Hi everyone. We are back from Tobacco caye - a few shades darker than before! Everyone had a nice time relaxing on the caye, listening and dancing to Lloyd his friends break out the Garifuna drums and punta dancing last night. We were lucky enough to have Dr. Ed Boles with us on the caye to take close looks at octopus, hermit crabs, moray eels, and about 100 other things just right off the caye during a night intertidal walk and night snorkel.
Beautiful all-day snorkel trips yesterday. One group snorkeled with manatees and watched dolphins from the boat right near the dock at Tobacco caye. WOW!
We said goodbye to the students around 1:20 today as they boarded smaller prop planes to Belize International airport. They'll connect in Dallas and be arriving home around 11 p.m. A long day but a beautiful Belize trip!
You betta Belize it!
Thanks everyone. A barrage of photos - and the class video YouTube links - are coming in the next couple days so please check back!
Kristi
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Agriculture class heading to Zoo and Yamwitz
Dear family and friends, sorry for the lack of pictures on here. We have had some difficulty in getting internet and organization together. We are all healthy and happy, doing well and learning lots! Belize just keeps getting better and better and this week has gone by so fast. Internet will be spotty for the next few days but we will be doing our best to keep everyone clued in...
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Last day at La Milpa
OMG! Howler monkey on my shoulder! WooHoo!!!! I ate mint leaves, heart of palm, lemon stem, all spice, and some kind of crazy tobacco! Awesome….although I do miss my mascara!!! Lol I washed clothes all old school and got a crazy plant tattoo! But, I finally got to take a hot shower, never knew how much I LOVE hot water! I got bitten by mosquitos, ticks, and chiggers….but, I got to climb an awesome Maya temple. Miss you Delilah, hope you are having a good time
Mari
Hi all, its Robin and I am still alive. I have been touched by howler monkeys and have eaten some interesting things from the jungle. I have been bitten and stung by many insects. I did laundry in a tin bucket. I got some cool pictures that I can’t wait to share with everyone when I get home. The coolest thing though is that I got to climb a Mayan temple. I hope all is well and I can’t wait to tell everyone about it. While I miss everyone, I am very happy to be here. I love you all.
Hello all, Luis here IM ALIVE!!!!! Have done a lot of hiking and a lot of jungle survival recently hiking all day and all night which is great! From birds to monkeys to crocodiles and snake viewing in the jungle, met a lot of cool and great people and have seen some cool stuff from back home like coconuts and guanabanas, chinas too, but all of the wildlife seen is great out here. Will see all the people that I love in a few days which is excellent, I miss my family so I cant wait to see them soon. Cool trip, definitely no vacation just hard work, busy, and excited to see so much cool stuff. Cant wait for the snorkeling relaxation part of the trip. Will talk to you guys soon, later….
Mari
Hi all, its Robin and I am still alive. I have been touched by howler monkeys and have eaten some interesting things from the jungle. I have been bitten and stung by many insects. I did laundry in a tin bucket. I got some cool pictures that I can’t wait to share with everyone when I get home. The coolest thing though is that I got to climb a Mayan temple. I hope all is well and I can’t wait to tell everyone about it. While I miss everyone, I am very happy to be here. I love you all.
Hello all, Luis here IM ALIVE!!!!! Have done a lot of hiking and a lot of jungle survival recently hiking all day and all night which is great! From birds to monkeys to crocodiles and snake viewing in the jungle, met a lot of cool and great people and have seen some cool stuff from back home like coconuts and guanabanas, chinas too, but all of the wildlife seen is great out here. Will see all the people that I love in a few days which is excellent, I miss my family so I cant wait to see them soon. Cool trip, definitely no vacation just hard work, busy, and excited to see so much cool stuff. Cant wait for the snorkeling relaxation part of the trip. Will talk to you guys soon, later….
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Primates class at La Milpa station
The class arrived yesterday to La Milpa station in the northwest of Belize where one can find spider monkeys and howler monkeys in the same area. This station is really nice with hot water and thatch huts - they are in 7th heaven! Photos and class stories coming soon (this afternoon/evening)...
