We discovered Belize by accident in 2004. We had originally planned a Southeast Asia trip for later that year but when we'd discovered we were pregnant we adjusted our travel plans to somewhere earlier and closer. We picked Belize specifically because of it's proximity, the tropical climate, and the ocean.
We didn't realize then it would change our lives.
We spent a week or so hopping islands when fellow travellers mentioned a part of Belize we'd not originally planned to visit. Their rave reviews prompted us to adjust our trip and head into the jungle. It was there we fell in love.
We returned to Belize after our daughter was born later than year and spent a month of our maternity leave living in the jungle. We'd talked about the possibility of buying some land but the prospect seemed somewhat daunting and a career in non profit doesn't afford for much well, profits. But the universe intervened and one day before we were due to return we stumbled on a few acres of land and it was exactly what we were looking for, on the river, lush and full of life, and in the part of the country we fell in love with.
We drank cold beers and talked for hours and decided to do it. It took a taxi driver, a kindly American real estate agent and two long years and in 2006 the land became ours. We then had a new goal: saving enough money to leave the USA and move permanently to the jungle. It took two more years to accomplish that and we'll be making the move this year.
We know it won't be easy, but nothing you really want ever is. You just have to leap.
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