Mon, 25 Jan

Mon 25 Jan: After chores and visiting with Connie and Bob, and showing Bob some projects Madi needed help with; i took off for San Pedro. San Pedro is the 'city' on the island of Ambergris Caye; the larger more populated island just 20 min from Caye Caulker by water taxi. i had to go to the ATM to get some money, and then make my deposit into the bank account of the Wildlife Conservation Society for my volunteer experience at Glovers Reef. i also wanted to find out where the Immigration Office was. My 30 day visa is almost up and i wanted to find out what days/times they were open and exactly what i was supposed to do. i also wanted to set up a dive before i left and i wanted to use the same dive shop, Belize Diving Adventures, that we used when we were in San Pedro in December. we went out snorkeling/diving with them a several times and it was great fun; and also met up with them on the beach in the evening a couple of times. i found my way to the Dive Shop first, and Darrel, one of the Dive Masters from our December trip, 'escorted' me to all the above places. without his help, this may have taken me 2 trips; but i am learning my way around San Pedro. having accomplished all of that, i returned to Caye Caulker in time for chores, then out to dinner. we ate at Jolly Rodgers, another on-the-street-at-night cafe. kind of the same deal, except you got a whole grilled lobster AND grilled snapper; garlic mashed potatos, coleslaw, garlic bread, 2 drinks (and they gave us another one coz we said the first 2 weren't strong enough), and dessert .... B$25=US$12.50. grilled lobster is a big thing down here, ...and it is good! the guy in the red shirt is the Chef ... Roger, of Jolly Rogers:

Sun, 24 Jan

Sun 24 Jan: ..... ok this was a day to be remembered ... normal late morning weekend chores, then Eddi and i went for the same breakfast as yesterday. i'm happy with this place. we sat next to a couple that were meeting with the 'wedding planner' ... well, it was a guy who was setting up arrangements for their wedding. then we stopped at the hardware store to buy some more screws to finish my door. Madi was still cleaning when i decided i needed to snorkel at The Split ... i haven't done that yet, and i've been here 2weeks ... just as i was leaving, ..... a couple arrived at the gate. Bonnie and Mike, they were from Canada and with a group that was doing kayaking and rafting in Belize. before they left Canada, Bonnie had just joined a volunteer group in Canada that Madi had here last March to do neutering. the group had told Bonnie about their work in Caye Caulker, since she coincidentally was going to be vacationing in Caye Caulker, she stopped by to say hi and see how Madi was doing. of course, i asked her ... are you a vet? ... she said yes !!!! hummmm.... fatal mistake for her! .... long story short, she agreed to neuter 3 of our males that are giving us the most problems. As she and Madi were setting up surgery, another couple arrived; Connie and Bob, they are from Nebraska. Connie works with a animal foster program there and Bob is a handyman that Madi was looking forward to having him here to build another enclosure. they had been here before, and were expected ... some time ... but not particularly today! so she joined us in the 'operating room' ... this is 'third world' ..... it did not go smoothly. for our first attempt, we chose Andy, whom i've named '#1 Sex Offender'; because he is always on top of George and has him by the neck. George is also a male, a bit younger, and the sweetest little cat. it's so pathetic ... here is Andy on top of him, biting his neck, and he just looks up at me with this innocent little face and his little pink nose, like ... 'help me?' i can't resist a photo of George here: anyway, they attempted to put Andy 'under' ...but he wouldn't go down. they had a chart, left by another vet, with the dosage on it, but it wasn't specific enough; and without getting technical, he didn't get enough. so the decision was made to leave him alone, and try to do Angel, the other male. he took the anesthetic and the procedure began ... but it wasn't enough, and he started to come out of it just as she was finishing 'one nut' :) caution: not for the faint of heart ... especially if you are a 'male' :) so they switched gears and needed to give him more sedative. at this point, there were too many people in there, it was hot, sweaty and you could cut the tension in the air with a knife. it was getting late and it was time for the other cats to be fed. so, i took it upon myself to enlist the help of Eddi, and we stepped up to the challenge of doing the feeding ... alone! single-handedly ... well, double-handedly, we feed all the cats ourselves. there were a few dropped bowls and it wasn't pretty, but we got it done ... correctly ... that's our story and we're sticking with it. back in the 'operating room', they got Angel 'done', and decided to call it quits for the day. he is coming around now. everyone is very happy, ... with the exception of maybe Angel ..... Andy, of course, lives another couple weeks as the 'sex offender', and is feeling quite smug. then Madi and i went out with Connie and Bob, ... back to my favorite place, ....Rose's ! Connie and Bob split the biggest lobster i have ever seen ! i had Grouper, it was good; but i wanted lobster, but we were late, and they only had huges ones left for $$$$$

