Trip to San Pedro

I've drawn and painted some, most of my life, but never really allowed myself to give it much energy.  Mostly out of fear and being a chicken has caused me to keep it to myself.  I've finally quit finding excuses and am having a ball just dabbling away.  Once you get started it gets a little addictive.  I love the children and the "faces" of Belize and am trying to capture them on paper with watercolor.  It's a tricky medium here in the tropics because of the humidity, but what fun I'm having.  

Art's been encouraging me to try to sell some, but it's daunting to decide how, where and how much.   I decided to take some where the prospects seemed the best, which is San Pedro on Ambergris Caye.  I asked two of my dear friends to go with me as I hate going to Belize City and don't know my way around.  I read that the water taxi's dock is by the swing bridge, which I'd never seen.  Turns out it's next to the route we take to make our annual trek to the Tourist Board to renew our retirement status, so now I know.  The funny thing is that in six years, neither Betty, Peggy or I had ever been to San Pedro, so we were off on our adventure. 

I was worried about leaving my truck overnight in Belize City.  There's a parking lot across the street from the taxi, but when I told them we'd be staying overnight, I was told they would take my truck to a secure lot.  It was the owner of the taxi service, so I took a chance and agreed.  Good choice as it was at his house and surrounded by a concrete wall.  I'm tired of being hesitant about things, so am trying to plunge ahead.  Hey, we moved to Belize, didn't we?  Get a grip girl and GO!  The water taxi is a small jet ferry that can probably seat about 40 to 50 people.  We headed out to sea with a short stop in Caye Caulker and then on to San Pedro.  This is where most of the tourist money goes.  It's funky, touristy, but fun.  There's water, sand, snorkeling, fishing and diving to attract the energetic.  We found Ruby's which is a reasonably priced, clean hotel, on the beach with a room that would accommodate the three of us.

 I had researched galleries and decided on one that sounded promising.  I wanted to walk around without my portfolio to check things out.  So glad I did, as I didn't like the gallery I intended to visit at all; neither the look or the philosophy.  How disappointing.  Continuing on, we did discover a beautiful gallery which looked professional and perfect.  The owner was out of the country, but I showed the sales fellow photos of my work and he encouraged me to bring my paintings in the next day.  Cutting to the chase, I did and ended up leaving a few.  Prices won't be good, but it's a start.  I'm hoping that others will enjoy my faces of Belize so that I can afford to buy more supplies.  


Getting this settled, we had a blast visiting most of the small shops, ogling the beautiful things that we don't see in Cayo.  We all agreed that those shops probably wouldn't prosper in San Ignacio as we're more a destination for trekkers and the hiking boot set.  We ate seafood and had expensive, but fantastic ice cream and had a ball.  I forgot to mention that there are very few cars in San Pedro.  The streets are narrow, but golf carts are everywhere.  There is definitely "traffic" it's just smaller vehicles.  We walked and savored everything.  


When we got back, we had to take a taxi to get the truck, but it was safe and sound.  We headed back for home with a short stop for lunch.  The trip really flew by with continued conversation and laughing.  We had such a great time.  I can't imagine better companions for my quest.  Besides having so much fun together, they were so supportive of my work and pushed me to jump in and approach the galleries.  These two ladies, along with our friend, Diane, who is in the States, are the core of my friendship family here in Belize.  We all agreed that we'd hate to live on the Caye, but it sure was fun to visit.  

Now it's back to painting.  (Just a note - I've decided not to post photos of my work until I can figure out how to do it in such a way that they won't be copied.  I've learned from experience that you can put so much of yourself into a work to have it stolen.  It seems to get easier every day).