Kristi
Kristi
Agriculture: Leaving Central Farm to Orange Walk
Here are some posts from the Agriculture class today as they head from Central Farm and the Cayo District to Orange Walk and the Belize High School for Agriculture.
Professor Brenda: Good morning everyone from beautiful Cayo District. Sadly we will be leaving this area today after spending a wonderful day visiting a Mayan community where we helped with a pesticide workshop, visited to womens co-ops and a typical Mayan farm with slash/burn techniques. Today off to Orange Walk. We have a fantastic group of students, everyone learning, loving and getting along. So many new experiences with memories for a life time.
Tom: Giday to ya. We’re learning a lot in Belize. Our guide, Kihmo Jolly and our driver, George really know their stuff…history, geology, botany, agriculture, culture, politics, etc. Our presenters have been fabulous. We’ve been on a couple of nice hikes…one yesterday in the jungle to a Mayan spring oozing out of the limestone in a narrow canyon. We saw Mayan pot shards in a farm field close by. The roosters start crowing around 2:00 AM here because they are so excited about another exciting day in this amazing land. We’re using our Spanish and picking up a little Creole…even some Rastafarian…Respect mon.
Katie, Amanda and Monica: Over the last 2 days we have visited Xunantunich, 2 women’s coops, a Mayan farm, we also attended a pesticide workshop and a disaster preparedness workshop held for the locals. We went on a hike through the jungle guided by a 14 year oldRudolpho, and his 18 year old sister Claudia, and her baby Tracy, to a natural Mayan limestone well.
Xunantunich is a Mayan ruin translating to the Stone Lady or Lady of the Rock.
The women’s coops displayed pottery that is hand crafted from clay they dig from local clay beds. They mix this with sand and water to form workable clay which they then craft into molds, hand thrown artwork and wheel thrown pieces.
The Mayan farm belonged to the 14 and 18 year olds family. There we witnessed the effects of slash and burn practice clearing. They showed us the techniques and methods they use to clear, plant, harvest and collect seeds.
Today, March 22, 2011 we are leaving Central Farm and going to Orange Walk for a couple days. We will be visiting Lamanai Ruins on the way.
Katie
Is a 24 year old AXED Grad student from Roswell, NM. Currently she is a substitute teacher and would like to aspire to a County 4-h Agent. Her favorite part of the trip so far has been the variety of farm practices and methods we have seen and staying at the University of Belize Central Farm campus, according to her, “It’s like Ag Camp”.
Monica (left above)
Is a 22 year old senior studying Agricultural and Community Development from El Paso, TX. After graduation she plans to attend graduate school. Her favorite part of the trip so far has been the food. “We have the best cook ever!” She absolutely loves the food here.
Amanda (right above)
Is a 21 year old senior studying Agricultural and Community Development from Aztec, NM. She is returning home after graduation to work for the City of Farmington in the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs department. Her favorite part of the trip so far has been the Mayan ruins and the campus at UB, she is most looking forward to snorkeling at the Barrier Reef.
Ramon
Is a 23 year old senior studying Agricultural and Extension Education with a minor in horticulture from Chamberino, NM. His favorite part has been seeing all of the new plants and our tour guide Kihmo.
Blake (pictured left, of course)
Is a 28 year old AXED Grad student from Western Georgia. His favorite part of the trip has been learning about all of the native plants and eating those that he is able to.
Connie
Is an AXED Grad student and is also working as a Web Master for the College of Agriculture. Her favorite parts so far include the Mayan farmers we visited, the jungle walk and the local market.
Yvonne
Is a 25 year old AXED Grad student from El Paso, TX. Her favorite part of the trip has been the Mayan ruins.
Dr. Seevers
Is about to start her 20th year teaching AXED at NMSU. She claims Las Cruces as her home and her favorite part has been watching all of our reactions as we learn and experience new things.
Dr. Dormody
Is in his 22nd year teaching AXED at NMSU and is from Carmel, CA. His favorite part of the trip is our tour guide, Kihmo Jolly.
