Sweet Waters

My new home for the next year is the town of Dangriga. It is on the Caribbean Sea straight south of Belize City and southeast of Belmopan. It is the third largest city in Belize but still only has about 15,000 people. It has a small town vibe and you can walk anywhere in town in less than a half hour. It is the capital of the Stann Creek district and this creek along with a few others run through the town so there seems to be water wherever you go.

The drive from Belmopan to Dangriga is one of the most beautiful routes I've ever seen. Its called the Hummingbird Highway and alternates between winding through dense jungle and citrus fields. Along the road there are large trucks full of oranges going to the two factories that process the fruit for export. Part of the drive is through the valley with views of the Maya mountains in the background. There also are numerous bridges over small creeks and rivers. The first thing I noticed was just how green it is everywhere!

Dangriga is one of several Garifuna settlements in Belize. I'll have to write another blog later to tell about this ethnic group once I learn more. Anyways Dangriga means "sweet waters" in Garifuna referring to the mouth of the creek in the middle of town that opens into the ocean.

Dangriga is known as the music capital of Belize. It is the home of punta rock, a local style that incorporates traditional African drumming with more modern sounds.

I am living with a host family for the first month before I find a house and will be on my own. Miss Beverly is the librarian in town. The library is small but nice with about 5000 books. Its located right on the coast and the front doors look out on the ocean. What an amazing place to work but she says she doesn't get to enjoy the view. She has two daughters aged 28 and 18. Samatha works in the tourism industry on a party boat on one of the northern islands. Cassandra is in her final year of high school.