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My wife and I just spent a week in Belize. We went because we were considering moving there, and are now fairly convinced. Some observations:
1) Of course, the weather, just to get the obvious out of the way. Beautiful. And the wildlife. We saw sharks, stingrays, blue herons, howler monkeys, crocodiles, parrot fish, vultures, leaf-cutter ants, termite mounds, countless species of fish and birds.
2) The people were the most genuinely friendly and helpful people we have ever met. English, Spanish, and Creole is spoken by almost everyone. People smile when they talk to you, and they smile not just with their faces, but with their voices.
3) Population is about 270,000, with about 70,000 in Belize City (where we stayed). The capital, Belmopan, is billed as the smallest capital in the world, with about 6000 people.
4) A small number of Mennonites produce a very large percentage of the countries beef, produce, chicken, cheese, and furniture. They settled there in the '50's because the government welcomed them despite their aversion to taxes, serving in the military, etc. They are very respected by all segments of society, and everyone you ask is familiar with them and praises their work ethic.
5) The PUP, now in power but embroiled in a corruption scandal, is analagous to the Democratic pary here. The UDP is analagous to the Reps. Both parties seem VERY committed to the environment though, with about a third of the country in protected areas.
6) They have recently privatized much of their health system, but a 3 day stay in intensive care cost one gentleman we were speaking to only U.S. $1500. They have also recently privatized their power and communication systems.
7) NO BILLBOARDS! Well, almost none. We saw perhaps a dozen in all of our travels, and we drove on every paved highway in the country (there are only four: northern, southern, western, and hummingbird). And two of the billboards we did see were highway safety billboards placed by the government. Also, the roads and highways all have what are called "sleeping policemen" (speed bumps) wherever there is a possibility of pedestrians crossing---and they are BIG. Hit one of these without slowing down, and you are airborn. After that, you pay more attention.
8) People pay attention when they drive, and everyone gets along while on the road. Bicycles, scooters, pedestrians, cars, trucks all merge and mingle on the roads with very few incidents, even though many of the bridges, even along major highways, are single lane.
9) The sight of 40 or 50 peasants walking home after working in the banana plantations, all on foot and carrying machetes, tired and dirty, is humbling and awe inspiring.
10) The ONLY time wet the least bit uncomfortable was when a guide drove us through the poorest slums of Belize City. But even in these poorest neighborhoods, many of the houses were well-built cinderblock homes that were built by the government but owned by the occupants. They were called "projects", but the title was given to the occupants.
11) The complete (as in TOTAL) lack of corporate fast food. No McDonalds, Kentucky Fried Chicken, etc. BUT, anyone that owns a spot of land is free to open a place that sells burgers, sodas, whatever. Most are small shacks that resemble firecracker stands here in the states.
There is a lot more to tell, but...later.
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