Professor Brenda: Good morning everyone from beautiful Cayo District. Sadly we will be leaving this area today after spending a wonderful day visiting a Mayan community where we helped with a pesticide workshop, visited to womens co-ops and a typical Mayan farm with slash/burn techniques. Today off to Orange Walk. We have a fantastic group of students, everyone learning, loving and getting along. So many new experiences with memories for a life time.
Tom: Giday to ya. We’re learning a lot in Belize. Our guide, Kihmo Jolly and our driver, George really know their stuff…history, geology, botany, agriculture, culture, politics, etc. Our presenters have been fabulous. We’ve been on a couple of nice hikes…one yesterday in the jungle to a Mayan spring oozing out of the limestone in a narrow canyon. We saw Mayan pot shards in a farm field close by. The roosters start crowing around 2:00 AM here because they are so excited about another exciting day in this amazing land. We’re using our Spanish and picking up a little Creole…even some Rastafarian…Respect mon.
Katie, Amanda and Monica: Over the last 2 days we have visited Xunantunich, 2 women’s coops, a Mayan farm, we also attended a pesticide workshop and a disaster preparedness workshop held for the locals. We went on a hike through the jungle guided by a 14 year oldRudolpho, and his 18 year old sister Claudia, and her baby Tracy, to a natural Mayan limestone well.
Xunantunich is a Mayan ruin translating to the Stone Lady or Lady of the Rock.
The women’s coops displayed pottery that is hand crafted from clay they dig from local clay beds. They mix this with sand and water to form workable clay which they then craft into molds, hand thrown artwork and wheel thrown pieces.
The Mayan farm belonged to the 14 and 18 year olds family. There we witnessed the effects of slash and burn practice clearing. They showed us the techniques and methods they use to clear, plant, harvest and collect seeds.
Today, March 22, 2011 we are leaving Central Farm and going to Orange Walk for a couple days. We will be visiting Lamanai Ruins on the way.
Katie
Is a 24 year old AXED Grad student from Roswell, NM. Currently she is a substitute teacher and would like to aspire to a County 4-h Agent. Her favorite part of the trip so far has been the variety of farm practices and methods we have seen and staying at the University of Belize Central Farm campus, according to her, “It’s like Ag Camp”.
Monica (left above)
Is a 22 year old senior studying Agricultural and Community Development from El Paso, TX. After graduation she plans to attend graduate school. Her favorite part of the trip so far has been the food. “We have the best cook ever!” She absolutely loves the food here.
Amanda (right above)
Is a 21 year old senior studying Agricultural and Community Development from Aztec, NM. She is returning home after graduation to work for the City of Farmington in the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs department. Her favorite part of the trip so far has been the Mayan ruins and the campus at UB, she is most looking forward to snorkeling at the Barrier Reef.
Ramon
Is a 23 year old senior studying Agricultural and Extension Education with a minor in horticulture from Chamberino, NM. His favorite part has been seeing all of the new plants and our tour guide Kihmo.
Blake (pictured left, of course)
Is a 28 year old AXED Grad student from Western Georgia. His favorite part of the trip has been learning about all of the native plants and eating those that he is able to.
Connie
Is an AXED Grad student and is also working as a Web Master for the College of Agriculture. Her favorite parts so far include the Mayan farmers we visited, the jungle walk and the local market.
Yvonne
Is a 25 year old AXED Grad student from El Paso, TX. Her favorite part of the trip has been the Mayan ruins.
Dr. Seevers
Is about to start her 20th year teaching AXED at NMSU. She claims Las Cruces as her home and her favorite part has been watching all of our reactions as we learn and experience new things.
Dr. Dormody
Is in his 22nd year teaching AXED at NMSU and is from Carmel, CA. His favorite part of the trip is our tour guide, Kihmo Jolly.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Agriculture class update
The agriculture education students participated in a farmer work shop at Central Farm all morning, then toured Xunantunich Maya Ruin, then stopped at Succotz village to drop off donations of books and school supplies to Miss Olivia and take in some festivities at the annual Succotz fiesta, then back to Central Farm for dinner and a talk from Dr. Ed Boles. Busy day!!
(visit this post again as we update with photos and student stories!)
