Relaxing at VMA Suites

After a week packed with activities and exploring the beautiful country of Belize, we arrived back at the home of Via Mendez (A.k.a. VMA Suites, Via is “short” for Elvira) in Orange Walk. After unpacking from our busy week, the team eagerly decided to get into our swimsuits and head down to the pool where we could relax, unwind and enjoy the camaraderie of tossing a frisbee, kicking the soccer ball, and listening to music.




Throughout our time in Belize we enjoyed wonderful meals prepared by our generous hosts and tonight was no different. We experienced a Belizean-style barbecue complete with rice and beans as well as a full assortment of local fresh fruits and beverages.


Later in the evening, some relatives of Via and Teresa arrived to join in the feast as well as meet all of us and hear about our time in Belize.


After an evening packed full of eating wonderful food, talking to new people, and playing various games, we were all very content to cap the night off by heading back down to the pool. We sat in the hot tub for a little bit and conversed with one another, reminiscing on our past week and preparing for our last full day in a wonderful country.

We can’t thank our generous hosts enough for their hospitality, and taking care of us for the duration of our stay in their country!

- David






Location: Orange Walk, Belize

Popular posts from this blog

COVID Testing

Image
As our adventures wound to an end here in Belize, one final test stood between us and our return to the US. Not a metaphorical test—a literal one. A COVID test. To return to the US, each and every one of us needed to present a negative COVID test administered by a professional physician. Thankfully, the Northern Medical Specialty Plaza in Orange Walk, Belize was able to provide such a test. After swabbing our noses and tickling our brains, we retreated to downtown Orange Walk to explore as we awaited our test results. What would happen if one of us were to test positive? We'd interacted with so many students throughout the week and spent so much time in confined spaces. We'd been careful to wear our KN-95 masks consistently. Would they be enough? The anxiety built as we continued our exploration. One incredibly long hour later, we returned to the Northern Medical Specialty Plaza to find that each and every one of us had tested negative. Thank goodness! We were clear to check in
Read more

Pathlight Orange Walk

Image
Our first full day in Belize is off to a strong start! This morning, we met an energetic group of students at the Orange Walk Pathlight Center to celebrate their completion of the Spring 2022 MSU x Pathlight Belize Coding Club , hosted virtually in January and February 2022. From 8:30-9:00, we welcomed students and presented certificates honoring their successful completion of the coding club.  Thereafter, from 9:00-9:30, we held a panel discussion in which participants could ask MSU student mentors questions about pursuing higher education, pursuing a career in computing, and anything else on their mind.  From 9:30-10:30, we intoduced participants to the BBC micro:bit , a miniature programmable computer capable of making animated light shows and sounds! Unlike the programs we wrote in our virtual club, the programs we wrote for micro:bits highlighted the deep connection between software and tangible, physical hardware! To conclude the session, from 10:30-11:00 we invited participants,
Read more

Home Again

Image
After a once-in-a-lifetime week filled with cultural enrichment, rewarding outreach, team bonding, and reflection, the dreaded moment had come. It was time to fly home. After once last Belizean breakfast at VMA Suites, we lined up for a group photo in the midmorning tropical sunlight.  Loading our bus for the Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport, memories from the past week flashed through our minds. Was this really the end? Unloading at the curb of the airport terminal, it began to feel as though it was. After clearing security, a wave of sadness set in. Yet a sudden spark electrified our group as boarding began. In the words of Winston Churchill , this was not the end. This was not even the beginning of the end. But it was, perhaps, the end of the beginning. The roots had taken hold. The MSU x Pathlight Belize Coding Club would be back again. Until next year, Belize. See you in 2023. - Andrew
Read more