February 16, 2000

 Out of the jungle for a few days R&R. It was great to have the WebPage
to catch up with all that is happening on island.

Sorry, but not very, to report that it is hot here in the south of
Belize in Central America. Most of the travels I do is first on the
bike, then to a kayak to paddle up the Moho River, and then on foot
through ancient jungle trails to the various Maya villages.

The jungle is intense. The mosquitos are even more intense. Many
mornings I feel as if I am just one large bite.

The indicanos are friendly and responsive to nutrition and sanitation
suggestions. Food is fairly plentiful, but many still hunt the iguana,
an endanged species, for meat. It is hard to change thousand year old
cultural practices, especially when two small iguana feed a family of
eight.

Yesterday, I got to go out on the Caribbean to snorkel and fish. AND, I
caught the very first fish I had ever caught in my life. I even got to
eat it for dinner. (I must have had a deprived, or at least an AWAY,
childhood!)

I hope your vacation is great. I get back about March 6/7. Keep the
lamp burning.

Fondly,

Rob

Rob Friedlander from the jungle near the Belize/guatemalan/honduras
borders.