I spent 2 weeks in Belize, mostly in an orphanage between Belmopan and San Ignacio. It was life-changing to, for a short time, become a part of the culture and help out kids in need. The locals were living in what the West would consider poverty, but they were some of the happiest people I ever met. Life for them is about friends and family, not getting the latest iPod or watching the season finale of Heroes. I did get to spend some time exploring the Mayan ruins at Xunantunich and Cahal Pech. Also enjoyed tubing down the Mopan and snorkeling off the reef. I was surprised at the large Chinese population as well as several Menonite communities. Cuban cigars were plentiful and inexpensive. Don’t drink the water, though! I was careful to filter, but still somehow contracted amoebic dysentary. I had a 104F temperature the night I returned home and spent 2 weeks living on the toilet. I ate nothing but white rice, jello, and bananas for a month!