A Saturday FULL of Activity: The Inspirational Belize Business Expo and a HUGE Clean-up with Ambergris North Alliance

Wait…I thought the “busy season” was coming to an end.

Not quite yet! This weekend has so many events. Not just on Ambergris Caye but today is the last day of Caye Caulker’s big Lobster Festival. And I’m heading over this afternoon…

Yesterday was a big day. My friend and I started at the big Ambergris North Alliance BIG July clean-up…7am sharp. We meant to go to the Truck Stop’s fun Farmers Market after that but…GOOD LAWD I was hot and sweaty and SORE after the clean-up.

Later in the afternoon we stopped by the big Belize Business Expo at Grand Caribe Resort. Where there is also a big fishing tournament going on…

Those events were both soooo inspirational that I’d planned to just share the pictures on Facebook. But as I looked through my photos, I had more to say…

So here we go. Let’s start with the clean-up. Usually for our ANA clean-ups we stick to the main road – the road that ALL tourists see on their way to Secret Beach and one that can be a mess. But yesterday we started at the North Police Station and went back into the neighborhood I call Heredia-ville (after our former minister) and some call “The Promise Land”…and others call “Cayo Frances”.

Either way…it is growing by leaps and bounds! And needed a deep clean. We had 5 big trucks donated for a load and a trip to the dump south of town. A back hoe from the San Pedro Town Council and so many hardworking voluteers. SO MANY. From Matachica Resort, from Tres Cocos Resort, from businesses in the area: Crow’s Nest Bar and Grill, Casa SolMate, Lali and his crew from In D Wild (check out my last visit there), the North Police Department. Some folks brought their kids…

We had additional donations and supplies from Truck Stop and our Department of Environment. It was such hard sweaty work but so fantastic.

For more information on our group and how you can help – and to get more information, check out our Facebook page. There’s alotta work to do but together we really make a huge difference.

It was also so nice to meet more people in this area…little Irenie and Officer Kent’s lovely son, Kelvis and the crew from the new-ish restaurant Crow’s Nest (I’m definitely heading to a Friday BBQ there soon)…it’s a good feeling.

We are also holding a 2-day summer camp for kids up north…so…it’s a busy month.

Onward to the Belize Business Expo at Grand Caribe. That’s being held in conjunction with the 10th Annual Deep Sea Fishing Classic.

I’ve been for the past few years and I find it super inspirational. Folks from all around Belize doing cool things…business things, artistic things, scientific things…

Here’s some of what I saw.

The space was BUSY! And the France-England game (match?) could be heard throughout…especially what sounds like endless GOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLSSSSSSS!

I had to pick up Jeff in town so we did a QUICK tour. But I took a bunch of pictures of things I want to read about…and maybe you do too.

She does these beautiful drawings – at weddings, at parties…I need more information! Here’s her Instagram to find out. Soooo cool.

Sorry I’m speeding thru these but I gotta pack! 3 nights in Caye Caulker…

We got caught up at the Sea of Life set of tables. Their mission is to strengthen and empower local communities to protect the ocean. Amazing!

They are giving fellowships to entrepreneurs in Belize who are meeting that challenge in creative ways.

Working on one of our most INTENSE issues in Ambergris Caye. Turning sargassum into cellophane. HOOOORAY!

They have some really good looking packaging too. Check them out.

And these two from 501Bae…I had to buy one of these beautiful cotton crocheted key chains…so pretty.

I got the message that Jeff was waiting in town. We’ve got to go!

But I want to follow up on so much of this…I did not budget my time correctly.

Oh well…

I had more to do that night.

But I want to share these events and these amazing folks and…well…I’m inspired. And that feels good.

Hope you have a fantastic weekend. I’ll be reporting back from Caye Caulker. My first time there in ONE YEAR!

Crazy.