Belize shootings

Belize has the 6th highest murder rate in the world. At least in countries that keep records and aren't having civil strife. Its a small country with a big murder rate.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_intentional_homicide_rate
I remember the gangland massacres that had just happened in Honduras, while I was there years ago. At present Honduras is the world record holder, followed by El Salvador.

I believe we have had 5 shootings and 2 successful or incidental murders (the courts to decide) in the past 2 weeks here on the Ambergris Island.
http://edition.channel5belize.com/archives/96490

It hits close to home, as friends were recently in the bar before the shootings, and that, Ambergris a small island. The sound of gun fire travels far in the night.

Recently, one man was shot 11 times with a 9mm and lived (this after being shot the previous year).

'Gang related' deaths top the charts as reasons. But some are simply random, or mostly impulsive, as I saw while spending time in Seattle a previous summer. Was it 5 in one weekend? The reasons always seem so stupid in retrospect- got cut off in traffic- got bumped in a crowd- was refused service- that stupid bitch wouldn't stop nagging...
Yet, its the collateral damage that worries me. How many innocents standing around or living in wooden houses when the bullets fly pick up stray slugs? One article in the Belize paper wrote about a number of people who were shot in the feet and legs, as thats what was exposed to the shooter, cycling by on his bike. Random shooting apparently.
Still, lets not let this thing get out of perspective for its novelty to a Canadian. Vehicles are still killing and maiming far more here. More hit and runs, more drunk and inebriated drivers here as well. And yet there is no ‘ever present fear’ of vehicles...we all cant wait to get into our freedom-mobiles....

There are many other things I could say about the satisfaction of solving ones simple immediate problems with a gun, but maybe later.

2 days later-------------
even more shootings the other night, I think that brings it up to 6 in 2 weeks. For a town with only 14 000 that seems pretty high. But if we keep it up maybe we can top new levels of stupidity.

 http://www.sanpedrosun.com/community-and-society/2014/03/16/editorial-time-stop-pretending-well-san-pedro/

Or if you would prefer- this message from Grandmaster Flash and the Fabulous 5
http://youtu.be/gYMkEMCHtJ4

Annotated:   There have been yet more shootings on the lsland. http://www.sanpedrosun.com/community-and-society/2014/04/14/miguel-motita-fuentes-shot-northern-ambergris-caye/

Winds, moss and Glasgow emergency responders...

the real action
Rode a short ferry over to Arran island, just off of the coast from Glasgow. I was all packed and set to ride around the island, camp and jump on other ferries to take me across loch and inlets. I had a drink at the beautiful Douglas hotel with all its seafaring brass antiques and then started up the big hill. The camping was alright, but the wind that was forecast, certainly arrived that morning, waking me up from my heather and foot thick, moss bed. I was shocked awake into the 50 mph gusts as I tried to put on more under layers over my naked torso.

Amazing, there were folks walking their dogs in the area I emerged from, (silly Scots). It was a highspeed downhill ride to the awaiting luxury hotel and hot drinks. So a little embarrassingly I took the ferry back, I am just not that much into self abuse.

The photo of the rainbow over the Scottish castle absolves me and allows me to head back to warmth and comforts.

Hanging out here in Glasgow drinking a beer in the sunshine on the wall. When police came running up and past me to look searchingly in the water. A jogger and a cyclist had words with them. I jumped down to talk with one, he mentioned that there had been a report of someone in the water. (I didn't hear any splash) They took off up the canal. I followed. Firetrucks showed up on the bridge. A Helicopter circled overhead- within minutes of things happening. A little later a rescue boat with red, dry suited and helmeted rescuers puttered by. I spoke to the baby-faced cop and he seemed to think it must have been a seal up the canal.

I am somewhat amused/impressed at their quick response, but wonder if these sort of coordinated operations might be better used for positive things, like: there is an amazing sunset and its still sunny- quick! to the batmobile! Or, people are pretty bummed out about transit and public space; quick! tasty drinks and groovy music with places for everyone to relax. But these sorts of things, generally, only happen at Burning Man.   

Or better yet, more social care/ homeless outreach, empowered individuals, working with the 'down and out' so things don't get to the point of someone taking a cold death dip, off the bridge...

http://gawker.com/canadian-man-sorry-for-chugging-eight-beers-and-swimmin-888283225

Disney sub plot

A long winding road up the Rhine. Sometimes with a headwind. Lots of other cyclists. (funny to see 80+ year olds on motorcycles). I noticed a few things that are different during my ride. I rode through Riverside, industrial, boat building/repair factories. Right through them, with only a caution sign at the entrance. It amazing that the cycling legislation has pushed access this far!

I am also impressed that cycling is permitted in the other direction on one way streets. (I remember being stopped in Seattle by an irate cop, when my choice was, illegal ride on the sidewalk, or illegal ride on the one way street...).

I thought to stop earlier for the evening, not such a good idea, since that dusky hour riverside, is the hour of the bug. I am reminded of what a small part we play on their planet; barely a blip. Those seething masses will adapt and outgrow us. Really there is nothing to do at that hour, but keep speed, and outrun them until the stimulation of the evening has passed and has them settled.

