthefibresintoastrongthreadfrom

whichhemakeshammocksandbags.Thisalreadysoundslikeawholelotofwork,andrememberthathehasyettomakeanything!

VisitorstotheChiacscanallhaveagoatmakingthesecraftsunderthetutelageofJuan,HilariaandtheirdaughterMarta.Thevisitlastsacoupleofhours.Thetimereallyfliesbyandguestsleavewiththeirfacemusclesachingfromallthelaughingtheyhavedone;mainlyatthemselves.

CristobalCalandhiswifeAnitahaveoftentalkedaboutthelossoftraditionalwaysandknowledgeastheeldersinthecommunitypassononebyone.InordertostemthislossandgivetheyoungergenerationprideintheirpastheandAnitahavecreatedaMayanhomeasitwouldhavelookedbeforetheadventofelectricity,plasticandpackagingandotheraspectsofthemodernworld.Theyhaveabedinwhichthemattressismadefromtherolledoutbarkofthemacapalormohotreeandabenchseatmadefromabalsatrunk.Theygrowfourdifferentkindsofcorn,white,yellow,redandblack,haveamanglepressforextractingthesugarfromtherawcaneandasackofberriesfromthesoapberrytreeforgueststousetowashtheirhandsbeforeeating.Yes,theyalsopreparemealsfortheirguestswhocanrolluptheirsleevesandgetinvolvedinthepreparationwithAnitaandherdaughters.Theirguestsalsoroastandgrindcacaobeanstomakecocoadrunkfromacalabashbowl.

PabloRashisafarmerlivingclosetothejunctionatHickateejustnorthofBigFalls.HeisalsoaMayanhealerandusesavarietyofherbsandplantsinhistreatments.Heisdevelopingaherbalmedicinegardenaroundhishousesetonthetopofahill.Inthiswayhewillbeabletoshowvisitorswhichplantsheusesfordifferentailmentsand

treatmentsandthegardenwillalsoaidhisownpracticesincehewillhavemoreoftheimportantplantscloseathand.

TogetherthesethreehomevisitsgiveguestsafascinatinginsightintotheMayanwayoflife.Eachvisittakesacoupleofhoursandvisitorsdecidewhichtheywouldliketoexperienceortheycaniftheywishplanthetimetovisitallthree.

HowtobookyourLivingMayaexperience:

[email protected]

AnitaCal6277408

MartaChiac6324585

PabloRash6365227

CraftmakingattheChiacs.

Young Alva gives Judy a lesson in tortilla making

Mrs Basilia Cal grinding cocoa beans.

15

Thebiggestsurprisetome,myfirsttimeonthezipline,wasthehighpitchedzingingsoundasthemetaltrolleysglideoverthesteelcables.

ThesecondwasthatImanagedtoovercomemyfearofheightsandgettoquiteenjoythefeelingoflaunchingmyselfoffawoodenplatformhighabovetheforestfloorandglideeffortlesslytothenextlandingplatform.AbitlikeTarzanwithoutthelianavinestoswingon,andnoJaneeither.

Theziplinehassixrides.ThatissixsectionsbetweenlandingplatformseitherupinthetreesordownonthegroundwithfourcrossingsoftheRioGrandealongtheway.Thedifferentsectionsrangefrom350450feet.Attheendofeachrideisalandingplatformandtakeoffplatformforthenextride.Assoonasyouarriveateachplatformtheguideshookgueststofixedpointssothateveryoneiswellanchoredtotheplatform.

SafetyofguestsisthenumberonepriorityforAndrewCaliz,DavidFrancohispartnerandtheirstaff.Davidsaid,Everydaywearelookingforthingstoimprove.Thelinewasdesignedwithsafetyinmind.Forthisreasontheyhaveadoublecable,doublecarabinersanddoubletrolleyswiththeriderharnessedatthreepoints.Andproperbriefingandorientationareallpartoftheemphasisontheenjoymentofguestsinasafeenvironment.RigorousstafftrainingandcertificationasguidesisalsopartoftheirprofessionalapproachaswellastheiruseofthehighestqualityequipmentfromNorthAmericaandEurope.

Aswellastheziplinetheyofferrivertubingonaroutethatgoesaboutamilefromjustnorth

ofBigFallsvillagebackdownstreamtodisembarkunderthebridge.OnthewayguestscanmakeastopatthecreekthatenterstheRioGrandefromahotspringonthehillsidehalfamileaway.Whilenothot,thewaterisstillwarmandgettingbackintothemainriverafterareststophereisachillysurprise.

