Our jeep has been out of commission for a while. John is working hard to get it road worthy again, but in the meantime we rely on the graciousness of others, thanking God for their kindness. Today I had to get to Belize City, and the only way to get there was on the bus. Here is how to do it:
Step 1- Wake up at 5 am and get ready. Wake Ellis up at 5:30 am, get her ready.
Step 2- Leave at 5:50 by riding a bike, Ellis rides in the baby seat on the back.
Step 3- Park bike at a house near the bus stop where it will be safe.
Step 4- walk some hundreds of yards to the bus stop and wait.
Step 5- Get on said bus and ride down the coastal highway for 13 miles.
Step 6- Get off bus 500 yards from the stop because it’s a school bus and they need to fit the rest of the kids in. So I hoist Ellis on my shoulders and walk.
DETOUR- Pregnant lady has to go to the bathroom. The only one around is the local shop with an outhouse in the back.
Step 7- Wait for the bus with no bus stop. This was challenging with a toddler wanting to run out in the street.
Step 8- Catch the bus and proceed to ride a winding road to Belmopan.
DETOUR- Ellis throws up on me twice.
Step 9- Arrive in Belmopan. I have three minutes to get off the bus rush to the bathroom (yes again) and wipe Ellis mouth.
Step 10- 45 minute drive from Belmopan to Belize City.
Step 11- Arrive in Belize City, take a taxi cab (five minutes for more than the bus ride total) to borrow a car to get me around the city. It is now about 10:15.
From start to finish about 5 hours to get to the city.
Guess what? I MADE IT!! Belizeans do it all the time. This was my first. What a resilient people group, one of the reasons why I love them and admire them. I feel like I got initiated today. Would I do it again? Sure, why not, although I could do without the throw up. I will never forget my trip today, and that is fine by me.
Sound like God is continuing to mold and shape you, all to His glory!
What a wake up call for us Americans who take such things so for granted! Yikes! You are a good woman Mel Bjorgens!
Mel, I love this post! I totally agree that it’s a great experience (albeit frustrating and inefficient) to travel as do our Belizean or Jamaican friends. there is no substitute for experience. Just today I found out that my mission team is going to be getting another vehicle, which means instead of having one 1-2 weeks out of the month, I will have one 90% of the time now. Whooohooo! But as I was talking with a Jamaican friend today I told her “i’m thankful for the 3 years I’ve lived here without a car because I know my way around better and I also feel like I can understand better how most Jamaicans get around and the frustrations that come along with taxi’ing everywhere. now i just pray I don’t take a vehicle for granted. thanks for sharing!
Seems like you glossed over Step 5 pretty quickly. I should add that the 13 miles up the coastal highway consists of pothole-laden dirt roads, and can take up to an hour to traverse.
I got John’s wheel lock parts, so let me know where to send them. Hopefully receiving them will help speed up the Jeep maintenance.
Oh Mel, you never cease to amaze me!!
Reminds me of Zambia, except I wasn’t pregnant with a toddler! I’m thankful the Lord gave you strenth and endurance and that you arrived safely. When you got to the part about Ellis throwing up, I had to laugh to keep from crying. I hope the trip home is a little easier. Love you……….
Mel, I love how you wholeheartedly EMBRACE the challenges, and joys, of your life in Belize. This post certainly makes me more grateful for the ease of transportation we have here in the U.S. I’m glad you your experience was a good one—minus how long it took and minus, of course, the throw-up! Hope Ellis is feeling OK now.
Good to hear from you,Mel so glad we have swift communacation so we can. WE FORGET SO EASY AND BRING YOU TO OUR WONDERFUL < Lord as if you have no problems. Children are worth every sacrifice. we had 5 in 5yrs and 9 mo. Hello dear John, hope you get the jeep going soon.with our love, G,pa & G,ma. Nelson.
Wow, Ditto to Dave’s comments – WITH a toddler and full pregnant bladder! Hope Ellis is feeling better (and you had a change of clothes). Love you!!
Wow!!! We complain when the traffic slows us down. Can’t imagine going through all that just to get to the city. Will be praying that the jeep gets fixed soon. What an adventure!!!
Wow!! What a description! Thank you for typing it all out. Definitely helps to put into perspective what your lives are like there. We prayed for you during our devotions this morning.