(visit this post again as we update with photos and student stories!)
Primate class update
Word from the Community Baboon Sanctuary: Emil says "everything is fine-we are all doing great up here, seeing a lot of wildlife. It's going great.'
(The class will be traveling to La Milpa tomorrow - come back to this post for pictures and stories in the next day or so...)
(The class will be traveling to La Milpa tomorrow - come back to this post for pictures and stories in the next day or so...)
Saturday, March 19, 2011
AXED Field School- Day 1 and transit
Hola from Central Farms in Cayo!
Bright and early Friday morning we arrived at the El Paso airport, most of us anyway. One member of our team didn’t hear her alarm and had her phone on silent. Luckily she was able to make the flight to Dallas one hour later and just make it onto the flight to Belize City. Yesterday we made it through customs without any trouble at all and we got to the University of Belize Central Farm where we are staying. For dinner last night we had rice and beans, stewed chicken, potato salad, and fry plantain with spice cake dessert.
Today we woke up at 7 and had breakfast at 8 of homemade tortillas, beans, eggs, bacon, cheese and papaya. We went to the market, this is best described as a combination of a flea market and a farmers market. There we ate papoosas (which are homemade tortillas filled with beans, cheese and chicken before they are cooked), tamarind, tamale, and plantain chips. DELICIOUS. This is where we did most of our souvenir shopping for all of you back home.
Today after the market we went to a Mennonite community and ate there, we had pierogies.
At the community we visited a field of beans attacked by thrips, then a chicken producer (also eggs), then we went and ate ice cream. Next we went to the store and got hand tools for the gardening class at the Ag high school we are going to later this week. The last stop was at a small dairy where we watched them milk and the wife filled some of our water bottles with raw milk. We came home to the dorms and ate dinner of t-bones cooked with vegetables, rice and potatoes washed down with cold watermelon juice.
After dinner we had a presentation my Arnoldo from the Friends of Conservation and Development organization here in BZ.
Monkeying around at Community Baboon Sanctuary
Hello! Here's an update from the Primate Behavior students at Community Baboon Sanctuary from this morning. The famous Emil Gamez is their guide!
Hey Everyone! This is Steph Lichtenberg. It is the morning after our first day even though yesterday was mainly a lot of travel; the moment we stepped off the airplane … Belize just had this amazing, salty smell to it. I will never forget it. Everywhere you walk here, actually, has its own smell. The BCS is just amazing. You can smell the flora along with the “original Belize scent” (maybe I will make it into a candle scent). The Cabanas where we are staying are so cute; they have a hammock in the front (which I will make use of!) and best of all, you can hear the howlers. Though, they are loud (famously) I slept very well with them. On our bus ride to the BCS we encountered our first howlers. I had always pictured them too high up in the canopy to even spot, but they are just everywhere here! The people here are so friendly and I really am starting to understand how special the BCS really is. Collin explained yesterday that how the BCS came into being here and that this amazing interworking network might not be able to work anywhere else is really starting to make sense. After dinner last night, we put on our night gear (deet!) and traipsed through the forest with Robert. Though we didn’t “see anything” the experience was just amazing. Robert, knowing I hate spiders, taught me how to spot spider from 50 feet away. I am excited for today; we are canoeing and watching the howlers from the canoe (as they prefer habitats along the river). I am totally ready for whatever is ahead!
Hello all, it’s Robin. Today we are planning on going to canoeing and I am super excited. Yesterday we went on a night hike and got to figure out how to identify spiders, which look like glitter in the jungle at night. There are lots of mosquitoes and bugs but so far I haven’t got bitten yet. Hi to my family I love you.
Hello, it’s Mari. Its so exciting to be here. It’s amazing. Saw some monkeys, went on a night hike, ate some creole food, took a cold freezing shower, went on an early morning hike, and ate some termites. We’ve done so much in the short time we’ve been here. The people are awesome and the environment is amazing. We’re gonna eat breakfast and then go canoeing! I can’t wait. One mosquito bite so far and hope I’m not gonna get bit anymore.
