Planting a Tree, Saying Goodbye

Planting a Tree, Saying Goodbye
Originally uploaded by Creation Care Study Program.

We had a great semester growing together. On our final evening we closed off a week of debriefing with a tree planting ceremony and a big final celebration. The white hibiscus we planted will continue to grow and flower during the dry seasons here, a symbol of hope and a reminder of the staff and students of CCSP Spring 2005. Our final celebration was a joyful time of reflection on the semester through song, skits, games, poetry, art, and prayer.

The students have all arrived safely home and we wish them all a fabulous summer!

The staff are wrapping up here at Nabitunich, and thus concludes the Spring 05 blog. Thanks for reading and check back next fall!

Cookie Craziness

Cookie Craziness
Originally uploaded by Creation Care Study Program.

We spent some time during debrief week making cards and hundreds of cookies to give out to people in the surrounding communities who helped make our semester a great one.

Frisbee Golf Guys

Frisbee Golf Boys
Originally uploaded by Creation Care Study Program.

Frisbee Golf across the road at the Trek Stop became the main male-bonding activity towards the end of the semester. With multiple games per afternoon played many afternoons per week, perhaps even every free afternoon! It's a challenging course, but all of our guys became pros and CCSP staff member Ryan even had his name up on the board for having the best score for a few weeks. Frisbee Forever.

Saying goodbye to Amanda

Saying goodbye to Amanda
Originally uploaded by Creation Care Study Program.

We were sad to see Amanda, one of our students, head home a couple of weeks early because of a family emergency. She made the right decision going home to be with her family, but her presence was missed back here in Belize.

We miss you Amanda, and our last weeks here just weren't the same without you!

Shelley's Birthday BBQ

Shelley's Birthday BBQ
Originally uploaded by Creation Care Study Program.

Shelley makes the first cut into her birthday cake! We were happy to have Shelley, our Nab friends and her family join us for a special BBQ in her honour. The other honoured guest was her two year old niece who was also having a birthday May 1.

Forest Ecology and Ethnobotany

Rosita Arvigo
Originally uploaded by Creation Care Study Program.

Back at the Nab we continued with our forest ecology course. We had renown natural healer Rosita Arvigo talk to our group about ethnobotany and her experience as the apprentice of a Mayan Healer. Rosita brought in a number of plants she uses in her practice to show to our group. She also described some of the processes that scientists are going through now to find cures for diseases such as cancer and HIV/AIDS from tropical plants that have been used by the Maya for centuries.

Pile Up!

Pile Up!
Originally uploaded by Creation Care Study Program.

There was a bit of a miscommunication over rental of "camping mattresses" where we thought we were getting little air mattresses, however the staff at Ixpanpajul thought we wanted normal single mattresses... We had fun experimenting with fitting these in our tents!

Camping at Ixpanpajul

Canopy Bridge
Originally uploaded by Creation Care Study Program.

From Flores we went on to Ixpanpajul forest reserve where there were canopy bridges along the trail. We camped up at a look out point and enjoyed a truly spectacular view.

Flores at Dusk

Flores at Dusk
Originally uploaded by Creation Care Study Program.

After our long day at Tikal we settled into Yolanda's beautiful guesthouse, which was full of character! Yolanda's place was just across the lake from Flores and gave us an amazing view at dusk where we ate our delicious supper on her veranda. Yolanda's was also a great spot for a swim and some early morning birding. We spent the following morning in Flores, exploring the city, and doing some shopping, followed by lunch with our small groups.

Bull's eye!

Bull's eye!
Originally uploaded by Creation Care Study Program.

As we were looking up at both howler and spider monkeys, Justin and his binoculars became the target of one sneaky monkey's excrement. Jen's sunglasses were also hit!

Walking the Maya Trail

Walking the Maya Trail
Originally uploaded by Creation Care Study Program.

Along the trail at Tikal, Nate and Kate stopped to smell the branches of the copal tree, the sap of which is used by the Maya for incense.

Under the Ceiba

Under the Ceiba
Originally uploaded by Creation Care Study Program.

Amanda, Kate and Steph hanging out under a large ceiba tree covered in epiphytes at Tikal.

