 | Caye Caulker Local Customs | Tips 1 - 8 of 8 |  |
I know hanging your laundry out to dry is common in many places around the world, but this is the only place I've been where a hotel has actually encouraged it. Our apartment/cabana came with a clothesline and clothespins for our use - no need to be discreet about washing a few things in the sink here. Leave a Comment
|
Visiting Caye Caulker?
Read reviews about Caye Caulker Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
I saw "No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problem" signs at several places around town. Life truly is laid back here - I know I keep using this phrase, but I can't think of a better way to describe it. People are just not uptight about anything, and it's wonderful. You can go barefoot everywhere here, including restaurants. For women, a sarong and swimsuit top is perfectly acceptable dinner wear. "Go Slow" is another sign I saw around the island. And check out this "Drinking is Fun" sign - I can't imagine seeing this in the U.S.! Leave a Comment
|
Belize is a diverse country with a mixed population of 49% Mestizos (Spanish-speaking Mayan/European mix), 25% Creoles (English-speaking African/European mix), 11% Mayan, 6% Garinagu (escaped African slaves from Caribbean islands) and 9% others such as Rastafarians, East Indians and Mennonites.
We saw this group of Mennonite women waiting for the water taxi on Caulker, dressed in their usual garb of long skirts and head-coverings. They seemed to be having a good time, going off to get some ice-cream cones and lining up for various group photos. The Mennonites are relatively recent immigrants to Belize (ariving within the last 40 years) after leaving Germany following the Second World War to settle in Mexico for a while before finally moving on to Belize. Mennonites and Amish are basically of the same religion, but the Amish hold stricter views about not embracing modern technology and personal grooming/fashions. Because the Mennonite settlers team together to buy large tracts of land and equipment to properly work it, Belize has benefited enormously from their presence.
During our later excursions in Belize not far from the capital of Belmopan, we came across field after field stretching to the horizon in a remote jungle stream area, with a different crop growing in each plot. When I said to our tour guide that this looked like a government-run experimental farm, he said "no, it is Mennonite land". I was impressed! Leave a Comment
|
 | |  |
In some ways, our arrival on Caye Caulker was almost like a flashback to the days when we lived in Papua New Guinea! During a morning walk along the eastern shore as we headed south toward the Airport area, we saw a number of beachfront properties that were built on stilts - and they looked almost like the house we lived in for 3 years on the other side of the world. We actually saw houses like these all over Belize, used by the locals as well. In hot and humid climates the stilts serve a number of purposes. They get you a little further up and away from the creepy crawlies, the living space is up where the breezes are, you can park your car underneath in the shade and it even helps for the odd storm surge or two if you are living on the coast! Leave a Comment
|
while there is a mix of race and religion on caye caulker, as there is in most of belize, the predominant religion is christianty, especially catholicism. the majority of belizeans are catholics, along with anglican. on caye caulker, the one church we came across was small, yet a focal point for the locals.
another interesting thing to me, that i witnessed here in caulker, and also, later on in san ignacio, were the mennonites. the mennonites are very similar to the amish, in that they dont do tv, technology etc. originating from germany/holland, today's mennonites of belize are well to do farmers and businessmen. what i found interesting though, was watching the mennonite girls trying to enjoy the beach.
here we are, sitting in our bikinis, drinking rum, being silly, when we see some young ladies wearing long thick sack-like dresses, and headscarfs. it was stinking hot, and i dont know how they could wear those heavy ankle length dresses. anyway, they are laying on the deckchairs, and obviously melting in the sun. how do they cool off? by lifting their dress no higher then their knees, and dipping their feet in the water. how boring! i dont know why they bothered coming to caye caulker, they could of stayed on their farm and dipped their feet in the bathtub! Leave a Comment
|
| | |
Visiting Caye Caulker?
Read reviews about Caye Caulker Hotels
Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
The locals are a mix from the past, slaves, Indians, Chinese, Koreans and Europeand are the most common nationalitys in Belize, they speak Creole and a feeling of Jamaica is very close, rastafaris are plentful here, some of them are artists, painters, writers etc... Very nice people, you will never be afraid or having a bad feeling. They usually end the conversation whit a friendly fist to fist "knock" and saying the magic "Respect" - very cool! Leave a Comment
|
"go slow" with a smile and a wave is all that you need here. Leave a Comment
|
Folks on the island are totally laid back. They just want you to have a good time. So, enjoy their company. They move s-l-o-w, though. I had "fast food" once and it took 'em about 20 minutes to get my food to me. Don't rush. Just enjoy it. Women seemed to be approached by every guy on the island, so be aware. Leave a Comment
|
 | 1 |  |
|
|
on February 27, 2005
on April 9, 2006
on September 16, 2006
on December 3, 2005
on September 1, 2003
on February 23, 2005
