A September to Remember

When I returned to Belize in August it was just in time for Hurricane Dean. I was safe in Belmopan when it made landfall as a category 5 hurricane with winds of 165 mph. While the full force of Hurricane Dean did not hit Belize, the Northern Districts (Corozal and Orange Walk) and the Cayes (Ambergris and Caye Caulker) experienced strong winds damaging roofs, uprooting trees and affecting power lines, water supply and telecommunications. The storm severely affected papaya and sugarcane crops. At Peace Corps' consolidation point we experienced heavy rains and 60 mph winds. Through Belize Red Cross, I helped distribute rations in the village of Chunox a few weeks after (pictured below).


Hurricane Felix gave Belize another scare, as it was expected to hit the country directly. During last week's Carnival parade a truck displayed a banner that read, "Let us celebrate and Thank God for sparing us from Hurricane DEAN and FELIX."

Despite the weather, there was much celebration in Belize throughout September, including Battle of St. George's Caye Day (Sept. 10), Independence Day (Sept. 21), and Carnival. This year's September Celebrations theme was “Independent, Strong and Free, Belize fi all ah We.” I enjoyed fireworks, parades, food, music and dancing.

Carnival is highly anticipated in Belize. From July, I heard drum cadences echoing from the King's Park neighborhood in Belize City. Masqueraders practice their dance routines and work on their costumes during the late hours of the night. The question I ask is, Why is Belize celebrating Carnival in September?

It all started with a group of women who wanted to liven things up on the tenth day of September. They danced around the streets of Belize City in costumes and the rest is history. Today neighborhood bands compete in the road march to see who's best in show.

This year's Carnival Road March, with eleven bands and over a thousand dancers lasted for more than five hours. My favorites were the Succotz Festival Drum Corps and Pantempters Steel Drum Band. The judges chose Mother Nature's Creation as the number one senior band and Black Pearl in the junior section. For more Carnival photos visit my Flickr album.

Now I feel as if things are returning back to normal.