What's With the $U.S?

A couple of months ago, I heard rumors that there were places that weren't accepting the $U.S. If they did, it was at a value of $1.98 BZ to $1 US. Just recently, the shopkeepers in the village have declared that they are not accepting the money. I didn't believe it but when I went to the shop today, I saw that it is true.

Is this happening all over the country or is it just down here in Toledo? They said one of the reasons they aren't accepting is because the bank isn't accepting when they do their deposit.

A Strange Occurrence

 Today, I got the opportunity to go to see what has frightened a lot of people.  I didn't get too close to inspect since there were a couple of guys there who didn't want me to drop in the hole.  jeje... I didn't want to show my disobedience so I just snapped a couple pix.  This is what it looks like at the top. 

By the time I got there this morning, they had already started working on the side, which was where the crack was seen more clear.  As you can see, it extends all the way away from me, did a little U-turn, and continued forward.


Honestly, I didn't smell anything weird or saw anything totally strange.  Somebody probably chopped the grass in the area that's why it looks so dry.  Oh, and I peeped inside and got no kind of skin reaction or weird feeling, or heard any sound.  I couldn't see how far down it cracked though.  Cracking of the soil is common in the dry season, but as big as this is unheard of. 

These two images were taken last week by my sister.

Departed

Early this morning I was awakened by the sound of sirens. It sounded so near yet so far away. At the same time, the dogs in the neighborhood all began to howl but it sounded so weird and sad. My phone said it was 4:17 A.M. I just waited until the noise calmed down then I fell asleep again.

The next time I checked the time it was around 8 but I was still feeling sleepy and I just didn't feel like getting out of bed. About an hour later, I literally forced myself to get up and take a bathe. That made me feel much better. One of my first thoughts was about the souls that wouldn't make it through this day. After I walked out of the house, not far from where I live, I noticed that there were a few men putting up a tent. I just passed by, then all of a sudden I thought that maybe the man didn't make it. I heard that he was not in good health ever since he was attacked by a bull on his farm.

This evening when I returned home, I noticed there were a lot of people dressed in black in front of the house and it was then that I knew for sure. As I passed by tonight, someone was playing an instrumental of 'What A Friend We Have In Jesus'. It's one of the hymns I love to sing so I recognized it and it made me feel sad because I was reminded of my grandmother.

Breaking News? Could be!!!!

There is something that the whole country will hear about sooner or later, depending on how fast the news gets to the Geology Department and environmentalist.
I haven't seen it for myself but I heard about it from my brother at the beginning of the week. Since he goes to high school, most of the time they come home with news from their friends about what is occurring in other villages and our own community. I do not have details as to what and when this happened but I will state all what I know so far.
In the village of San Antonio, Toledo, the Cisco workers who were working on the highway from Dump to Jalacte heard what sounded like a loud roaring beneath the soil they were working on. It is located right past the San Antonio Waterfall on the way to Santa Cruz. I suppose the sound is similar if not identical to the sound made by an earthquake. Since it was at the end of the work day, they left the area and imagine their surprise when they returned the following morning.
The hill was cracked at the side [not sure whether that is left or right] and debris covered the road.
It's too bad that I left from home this morning and I didn't get to see what I am talking about here. My sister told me they went there this evening and she described it is being 'freaky and weird'. I asked here to tell me about it and where it cracked open [if it was on the side, in the center, and if vehicles can pass] and these were her words: 'ye frm d whole side of d hill its craking n falling apart...it luks like crushed bisquit...d craks are getting wider evryday...ye vehicles pass bt its dangerous stl'. She also said that people go there daily to see what it's like. One girl even got inside/too near but she had to be taken to the hospital after she developed some form of rash or skin allergy.
I have no idea what this could be but I am guessing that maybe there is a dormant volcano somewhere and the trapped gas got released when the hill cracked open. They say it has a stench and that water sprouts out from time to time. Some say that the crack led all the way to Blue Creek [where there is also a cave]. One of my first thoughts when I heard about this strange phenomenon was that there could be a cave not far underneath the road. It has always been rumored that there is a cave behind the waterfall and now I suppose that is true. That place has always captivated me and I always wondered what lies beneath, for I am quite sure it cannot be solid rock!
There is something else about that waterfall but I will leave that for next time. Anyway, the theories have no limit. Here is one I had to kind of laugh at. 'The devil came out of the bottomless pit'!!!! Strange, but some of the people actually said so!
My sister says they will return on Saturday and she will try to get some pictures. If she does, I will be sure to post them. Maybe the Geology Dept. or some other people will be there soon since the people say the 'noshi wichil*' are coming. I hope my sister gets some pix before they close off the area if it's something big.
*means the people with authority

****************************
I was able to find out that the hill opened up last week Thursday. It's still not sure whether this was in the night or in the morning but a few people say it was around 7 a.m. My cousin said that they placed a dynamite in the area so they could test the type of rock. Even though that is the cause, how can the stench be explained? If it is a form of gas, what kind?

***************************
I was thinking and the trapped gas from an ancient dormant volcano may not be an explanation since there are no known volcanoes in Belize. I forgot to mention that some people say that they can still hear a roar. Is it the noise of flowing water? I know there is a cave somewhere in the area named Benil Okeb Ha'*¹. It is probably linked to the cave Benil Hok'eb Ha'*² in Blue Creek Village.
*¹ roughly translated: the way where water enters
*² way where water comes out

***************************
Another possible explanation that has occurred to me is an earthquake, but it's far-fetched. First of all, because noone felt a thing. Secondly, because dynamite was supposedly used in the area but I also came across a valuable piece of information. Dynamite is not used on that type of rock.

Truth Never Dies

Truth never dies. The ages come and go.
The mountains wear away, the stars retire.
Destruction lays earth's mighty cities low;
And empires, states and dynasties expire;
But caught and handed onward by the wise,
Truth never dies.

Though unreceived and scoffed at through the years,
Though made the butt of ridicule and jest,
Though held aloft for mockery and jeers,
Denied by those of transient power possessed,
Insulted by the insolence of lies,
Truth never dies.

It answers not. It does not take offense,
But with a mighty silence bides its time.
As some great cliff that braves the elements
And lifts through all the storms its head sublime,
It ever stands, uplifted by the wise,
And never dies.

As rests the Sphinx amid Egyptian sands;
As looms on high the snowy peak and crest;
As firm and patient as Gibraltar stands,
So truth, unwearied, waits the era blest
When men shall turn to it with great surprise.
Truth never dies.