TheyuseCanadianTubeProtubeswhichhavetheoptionoflashingaseatintotheholealthoughmostvisitorsprefertofloatwiththeirderriereinthewater.Thewholetubetriptakesaroundanhourwithatwentyminutestoptowallowinthecreek.

TheseasonalityofthetourismbusinessinBelizeaffectsBigFallsExtremeAdventuresjustlikeanyother.Andrewsays,TherearedayswhenitistoughbutmostdaysItotallyenjoywhatImdoingandIhaveafeelingthatwewillhaveabetterseasonthisyear.

Andtheyhavenotfinisheddeveloping.AndrewandDavidhaveplanstoputinfasterrunsaswellasalongerrideof12001500hundredfeet.AsDavidcommented,Everydaywearelookingforthingstoimprove.Nextyeartheywillbephoto

graphingguestsonthelineandprintingphotosforgueststotakeawaywiththemandtheirrestaurantthatoffersBelizeanfoodwillbeextendingtheirmenu.

Thisisagreatdayoutforareasonableprice.YoucanfinddetailsontheirwebsiteandagreatvideooftheexperienceonYouTube.ItcombineseasilywithavisittotheLivingMayaExperiencejustacrosstheriver.

Big Falls Extreme Adventures

Gettingready,lastminutechecks.

Gliding sixty feet over the river!

Findoutmore

Tel:+5016346979or+5016313497

Email:[email protected]

FacebookBigFallsExtremeAdventures

YouTubehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnT973AdIisZipLineandRiverTubingnSouthernBelize4:23minutevideo

TripAdvisorhttp://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Reviewg2507140d2484439ReviewsBig_Falls_Extreme_AdventuresBig_Fall_Toledo.html

http://www.bigfallsextremeadventures.com/

16

Arzu Mountain Spirit on Medicinal Plants: Piss-a-Bed Pissabed(SennaAlata)isalargeevergreenleafsennaplantknownalsoascandlebush,senna,candlestick,andringwormbush.Itisabeautifulwildfloweringbushwithagenerousbrightyellowbloom.ThisBelizerainforestnativegrowsuptotenfeetinheightandislovedbybees,butterflies,birds,andnativehealers.

EverybodyinBelizeknowsofPissabeduseinpurgeandpiss,butwehavepaidlittlehomagetotheotherhealingmarvelsthisaptlynamedplantiscapableof.

IfirstbecameinterestedinthePissabedwhenmyunclegaveanaccountofhavingusedthejuiceandpulpofthisplanttohealaskindiscolorationdisorderthataffectedhislegs.ThePissabedleafjuicetreatmentcompletelyclearedtheconditionandithasneverreturned.

Sciencefinallylentcredencetomyuncleshealingwhen,in1994,afteratenyearhumanstudyinIndia,researchfoundPissabedleafjuiceindeedtobeareliableherbaltreatmentforskindiscoloration.FindingsrevealedthatPissabedleafjuicekillsthefungusthatpreventsskincellsfromproducingcolor.

TheGarifunanameforPissabedisGanibisi,andeveryGarifunacommunityhasareveredGanibisibushsomewhereintheirlot.MedicinaltraditionprescribesGanibisileafteaforintestinalpurging,bloodcleansing,andforloweringbloodsugar.Theteaisalsousedtoimprovedigestion,andcanbedoubledinstrengthtoreduceexcesswaterinthebody,alleviateswelling,andrelievepain.

Pissabedisrecognizedbysciencetocontainagroupofchemicalsthatareknownlaxatives.In2003scientistsproducedevidencethatPissabedleavesarenotonlyantiinflammatory,butalsohavepainrelieving,andhypoglycemic(loweringbloodsugar)properties.

MorerecentstudiesrevealedthatPissabedleavesalsocontainachemicalwiththeabilitytoreducestickybloodanddissolvearterialplaque(asincholesterol).Itistreasuredbyfarmerswhosaveonveterinaryexpensesbyusingtheleafpulpontheiranimalstotreatskinafflictionslikemange,fungus,removingticks,mites,andotherexternalparasites.Asatopicaltreatment,it

worksforthosewhouseit.Healersandnonhealersalikecanmashtheleavesofthisplantintoanallpurposeskinsalveanduseittotreatinsectbites,ringworm,syphilissores,herpesulcers,scabies,shingles,eczema,skinsores,ripenboils,evenoutskintone/color,relieveitching,andanytypeofrash.