Sat, 23 Jan

Sat 23 Jan: since it was Sat, and Madi 'sleeps in'; i.e. 7am :) ....by the time the chores were done, it was after 10am and i was hungry. Eddi and i went for breakfast. only my second breakfast out ... and i was not going to repeat the experience of overpaying like i had the first breakfast. we ate at The Agave, nice place i had passed by many times. my breakfast included eggs anyway i wanted them, 2 pancakes (with fake maple syrup); fresh fruit, bananas, papaya, pineapple, watermelon; AND fresh squeezed orange juice ... ALL for B$10, USD5 ! what a deal ! are you all aware how lucky we are that we get fresh REAL maple syrup? i didn't know this until my second visit to South Africa. i had pancakes and they served this clear syrup with them .... like white Karo syrup, yuck! i asked Jonathan where's the maple syrup? he was astonished and added, "we don't have maple syrup here, we have no maple trees; you are the only ones that have maple syrup!" wow, aren't we fortunate ! at least the syrup here kind of tastes like maple syrup, and it is maple color. the most memorable thing i did today is that i did NOT participate in 'chores' this evening. since Eddi was here, i gave myself the evening off. instead in went to The Split to have a few happy hour drinks and watch the sunset. this is a real treat, because we are usually deep into chores and do not see the sunset, nor do we make happy hour :) the sunset was pretty, not as colorful as the other one, but more picturesque because of the sailboat that coincidentally crossed in front of the sun, just as it was setting me, at sunset at the Lazy Lizard at The Split ... do i look happy ????????? i found a place at the bar next to a man that i started a conversation with. i don't usually do this, but i needed some 'different' conversation. Mike was another retired 'American' from San Diego area, who has been living here for 2.5 yrs ... and has not returned to the States since he got here. wow, huh? we had a great visit ... i think i missed being able to converse with someone! he was very nice,interesting and easy to talk with ... translate: he didn't tell me what a 'beuuteefuul booddy' i have and try to pick me up :) .... i was home by 7pm. Eddi and i went to dinner on the street. this seems to be the 'thing' here. someone puts up tables and a grill, right on the side of the 'street', and brings the food. it's a set menu, lobster or fish, 2 sides, 2 drinks, and dessert ... B$25 .. that's USD12.50 ... a good deal. we chose Fran's, cause she had cherry cheesecake. :) i had barracuda for the first time. i didn't like it. it was rubbery and had no flavor, other than whatever seasoning was on the outside. since then i've talked with others who say it is good, and that maybe mine was overcooked .... i MAY try it again sometime. Fran, the Chef, is on the right:

