I'm sorry for slacking the rest of the week on the blog. The weather really mixed things up on us and I found myself too exhausted to write at night time and opted to rest. So let me catch you up on how the rest of the trip went…
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| My brothers sleeping alike. Aw. I know they'll find this photo embarrassing but its too cute not to share :-) |
Wednesday was rainy. Very rainy. We spent the morning mostly relaxing and trying to figure out what we would do with soccer camp. The weather was potentially too windy and rainy (equating to cold) for the kids. Right before we had to make the call the skies cleared as if the soccer Gods knew that missing a day of soccer was simply not meant to be. We headed over to Holy Cross just in time to catch the first way of 5-7 year olds coming out of school at 1:45. We had limited time with them today since the big kids got out early, at 2:15. Of course, the little ones are welcome to come to the big field with us (which a few of them do) but the problem is that it is a short 5 minute walk from the school and the little little kids opt to go home after our after school program with them. There is not much space at the school, but just enough to have the little ones practice at the school unit the big kids get out.
We jumped straight into our "World Cup" game. This is a huge hit and with the little ones we divide them up into 3 teams and see which one can get score 10 goals on Coach Luke, who is our superstar Goalkeeper! 
The game ended just in time for the older kids to get out. We could see the weather looming and even though many of our usual kids went home, a lot of the kids came out to play and we had enough for a big scrimmage! We divided our 25 kids and coaches into teams and just played a fun game for an hour. This was all we could fit in. The visible sheet of rain was coming towards us. The storm looked even more menacing in contrast to the bright turquoise water beneath it. The rain had been spitting a little but since the big storms as on its way we ended the game with just enough time for the kids to get home before getting drenched.
We took a rainy ride home, showered up and went to pick up dinner at Robin's, a great chicken place right down the street that is only $6 a plate- A renowned spot on the island and in travel books. We took the chicken back to our place and ate under the community "hut" that used to be a restaurant (lack of customers turned it into a card-playing, family-eating community spot). A couple of groups sat playing cards while we devoured our food vowing to go back to Robin's at least one more time. A little bit of reading and then I ended up passing out early.
The next day the kids got out of school at 12:00. Waking up early, we enjoyed a great breakfast and the sun. The boys swam in the ocean, I did some yoga by the pool, and then we all got ready and headed up to the school.
Since all of the kids got out at the same time we had to walk the little ones over with us. Coach Deb and Cille were to begin their "picture" project with the kids but in order for this to happen we needed a photo.so right as the kids came out of school we gathered them all up and took a few photos. Someone from the island newspaper even showed up for the picture! 
The plan was to make picture frames that said "More Than Futbol 2014" and have the kids decorate their frame with stickers and this would be a gift on the last day.
Once we got to the school, we got started with a normal day of camp. 2v2s, World Cup, and the stepover and lunge fake were on the agenda. Coach Deb and Cille brought a huge tarp and held it down with stones so the kids could sit and work on their picture frames (this was a big hit). Surprisingly, even the older boys got into it!
The kids had a blast at camp and we ended in a scrimmage. Everyone was having so much fun that we ended up having camp for almost 4 hours!
We were thankful to see the sun, but boy was it hot out there. We all got scorched by the sun and decided to nix our "Cookout" idea opting for a shower and a relaxing dinner out. After showering, we all headed out to "Wild Mangos", another hotspot on the island. I liked it, it was unique, but I'm not a "salad-eating" kind of girl if you know what I mean. Don't get me wrong, I love a good salad, but after that hot day in the sun I was HUNGRY and in need of a little more food. It's okay, I can always top myself off with a double-scoop of chocolate ice cream. Before you start doubting my healthy diet let me just say- everyone should be allowed to indulge a little when traveling! You have to taste all of the flavors… carribean, mango, coconut, and even the chocolate is unique. (Okay, its not unique, but bare with me, I'm a chocolate lover!) 
I stopped by after dinner to see my friend, Paulina, who runs a stand in the town square. She is from Chile, her husband from Argentina and they are artisans who moved to the island 18 years ago, selling their jewelry to tourists. It's very awesome unique and beautiful craftsmanship! Paulina is my first friend on the island and I have kept in touch with her every since my first year (via Facebook, of course). She has a son that goes to Holy Cross, who, I just found out, skipped from 6th to 8th grade! Go Antu!