Forest Ecology Continues at Tikal

Tikal
Originally uploaded by Creation Care Study Program.

For the second week of Forest Ecology, our group headed off to Tikal, Guatemala. We enjoyed learning about the Mayan history in the region as well as exploring the national park that surrounds the ruins. We had an excellent tour guide from Flores, Yolanda, whose guesthouse we also stayed in after our day in Tikal. Yolanda did a great job of showing us aspects of forest ecology in the park, and explaining the traditional uses of plants. The ruins at Tikal are incredible and span a large region. It was cool to imagine the ancient city that once existed there.

More to Come!

Tiger Fern Falls
Originally uploaded by Creation Care Study Program.

A notice to all our dedicated blog followers:

We are off to Tikal tomorrow and I will update the blog even more when we return. Enjoy the latest postings. If you want to see some additional photos that haven't been blogged, click on any of the current photos then select view as a slideshow.

Later,
Katherine
Student Life Coordinator and Resident Blogger

De-Cockscomb-ing

Trish at Spa Night
Originally uploaded by Creation Care Study Program.

On Saturday Night upon returning from Cockscomb we pampered each other like never before at Spa Night! We had stations set up all around the room with various spa features including, facials, foot soak and exfoliation, manicures and pedicures, massage, and an anti-itch table to take care of all the black fly bites we brought back from Cockscomb. It was a great night to feel squeaky clean after being in the bush for most of the week.

Pictured here is Trish treating her hands to a natural exfoliant at Spa Night.

Manly Manicures

Manly Manicures
Originally uploaded by Creation Care Study Program.

Everyone got into Spa Night, and some of our guys were our best givers of facials and manicures.

Tasty Termites

Tasty Termites
Originally uploaded by Creation Care Study Program.

We got hungry on the trails in Cockscomb, so we tried out the local cuisine.

Katherine and Jen hold termites on their tongues - savouring their minty fresh flavour! YUM, it's better than GUM.

The Cockscomb Community

Group Photo at Cockscomb
Originally uploaded by Creation Care Study Program.

In Cockscomb we also enjoyed three guest speakers. Ernesto, who was the park warden for many years spoke to our group and was able to give us the history of the park and how it has impacted and benefited the local communities. Aurora, his wife also spoke to us about her life, Mayan art and culture as well as how local artisan women have benefited from tourism created by the park. We also heard a presentation by Bart, a jaguar researcher in the park. We took this group photo at the entrance of Cockscomb, close to where Bart has one of his many motion and heat sensor cameras set up to track the jaguars.

Incredible Insects In Cockscomb

Peanut Head Bugs in Cockscomb
Originally uploaded by Creation Care Study Program.

While hiking in Cockscomb, we came upon these incredibly camouflaged and large insects known as Peanut Head Bugs (Fulgora laternaria). Aptly named for their indeed very peanut-shaped heads! We also saw a variety of cool beetles and butterflies.

Mista Vista

Prins looks over Cockscomb
Originally uploaded by Creation Care Study Program.

Dave looks out over Cockscomb Wildlife Sanctuary at one of the many amazing lookout points.

Exploring Cockscomb in Forest Ecology

Exploring Cockscomb Wildlife Sanctuary
Originally uploaded by Creation Care Study Program.

We were lucky to have Prof. Dave Warners and his family with us in Belize for a whole two weeks for our forest ecology course. During week one we set off for Cockscomb Wildlife Sanctuary in the South to explore the flora and fauna of the rainforest.

We went on some awesome hikes to breathtaking lookout points and swam in the pools of some very beautiful waterfalls, learning about the ecology of the forest along the way. We had quite a species list going, especially of birds! When we weren't hiking, in class discussions, birding, or working on group projects, it was a cool place to hangout and bond, even despite the black flies!

Giving Back to the Community

Serving at Octavia Waight
Originally uploaded by Creation Care Study Program.

Every semester we serve the local communities through various projects or workdays. This year we have spent some time visiting the residents at Octavia Waight, the local nursing home in San Ignacio. It has been interesting to hear their stories of what the city and Belize as a whole used to be like many years ago. We've enjoyed our many chats, Bingo and card games with the residents and playing guitar and singing for them. They've really enjoyed our visits as well and always ask us to return soon!