Althoughthisplantisanintelligenthealerbydesign,itisnotadvisabletotryinternalPissabedtreatmentwithoutconsultingaqualifiedherbalist.Itisusedbyhealerstotreatincontinenceandpreventbedwetting.DrinkingPissabedteaincreasesurinationand,(hencethename)willmakeyoupissanybed.

Itwillalsomakeyousweat.Itisanexcellentherbalremedyfordetoxificationasithelpsclean,strengthenandtonetheorgansofboththeurinaryanddigestivesystem.Pissabedisnottakenformorethansevenconsecutivedays.AnditisNOTtobetakenalongwithanydiureticmedicationorpharmaceuticals.

Pissabedisaneasytopropagatelowmaintenanceplant.Itgrowsfromseeds,rootballs,andcuttings.Allowforthepodstodryontheplantsandbreakthemopentocollecttheseeds.Theseedslastalongtime,canbestored,andcan

keepforuptoayear.Onceplanted,itwillselfsowfreelyaslongasithasfullsun.Itbeginsfloweringfrom4feetandcontinuestodosoeveryyear.Pissabedmakesagorgeousadditiontoanygarden.

Contributedby

ArzuMountainSpirit(LafuruguWubu)[email protected]

Senna Alota, a Belizean rainforest native plant

17

BTIA Toledo, and the Toledo Howler Togetherwerestronger!BecomeapartofBTIAandmakeapracticalcontributiontotheeconomicdevelopmentofToledoDistrict,andbenefitfromourpromotionalwork.WemeetmonthlyattheTourisminformationCentreonFrontStreet.

HowDoIJoinBTIA?

Visitwww.btia.orgtoreadaboutBTIAandallthemembershipbenefitsandtodownloadanapplication form. Complete the form andhand it in attheTourismInformationCenteronFrontSt.

BTIAToledoofficersChair:DennisGarbuttSecretary:RobHironsTreasurer:DonaScafeMarketingOfficer:DilmaYolandaCano

TheHowleriswritten,editedandproducedby:DilmaCano:[email protected],7222531RobHirons:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]

18

Port Honduras Marine Reserve MentionToledotosomepeopleandyoustillrunasmallriskoftheirconjuringupanimageofthewettestdistrict,andMayavillages.Ofcoursewegetsignificantrainfall(mostofitatnight),andwehaveasizeableKekchiandMopanMayapopulation(alongsidemanyothercultures),butdontforgetourrainforesttoreefreputation,withtwomarinereservestheSapodillaCayesaround35milesoffshore,andPortHondurasjustafewmilesnorthofPuntaGordatown.

ThePortHondurasMarineReservewasdeclaredaprotectedareain2000anareaofover160squaremilesofhighbiodiversity,whichprovidesacriticallinkbetweenterrestrialandmarineecosystems.Thatallsoundsverycommendable,butwhatdoesitmeanforthevisitor?Therealityisthatstringentmanagementofthereserve,coupledwiththemanysmallcayesdottedthroughouttheReserve,providesagreathabitatnotonlyformarinelife,butalsoagreatmarineexperiencefortourists.

TheReserveisafavouriteareaforworldclassflyfishermen,manyofwhomreturnyearafteryeartoattempttheirgrandslamcatchofsnook,tarpon,andpermit,aswellasbonefish,andPGboastssomeextremelytalentedflyfishingguides.

SnorkellerslovethetranquilityofWestSnakeCayeatwoacrepalmcoveredgem,boastingsandybeachesandtheoccasionalredboasnakeintheinteriorandthattheyareoftentheonlypeopleinthearea.ArecentadditiontotheToledoTourismportfolioaretheintroductorySCUBAdivingcoursestakingadvantageoftheshallowwatersaroundtheCayefordivinginstruction,leadingtodivingamongstthecoralformationssurroundingtheisland.

Itsobviouslynotguaranteed,butvisitorsoftenseepodsofdolphinsontheirwayoutorbackfromPortHonduras,andmanateescanbesightednearDeepRiver.

