Shut Up, Sea Cow

So, my final goal for living in Belize is complete. I saw a manatee. Five actually. This is how the dramatic scene went down:

Setting: 15 passenger plane taking off from Belize City
Cast: Danis, Drew, British guy wearing a sarong for a skirt

Skirted Brit: You can see manatees in the river.
Danis: YOU can see manatees in the river?
(to Drew) We have taken this flight a bunch before, and no one has said I
might see a manatee from the plane. That Brit is loony - maybe his sarong
is restricting circulation.
Drew: Yeah, I don't know what he is talking about.
S.B.: They are gray in the river.
Danis: Uh huh....
S.B.: (very excitedly gesticulating) See!
Danis: Dang! Drew, I see one! It looks like a gray potato!
Drew: There are more!
Danis: Five! Are you kidding me?
(we fly out of view)
Danis: Well, I my time in Belize is complete. Let's go back to the States now.

So, it didn't go exactly like that - but it did check off the last "tourist" thing on my Belize list. Now all Drew and I have left is the University of Arkansas group - 60 students and professors in a developing country for a month! And that's all I say. Hahahahaha! It is going to be a good time and a great experience for everyone. I hope Drew and I can remember to post!

**Jim Gaffigan fans will get the title**

La Isla Bonita

Nathan left yesterday, and all is black and white and gray. But for nine beautiful days Drew and I lived in the technicolor glory that is Nathan.



The three of us visited Ambergris Island, La Isla Bonita (yes, the one from the Madonna song) for a weekend. Specifically, the mythical San Pedro. Did it live up to it's reputation? In a word - Surely! When we disembarked from the water taxi, we walked into a town that looked like it was pulled straight from a tourist brochure. The fruit vendor hawking papaya and the Rasta toting his guitar, however, reminded us that we were still in Belize. But sometimes it was hard to remember.

Like when we walked down the beach and passed towering condos with pools and bars and modern-style furniture made out of Belizean mahogany.

Or when we ate pizza better than most available in the States.

Or when we walked into a Super Market with electric doors. And air conditioning. And and turkey lunch meat. And DR. PEPPER. I could go on, but you wouldn't understand the sheer awe and joy Drew and I felt. Nathan certainly didn't. Drew had to lay down. Nathan was amused.

Sunday morning we all went snorkeling at Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark and Ray Alley. Nathan had never been before, and he was really excited, even though he masculinely hid most of his glee. He couldn't contain it, though, when we saw our first nurse shark! We swam with one that was at least 8ft. long. I squealed a little into my snorkel every time the guide would throw chum in the water and the shark would swim close. Drew and I pet a small shark and Nathan got to touch both a shark and a sting ray. His life is now complete. The tropical fish and coral were beautiful, of course.

On a side note, I especially liked snorkeling with a group of scuba divers 20 feet below me. They would blow millions of tiny bubbles up from their masks, and it made me feel like I was swimming in champagne.

When Drew and I got home after leaving Nathan at the airport headed for San Francisco, we had to hit the ground running. Less than two weeks before the students get here! So excited!

Feist is awesome. Her new album gave me the umph to finish writing this blog.