Fri, 22 Jan

Fri 22 Jan: normal chores and morning activities. after putting the 3rd shift out for Play Time, Eddi and i started cleaning the Meow-tel. sweeping the shelves and floor; then spraying it all down with water, and applying biodegradable soap, and then rinsing, several times to get all the soap out. this was a really hot sticky sweaty job, we needed to cool down. another thing that Madi mentioned was that we needed more sand to be used for kitty litter in the enclosures. where do you get the sand ? from the sea of course. so Eddi and i took 5gal buckets and a shovel out about waist deep and started shoveling sand in the buckets. we then spread the sand out in the sun and when it dries, you shovel it into the litter boxes. we're in the kitty litter making business, too bad it isn't scoopable ... they don't have that here :( here is a picture of the outside of the Meow-tel after we finished there, we went to The Split for a break. Francesca, from Guatemala, was there selling her weavings: table runners, table cloths, wall hangings, etc. they were beautiful and all made by her family, some by hand and some on a loom. she comes to Caye Caulker for 2 weeks each month to try to sell. Eddi bought 2 of them ... here we are with one of the ones she bought: i'd like to tell you about the Squirrel Cage. well, that's what i call it, because it has wire around it. there are 4 sweet cats in there. here is one of them, Mu-ne-ca .... doesn't she look like she's ready for her photo shoot? but .... when we walk in this room with the food ... this is what they do .... they look like squirrels in a cage ! unfortunately, you can't HEAR all the meowing .. or fortunately for you. i do have some video, but i have not had any luck uploading it to this site. i'll try to put it on You Tube .... sometime .... when i don't have anything else do to. when/if i do, i'll let you know. it's really the best way to experience it :)

Thurs 21 Jan

Thurs 21 Jan: after chores and a breakfast, Eddi and i put in a few hours doing handy-man jobs ... i guess all skills i've learned by living alone are paying off. i installed a few more hooks where needed, trimmed some branches that have been in my way, and replaced hinges on the doors to one of the 'litter-biPeter had it held up with bungy-cords; but i thought that replacing the hinges and more hooks would make it easier. with a drill that has no 'reverse' it's been difficult to do a lot of the tasks. so now in order to make a pilot hole, i drill a screw in part way, then use a manual screwdriver to take it out, then go from there...... Eddi repaired a hole in the fence with some hardware cloth we found lying around. i also helped Eddi put her canopy over her bed since she is not used to doing these kinds of things. Madi was very appreciative when she got home, and said she was going to kidnap me and not let me leave :) i took a short break and went to The Split for a swim to cool off. it's much windier and cooler on that side of the island !!!!!!!!!!!!!! i'd been trying to have some 'shrimp sticks' that i'd seen on the road to the Split......, but either he's not there when i'm hungry, or he's there, but i've just eaten. on my way back, i finally caught the 'shrimp stick' man ! he came here 2 yrs ago and was walking around, when someone offered him a beer. he said 'he was raised to be a polite child, and his mom told him when someone offered him something, it was impolite to refuse' .... so he stayed and drank. the next morning, he was hung over and walking towards the water taxi, when someone offered him a beer ... same story ....... and here he still is ..... when i told him where i was staying, he said 'oh on the buggy side of the island' ......................... :( photo of Jack and the shrimps. they were wonderful, i had mine with garlic and chili peppers. he has lots of options: basil, italian, curry, honey mustard, ginger .... i highly recommend them if you are ever on Caye Caulker! a few more pics from Caye Caulker: it is not uncommon to see PILES of Conch shells around. Conch has a season here and they harvest a lot of it. i couldn't resist this one:

Wed, 20 Jan

Wed, 20 Jan: Chores took longer today, because we were trying to explain the routine to Eddi, the 'new kid on the block' ..... Eddi and i needed to go to "Meijers" to get water, i buy it in gallon jugs. Before we left we started the 1st Shift of Play Time. This is where Madi attempts to give all the cats some 'real' outdoor time, even though i think i mentioned that their 'living areas' are quite spacious. this is a photo of only PART of one of their living areas: But of course, there is a true time-tested routine for Play Time. Cookie and Midnight go out first; for a couple of hours. We've been told that Cookie starts fights with all the other cats, ... except Midnight, they live together. so Eddi and i took a walk to access the internet and go to the market. when we got back, it was time for the 2nd Shift of cats to go out. But first you need to put Cookie back inside; Midnight, however, can stay out. Then you can let Swiper out. he is a loveable cat, but doesn't get along well with most of the other cats. actually i think he is quite smart, because he gets to be outside almost all by himself, and get all the attention. he's the siamese one that is one of my favorites. i think i already showed you a picture of Swiper ... but another won't hurt. :) At the same time you let Swiper out, you go around to the other side of the house, and try to get Candy, Sugar, and Carmel out of their cages and put them outdoors. They never want to come out, so you have to drag them out, then, when it's time to come in Sugar and Candy never want to come in... and it's a hassle at the end of the day. These 3 cats live in separate enclosures the rest of the time, because the other cats pick on them. Sugar's enclosure is the large green one, she is able to go down below also, so has quite a bit of room. All the rest of the cats are able to be out and roam around their enclosures. We also can let Sheba out. i guess Swiper doesn't pick on these cats.... Some of the cats have distinguishing markings so you get to know them, but there are so many that look alike, that i can't tell them apart yet This is Sheba, she has one 'crinkled' ear. So while 2nd Shift was out, Eddi and i took another walk to get some hinges, WD40, screws, and a permanent marker. i am trying to get some layouts made up of the areas, showing who eats where, what kind of bowl they get, and what kind of food they get. When we got back it was time for 3rd Shift. Now we let 13 cats out of an area called "The Pussy Cat Lounge". There is a 'hatch' that you left up and they all file out. Here is a photo of Eddi lifting the hatch and letting them out. we can then open the door of the Meow-tel, and let those 16 cats out into the area that we just vacated. i had to get to the beach, so i took an hour off and headed for the split. it was very windy on the other side of the island and much more comfortable. wasn't sure about what to do for dinner, so i headed out with my computer looking for a 'cheap' place to eat that had wireless internet service. after stopping and asking at 3 places, i found a nice little place down by the water that served simple sandwiches, .... like subs, really good crispy-on-the- outside bread that i hadn't found anywhere here. they weren't that cheap at US$8; but i was tired of looking and asking. she also had 'movies' there, tonights feature was the production of Michael Jackson's final concert, which was actually rather interesting. i assume that i will eventually 'learn' from my mistakes, but i did it again tonite! i also ordered Rum and Coke. although those cutsey rum drinks are good, they are expensive, so i've switched to Rum and Cokes, usually US$2.50 ...... i had 2. they were US$5 each ... that is double the normal price! i protested, but the owner had gone, and the little island girl just looked apologetic and said 'it's not me' .... i hope i've learned my lesson ... first the wine ... then, i don't think i mentioned a breakfast with orange juice that was 1/2 the price of the food ... and now the drinks. i will definitely need to be more careful. i'm going through more money than i had anticipated and not doing anything much other than eating ... and drinking :)

Tues, 19 Jan

Tues 19 Jan: i got a lot accomplished today after chores. i have a ceiling fan in my room, but it is not over the bed. i also have a mosquito canopy for my bed (thank you, Kathy D) that i hadn't gotten up yet. i think i'm getting most of the bug bites at night, so i want to get that up. Last night i was thinking i should put my bed under the ceiling fan because i wasn't getting any air circulation where it was in the corner, duh....... so today, i moved my bed under the fan, and found some screws and the drill and put the canopy up over my bed. it's perfect now ! of course all this took a lot of time to find the supplies, and while i was in that 'supply' room i kind of organized it and familiarized myself with what was in there, ... for future projects. Madi has lots of 'stuff' .... like me ... you can almost always find what you need just by looking around. Pic of my bed with canopy ... do i sleep like a princess ? then decided to go for a swim, so i headed out to find something to eat on the way. a fast food take away place .... and 10min later, a chicken burrito ... not exactly McDonald's fast, but pretty fast for here on the island. and, the best part ... only B$5 ... i.e. US$2.50 :) when i returned home, Eddi (a woman) from the UK had arrived. she has been emailing Madi for over a year and now has come to stay for 2 months. it will be nice to have more help! i went to the Sports Bar to use their wireless, but ended up paying for the internet cafe in order to upload my photos. getting the photos in to my blog is becoming a time consuming and rather expensive task. i don't think there is a better way to do it here either.