I thought to spend the night off the Rhine bike path behind some hay stacks, and prepared my bed of straw unrolling them over the stinging nettle. I thought myself clever with this design, until I received 2 wasp stings, one for each bare leg; and noticed them swarming out of the ground from their underground nest. Disappointing but worse yet, because I was unable to get near my bike with the wasps defending the area...

I grabbed my bike out of there without more stings, and kept looking for some place as suitable. In just a few minutes, I startled a deer out of the brush, then 2 rabbits, and also 2 foxes. A minute later an eagle swooped down around me. I forget sometimes how busy dusk can be...

My ride still consisted of outrunning the horse flies, gnats and mosquitoes. Later I camped beside the Rhine. I believe someone this morning checked me out in my sleeping bag, although, I couldnt see them, I heard the sound of their flip flops... Later the geese consisted of my alarm clock. Funny, I dont find that one on the iphone alarm selection.

Today the bolt from my rack was sheared off. While I was in the shade of the Nestle factory, smelling the ambient chocolate, wiring it together, a mole walked up to me, and may well be riding in some part of my baggage. I feel I may be an unknowing part of some Disney subplot...

Critical mass, ass, smoking and transvestites

Dear, many, many fans/readers and concerned people, and oh' yes the government intelligence agencies.

I have had many new adventures and a few humorous experiences I'd like to try getting out.We certainly had some good times in Uruguay and Punta del Diablo.

The Tobacco companies are regulated like in Canada and use these anti smoking adverts where they sell tobacco. But, really I hadnt seen any like these in Uruguay...

The little beach stores, are haphazardly constructed from old sheds or beach huts or what-have-you.

So, where we bought our bubbly water (after our long hike) has these 2 counters facing each other, rather close, and with a low roof/ceiling, and with me being a little taller; well the inverted, lit up adds, facing each other , formed this kind of red lit tunnel- the tunnel of shame, I call it!

Since no where else would such poor advertising ( I had to duck them, to see and to pay the cashier) and poor placement, and such an anti sales kind of signage, be used. It struck me as so funny, this contradiction, on one hand wanting to sell cigarettes and the other, to use the regulated signs, and then, not having the head clearance to see anything else.

Ahhhh, the horror of smoking! Nooooo, make it stop!

I laughed and laughed.

Speaking of laughing...

We rented local city bikes for Buenos Aires critical mass, orange bikes that hurt our asses.

We rode and rode around the city, a party on wheels. All good fun.

We rode with a family on our way back through the beautiful night parks of Palermo. 2 young teens and their mother. Thought it nice to have some company on the ride home. But wow, were we surprised. We rode through Buenos Aires transvestite red-light strip, with maybe 40 prostitutes each with their own street light to stand under. I didnt notice so many cars perusing their wares yet. But cycling past, one sees this silhouette, but often an unearthly large one, of a scantily clad, provocatively dressed woman... and then, the light- Blam! Monster-tranny-creature-of-the-night! with their breast out and sometimes their penis hanging out. Well I guess its a slow night, those high heels are hurting and might as well show the product, right? Anyways, it was such a funny, funhouse surprise, and with the 2 young teen brother and sister riding bikes, I laughed and laughed; how could Eddie Murphy be so wrong!

So, yes, I am still here, going to contact Dance Jams every night if I can. My skills are getting better, people even come to me to dance, (rather than me chasing them down). I am wearing out my toes and have to tape them. I have my own little room, actually large room with bathroom in an old colonial building. My ceiling must be 16-18 feet tall, and with a weird loft that I must climb to get to (they took out the stairs due to regulations).

L

Brazilian power brokers

Hello folks

Its been a good month or so here in South America.

We flew into Buenos Aires, after all the clean up/set up that needed to take place before leaving Seattle. Arrived at our couch surfing host in the old town of San telco. What great people and place to acclimatize for the first few days in Argentina. The large colonial apartment has a grand balcony over the numerous bars and restaurants.

Yet within a few days, we took off for the southern extremes of the pampas and winelands. We had signed up for 4 days in a rural house called Casa Magica with los kukis. We had arrived in the middle of a contact improv dance 'retreat'. (Our main reason for coming to South America and Argentina, in particular).

The people there were so friendly and helpful, Lisa had wondered if it might actually end up as the best part of the trip.

We carried further on to Bariloche in the mountains bordering Chile. Strange to be back in the cool wet weather so familiar to the Northwest. We ran into our dance friends in that extra touristy town. But were back in Buenos Aires for our contact improv dance teacher conference before too long.

The first couple of nights were gruelling and exhilarating; feeling a little out of shape but meeting such great dancers from the area. We sweated through the 5 days in this beautiful colonial building. Lunches were provided.We had some cultural misunderstandings, and my Spanish isn't strong enough for fluent, fast group dialogue. Nonetheless we really enjoyed the jams.

After some wayward dawdling after the conference and some great jams, one in the park, and another at an ariel studio, we moved on to Uruguay. One of the few countries these days without the punitive 'reciprocity' laws. So yes, if you havnt heard, a number of countries have decided to strike back at the north Americas, racists immigration rules, and rightly so, since the discrimination has been going on for so long. So, to explain quickly, whatever our countries have a prerequisites for these ones, they ask for in return. and I tell you, its extreme! Really negating visas doesn't compromise the already extensive power that immigration officials already have.

