This can sometimes be confusing when paying for things, since some places accept both currencies. It is always best to ask which currency the price is listed in before paying.
A bottle of waata (water) costs about one Belize dollar. One big difference in Belize is that there are no public water fountains. I brought a few water bottles thinking I could refill them, but clean drinking water is something you usually have to buy here.
Another difference is that water and other beverages are sometimes sold in small plastic bags called “ideals.” To drink from them, you tear off one corner with your mouth and sip from the opening.
This is a hard question! I love Belizean food, so it’s difficult to choose just one from this week. I’ll have to go with escabeche (a type of soup). Escabeche is a local onion soup that usually includes chicken, broth and peppers or jalapeños. It is often served with tortillas on the side.
I usually listen to the same music most of the time, and the Rolling Stones have always been my go-to band because my dad and I listened to them a lot when I was growing up. This week I’ve been missing my family and my home, so I listened to a couple of artists that remind me of where I’m from—James Taylor and the Avett Brothers—which always make me feel calm and connected. Music is also an important part of culture in Belize. In my region, punta is a popular style of music and dance with strong drumming, a steady rhythm and lots of energy.