We went back home to get an early nights sleep for an early morning. As it turns out, all Belizean teachers were going on strike and so there was no school on Friday. We were really worried this would affect our turn out for camp as we usually usher kids right out of school over to the soccer fields. We told all of the kids on Thursday that we would have camp at 10am Friday morning. 
At 10am we had 10 kids at the field :-( What a bummer- last day, awards day, last chance to see the kids. We decided to play a scrimmage to end the camp and the coaches could all fill in for more numbers. Well, 1 by 1 the kids started to trickle in and before you knew it we had a huge game with 25 kids going! It was super fun and a great way to end camp! Afterwards we had a ceremony where we called the kids up 1 by 1 and they had to go down the line and shake each coach's hand and then were presented with the framed picture they had created. Deb and Cille and brought print cartridges and photo paper and printed all the pictures out at the school the day before.
It was a great gift because all of the kids were able to go home with something special to remember their fun time at camp.
Many pictures later, we reluctantly left the kids with a promise: "See you next year!"
It is always sooooo sad to leave. After such a wonderful time with the kids and forming some great bonds, we wish we could be there to play with them always.
On the way back into town we stopped for a Waraguma lunch. Lobster kabob? Yes, please. WIth Robin's closed on Saturday, I also picked up a plate of that on the way home and basically left no room for dinner. That evening we went through the streets and checked out all of the artisan stands. I bought a few pairs of earrings (I like the unique ones that you can't find at home) and a BEAUTIFUL necklace. Paulina's Chilean friends had, in their travels, purchased an amethyst stone from a stone craftsman in Mexico and with their silver smithing skills they sculped this BEAUTIFUL pennant. I love it. Maybe the coolest thing I have bought).
On the last day, Caitlin, Deb, and Cille, decided to take a trip into Tikal, Guatemala, a MASSIVE Mayan Ruins place to visit.
That is probably the best part of this trip- you make a huge difference and have the opportunity to spend the week on a beautiful Caribean Island and see some amazing sights.
We slept in, I did some morning yoga and then convinced the boys to go into town to "Estel's" breakfast and lunch spot which is very fun. They have a musician who plays music and their food is great and right on the beach. Great way to start the day. After a long, relaxing breakfast we walked around town. I bought my Dad some coffee and then we went back to the condo. It wasn't too long after we arrived back at the condo that the Massage Therapist arrived. Scott, Luke, and Kevin had 3 massage therapist come out earlier in the week and they got massages side by side under the hut in front of the water outside. It being our last day, I decided to go for it and Luke decided to go for round 2! $40/hour or $60 for 90 minutes… and, it was awesome. Great massage overlooking the Caribbean! After the massages we showered up and went into town to the Blue Water Grill for dinner. Caitlin, Deb, and Cille had taken a day excursion to the Mayan ruins in Tikal, Guatemala and hadn't arrived back yet so it was just the boys and I for dinner. The food was awesome, right on the water. I had lobster, shrimp and fish. The standard meal on the island :-) We enjoyed reminiscing about the trip and talking about everyone we wanted to invite along for next year. I enjoyed spending the last meal with my brothers and Kevin (who is like a brother) with the fun banter around the dinner table. Right when we were about to pay the check the rain started pouring! I was soooo bummed because I had planned to come in and see Paulina one last time at her jewelry stand before we left! We waited it out for a bit and then thankfully, the rain cleared up and we were able to walk into town!
It was an early wake up call. Departing at 7:45, I woke up at 6am and did one last yoga sesh out on the dock before getting ready to leave. We taxied into town and took the ferry back to Belize City. Saying goodbye was tough. We weren't ready to leave the kids, our new friends, or the beautiful warm weather.
Returning to the states was a little bit of a shock at first. The hum and energy in the airport was immediately noticeable at a faster pace. I told Caitlin that the only thing that would make me feel better about having to leave the island was if there was a Dunkin Donuts when I got off my flight so I could get my favorite morning beverage. Well there was, but it was closed. haha.
There's something about going on a trip like this that calms your spirit. Puts life into perspective. It was a wonderful trip, the kind that you never forget, with several of the volunteers vowing to come back again next year and even bring some friends.
Thank you for following the blog for More Than Futbol 2014. If you are interested in traveling, traveling with your family, donating gently used gear, or helping in any way, log onto www.MoreThanFutbol.com or contact me at CoachAli.ChampionsSoccer@gmail.com.
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