Hello there everybody. So far, Belize has been fantastic with really wonderful weather, food, animals and people. Today we’re going to go canoeing and do our first real howler observations. Yay! The jungle out here is gorgeous. The best way for me to describe it is to just imagine you’re in Jurassic Park. I’m partially expecting a dinosaur to burst out of the foliage (which would make for a fantastic story), but I’m perfectly happy to look at all the other wildlife here, like the unicorn cows that only have one horn. Hope everybody is doing well at home!
Tiffany
Hey Everyone! This is Steph Lichtenberg. It is the morning after our first day even though yesterday was mainly a lot of travel; the moment we stepped off the airplane … Belize just had this amazing, salty smell to it. I will never forget it. Everywhere you walk here, actually, has its own smell. The BCS is just amazing. You can smell the flora along with the “original Belize scent” (maybe I will make it into a candle scent). The Cabanas where we are staying are so cute; they have a hammock in the front (which I will make use of!) and best of all, you can hear the howlers. Though, they are loud (famously) I slept very well with them. On our bus ride to the BCS we encountered our first howlers. I had always pictured them too high up in the canopy to even spot, but they are just everywhere here! The people here are so friendly and I really am starting to understand how special the BCS really is. Collin explained yesterday that how the BCS came into being here and that this amazing interworking network might not be able to work anywhere else is really starting to make sense. After dinner last night, we put on our night gear (deet!) and traipsed through the forest with Robert. Though we didn’t “see anything” the experience was just amazing. Robert, knowing I hate spiders, taught me how to spot spider from 50 feet away. I am excited for today; we are canoeing and watching the howlers from the canoe (as they prefer habitats along the river). I am totally ready for whatever is ahead!
Hello all, it’s Robin. Today we are planning on going to canoeing and I am super excited. Yesterday we went on a night hike and got to figure out how to identify spiders, which look like glitter in the jungle at night. There are lots of mosquitoes and bugs but so far I haven’t got bitten yet. Hi to my family I love you.
Hello, it’s Mari. Its so exciting to be here. It’s amazing. Saw some monkeys, went on a night hike, ate some creole food, took a cold freezing shower, went on an early morning hike, and ate some termites. We’ve done so much in the short time we’ve been here. The people are awesome and the environment is amazing. We’re gonna eat breakfast and then go canoeing! I can’t wait. One mosquito bite so far and hope I’m not gonna get bit anymore.
Hello there everybody. So far, Belize has been fantastic with really wonderful weather, food, animals and people. Today we’re going to go canoeing and do our first real howler observations. Yay! The jungle out here is gorgeous. The best way for me to describe it is to just imagine you’re in Jurassic Park. I’m partially expecting a dinosaur to burst out of the foliage (which would make for a fantastic story), but I’m perfectly happy to look at all the other wildlife here, like the unicorn cows that only have one horn. Hope everybody is doing well at home!
Tiffany
Friday, March 18, 2011
Good morning, Belize!
We are headed to Belize!
Both class met at NMSU ~4:30 this morning and are on the way to the airport. Look out Belize - here we come!
(message to Yvonne's family: she made it! We are all on board to Belize!)
Check back for updates to this blog. We'll post pictures and stories throughout the week.
Both class met at NMSU ~4:30 this morning and are on the way to the airport. Look out Belize - here we come!
(message to Yvonne's family: she made it! We are all on board to Belize!)
Check back for updates to this blog. We'll post pictures and stories throughout the week.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Welcome to the Belize Field School, 2011!
Hello everyone and welcome to the NMSU Belize Field School blog, 2011!
Dr. Brenda Benefit is leading a Primates/Anthropology class.
Dr. Brenda Seevers is leading an Agricultural Education and Extension class.
Both classes fly to Belize to participate in a week-long field course over Spring Break. Check back often for updates and photos and stories from students on the trip!
Thanks!
Kristi
Dr. Brenda Benefit is leading a Primates/Anthropology class.
Dr. Brenda Seevers is leading an Agricultural Education and Extension class.
Both classes fly to Belize to participate in a week-long field course over Spring Break. Check back often for updates and photos and stories from students on the trip!
Thanks!
Kristi
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