Patchakan Homestay

Patchakan Homestay
Originally uploaded by Creation Care Study Program.

We enjoyed staying with Mayan families while in Patchakan. It certainly stretched our Spanish and was a good way to experience the local culture. We were also able to see firsthand the challenges that people in Patchakan are dealing with as the local economy and social structure go through significant changes.

Chomp!

Chomp!
Originally uploaded by Creation Care Study Program.

We had the opportunity to visit Alfonso Vallejo's sugar cane farm while in Patchakan. Sugar cane is one of the most common agricultural products grown in Northern Belize by small farmers. Alfonso has a lot of insight and also shared with the group the history of his community and current political, economic, and social issues they are facing.

Alfonso cut some cane for us to try, and pictured here is Taylor working on chewing the sugar out of it.

Sugar Mountain

Sugar Mountain
Originally uploaded by Creation Care Study Program.

For the second half of Sustainable Community Development our group headed up to Patchakan, a rural community in Northern Belize. We continued our study of food and development by visiting a number of agricultural operations including the Belize Sugar Industries (BSI), where sugar cane is processed into raw sugar, a small sugar cane farm and a large papaya operation. We also visited a clinic in the area and stayed with Mayan families in the village.

Pictured here are our students gazing up at the mountain of sugar in the BSI storehouse.

What Is This?!?

What is This?!?
Originally uploaded by Creation Care Study Program.

Also at Peter Reimer's farm we had the opportunity to taste some new tropical fruits from his orchard. I think that this is my favourite photo from the whole semester! Jen and Jess not looking at all sure whether or not they liked tamarind at first. It doesn't look that great and is kind of sour, but it's a fruit that grows on you and after a few minutes of getting used to the taste many of us were grabbing a few extra for the road!

Ryan's Sow

Ryan's Sow
Originally uploaded by Creation Care Study Program.

Our third stop in Spanish Lookout was to visit Peter Reimer's family farm and learn about the small-scale non-industrial agriculture he is doing, including free-range chickens, a small garden, fruit trees and pigs. Peter is also an excellent source of local knowledge and gave us a talk about the history of the Mennonite settlements in Belize, Mennonite culture, Spanish Lookout community organization and their religious beliefs.

Pictured here is staff-member Ryan, getting to know the largest pig I have ever seen! She seemed a bit more interested in her dinner however - sorry Ryan...

The Coldest Day in Belize

The Coldest Day in Belize
Originally uploaded by Creation Care Study Program.

There was a freak snowstorm in the Cayo District, the temperature plunged and we were forced to wear silly white hats to keep us warm because no one had brought their own toques!

...Just kiddin'

While we were in Spanish Lookout touring Western Dairies we had the opportunity to check out the ice cream freezer ... many of us had BREIF moments of wishing we were back home in the winter, but then it passed as we stepped back outside into the tropics!

Bouffant Caps and Chocolate Milk

At Western Dairies
Originally uploaded by Creation Care Study Program.

The students arrived back from Spring Break for the second part of Sustainable Community Development taught by prof. Gail Heffner (pictured here second from the left). This was a great week spent in-the-field exploring issues of community development with a particular focus on food security and agriculture.

Early in the week we visited the progressive Mennonite community of Spanish Lookout, about 45 minutes away from campus. Spanish Lookout is one of the wealthier communities in Belize and has some of the only industrialized agricultural operations in the country. We visited two of these companies that are relatively small-scale compared to North American processors: Western Dairies, which supplies Belize with the majority of its milk, cheese, ice cream, and yogurt as well as Quality Poultry Products, which is the major supplier of chicken.

Pictured here is the group at Western Dairies, looking fabulous in bouffant caps and growing thirsty as we watched bottles of chocolate milk speed by on a conveyor belt.

Live Word

Live Word
Originally uploaded by Creation Care Study Program.

The night that all the students and staff arrived back at "the Nab" from spring break we transformed the dining room veranda into a coffeehouse. Everyone shared some poetry or prose they had written over Spring Break. It was a special time of reconnecting after the holiday through storytelling. A number of very talented poets who didn't even know it were certainly revealed through this experience!