A howler monkey in the Belize zoo (which only holds animals that cannot fend for themselves in the wild).

So I’ve noticed that my honeymoon period with Belize has ended and I find myself increasingly frustrated at certain things here– the poor infrastructure and resulting inefficiencies (including a very casual attitude towards schedules and time commitments), or the lack of hygiene awareness and practices that keep my students malnourished, sick, smelly and distracted in class (imagine infected insect bites, open wounds, tooth decay, botfly infestations, etc).  I find myself wondering, “Why can’t they just do this, or why can’t they learn to … ?  Why doesn’t the government do this, or why won’t the people fight for … ?” 

I’m told that at the end of two weeks is when the honeymoon period ends– when visitors to a foreign land start noticing more differences that similarities.  Noticing similarities between two cultures is almost blissful and romantic.  Noting stark differences, especially with my Type A and U.S.-centric tendencies, is not as nice.  But I’m starting to ask myself what are the real needs here (as opposed to merely my personal preferences) and what can the communities here do given what they have, their limitations, and what can I do given those and my own limitations?  I doubt I’ll be able to answer all those questions by the time I leave, but for now, it’s almost freeing to realize that at least some of my frustrations may be unwarranted.

Good night.

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