AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums The Cayes Ambergris Caye Homeless folks, poverty and beggars?

Just think about it,
If you moved to San Pedro, you probably would not have two cars, car insurance, lawn, lawn mower or lawn care service, not a swimming pool and a pool service, probably would rent and not own a home, not have a mortgage, house maintenance, lots less clothes, but you would definitely not be poor. Would you trade all your "Worldy Possessions" for the hapiness that most people on San Pedro have????? Think about it.KBG :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

IN A HEARTBEAT!!!

Thank God it isn't the Caymans where the island loclas are so "rich" that any, and I mean virtually ANY of the "working class" have to be imported from other islands because "working" is beneath them.

KBG has it almost right:"if you moved to San Pedro, you probably would not have two cars, car insurance,lawn, lawn mower or lawn care service, not a swimming pool and a pool service,probably would rent and not own a home, not have a mortgage, house maintenance,lots less clothes,"
except that you might well own your house free and clear and you and your extended family probably own a number of vacant properties on the island.

I definately would take the "riches" of the Belizeans over what I have now in a New York minute. Can't drive two cars at once anyway (and only own one)actually the bank still owns it and I actually prefer the golf cart or bicycle anyway, never have owned a house and probably never will, happier reading a book than watching tv, wouldn't need a pool would have the Caribbean Sea, and as for less clothes just hang out at Coconuts swimming pool ; )

One of the first thing I noticed in Belize city was the LACK of people begging. I've traveled extensively and have found Belize to be pretty much free of all that. Even if one of them did ask me, I would most likely give them something. because they probably really need the money.
Most are fairly hard workers and very proud people.
Not the false pride you see in the US.
I have never felt so welcome and excepted.

If I were to pick a place to marry..AC would be heaven. I'm biased tho..I've been there...

CFI: I have been to Cancun and AC several times and would pick AC without a doubt. Here is why: Cancun is expensive, commercial and the shopping sucks. AC is laid back, friendly, great food, and many other things. I never saw any beggars or homeless. If they are there, they didn't bother me. Plus, Cancun scared me to walk around at night.

I agree with you LaurieMar!! They could not give me a free trip to United States of Cancun. AC is by far the best, people,food,service and stress free Belizean time.

Jackie

The point here may be that your fiance has an expectation about Belize that may or may not be correct according to whatever her perception of "poverty" is. I'll probably get my post zapped for this but yes, there are places on AC where the native San Pedranos live in a manner that she may sense as poverty-stricken. There are houses that are little more than shacks and some don't have running water or the kinds of amenities most of us are accustomed to. There are occasionally children on the beaches and the streets that ask for money. We experienced it several times in our ten day stay. There are large numbers of uncared for dogs and cats which, as an animal lover, broke my heart on a daily basis. While some of us view this as "real" and interesting and an honest view of a very honest and real people and beautiful place, others - perhaps your fiance - will not be happy.

This is your honeymoon, your time to both be happy. Once in a lifetime (we hope!) Find a place where both of you will have a wonderful anticipation of visiting as part of your upcoming wedding (hopefully with less glass and steel than she seems to need). Save AC and Belize for a time where you feel the need to have an adventure and a learning experience. Once you have been to AC, you will not forget it.

Haven't been to AC yet, but I can guarantee you will get hassled a lot more by timeshare salespeople in Cancun than the "street people" in any developing country I've ever visited. Almost every tourist information booth, or tour sales office is really a timeshare sales office - and if your fiance likes Cancun, you'll return $25k+ poorer! The hassle in the stores and the crafts markets is pretty intense too.

I'd rather stay in a unairconditioned hut on the beach in Tulum than any free room in any Cancun hotel (with the exception of the Ritz Carlton) - including having to get up at 3am to make the drive back to Cancun for the 7am Continental flight!