Spring study tour brings enriching experience for students

CanACT members bid adios to Belize and finished off a whirlwind Reading Week study tour Monday as they travelled from Caye Caulker to Canada. They left noticeably darker in colour, and with everlasting impressions of life in an underdeveloped country.

Knowing that a week of midterms and school work awaited them, it was tough for the group to leave behind the relaxed culture and environment in Belize. But, the students will have many memories from their week touring cross-country, speaking with friendly folk, tasting local cuisine and comparing stark contrasts in the farms and communities.  

Before beginning another long day traveling, the group had one last opportunity to consume beans and fresh fruit juice during breakfast, which in typical laid-back Belizean style stretched over a couple hours. Then it was back to the cottage-like rooms to pack before walking a few minutes down the light-coloured sand beach to meet the water taxi for 10 a.m. Les and Dave came along to see the group off before planning to stay two extra days at Caye Caulker.

Just before setting out with suitcases in hand, as if by some coincidence, rain began to pour. Ponchos helped to some extent for the first part of the trek, but didn’t function long into the 45-minute taxi boat ride to mainland Belize. Despite many tarps and plastic coverings, it seemed inevitable that water would somehow drip, soak, or absorb into every speck of clothing and luggage. The wet and wild ride ended at the dock in Belize City, where, as the group disembarked, the sun began to peak through the clouds.

The 30-minute trip to the airport from the dock via taxi was an opportunity to show CanACT members that communication with car horns is indeed a universal language. At the airport it wasn’t long before suitcases were unleashed in search of clean, dry clothing.

After checking in, and a complicated process of paying a ‘tax’ to leave the country, the group went in search of lunch at the full-service restaurant…featuring hot dogs as its only menu item, with a ‘full service’ of condiments to customize each order.

The flight began boarding shortly before the 2:50 p.m. departure and the two-hour trip to Miami passed quickly. The stopover in Miami wasn’t long, especially after moving through customs and searching for food. Upon arrival in Toronto around 11:30 p.m. local time, eight travellers and all but one wet suitcase were located. The efficient shuttle home meant bed time by 2 a.m.

This busy travel day capped off a full week of activities. All would agree that their experiences in Belize have helped shape a different perspective on communication, agriculture, cultures and even life in general. More than a spring break trip, this was an opportunity to step outside traditional thinking boundaries and experience new approaches.

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