Where There is Opportunity, There are Opportunists.

Those who knew San Pedro 10 years ago all agree this place has changed.  Information booklets compare Ambergris Caye to a Mini Miami with California beach prices.  Those who have not been here before, see this town with new eyes full of awe and excitement.  The first-time visitors have fallen in love with the “New Ambergris” and study the homes/lands listed in the windows of every very busy realtor here.  The infatuation we have held in our hearts, is evident in the hearts and minds of the 20 something hipsters chomping to buy a piece of the island dream.  This is good for us since we have a Realtor, and we are already in conversations with a potential buyer of our property.

Mike was out driving in the golf cart yesterday when he spotted a woman with two young kids coming out of the polyclinic (medical/dental building).  The little girl had gauze in her mouth as she just had two teeth pulled. Mike offered to give them a ride, which is more customary in the Cayo District.  She was a single mother who subtly let Mike know that once she drops her kids off at home, she will head back to town to “hustle” for money.  I (Mandy typing) died laughing at him while he shared this story.

Six years ago, we stayed at a split level home rental here.   There were two US business men who rented down stairs.  One evening, they brought back two women with them and they started tequila shots, and more shots and more shots.  Over a period of too much alcohol, the guys passed out and the gals ran off with their wallets, money and credit cards.  The next morning the local police arrived to take their reports.  Later they pondered what story they could come up with as they needed to call their wives to wire them money.  How do we know this?  People take advantage of the cool Carib breeze and open their windows.  You pretty much know what your neighbor is up to...better known at the “Coconut Telegraph”.

We met a California transplant on the beach walking her two dogs.  One was a golden retriever.  As we are dearly missing our own goldie back home, we asked if we could visit with hers a bit.  She too, visited Ambergris about 10 years ago and didn’t like the changes she has seen.  Living here for about a year now, she is a veterinarian on the island.  She complained about the lack of money she makes compared to the States and how she longs to go back to the U.S.  She pretty much lives on her boyfriends income here.  She says the vets and the doctors don’t make any money here and what she charges for an office visit is insanely low, but she needs to compete with the local vet who has been here for many years.  I told her in the Cayo District, the veterinarians do not charge for an office visit and make house calls, they make a minute income off the procedures and medicine.  She was appalled.  Well, the docs don’t drive Mercedes or have mansions. I know that all the doctors and vets who are practicing in Belize are not here to make money, they are here to serve their country.  In Belize, you will find many medical doctors, pharmacists, veterinarians, and such living in modest homes in modest neighborhoods.  Being educated is about service and assistance, not wealth accumulation.  She just didn’t get it.  Truly, I didn't get it until this journey.

In all the Belize towns and villages we have traveled, Ambergris Caye is the only place we see children used to sell trinkets or hand woven goods comparable to the chicklet selling kids found throughout Mexico.  Just as in Mexico, they have been taught to be aggressive, not taking the first “No, thank you” for an answer.  Using kids to sell products has never sat well with me.

We have been invited into a prominent business Belizean family home.  Their possessions were humble, they had what they needed, and were very active financially in providing for their community.  From the typical US standards, one would view their standard of living as poor.  In all actuality, they were rich in happiness and rich in their community provisions and activities.  I know if their family would face any hardship, the community would be there to assist them.

I wonder what the U.S. could learn from a little country like Belize. With limited government, Belizeans thrive and help and depend on each other.  With high import tariffs, this country creates opportunities for internal business and product growth.  As poor as this country is, you will never see a beggar asking for money while holding a cardboard sign on the side of the road.  Not one person has asked us for a financial handout.  Not one.