Midnight Shootings

I was awakened last night, in the middle of the night, by gunshots. There were several that sounded like they came from Front Street, behind my apartment, and then a minute later from Main Street, in front of my apartment. It freaked me out, and I got up and hid in my bathroom, where I thought I would be least likely to get hit by a stray bullet. I did not look out the window to see what was going on, because I did not have my contacts in, and I did not know whether it would make me a target. Then as I was cowering in my bathroom, I realized that the edge of the balcony and then my front wall were both very solid, and there was no risk of a stray bullet passing through and hitting me while I lay in bed, so I went back to bed.

I found out today that there was a shoot-out between some people and the police, which ended in front of the ScotiaBank, which is next door to my apartment, to the south. One person was taken to the hospital in Dangriga, and at least one person was arrested. I did not learn whether the person in the hospital was in custody or whether he was a police officer.

And here is an article I found about it.

Sounds of Belize

I do not live in a quiet area. It starts each morning just before dawn, when the birds greet the coming day. There are hundreds of them right around my building, and they squawk and call to each other for a couple of hours. They are very dark, and look black, but if you look closely in the proper light, you can see they have streaks of a dark rich blue. I think they are some kind of parrots, but I really don't know.

After the parrots finish their morning concert, things quiet down some. There is a street market in the mornings a block away, but it is pretty quiet. Later in the day the club across the street starts piping music, but usually not first thing in the morning. Then as night starts to fall, the birds do their thing again, and then the clubs really pick up. The one across the street isn't bad, but apparently there is one in the building behind me that opens up about 10 pm each night, and they really blast their music.

There is a bank next door, and a vacant lot on the other side, with the town square/park almost directly across the street, so I thought it would be relatively quiet, but apparently I was mistaken. Also, the vacant lot next door is now a construction site. And this morning deviated from the normal relative quiet of the morning with somebody, I think in the park, blasting gospel music. I don't mind a little worship now and then, but some of these songs make country sound musically complex!

Now that I'm done ranting about music and noise, I actually really like it here. Sure, it's a little more difficult to get to sleep some nights, but that just makes it easier to sleep through the birds the next morning, right?

Back in Punta Gorda

When I started working yesterday morning, I was exhausted almost as soon as I started, working sluggishly. I decided that the time had come to leave Hummingbird Farm and move to Punta Gorda town. I packed up all my stuff and took the bus into Punta Gorda. I initially got a hotel room for $46 BZD, a little on the pricy end, I think, but it had a bed and hot showers, which I was grateful for. Then when I was going to the bank to get the money, I spotted some apartments right on Main Street, Sharjay Apartments. I talked to the proprietor, and made arrangements to move in today. I am renting for six weeks, and then I will be returning to the USA.

After getting dinner at the hotel restaurant, I turned in early. I think I had some heatstroke, and slept fitfully all night, but my fever broke around 6 am and I'm starting to get a little energy back. I was left with lingering diarrhea, which could be from the water at the hotel, or it could be a symptom of whatever heatstroke or flu I was dealing with.

I checked out of the hotel this morning a little before eleven, and walked down the street to the Sharjay Apartments, where I paid my rent and moved in. It is furnished, and even has a few pots and pans and dishes. I will use this as my base and possibly do some tourist ventures over the next few weeks. I have much better cell reception in town, so texts are welcome. (Please no calls, though, only texts.)