50c 1 October, 2011 Volume 2, Issue 10 El Chiclero

BENQUE VIEJO TOWN CO UNCIL Thousands Turn Out In For Funeral of Rt. Hon. George Cadle Price The common sentiment that the Rt. Hon. George Cadle Price was equally at home among kings and heads of state as among common folks and the rural poor was aptly born out by the crowd at his funeral Mon- day, Sept. 26, 2011. The giant tents erected to provide some shade from the scorching Belizean sun could contain only a small portion of the those wishing to participate in the Mass and final farewell to a man often called the Father of this country. As Aaron Humes wrote in a front page story in the Sept. 25 , “He took a small nation on the Caribbean coast of Central America, beholden to the behe- moth—the of Great Brit- ain and Northern Ireland - with no dis- cernible means of providing for itself apart from the flagging timber industry, and in a The Body of Rt. Hon. George Price “Father of Independence,” carried by Honor political career spanning more than five Guard from the funeral service in Belmopan, destined for burial in City. decades, made it a mostly self-sufficient Prayer. carried by the Official Pall Bearers of the nation with a distinct identity, uniting the Hon. John Briceño, Leader of the Belize Defense Force, and Mass started hodgepodge o9f cultures that at times Opposition gave voice to his admira- promptly at 9:00. threatened to make Belize more like its tion of the Rt. Hon. Mr. Price, fol- Central American neighbors, which were Rev. Eugene Crawford gave the first lowed by a powerful rendition of drenched in blood.” reading, Rev. Roosevelt Papouloute the Francis Reneau’s composition for The service was impressive with the pre- second, Right Rev. Phillip Wright read orchestra and choir, “Hymn to Be- cision of the Honor Guard, the solemnity the Gospel and Most Rev. Dorick M. lize.” Wright, D.D., Bishop of and of the proceedings and the punctuality of Hon. , Prime Minister Belmopan delivered the homily. the schedule. Mayor Nicholas Ruiz said of Belize delivered the final remarks the Rt. Hon. Mr. Price would have appreci- Rev. Canon Leroy Flowers read the prior to closing prayers and the Na- ated that, as he was a punctual man. Prayers of the Faithful, Dr. John Waight tional Anthem, saying that Belize will All invited guests were at their seats delivered the eulogy and Mrs. Elizabeth never have another leader quite Zabaneh read the Belizean National when the casket arrived at 8:55 a.m., like the Rt. Hon. George Price. P a g e 2 El Chiclero October1, 2011

