"WelcomeTo Placencia": Poet Bob

The Poet of Placencia: Poet Bob

Over the next few months, I am going to video Bob reciting his favorite poems. In fact, he is working on a digital version of his collection of written works to be available for sale at a future time. His entire videography will be available on Youtube, as a friend in the States has a site already created, devoted to Bob's poetry. He also has three poems in card format, this one of them.

We were talking up at the Above Grounds coffee shop last week and I offered to video him reciting.This is the first of many to come; filmed in the backyard of the coffee shop. For now though here is his "Welcome to Placencia" poem, spoken by the author himself...one he usually recites at local outdoor venues here in Placencia for tourists...enjoy Poet Bob! (Hint: Bob has well over one hundred original poems devoted to memory! Not bad for 70!)

"Welcome To Placencia!" by Poet Bob

Lobsterfest June 19-21, 2015

 Click here to go to the Photo Journal page to read about the Lobsterfest and additional links to pics and videos. I still have more videos to upload. I'll do an additional post when ready.

New Mayan Jade Discovery in Belize

Wow!! A new Jade discovery in Belize and an expanded understanding of the Mayan culture.

Read the article and watch the video

Mayan Sclupture, Poet Bob, and Whispering Willow Healing Arts

Belize is steeped in various cultures. One of the oldest is Mayan. I had the good fortune to meet a Shamanic Practitioner at the end of April. She was here to learn more about Mayan healing arts. As a token of our friendship, I commissioned  the local poet and artist, Bob, to carve a Mayan head out of pumice stone.

Here are pictures of the Mayan Head and Poet Bob. Bob calls it, "Hear No Evil." If anyone is interested in a carving let me know and I'll put you in touch with Poet Bob. He also sells cards of his poetry, does local poetry readings and is in the process of putting together an eBook of his poetry.

In case anyone is in need of a Healer and lives in the Boulder or Seattle areas, here is the webpage of Heather of Whispering Willow Healing Arts.  I certainly don't mind making referrals to her. She has a contact page on her site, or I can contact her for you.
 

Heather Boreske

The Hokey Pokey and Monthly Visit to Immigration

Good morning from Paradise friends! It's a balmy morning, a healthy breeze with cloudy skies. It's 74 degrees at 5:30.

Going to ride the Hokey Pokey to Independence this morning about 8 am, catch a taxi to the Immigration Office, pay my $25US to stay another month. I should be back by noon.
Here's a picture of the Hokey Pokey. It is a 15 minute ride across the harbor, passing islands of Mangos (where the lobsters reside and I'm sure a few crocodiles!) The ride over and back costs $16BZ/$8US. The boat holds 30 people and it's usually full. Students cross to get to high school and adults to get to and from work. It's a fast rough ride, especially when the waves are kicking up. Everyone must have a life vest. 

All kinds of boats, in all conditions, even a few sunk, are along the shore in close to Placencia. You ride a canal out to the bay, passing shacks next to expensive vacation homes. The disparity between poverty and wealth is obvious, but I have not experienced much hostility...these people are a kind and generous lot on the whole. Hispanics, Mayans and Garifuna seem to mix well. It's more like a tossed salad, rather than a melting pot, implying the mix of separate cultures is more than it's individual ingredients.

Belize Chocolate Festival 5/21-24/2015

Please follow this link to photos and narrative related to the Belize Chocolate Festival held 5/21-24/2015 in Punta Gorda and Mopan

Placencia Lobsterfest 2015 Winning Art Work

While eating breakfast on 5/15 at Wendy's I met the woman who won the local art competition for the official image for the 2015 Lobsterfest here in Placencia on June 19-21. Her name is Jessea Gay Marie. Jessea is retired from Santa Barbara (too expensive to live there anymore) so she moved "lock, stock and barrel" to Placenica several months ago. So I've rubbed shoulders with yet another "famous" person in the village , Poet Bob being the first.. Here is her winning painting from among 14 entries, being printed on T-shirts and announcements.

 This is a mock up of the T-shirt with five open spots for sponsors.