Taco Party and the Groggy Morning After
What a great weekend!
For only being here two weeks, Michael and I have managed to get pretty comfortable. Of course we wouldn't be having such an easy time without the welcoming kindness of everyone at the bank. On Friday night the Salazar family hosted a Taco Party at their home. Everyone from the managing office on the second floor of the bank was invited with their spouse totaling around 35 to 40 guests. Everyone arrived at dinner time, but held off on their taco consumption until they were well liquored up. The homemade taco's were great, but the real highlight was the the over 55 crowd's ability and eagerness to drink. The goal was to party and party hard they did. Michael and I, being quite conservative for this group, were not allowed to not drink. When I poured a sprite one of the bank's ladies poured whiskey into it and then proceeded to make sure I was drinking for the rest of the night. I have to say it was a lot of fun.
Michael and I learned a lot from this party. Karoke and games are taken very seriously here. After everyone consumed at least two or three drinks, which didn't take very long, the karoke machine was turned on. Everyone wanted to sing and they knew exactly what songs they were going to perform. My favourite song of the night was when Josie, the country head's daughter, sang a personalized version of Clarence Carters 'Strokin'. Once everyone sang their intended song it was time for Guesstures. Guesstures is an organized version of charades. We played boys versus girls and of course the girls won. What was hilarious to me was the sibling like squabbling everyone did over rules and points. This Scotiabank group is really like a big extended family. They've all known eachother for years.
I finally met everyone and they were all so fun and welcoming. Michael and I didn't feel like the 'new people'. We felt like we had been around for a long time like everyone else. At the bank there are a lot of parents and there kids working together and many of them have been around for many years. It was great to see that even though the hierarchy at work is strictly adhered to, there were no roles at the party. Just a lot of liquor and laughs. We also realized very quickly that Belizeans aren't hung up on 'what's cool', they really just want to have fun with their co-workers who are also their good friends.
The next morning we awoke groggy and happy. The sun was shining and Michael was ready to explore a little more of our area. We headed to the local fruit stand, Stephany's. We had to get moving quickly because everything closes on Saturdays by noon. At the stand we met the American Ambassador to Belize. Michael made sure that we could get on the American list for any future events. We can't remember their names, but they were very nice. This being Michael's first visit, he loved it. Pineapples, papayas and watermelons in abundance and they are really cheap. I've been buying papaya and pineapple the whole time we've been here but it was time to come home with a 13 pound watermelon. It was worth lugging it home. It could be the best watermelon we've ever had and Michael had to say the line'I carried a watermelon'. Looking out from our balcony I could see a cruise ship was in for the day so we headed down the road, along the water, to the tourist village and the local department store, Mirab. It's a really nice 20 minute walk along the water. I also wanted to show Michael the department store so he could get an idea of what is available in Belize, which is not much.
In the tourist village on a cruise ship day the streets are bustling. A market of nik naks is set up and taxi cab drivers harass everyone who walks by. I taught Michael that if you just tell them you live here they actually apologize for bugging you and leave you alone. Otherwise, they'll bother you incessantly. It can make you crazy. By the time we got to Mirab, the department store, the sun was hot and it was time to go home for lunch. We spent the rest of the day doing what you do in Belize, hanging out by the pool and working out. We also learnt that no one really goes out on Saturday night. Friday's the party night. So we headed back to Sumathi, the Indian restaurant across the street, for dinner and had an early night.
On Sunday, Michael went to play in a tennis tournament at the club across the street. It was a weak/strong doubles tournament. Strong players are coupled with weaker players to play three or four short matches throughout the day. Michael was paired with an Italian man named Gastone. Him and his wife Marta, from Honduras, were friendly. He used to have an Italian restaurant in Washington D.C. and due to Marta's job he's in the same position as me, he can't work. Both Gastone and I have a lot of time on our hands so he agreed to giving me some cooking lessons. Lucky me. It was a fun day of watching tennis, hanging out by the pool and meeting new people.
I could get used to all of this.