An American friend of our couchsurf hosts dropped in from a local tech conference, offering their lovely beach house here in Punta Del Diablo Uruguay. Apparently voted the top 10 places to visit by Lonely Planet. We agree, its great!

Today we went to Brazil, 3 times. Its easy in the border town of Chuy, one simply crosses the main street to the other side. All too many expensive 'duty free' shops in the town. And really the Brazilian economy is on fire, its true. We mistakenly bought a small bottle of contact lens solution for 34 dollars $U.S. Maybe we can take it back tomorrow. You see we need to return, since non of the bank machines were functioning (and this is before the massive ominous storm cloud appeared in the horizon and swallowed the town). Perhaps we should go to another country since the machines weren't any use to us on the Uruguayan side of the street. We tried a couple of the bank machines in the Brazilian banks, but no luck. The power had gone off but the machines were still on. So we tried again, with one of the tellers from inside the darkened bank. Again and again, at last with the proper series of swipes and Portuguese selection the money was clicking along and ready to pop out… and then lightening struck and the power went black! So maybe someone out there gets to have that money, and likely it can be recovered, but we still have to go back, since we didn't get any...

congratulations on making it to the other side...

Much time has passed since my last report/blog- testimony of infamy. Best to act on the unresolved issues and write the blog...

My recent travel plans have included the possibility of an international rainbow gathering in Brazil. But with the extreme amount of requirements (which are a tit- for-tat bureaucratic revenge for the poor and humiliating treatment by Canadian officials of Brazilians). The requirements are numerous- take a look http://www.consbrastoronto.org/visa_tourist.php

Once again, I dont feel my unorthodox life makes standard things... well, standard.

This would be my first taste as a so called privileged Canadian, having the tables turned; and I sympathize with all travelers being churned through the meat grinder of international travel. With some countries like Burma, not even issuing passports to their countrymen, and even after dodging the corruption and Kafka'esque hassel, the bloody document isnt worth anything at other countries borders... do not pass go, and do not collect 200$.

But on the lighter side, I shaved my head. Wow! so great to free of that hair! Something I had thought of but hadnt done for being a fashion slave. Somehow the idea that I didnt have an attractive head, is gone.

While visiting my family in Ontario, after an uncles birthday party, I thought to catch the train home with my folding bike. I had seen some recent advertisement mentioning how "bike friendly" VIA was, I hadnt really thought about it otherwise, never having brought my bike onto VIA, only AMTRAK. AMTRAK is friendly and easy, and you can bring your bike on the train for 5$, but that not being a factor since I fold mine and pack it away.

But after buying my ticket and heading down to the platform gate, they wouldnt let me on, 'the rules' they said. No bikes allowed on the platform. So after a number of calls to supervisors and managers, they couldnt find a way to get my bike on the train. (there was no 'baggage car'). I told them, "its o.k. my bike folds up". They refused again. I asked them what about all this bike friendly advertisement. Of course the manager didnt know anything about it. So IRONICALLY and amazingly there was a poster promotion photo add right there! He was so surprised and apologetic he took a picture with his camera phone! They refunded my money, apologized, since it seems the bureaucracy, hadnt got the memo that they were blasting out to the public. I ended up taking the local GO commuter, cheaper service that brought me closer to home- 3 blocks away!

http://www.biketrain.ca/watch-the-bike-train-video

under cover of the night

Under cover of the night.

Hung out at the Barton Creek eco lodge near San ignacio Belize.

Its really is a nice set up with the lodge being right on the river, the corner hammock being spitting distance

from the gently rolling river. The blond headed kids are sweet to have around, with their playful attitudes.

There is a new addition to the family with a recently flown in incredibly tame parrot, just dropped in one day and has stayed.

The nearby cave is privately owned and charge 50$ to enter, but that didnt stop us from using the BartonCreeks canoe and going in "under cover of the night".

Paddling the river and then into the cave down its 300 meter thoat before it gets too cramped and pinched.

The Mennonites in the area add a strange element to the scene. Never really spent time in one of their villages before.

Had dinner with the neighbors, no charge, religious conversations ensued.

I had contacted Barton Creek through Couchsurfing, although happy to reccomend the place (not the high price for food), I cant in anyway see how it works with couchsurfing. Funny though, an Australian girl had got the free camping deal (which would have knocked off only 10$ off my bill, I guess being young with a pretty face helps with these things.

Still would have been nice if they honored that. But thats not all, a strange kind of cheap, cash grab was aked, after we rode the Britt's truck into town, which would have had me pay again. (Could have been a misunderstanding).

This also wrankled me in that, all the guests were being kicked out, due to the new university group arriving. I was offered a ride into town, and then asked to pay for it, when they were going into town anyways.

So now I dont know what to say as a couchsurf reference.

I realize that working in tourism isnt for everyone, but its sad to see when it makes people bitter and apathetic.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sthRYIB91P8