TheMarineReserveiscomanagedbyTIDE(www.TIDEbelize.org)andtheFisheriesDepartment,whohaveintroducedstrictnotakezonesinnurseryareas,andwhopatrolthewaterstoensurecompliancewiththeregulationsinforceto

protectthevariousecosystems.TourswillusuallyinvolveavisittotheTIDERangerStationatAbaloneCayetopaytheUS$10Reserveentrancefee,butalsotolearnfromtheRangersaboutTIDEswork.Youarealsowelcometoclimbtheobservationtowerforsomegreat360degreeviewsofPortHondurasor,ifyourenotafanofheights,oneoftheRangersisusuallyhappytotakephotosonyourbehalf.

LesserknownpartsoftheReserveincludeWildCaneCaye,animportantMayaarcheologicalsite.ItsnaturalharborandproximitytoDeepRivermadeitanaturalancienttradingpostthatreemergedinrecenthistoryinadifferentformasaportofcallfortheHeronH(thepassenger,mailandfreightboatwhichactedasthemainsourceoftransportationbetweenPGandBelizeCityuntilthemid70s)

Archaeologist,DrHeatherMcKillopconductedindepthresearchatWildCaneCaye,buthasmorerecentlybeenworkingatPaynesCreekNationalPark,whichliestothenorthandeastofPortHonduras.CallinattheBTIAToledoTourismInformationCentretoviewtheexhibit!

Howtogetthere?SnorkellingandfishingtripsareofferedbyTIDETours,GarbuttsMarine,andTiburonTours.IntroductorySCUBAcoursesareavailablethroughGarbuttsMarine.

Contactdetails:TIDETours(www.tidetours.org)tel7222129,[email protected]

GarbuttsMarine(www.garbuttsfishinglodge.com)tel7220070,[email protected]

TiburonTourstel6022483,[email protected]

PaynesCreekNationalParkandtheancientMayaPaynesCreekNationalParkishometotheonlyknownClassicMayawoodenstructureswhilstwoodandotherorganicmaterialsdontusuallysurvive,thewaterloggedenvironmentatPaynesCreekcreateduniquepreservationconditions,givingarareglimpseofhowtheancientMayausedtimber.

Athreeyearproject,ledbyLouisianaStateUniversityProfessor,HeatherMcKillop,willseetheconstructionofanobservationalplatforminPaynesCreekNationalPark.Visitorswillbeabletoobservetheunderwaterarchaeologicalsitethroughawindowintheplatformwithoutanyriskofdamagingtheremains.

AspartoftheprojecttwoexhibitswereopenedoneattheTourismInformationCentreonFront

Street,whichincludesaMayacanoepaddle,andthesecondattheTIDERangerStationinPaynesCreek.

Theseexhibits,inconjunctionwithaseriesofworkshopsandtalks,aredesignedtoraiseawarenessofthisuniqueMayasite,andwillbeexpandedperiodically,Awebsiteforarchaeologicaltourismisalsoplanned.

Whenandwhere?

VisittheexhibitattheToledoTourismInformationCentreduringopeninghours,MondaytoFriday8amto4pm,orvisitPaynesCreekNationalParkthroughwww.TIDEtours.org,[email protected] SketchplanoftheproposedUnderwaterMayaobservation

platforminPaynesCreekNationalPark

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Business ContactPerson PhoneNumber EmailRequena'sCharterService JulioRequena 7222070 [email protected]

HickateeCottages Ian&KateMorton 6624475 [email protected]

DreamlightComputerCenter TimothyDami 7020113 [email protected]

BigFallsExtremeAdventures AndrewCaliz 6346979 [email protected]

Coleman'sCaf Thomas&PearleenColeman 6304069,6304432 [email protected]

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ToledoTourGuideAssociation BTIAOffice 6372000 [email protected]

Garbutt'sFishingLodge DennisGarbutt 7220070,6043548 [email protected]

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BelizeWoodWorksLtd BrunoKuppinger 6656778,6042124 [email protected]

Asha'sCultureKitchen Ashton&StacyMartin 6328025 [email protected]

WarasaGarifunaDrumSchool Ruth&RonaldMcDonald 6327701 [email protected]

GoldenStreamPlantation Thomas&TessyMathew 7202014 [email protected]

LivingMayaExperience AnitaCal&MartaChiac 6277408,6324585 [email protected]

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