St. George's Caye Day

Last Tuesday was a national and school holiday in Belize. St. George's Caye Day celebrates the victory of the British baymen over a fleet of Spanish ships that were trying to claim and occupy Belize for the Spanish crown. Spain really, really, really wanted Belize--they tried to invade and occupy in 1716, 1724, 1733, 1747, 1751, and 1779. Their final attempt, in 1798, was their final attempt, and that is why it is such a big deal.

The backdrop on the stage. Curiously, the English Bayman looks an awful lot more like a modern Belizean than an 18th century Englishman. :)

Curiously, even though St. George's Caye Day is a holiday, the students of the local schools are required to wear their uniforms and march in the Uniform Parade. The boys were not happy about this at first, but when we pointed out they had an opportunity to march in a parade in a foreign country that celebrates the victory of pirates over the Spanish empire, they thought it might be worth a shot. As it turns out, they had a great time, and it was fun for us to watch. Unfortunately, it started raining at the end of the parade, but that didn't dampen our spirits. After the parade we met Liam's friend Aiden and his moms Tara and Cathy at the Blue Water Grill for lunch.

Liam and his class, pre-parade

Lochlan and his class, pre-parade

The mayor of San Pedro, Daniel Guerrero, addresses the crowd. Note beauty contestants on stage in background.

The ubiquitous 'speaker truck.' In the short time we've been here, we've seen several of these. Belizeans love music, especially EXTREMELY LOUD music (like 120 db+), typically blasting Soca music

Current and former Miss San Pedros

Liam and Teacher Susan

There were hundreds of students from several different schools on the island

Lochlan (center) and Teacher Jen (right).