I’ve never thought I was good
with words. This seems true again as I am struggling to sum up my
Belize experience. It is hard to find the words to explain how
much I learned not only about another culture, another way of life, but
also about myself. Although, I felt I gained an insight into life
in these very small communities, it was but a brief glimpse.
Before the trip, I thought I was prepared for the level of poverty that
would be seen visiting a “third world” country. In fact, I think I
had imagined their economic situation worse than it actually is.
Any time I visit other
cultures that for either lack of resources or by choice don’t have all
the modern amenities that we are used to in the states, I always seem to
wonder if they are happy. And I am constantly reminding that one
doesn’t need extravagant material possessions to be happy, to have a
fulfilling life. This thought process happened once again.
At first, as you all
know, I was reluctant to join the ecological assessment team. It was a
little scary; three American girls going off into the jungle with
Belizean students and their professor for 3 days. After hearing, Miles
and Lars talk about the research that first morning in Punta
Negra
I was excited to go. How many people can say they have tested water
samples, looked for
macroinvertebrates, and
played in the muck of a lagoon in southern Belize? I was excited (and
perhaps jealous) to learn about how much field work the Natural
Resources Students at UB
were doing. It seems here at
PSU
much of the field work I’m doing as an undergrad is all simulation, but
there it was the real deal. The data we collected will really be used,
whether or not the area is developed.
Not only did I get the
chance to experience the ecological assessment, I got a glimpse into the
lives of the people of PN.
One thing I realized is that they utilize their environment, for
instance it could be said that they live “off of the land”, while we
live on it. In MR
as well as in PN,
it seems that the people know more about their surroundings and their
natural environment, even compared to someone in the states that might
have grown up in very rural areas.
The people of
PN
seem to welcome tourists, yet shy away from development or
“improvement.” Like Jen said, the women want to have a boat so they can
take tourists out on fishing trips, etc. Also, many women didn’t like
Tide as Tide doesn’t like to hire women. The older men seemed concern
about the change in attitudes and practices of the younger generation.
The use of the lagoon by
PN citizens was very low,
however they will continue to rely on fishing in the sea for their
livelihood. How development in this area will affect
PN’s
resources, culture, and community is yet to be seen. I’d like to say
that big development won’t happen here, yet it would bring more income
to the people. The balance between preserving a way of life and
“improving” it is a delicate one.
As for the team, I think
we worked well together. Sure, there were a lot of “zings”, but the
group dynamics were interesting to watch, and now to reflect on. I can
honestly say I learned a lot from each of you, as well as from the
Belizean people. Thanks, guys.