Because we are friends, I am biased, but where I had my first bucket bath, T h a n k Y o u he has done more for Benque in the met my first tarantula, contracted Den- It’s Sunday afternoon and I’m at home past three years than most people will gue Fever, and provided no end of here in Benque, working on the last issue ever know, and will leave the town a amusement with my attempts at Span- of El Chiclero. I wanted to write a simple better place for having served. I know ish. I was fortunate to be able to help column about thank you and good-bye, we will keep in touch. prepare for their son Cefas’ wedding, but it’s hard. I get up and play my guitar My host family, Imer and Sharon although I missed Febe’s wedding be- a bit, trying to find some words, but they Hernandez, treated me like family from cause of a hurricane. Thanks to the are slow in coming. In two weeks, I’ll be day one, and I always felt comfortable Tzib family. back in the States but a piece of my heart that I could turn to them at any time if I I’m not going to name all those at the will remain always here in Benque. were in a jam. I spent many Sundays at Town Hall who are friends, those in This is a special town, Benque Viejo Del the afternoon Bar-B-Que, arriving early business where I shopped and ate, and Carmen, cleanest community in Belize, and leaving late, and spent one memo- those who helped support El Chiclero safest, and the community has been very rable weekend at a family wedding in by placing ads; I know I would inadver- generous with me. It was your Mayor, San Esteban, much of which I remem- tently forget someone and I’m not bold Nick Ruiz who invited Peace Corps to ber. Thank you Imer, Sharon and fam- enough to take that chance. But know send a volunteer to the Town Council, but ily. that if you ever travel to the States, mi he then went out of his way to include me When I was in training in San Anto- casa es su casa…and that’s for real. in much of what makes Benque tick, and nio, I also became part of the family of Thank you all for making me feel like in the process we have become friends. Severo and Christina Tzib. That’s a Benqueño. Roger German Clarifying The July Chiclero Municipal Development Project Story It was generous of the editor of El Faro- treatment.” Which is why the World El Chiclero apologizes to Farolito lito to mention El Chiclero in his publica- Bank said it is requiring dictatorial editor if the information in the July tion, and it’s good to know people are oversight and control. SIF Project Coor- issue was written “in a casual dismal attempting to follow the convoluted path dinator Ernest Raymond said “Every column, buried on page 6, which had of the Belize Municipal Development Pro- little thing, the World Band has to ap- confusing scanty information which ject (MDP) funded by the World Bank prove and sign off.” Mr. Raymond said Engineering Co’s were invited to bid.” and administered by the Belize Social that right now the “evaluation report for We hope the information written here Investment Fund (SIF). the design consultants is being final- helps clarify a bit. But it is a very con- fusing process. For more information It appears there is still some misinfor- ized…then a supervisory consultant will please follow up at the SIF website mation making the rounds, and we would come on board.” www.sifbelize.org, click on BMDP like to clear that up to the extent that we The only things selected at the July (Belize Municipal Development Fund) can. The editor indicated that “We the 24th meeting were the six engineering or call Mr. Ernest Raymond the Project people want to have a say in selecting the contractors who would submit bids to Coordinator for the BMDP at SIF 822- contractor who has the best deal…We draw up plans for the projects for all 7 0508. He is well informed on BMDP. want to get the most streets paved…We municipalities. SIF and the World Bank want to select a Company of our own won’t be sending out a request for bids choice…We demand to know from contractors until after that engi- Mini Editorial “Now” (Farolito emphasis) what compa- neering firm is selected and then that For the Benque Independence Queen nies were invited to bid…Info Broder firm needs to draw up the plans, and to choose a time of both national (sic)!” then those plans can be sent out for bid, mourning and public celebration to All very good points. But the short an- a process that will last one month under chastise the Mayor of Benque showed swer is, we the people no longer have a World Bank guidelines. When those both immaturity and tactlessness. contractors submit the bids to SIF and say. The World Bank has made that emi- As a good friend said to me, “ THAT the committee to analyze, and those nently clear in the way they are requiring queen is hardly worth the atten- bids are then submitted to the World the loan to be administered by SIF with tion...funny how you could see so much Bank, and a contractor selected, it is their oversight. This does speak to an- character (or lack of character) when the possible some dirt somewhere will begin other demand of Farolito, “We want to other girl was crowned...of course, any to move. Perhaps as early as late De- select a Company that knows that bribing of the girls would be disappointed but cember, according to Mr. Raymond. or paying “Kickbacks” or paying money her reaction showed so, so much more.” More likely January, if history is any under the table is a criminal offence And that’s about all the ink it’s worth. to get the contract or preferential indication. October1, 2011 El Chiclero P a g e 3