Hugs + Love
Carly
For only being here two weeks, Michael and I have managed to get pretty comfortable. Of course we wouldn't be having such an easy time without the welcoming kindness of everyone at the bank. On Friday night the Salazar family hosted a Taco Party at their home. Everyone from the managing office on the second floor of the bank was invited with their spouse totaling around 35 to 40 guests. Everyone arrived at dinner time, but held off on their taco consumption until they were well liquored up. The homemade taco's were great, but the real highlight was the the over 55 crowd's ability and eagerness to drink. The goal was to party and party hard they did. Michael and I, being quite conservative for this group, were not allowed to not drink. When I poured a sprite one of the bank's ladies poured whiskey into it and then proceeded to make sure I was drinking for the rest of the night. I have to say it was a lot of fun.
Michael and I learned a lot from this party. Karoke and games are taken very seriously here. After everyone consumed at least two or three drinks, which didn't take very long, the karoke machine was turned on. Everyone wanted to sing and they knew exactly what songs they were going to perform. My favourite song of the night was when Josie, the country head's daughter, sang a personalized version of Clarence Carters 'Strokin'. Once everyone sang their intended song it was time for Guesstures. Guesstures is an organized version of charades. We played boys versus girls and of course the girls won. What was hilarious to me was the sibling like squabbling everyone did over rules and points. This Scotiabank group is really like a big extended family. They've all known eachother for years.
I finally met everyone and they were all so fun and welcoming. Michael and I didn't feel like the 'new people'. We felt like we had been around for a long time like everyone else. At the bank there are a lot of parents and there kids working together and many of them have been around for many years. It was great to see that even though the hierarchy at work is strictly adhered to, there were no roles at the party. Just a lot of liquor and laughs. We also realized very quickly that Belizeans aren't hung up on 'what's cool', they really just want to have fun with their co-workers who are also their good friends.
The next morning we awoke groggy and happy. The sun was shining and Michael was ready to explore a little more of our area. We headed to the local fruit stand, Stephany's. We had to get moving quickly because everything closes on Saturdays by noon. At the stand we met the American Ambassador to Belize. Michael made sure that we could get on the American list for any future events. We can't remember their names, but they were very nice. This being Michael's first visit, he loved it. Pineapples, papayas and watermelons in abundance and they are really cheap. I've been buying papaya and pineapple the whole time we've been here but it was time to come home with a 13 pound watermelon. It was worth lugging it home. It could be the best watermelon we've ever had and Michael had to say the line'I carried a watermelon'. Looking out from our balcony I could see a cruise ship was in for the day so we headed down the road, along the water, to the tourist village and the local department store, Mirab. It's a really nice 20 minute walk along the water. I also wanted to show Michael the department store so he could get an idea of what is available in Belize, which is not much.
In the tourist village on a cruise ship day the streets are bustling. A market of nik naks is set up and taxi cab drivers harass everyone who walks by. I taught Michael that if you just tell them you live here they actually apologize for bugging you and leave you alone. Otherwise, they'll bother you incessantly. It can make you crazy. By the time we got to Mirab, the department store, the sun was hot and it was time to go home for lunch. We spent the rest of the day doing what you do in Belize, hanging out by the pool and working out. We also learnt that no one really goes out on Saturday night. Friday's the party night. So we headed back to Sumathi, the Indian restaurant across the street, for dinner and had an early night.
On Sunday, Michael went to play in a tennis tournament at the club across the street. It was a weak/strong doubles tournament. Strong players are coupled with weaker players to play three or four short matches throughout the day. Michael was paired with an Italian man named Gastone. Him and his wife Marta, from Honduras, were friendly. He used to have an Italian restaurant in Washington D.C. and due to Marta's job he's in the same position as me, he can't work. Both Gastone and I have a lot of time on our hands so he agreed to giving me some cooking lessons. Lucky me. It was a fun day of watching tennis, hanging out by the pool and meeting new people.
I could get used to all of this.
Hugs + Love
Carly
