“Row, row, row your boat” Maya and Crystal sang out happily as they skipped along the river bank. They had
arrived early with GrandMom at the ANNUAL LA RUTA MAYA CANOE RACE IN BELIZE. “It’s named after me!”
gasped Maya. She was quite overcome!
“Well, not exactly, but it’s nice that you and the race share such a lovely name,” smiled GrandMom. “It’s a terrific event. A very good time is had by all!”
Friends of GrandMom’s had come along with them too. Javier Gutierrez is a KW (KELLER WILLIAMS) BELIZE agent.
“He’s going to be very busy, since he’s one of the MC’s of the whole event. He enjoys this task!
Javier has been a friend of your Mommy and mine since before we moved to Belize !
( he is the one on the right )
My friend Pandy is well known. He created the popular, long running PANDY SHOW here
for kids. Pandy has a very kind heart, and is always out in our community filming coverage of our local events !
He’s very interested in your reaction to it, and says you should give him suggestions!”
( he is on the left)
“My friend, Marcus , is a professor at SACRED HEART SCHOOL IN BELIZE which my daughter Chiara attended also. This school was was founded in 1960 and is highly rated. ( your Mommy went to this school when Grandmom moved to Belize in 2004.)
Here is a video of him helping push a car off the bridge that stopped running ( people here in Belize tend to be helpful, and yes, Marcus is often times barefoot !)
Here is a video you can watch of the Crowds cheering on a crew that got stuck on the bridge, soon after they took off ! POOR THINGS !
Marcus also runs the PARROTS’ NEST LODGE IN BELIZE. It’s set in a jungle environment with a fabulous cuisine.”
The dolls whispered to each other how GrandMom seems to know everyone wherever she goes – and they know her too!
Here are two videos of when a Canoe got STUCK !
It’s obvious how popular the La Ruta Maya Race is in Belize. Once a year, people gather on the riverbanks to see the paddlers set off. It’s very exciting as the teams begin their journey on the Belize River. The festive departure always includes a local marimba band, lots of encouragement, and hearty shouts of good luck.
The race is a 170 mile endurance contest, the longest one of its kind in Central America. It’s spread over 4 days.
Anyone can enter! Three person groups of professional and amateur paddlers from Belize, the USA, Canada, Japan, the U.K. and other countries participate. The race is challenging. There are rapids as well as shallow areas to maneuver, where paddlers have to carry their canoes overland. Some teams take winning seriously.
Others are there to have fun and enjoy themselves. All are welcome!
Everyone has a favorite team and that includes Maya and Crystal. They were hoarse from cheering! The next day, Maya and Crystal approached GrandMom. She saw them coming and knew what was up. I can tell from your expression what you’re going to say,” she smiled. “Ok, it’s a deal. Next year we are going to enter this race together!”
“Yay,” shouted the dolls. “I know we can do it, GrandMom!”
“We’ve got plenty of spirit, for sure,” she winked. “But I think we better start our workout tomorrow and then find a canoe!”
Next year, everyone is urged to come watch GrandMom and the dolls paddle their way into history in the race!”
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