Archives for December 2017

Being here in Belize and at the zoo has been amazing. The zoo is unlike any other zoo they have in America- all of the animals aren’t afraid to get right up to the fence with you (probably because they get treats from keepers and tour guides very often). I can’t even begin to describe what it is like… it is just built completely around a jungle. We got to learn a lot about their Problem Jaguar Rehabilitation program, which takes problem jaguars (who eat things like dogs or cattle) and moves them into the zoo. We got to see a lot of the jaguars up close and personal which was amazing and scary at times. We also got to see one of the star jaguars, Junior Buddy.

       

While we were behind the scenes, we saw a bunch of cute little chicks and one of the guys said that they weren’t supposed to be there. We asked him if he needed help and he said YES! like we should have known he needed help. So we picked up the three chicks we saw and went back and saw that at least 70 of the chicks had escaped their coop and were running around the jungle!!!! Luckily we were able to retrieve them all. I was picking up chicks five at a time.

We have also met almost every dog in Belize… I’m kidding, but I think I have taken a picture of all the dogs I have met.

My first few days in Belize have been incredible! I knew I would meet a lot of different people here, but I didn’t realize how far and wide everyone would come from. One of my roommates is from Canada- their money smells like maple syrup!!!! Another one goes to school in Hawaii! I have met so many people with so many different stories and experiences. It is also kind of funny because normally when I tell people I work at a zoo, they think it is so cool. Here, people still think it is cool, but some of them also say “me too!” At school I am around animal science people all the time, but here it really focuses on one particular interest. Even so, there are people who are computer science, psychology, and production majors!

I was so close to forgetting that Belize is in Central America and isn’t just a tropical paradise, but is home to so many different animals. In the pond here at the TEC, we saw a crocodile. It was small but still!!! When I went to take  shower last night, I opened the door and was faced with the biggest beetle I have ever seen on the shower curtain. I decided to let it chill while I showered and I stepped in and saw the tiniest lizard I have ever seen.

While the large animal students were still here, we visited the zoo and it was amazing. We are going back tonight and I am soooo excited!! I’m probably going to take so many pictures I’m not sure if my phone will be able to handle it.

I’m currently sitting in the Atlanta airport waiting to board my flight for Belize! I was so afraid that I was going to miss my flight here (my flight from Newark was at 6 am and I got to the airport at around 3:45 am and the baggage claim people had not opened yet! It took an hour to get my bag checked!). This airport is huge so I was nervous at first but I figured it out! I actually saw a girl wearing a Rutgers hat here- she goes to Rutgers and is also going to Belize but with her family, not with CELA. What are the odds??

Traveling on Christmas day is kind of weird, because it doesn’t really feel like Christmas. Since I got done with finals on the 21st at night, I only had a few days to say goodbye to all of my friends, some of whom I had not seen since the summer! It was bittersweet, but my family made sure we celebrated while I was there and that I got to open all of my presents! I got a lot of clothes and my mom made me stuff them in my already very full suitcase because she really wanted me to bring them. I think I’ll really miss my dog the most. I think he always knows when I’m leaving and he gets a little more snuggly than usual. I included a picture of him.

I am super excited to be in Belize, but also really nervous. I know that it is going to be great and that I’m going to have so much fun (at least that is whateveryone keeps telling me) but I can’t help but be a little jittery! I’m sure everything will calm down once I arrive.

Something cool I realized this morning was that after this trip, I will have stepped foot on three continents. Only four more to go!

I finished celebrating Christmas Eve, I haven’t slept in almost 24 hours, and in a few hours I will be leaving to Belize. Like everyone, the holidays are usually a busy time for me and the thought of leaving my home on Christmas day is strange. I’ve never left home during important holidays or birthdays, so it feels as if I am leaving family behind. This may seem slightly pessimistic; however, I view this trip as my own Christmas gift. I have the opportunity to explore a new culture, new food, and so much more. This one trip is multiple gifts in itself. I can’t wait for my unique experience to begin! My favorite part of traveling is finally landing in the country. For me, that’s when the adventure begins because reality finally sets in. I view it as, “I’m here! This is happening!” Currently, I am looking forward to the warmer weather and basking in the sun. Getting ready to leave for the airport! More updates to come!