The exodus

 Exodus Belize

We got up at 1;30 am to head to the airport, traveling with 5 children, 15 bags and a car seat is not an easy task, regardless we where very blessed to not have an issues or flight delays. the youngest cried while ascending, after that we made sure he had a full bottle and lots of snacks he likes to eat so his ears wouldn't hurt, our stewardess was lovely and so understanding.

We landed in Belize city cleared customs, met our friend who was picking us up, got a phone card and headed to our temporary home. on our way we stopped at a fruit stand to get some breadfruit, coconuts, mangoes and a butter pear avocado.

we stopped at the Mall (a grocery store) in Belmopan for a few more things we needed. some things are more expensive than home but the fresh fruit is amazing and so incredibly affordable.

once we got to the house we unpacked our dishes and prepared dinner. dinner was lovely spiced chicken with breadfruit fried in coconut oil and the butter pear. then off to bet after a very long day!

The following day we went to Spanish lookout with my neighbor for more groceries and to get lumber to build a bunk bed. We got some chairs, as the house only had two and a shovel since I want to plant some things in the garden space.

the lumber hard had a discard pile that my neighbor wanted to get some scrap wood from for a project they are working on, she's pretty badass, long skirt, headcovering and a chainsaw lol. the truck was so full on the way home!

Something i really like about Belize is everyone is expected to be personally responsible for their own choices like riding in the back of a vehicle.

We had a long day shopping, and at the end we went to western dairies for ice-cream, on our way home we stopped and picked up 100 mangoes which the girls and I canned, sadly it only filled 13 quarts (kids ate lots and we saved some for fresh eating). Canning jars are so expensive here!!!

for supper we had leftovers and a lovely avocado salad, everybody wanted more!

avocado salad recipe

1 butter pear avocado or other large avocado

5 plum tomatoes

small onion

juice of one lime

salt and pepper to taste

chop veggies and mix together with lime, salt and pepper, let sit for at least 20 min, longer is better, enjoy with rice.

for breakfast the next morning we had a jug of mango lassie and bread with mango or papaya jam and the local red parrot peanut butter (which is amazing).

today was laundry day, since we are entirely off grid I didn't want it to build up, I took my neighbors advice of having the older children wash their own so they understand how much work it is to wash laundry by hand.

we used a baby bathtub to wash in and a pail to rinse. 

after laundry lines where strung and wash was hung we had a very brief thunder shower that thankfully didn't get the laundry to wet.

for lunch we had rice with mango tomatoes and the most amazing hot sauce! Maria Sharps smoked Habanero pepper sauce, its warm but has amazing flavor!

Oldest made a swing on a tree behind the house for the big kids, and one in the house off the main I beam for the little boys so they don't feel left out. The boys are having great fun swinging and playing hide and seek. the older children found a trail up to the top of the hill we are living on, the view of the valley and surrounding hills is amazing!