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We are going back to the US for a visit and we have been keeping track of what we can’t get down here, to shop for at home. I have been asked a few times what things to bring to Belize that you can’t find here, and it is a common courtesy to ask your friends if they need you to bring back anything when you go for a visit.I have been trying very hard to simplify while we are here, so by no means is this an exhaustive list. I also haven’t bought any clothes for 3 months….today I was told that there was a 4 inch hole in the back of my shorts in an unfortunate place. I am now down to 3 pairs of shorts. This is a must buy 🙂 Different things are obviously important to different people; this is just a snapshot of our experience.

I so miss Target 🙂 It is really the only store I miss. I like going and getting everything I need at one place. When I get to go to (blissfully air conditioned) Target.

Here is the definite list of things to bring down to Belize:

• Flea collars (for the dog, not me)
• Dog treats made in the USA (no judging of other countries dog treats, just a precaution:) )
• Queen sheets-hard to find sometimes, in the variety at home
• Acrylic paint-pretty expensive and hard to find here
• Sunglasses-these are pretty pricey here ($10 US–Ok that is not expensive, but I go through these really fast so I buy like $3 ones at home)
• Razors-much cheaper at home and the brand I like is not here
• Frisbees-can get cheaply
• Snorkel gear-cheaper at home
• Curtains-same reason as the sheets
• Hand held can opener-for some reason the ones down here don’t hold up we have heard!
• Eye drops-this comes from Chris, who needs them due to an eye condition, you can’t get good ones here
• Clothes-you really can’t buy a large variety of clothes here
• Flip Flops-same reason
• Faucets-not a good selection here
• More bathing suits-and not frilly ones, more like down to business sporty ones
• Some things that we didn’t think we would need, already own, but are now bringing down:
• Air pump
• Label maker
• Board games
• Satellite radio
• A computer to TV hook up
• Iron
• Hand Vac
• Kitchen stuff like canisters, tongs, grill equipment, cookie sheets, casserole pan
• Hiking boots
• Galoshes
• To go coffee mugs
• A few other random bar and cooking tools

Lastly, we are bringing cornhole baggos and we are going to build cornhole boards–Cornhole is at most parties in Ohio–I don’t know how prevalent it is anywhere else but we are going to bring cornhole to Placencia!! I can’t wait!! it is the perfect environment for it 🙂

This will be another post at some point, but some things that came to mind of what we DIDN’T need and brought back…

Long sleeves

Dressy clothes

Dressy shoes

Blankets

Jewelry

Nail polish and remover

Hair dryer/curler/straightener

Perfume and body spray (Off Woods DEET and SPF are my perfumes now)

Much less socks and underwear than you think you’ll need

(there is a definite theme here.)

And last thought on this topic….what I was anxious about doing without, but found I don’t miss…

Makeup-specific brands

Perfume and nail polish

Doing my hair all fancy

Wearing different varieties of clothes and dressing up

All of the super healthy food I ate at home (Vibrant Greens, quinoa and kale, Whole-Foods type stuff)

Protein Shakes

Good haircuts

Manicures

Specific skin regimen stuff

Really awesome detergent and dryer-dried clothes (hanging the clothes makes them crunchy but who cares)

The gym (just exercise outside)

The awesome coffeemaker we had-the coffee down here is good even in a drip machine

A huge kitchen

A big house 🙂 (As long as I have a big bed 🙂 )

My own garden (with all the farmer’s markets and year round warmth….no complaints 🙂 )

Do you like our list of Things to Bring down to Belize? Leave a comment below!

In other news, this week we have been having  a great time with Ray. We had the Rotary Beach Olympics, where local businesses sponsor their teams and the winner gets a trophy, bragging rights, liquor, and a fun time. It was HOT Sunday, but beautiful, and here are some shots of the day:

Only to find out that it was our friend Chris and his friend Tom! They stopped up and had a visit, they were awesome at maneuvering the boat!

We also went to the new restaurant on the lagoon side of Belize Ocean Club, and it had a BREATHTAKING view of the Maya mountains….gorgeous place to have dinner!

The week is already flying by. We plan on finding some new free places to snorkel while Ray is here…and we are going to attempt to organize a beach BBQ while Ray is here, before we all leave 🙂