Do we look different in this picture? Well, if we do it's because we are now official permanent residents of Belize. Wohooo! That's kind of like landed immigrant status in Canada. It doesn't make us citizens of Belize but we aren't tourists anymore, either! If we choose to, we can apply for citizenship in five years. We'll see...I think I've had enough trips to the Immigration office and the bureaucracy and paperwork. So for now, we are happy to claim ourselves citizens of the world....with our home in Belize and our roots in Canada. Kind of cool for a couple of small town northern kids. I'm not sure that I would have seen this in our future if you would have asked me about it 20 years ago. Happy!
We decided to take advantage of our trip to Belmopan today and travel a little further to a nursery that we've been wanting to check out. Peggy and Ed joined us and we made a day of it. The nursery is located in a Mennonite/Amish community called Springfield...about 20 minutes from Belmopan. They have developed many varieties of fruit trees that are suitable for growing in this climate. So, we picked up some huckleberry shrubs and a couple of mango trees. The mangos are grafted to produce three different types of mangos on one tree. Very neat. We'll have to be patient, though. They won't produce for a couple of years.
Springfield is a traditional Mennonite community...no power or modern conveniences. As we entered the village we saw a sign that advised passers that business was not to be conducted on Sunday and visitors are requested to wear proper and modest clothing. It's a matter of respect for their beliefs. We saw children playing everywhere. All dressed in simple Amish clothing. The little boys in pants with suspenders and the girls in plain cotton frocks. I would love to have taken pictures but that can be viewed as disrespectful. These are people living their lives. They are not tourist attractions.
We were greeted at the nursery by a 'plain' mennonite woman. Plain is a mennonite phrase that refers to their choice to live a humble and simple life in the eyes of God. She greeted us in an unadorned brown dress, tied back hair, and bare feet. At least four or five little blond haired and blue eyed children followed around. At a glance it would have been easy to feel pity for them all. After all, they live in a tiny 'shack' in the jungle without power or any amenities that we take for granted everyday. But this lifestyle is a huge commitment. It's a choice not a curse. She was friendly and very well spoken with perfect english. Most Mennonites are fluid in at least two languages and a lot speak four routinely. English and high German are the standards and many also speak Spanish and Criol. Incredible!
We were greeted at the nursery by a 'plain' mennonite woman. Plain is a mennonite phrase that refers to their choice to live a humble and simple life in the eyes of God. She greeted us in an unadorned brown dress, tied back hair, and bare feet. At least four or five little blond haired and blue eyed children followed around. At a glance it would have been easy to feel pity for them all. After all, they live in a tiny 'shack' in the jungle without power or any amenities that we take for granted everyday. But this lifestyle is a huge commitment. It's a choice not a curse. She was friendly and very well spoken with perfect english. Most Mennonites are fluid in at least two languages and a lot speak four routinely. English and high German are the standards and many also speak Spanish and Criol. Incredible!
It's a little hard to see it clearly in this picture but this tree is wrapped in tin foil. Kind of a funny sight. The tin foil is protecting the graft points on the tree. It looked like a baked potato tree!