Albert Pacheco - PADI Divemaster at Frenchie's Diving

Amy Robinson - Frequent visitor to Caye Caulker along with her mother and siblings

Tyler - Tina's son

During the course of the days, I had my share of salbutes and tacos from the little taco stand in front of the Martinez Hotel, The Sandbox Restaurant became Tina's kitchen (just detached from her house, she said). I said hello to my friend Betito at the Caye Caulker Bakery, I drove around in the golf cart incessantly with Tina and Charlie, socializing with everyone, and I hung out at the Sandbox, THE meeting place for anybody who is somebody (:-). Okay, I like the view.

Marcos - originally from Bullett Tree Falls but frequent visitor to Caye Caulker

But the two highlights of my trip both happened on exactly the same day. It was Wednesday morning, 8:00 a.m., and I was sitting on my bed in Tina's house, debating the merits of going scuba diving today. As I mentioned earlier, I had been invited by Albert to scuba today. However, I was not prepared for the literal downpour of rain that had started the evening before, and I wondered to myself if my little tropical body could survive the chill that the water would be. It had been overcast for days, and I was certain the water would be cold, necessitating a wet suit and more. I debated with myself and opted not to go.

Dawn Joseph - waitress at the Sandbox Restaurant

Much later, when the sky cleared for a bit, I went over to Dolphin Bay Travel to visit and sit with Diane. Diane, by the way, had been away on a trip to Minnesota the first few days I had arrived on Caye Caulker. She had returned to the island just the evening before, though, and we had a lot to share. It was sometime during the afternoon, and as I sat with her chatting, the song "Mambo #5" come on the radio. And, as if someone had waved their magic wand, Charlie, Tina and Marioli suddenly appeared. Before I knew it, we were all jumping around and moving our hips to "Mambo #5". The next thing I notice, my friend Kenny, who I had been hoping to see for days, and who I had not,

Lucy - Marioli's baby

suddenly also appeared at the doorway. Dolphin Bay had been transformed into an afternoon "Eden Nightclub" or sorts. I was glad that Diane was also dancing, as had she not been, she probably would have evicted us all from her office. Kenny came over and gave me a big hug. We start chatting animatedly recounting events of the past year. Kenny has been a really good friend to me and it brought me happiness when I saw him. I was glad.

Justin Kuylen - Diane's oldest son

(Fast forward to Saturday Night - Halloween Party at the Sandbox Restaurant). Saturday also emerged rainy and cold. In fact, the day was downright dreary, if you are single - but happened to be perfect "cuddly" weather if your cards were right :-).

Dillon Kuylen - Diane's youngest and almost drowning victim

Most of the day was spent indoors by everyone. Since today was Bianca's birthday, Granny Ills had ordered up a cake and some soda pop for her. It was a special treat for the kiddies who were mostly indoors most of the time. (Actually, chocolate cake was a treat for momma too, who had been on a diet for months trying to look fabulous for her return home).

Lisa and Aydan - Rico's wife and youngest child

A little later, Tina's house became the "House of Horrors" as just about everyone I can possibly remember came over to her house to dress. She lives two houses down from the Sandbox (which made it the perfect spot so as to avoid a long walk over to the party in the rain). Once we were dressed, we all went over to the Sandbox to celebrate.

Princess Bianca - my princess

Tina proceeded to dress Kenny in drag (Miss Universe - Kenrika Wagner). Peggy (listserve member) was a cruel Black Widow Spider on a manhunt for victims to devour (:-), Amy became a tramp for the night, Charlie was showing some serious cleavage (that's all I remember about her outfit because so many people commented), Tina was a Hawaiian girl. Mario and his girlfriend Carin were Fred Flintstone and Wilma (animal print, yabadabadoo and all!) The one person missing in all this that I had also hoped to see was Trevor. His presence was missed by me (and others I'm sure).

We partied all night long, with flashbulbs going off everywhere, and drinks and food to "stone dog wid". There was laughter and mingling everywhere. This night was very memorable, and an especially fitting way to say good bye to my island - spending my last few precious moments on the island with my friends. I was both happy and sad at the same time. It was especially bittersweet for me, because the next morning early at 6:30 a.m., I would be on a boat out to Belize City in order to get my 9:00a.m. Taca flight back to reality. The exceptionally beautiful and happy week that were the past seven days were now at the point of being over. Time to get back to the 9:00 - 5:00 grind. Or is it?

Betito - 24 year old owner of the Caye Caulker Bakery

It is now 9:30 a.m. on Sunday. Bianca and I are now 30,000 miles up in the sky on our way back to Miami. Part of me feels so sad, wishing, longing to go home again. I struggle with myself (and continue to do so even today) wanting with all my heart to go home, but knowing, KNOWING that for the next six months, I will continue to be "held hostage" in Miami. But six months will not take long.

Come June 2000, this islandgirl will return to the home of her birth, the land where her toes feel comfortable, the land where she is loved and cherised. She will return to the land of the free. I will return home June 2000.

I will return HOME!!!!
:-)

Wendy de la Fuente Phone: +501-226-0011 Fax: +501-226-0311 Email belizeanthings@yahoo.com