Breakfast was at a small stall, in the local market and consisted of a number of different versions of eggs and beans (frijoles). I opted for fruit salad. Our chicken bus was waiting nearby. The driver was a little anxious about the border crossing so he was hassling us to leave early.This meant that some of us ended up having breakfast to go. It was quite interesting trying to hold coffee and fruit salad, while sitting in a chicken bus!!!! We stowed all our gear on top of the bus where it was lashed tightly. We then climbed on board and found seats with all the local passengers. I was a little disapointed that there wasn't a single chicken in sight!!! Though later one of the girls did have a very cute puppy.
The border crossing into Belize was very easy. The border officials checked out our passports and after quick rustle through our bags and we were back on the chicken bus for the three and a half hour trip through to Belize City. Along the way we picked up and dropped off the local people. I loved listening to the local dialect (for the want of a better word) of english. There was a lot I could understand, but a lot that was very new to me. Yes, we had a change in language, English is the official language in Belize however, most of the people speak spanish as well.
About mid afternoon we arrived into Belize City, at a very dodgey bus terminal!!! No need to be reminded to hold on to valuables tightly here! Paulina quickly hustled us through the milling taxi drivers, hawkers etc, to a a group of drivers with an amazing assortment of "taxis". The van I was in had a smashed windscreen, bits held on with masking tape and a sliding door that didn't quite close properly. The convoy (well 6 taxis) made it's way through the streets of Belize City to the port where we had a short wait before we caught a ferry to the Caribbean island of Caye Caulker!! and a complete change in culture and scenery!!!
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