Chapter 11: introduce you to Japanese culture. The impossible to describe what Japan is detail and content that I introduce to with words alone. Thus, you read my Notebook you might be not be exactly the same as articles to be introduced to Japanese another Japanese person would explain, culture, and perhaps become interested From Japan but it is what I myself feel and perceive in Japan, or you imagine what Japan is By Kota Murakami as Japanese culture. like, and that is Japan. Japanese culture is one of the most This year was a very serious year for It’s been one year that I have been unique cultures in world. However, peo- Japan . I could never describe such a contributing articles introducing Japa- ple often focus on only one aspect of its thing adequately. In May there was a nese culture. This is my final note. culture and though it might be part of catastrophic earthquake. I found out about it from my friend’s text The whole reason for writing this col- message in the morning. And umn is that I want Benqueños to under- that caused an issue with the stand my culture. Some think Japan is a nuclear plant. In August and part of China, others think Japan con- September huge typhoons nects with the Continent of Asia, and yet hit. My father said over the others think Japan is an independent phone that this is the worst nation but that Japanese speak Chinese. and most unusual situation I have already lived in Benque for one since World War II. Japan is year and I am happy spending my time going through an era of enor- here with the beauty and wonder of this mous consequence and dur- place, inhabited by wonderful people. It ing this hard time I am in is not unnatural for me to want the same Belize. What does it mean? and Benqueños to know my culture. I genuinely want you to know Nowadays, the world is un- about me; where I am from, my roots, dergoing rapid globalization. who I am. That is the simple reason to One unique place is becom- ing one usual place all over CORRECTIONS the world. Knowing another culture helps me love my own It is unfortunate that when a writer culture more. Actually this the culture it is neither broadly true nor leaves the “n” out of the word “crown,” year has been a very important time for necessarily representative. For instance the result is still a word. Unfortunate me to look my culture face to face. This some think of Japan only in terms of on two counts. One, spell check does has been a place to rediscover the won- Geisha, Samurai, Bushido, Sushi, not inform the writer of the alphabetical derfulness of my culture. I appreciate Harakiri (commit suicide with honor), lapse. Crow is, after all, a word. On the you Mr. Roger German, who always pro- and Ninja. I myself am very unhappy second count however, when one is writ- vided me (continued on pg 8 KOTA) with that narrow understanding. It is ing about “the crowning of a queen,” like thinking Belize is a British colony or leaving the “n” out creates the sort of El Chiclero is part of Guatemala. No Belizean would Published Monthly unintentional innuendo an editor does think such a thing. George and Park Streets, Town Hall not like to see on the front page. Benque Viejo Del Carmen Well, what is this country, Japan? It is To further add to the dismay of the Cayo District, Belize very easy for a Belizean to describe Mex- front page editor, the error was discov- 823-2020 ico, Guatemala, and the United States. ered and pointed out by that very edi- But not Japan, as it is so far west. What El Chiclero strives to uphold the best of tor’s brother in the US of A., who took is Japan? It is hard for me to explain. journalistic standards, and is behold- time out from his busy schedule as Fire ing to no political party, reporting the For this last year, I have been always Chief, father, grandfather and shoveler news as accurately and objectively as thinking about what Japan is. Japan is possible. The printing costs are paid of snow to email said editor with the an independent nation, it is an island from revenue generated by ad sales, discovery. The front page editor has country. Japanese speak Japanese. But and we thank our advertisers for their been duly chastised, and will soon be support. those words do not describe what Japan forced to find a real job. is. It is the same as trying to describe Editor: Roger German El Chiclero apologizes for any distress what Belize is or the United States. As [email protected] the error might have cause the 2011 with Belize or the United States, it is Comments and suggestions Queen of the Bay. Always welcome. El Chiclero P a g e 4 October1, 2011

