Half way through our adventure!!!

It is day 5 of our incredible adventures through the amazing country of Belize. After saying goodbye to Group II yesterday, Chris and I had some uncommon free time (not a favorite of my "extreme" Headmaster) to chat, read, and reflect on what an unbelievable group of 11th grade students we have at Hammond! As we are discussing the activities of our "extreme" stop of the three rotations, the bus with Group I from Banana Bank arrive and we swing into action.

After a quick orientation, we load the kids up for the short drive down the Hummingbird highway, through the citrus orchard to the jungle path where we began to hike to the long awaited "Black Hole Drop". After hiking for about an hour up.. Up.. UP the mountain, which is definitely coach Scott approved, we stopped at the overlook to the over 300ft rappel. Since this group had such an early start to their day (6:30am), in order to zip line before leaving their last stop, we decided to have lunch looking out over the rock face these young skyhawks were about to conquer! Due to a recent surgery on his shoulder, Malachi and I watched from the lookout after lunch as the group slowly descended to the cave floor. We both enjoyed the many screams and expletives that echoed across the gorge. We shared a few laughs as we yelled across in support of the group. Having not taught Malachi for a few years, it was awesome to catch up with him and reconnect (just one of the many great things that happens on this trip)! Shortly thereafter, we rejoin the group and all hike back out to the citrus fields together. Before yet another amazing home cooked meal, a nice dip in the Sibun river was enjoyed by the guys in the group as the girls took this opportunity to shower! With such a strenuous and fulfilling day, the group ate to their fill, watched the video footage of themselves and the previous group, then settled in for a well deserved nights sleep.

As the sunrises over the jungle mountain top we wake the students to yet MORE FOOD and head out to get geared up for the day of exploration of the underworld, The Waterfall Caves!! Its such a hard life we live, Malachi and I will be hanging out at the main lodge this afternoon enjoying the sun, the people... and the brand new swimming pool and hot tub! Its tough... but someone has to do it! I promise to tell him what he would be doing (having done it a few times myself) play by play as we hang out! We will pick back up with our group in a few hours and head to what I consider the BEST part of the entire trip... YES THE BEST (in my opinion)... our trip into the village of Armenia! This village has become such a part of my heart, that I cant wait to see our students meet the kids of Armenia. I will be sure to report back and share some photos.

Hope everyone back home is enjoying their spring break. Everyone in Group I is well and having an amazing time. No worries!!! Just a quick shout out to Group II... hope you are not being too "frugal" on the island! Besley... you better be prepared I will be well practiced for a rematch!

Hillard