We left the Trek Stop yesterday and headed into San Ignacio, the neighboring city that we have not had time yet to explore. Cyndi headed back to Caye Caulker to meet up with her friend and we decided to stay around a couple extra days.
We made contact with a couch surfer named Marcus, actually the couchsurfing ambassador of the area. We met him for a drink and what ended up being the best pizza we’ve had in a long time, at a place called Mr. Greedy’s. Marcus was an energetic man, larger than life. Vivacious and booming, and his personality was infectious. Miro took an instant liking to him and I could tell he was ready, first chance he had, he’d be up on his shoulders ready for a chicken fight!
Marcus is an expat who has been living in Belize for many years, teaches technology at one of the colleges in the area. Plus, he has been to Burning Man. We liked this guy. We hung out, had drinks and great conversation as other resident ex-pats joined us. Marcus invited Miro and I to stay with him and his girlfriend for one night at their place.
Their place was in the little village called Bullet Tree, located at the foothills of the Maya Mountains and just a couple miles down the road from San Ignacio. In his car we went.
A little extra nugget on Bullet Tree: (from here.)
From the time of contact with the British and Spanish, the area encompassing Bullet Tree Falls continued to be inhabited by the Maya. Over 100 years ago, the community of Bullet Tree was established by indigenous Maya from the greater Peten region of Guatemala as well as refugees from the Caste War in the Yucatan. The early settlers worked as loggers of primarily mahogany, and chicleros, collecting the resin from the sapodilla trees to sell to various firms to make chewing gum (chicle). It is a Spanish speaking village although most know and converse in English as well.
Marcus and his girlfriend Theo, and her two daughters, ran a beautiful little jungle eco-lodge on the Mopan River called Parrot’s Nest.
We arrived at their property and were blown away by the beauty! They were located on a river and there were tons of natural wild life. In their gardens we saw so many birds, including parrots and toucans. We saw an agouti cruise through their yard. We saw many iguanas hanging out. The place was so wonderful, charming and we were truly grateful to have been an invited guest.
Miro and I met Theo, Marcus’ girlfriend. She told us how she lived all over the world growing up, from these jungles to the islands off Spain. Her parents were artists and journalists and she had the opportunity to experience the world through their eyes. Her life was inspiring and I genuinely adored her. We watched this couple as they interacted with such balance and grace. Theo seemed to be the calm, grounded soul, connected with the earth and Marcus, was larger than life!
The couple was so gracious and welcoming and offered us the tree house bungalow for the night. We climbed up the tree (stairs really) and plopped out packs on the beds and changed into our suits. Marcus offered to take us on a tube adventure down the Mopan river and how could we resist? So…..down the river we went in relaxing tube….
Later that night we went down the road to the local expat bar called the Road House, ran by one of Marcus’s friend. He and Miro played chess and drank up the amazing scenery in the wonderful outdoor seating area.
Wow, jungle living. I asked Miro if he liked this, if he could ever imagine ourselves living in a place like this
He said “for sure! But first you need to find a boyfriend like Marcus.”
“Uh…. OK,” I said, “I’ll get right on it,” assuring him the right guy will come into our lives at some point in our lives. I’m sure he will, right?
But for now, I’m taking note of all the qualities Miro likes and adding them as my wish list.
Until then, it’s just the two of us and that’s OK too.