At Caracol Kids Learn Through Art and Cooperation “The first thing we teach meeting after school. “The is respect,” said Kevin kids want to be here all the Guerra. “No fighting. days,” he said, “but we Share.” (coordinators) have to meet to Kevin, 17, is one of the plan, to work. We give them the time they can come (after coordinators at Caracol in school), about one and a half Arenal. According to hours.” Friends of Caracol News- letter, “Caracol contributes “The mothers are very sure to community develop- that there are no problems ment and social transfor- when the kids are here,” he mation through long and said. “There is no fighting, no bad words. If somebody hits short-term arts-based pro- someone else, they have to grammes, public presenta- stand in front of everyone and tions and intercultural say they are sorry.” exchange in Belize and in Central America.” Since the map shows that the border between Belize and Across cultures and Guatemala divides Arenal, the around the world as com- participants at Caracol are munities struggle with the from both Guatemala and boundless energy of youth, Belize. “We don’t want a bor- the Caracol Project in Are- Caracol stilt walkers ready for Independence Day in Benque Viejo der here,” Kevin said. “We’re nal has found ways focus projected upside-down on the screen. just friends.” that energy in productive ways. Caracol Director Claudia Orantes said that all of Last April, Laura Blacklow, professor That proximity has not always been the projects the kids work on have a from the School of the Museum of Fine favorable to the kids from Arenal, said learning point, but the expectations are Arts in Boston, taught a 5-day workshop Director Claudia Orantes. “For the kids, flexible. on antique photographic techniques, one it’s a stigma being from Arenal,” she of several visiting artists to assist at Ca- said, “a terrible burden they have been “We don’t work for the external experi- racol in the last year, according to the able to beat down with their presenta- ence, we work for the experience in gen- newsletter. In addition, Caracoles have tions, their exhibits.” eral, internal, in the group, in the com- participated in workshops and given munity,” she said. “How the kids relate Because of the non-existence of any presentations in Guatemala City, Chetu- to their parents.” There are seven coor- formalized border (it bisects the football mal, Melchor De Mencos, and of course, dinators like Kevin at Caracol, and 80 field, angling roughly from one particu- the stilt walkers have danced and juggled members, she said. They work out of a lar tree on the west, up towards some on high in many parades in Benque Viejo former Standard 5 & 6 School, now filled rather vague point back-a-bush on the Del Carmen. with art, costumes, stilts and complete east) Ms. Oranntes said the kids are as- with a room-sized pinhole camera. Kevin showed the new bathroom built sumed to be available for all kinds of of plastic bottles laid up in rows inside illegal activity. “When they go to High Kevin pulled the door shut on the cam- chicken wire, then plastered over. It School (in Benque) they are asked to era room, closed a window and sealed off looks like any other masonry block bring drugs, contraband,” she said. as many intruding light sources as possi- building in Belize, but without the cost “Even the teachers will ask the students ble. He set up a tripod movie screen, and weight of the block. Coordinator to bring in the super jumbo Cokes. opened a cover on a small hole in one Julio Garcia learned the technique at the They’ll be offered $300 on the street for wall, and there on the screen was an up- School of Mime and Comedy in Nicara- marijuana. That’s a month’s wages (in side-down projection of the scene di- gua, and he held a workshop to pass on Arenal).” rectly outside. To make a picture, Kevin the knowledge to other Caracoles. said he would attach photo-sensitive “That has been the story,” she said. paper to the screen and run some test Kevin said Caracol does not interfere Caracol seeks to change that. strips to determine exposure time. As he with regular school classes. The 80 kids Caracol can be reached at 660-8526 spoke, someone outside walked by, are divided into five groups, he said, Email: [email protected]

October1, 2011 El Chiclero P a g e 5

Benque Celebrates 30 Years of Independence

Photos by Heber Gomez

Left; Councilor Marcos Kotch and Srta Flor De La Feria Alexis Del Valle

Right; Many in the parade gave homage to Rt Hon George Price

Above; Runners carrying torches brought fire from Belmopan to kick off the opening ceremonies

Left; Parade strung out along George street under a hard-bargaining sun

Coronation Park: Hanna’s Meats anD Work Underway Other Farm Produce

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We offer meat and other farm produce, fresh cow’s milk and cheese

With a grant from BNE Trust, the Town Council has hired HOURS: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday Contractor Manuel Sosa to renovate Coronation Park. The 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sunday plans were drawn up by Kota Murakami and Subrata Basu. Work should be completed in about 8 weeks. The plans in- LOCATED ON George Price Boulevard clude new playground equipment, lighting, sidewalks, trees and a covered raised central gazebo. Across from Marshalleck cancha El Chiclero P a g e 6 October 1, 2011

Poustinia Land Art Park

So often we hear that the Jewel that is Belize is one of the best kept secrets in the tourism world. Within Belize, Benque is the secret within that se- cret. And two miles up the Hydro Road from Ben- que, another of Benque’s unique claims to fame hides in quiet obscurity; Poustinia Land Art Park.

The brainchild of Benqueño artist and architect Luis Alberto Ruiz, and initially conceived of as an “environmental art ranch” where people could come to pray and meditate, it evolved into an inter- national site for art that interacts with nature. Poustinia is a Russian term that means “desert of the soul.”

“At Poustinia the artist should have in mind that once he completes his work nature will take over in a violent yet subtle manner and will transform and/or destroy his work completely.” Ruiz said. “Poustinia Land Art Park is the opposite of the sterile gallery ambient; it is about the wilderness.”

“In 1991, while studying in London, I met artist

Top photo; watchers being watched, sculpture by Be- lizean artist Vilma Romero.

