Its been a whole month for us new volunteers down here in Belize. For many, including myself, it feels much longer, like three or four. I think this it is generally true that people in new environments experience each thing more vividly, so time tends not to just slip past you.
Belizean culture also tends to strengthen these sensations. Belizeans tend to take their time about things. For example, we make all our copies at the library, but each copy job has to be handed in the day before at least. You simply don't expect same day service. But on the other hand, stress levels down here are always low. Nobody really gets worked up over much. The buses don't leave on time, but in a way, its nice to know that you can probably still make it to a bus if you're a couple of minutes late. Maybe all this is because we are in the tropics. Whatever the case, watching the futbol game is considered more important that readying a lesson plan for tomorrow. The futbol is now. That lesson plan can always be handed in the day after.
We got a copy of the Wall Street Journal today. We were all glued to during lunch. It was irresistable to read something straight from America. What is going on out there in the wide world? We glean a little bit from the internet, but I could tell you practically nothing about any part of the world except that Vermont got flooded recently. Still, it can be nice to be away from the constant noise of American culture. We should all give it a shot sometime I think
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