Above, parquet mahogany flooring originally from Belize, installed in Wales 125 years ago, now returned to its forest home, by Welsh Artist Tim Davies.

Right, 12 foot high ferro concrete structure framing and depicting nature, by US artist Ken McMillan and his students. October 1, 2011 El Chiclero P a g e 7

Right, Luis Ruiz, artist, architect, who along with his brother David created Poustina.

Adrian Barron and I invited him to come to Belize and see my works. During the year that followed he came to Belize and expressed his desire to contribute an art piece. He also suggested inviting other artists, which he did, and it was in this manner that the con- cept of the park was developed.”

The New York Times came to do an article on Be- lize in 2004, Ruiz said, and ended up doing one on Poustinia. The 25 or 26 sited sculptures or land art are situated on about 60 acres of rolling hills and unexcavated Maya sites. Well maintained trails me- ander through the bush, providing sudden and unex- pected vistas and access to artist’s work from Eng- land, Wales, Norway, Brazil, the U.S., Guyana, Barba- dos and of course, Belize.

“Art and nature are so inherent in Poustinia that if the visitor is not careful enough he might fail to see one just to see the other,” Ruiz said. “But we hope to teach our youth to see art in nature and nature in art.”

*Quotes from Mr. Ruiz are taken from the booklet Poustinia, Land Art Park compiled by Yasser Musa.

Above, “Conquistadors” by Englishman Adrian Barron

Right, London artist Doug- las White created this „tree‟ from discarded tire recaps.

Top, chained figure by ????? , Middle, Subrata Basu composing a shot of the glass door to the wilderness, by ????????? Middle Right, “The Watcher of the Forest” by Winslow Craig from Guyana. El Chiclero P a g e 8 October1, 2011

(KOTA Cont. from pg 3)this place to write and is an editor of “El Chiclero”. And I want to say thanks to all of you, Belizeans and Benqueños who have been reading my articles. I hope to be able to introduce my Japanese culture somewhere else again sometime. See you again さようならsayo-nara 村上孝太 Kota Murakami

The Japanese Flag, “The Rising Sun”

Benque Hiring Accountant

Benque Viejo City Administrator Melly Coyoc said the Municipality has received five applications to fill the position of Accountant for Benque, two from Cayo and three from Benque. Those applicants will be interviewed Tuesday Oct. 4th, with the hiring to follow and work starting yet in October, she said. Funds for the position will be provided to Benque by the Government of Belize to $ NECESITA DINERO $ help Benque comply with one of the require- ments the World Bank included in the terms VENGA A JOYERIA Y CASA DE EMPENO CORONA for accessing the funds from the Municipal ESQUINA DE LAS CALLES HUDSON Y CHURCHILL Development Project. The first $800,000 of EN BENQUE VIEJO DEL CARMEN, BELICE those funds could be available in January of SE ACEPTAN JOYAS DE ORO Y PLATA 2012 for work on Church, Churchill and Burns Streets, along with drainage work on Y ARTICULOS EN BUENAS CONDICIONES those same streets. INFORMACION: 600-7714, 601-3734

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L & Complete R Glass installation Shop of four (4) lights, like the ones in Centennial Park, including light sensitive switch and underground wiring, including  undergroundFrench Windows, wiring Sliding to BEL Windows, connection…………………………………………………… $ Fixed5,800.00 Windows, Arched Win- dows

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Cor. George Street/ Park Lane Benque Viejo Del Carmen Cayo, Belize C.A. Phone: (501) 823 2020 Fax: (501) 823 2020

Waiting on the Cancha wall Activities & Events October 2011 If you have an event you would like listed on the next calendar, please call BVTC office at 823-2020 by the third week of this month. Thank you! SU MO TU WE TH FR SA 10 Oct. Columbus Day Holiday

1 Through Oct. 13 National Heroes and Benefactors Exhibit, House of Culture 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 27 Oct. People‟s Coalition Meeting 7pm 31 Oct. All Saint‟s Day Eve

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Rotary Club meets every Wednesday 7 pm Location varies; Call 823-2020 and ask for Subrata Basu for more information 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Notice!!

23 24 25 26 27 28 29 Water Bills Are Now Paid at Mt. Carmel 30 31 Credit Union.