The hustle and bustle of the US airport begins as you stand in line to show the airline agent your passport. Greeted by a machine to scan in your passport and ticket information you are pasted to an individual to check-in your luggage. Depending on the airline, international flights generally allow more weight for your travel. If you have a Bible like mine, it weighs 5 lbs but worth the weight! Next you are scurried through security and if you haven’t experienced that lately, bless your heart! Be ready to take off your shoes, jacket, and any metal as your carry-ons are hasted through a scanner (if you have a laptop or camera it must be removed and laid on top). For more information on carry-on items see this link: http://www.tsa.gov/311/ Oh, and make sure nothing is over 3.4 oz in your carry-on luggage or it will be taken away before you even leave the country!
Connections can be tight; delay in flights as well as large overwhelming airports can be intimidated, but let not your heart be troubled….it is best to allow approximately 2 hours between flights if you have a connecting flight to Belize (unless you like to run through an airport just for fun). Now you are probably in Houston, Miami, Atlanta or Charlotte if you are flying from the US. The larger airports have connecting “trains” that will help you get across to the other side of the airport where most likely your international flight will be leaving. It’s always best to arrive to your gate early, because “plenty of time” can change if the airline decides to change the gate. All of this is to ease your mind of the unknown; knowing this first, breathe deep and pray perfectly once you are on the flight to Belize.
After several hours (depending on your location) of canned air, you will be asked to complete paperwork for Customs as you arrive to Belize. When the flight arrives and the plane doors open, you will be escorted outside of the plane down a full flight of stairs. Instantly you will be greeted with the warmth of Belize. If you are accustomed to the air conditioning this may shock your system a bit. As you catch your breath and realize the freshness of the air, you are directed by smiling Belizeans to walk across the runway into the airport. Once inside the un-air-conditioned section of the airport you will stand in the first line where the agent will ask where you will be staying and for how long. You will keep the departure section of your form and proceed to pick up your checked luggage before standing in the next line for Customs. If you have nothing to declare (which volunteers would not have anything to declare), you are in one line. Those with something to declare stand in another line. If you happen to go by the duty free shop to pick up something before passing through Customs, you will have to show them your receipt in the “declared” line. No worries, agents and signs are available for questions.
Depending on your mode of transportation to San Pedro, you will either enter back into the airport for a commuter small prop engine plane, or you will be greeted by Phillip, a wonderful taxi cab driver, as well as LTA staff to welcome you to Belize. (If someone besides LTA staff or Phillip helps you with your luggage you will be expected to pay them.) Most volunteers will be traveling with Phillip to the water taxi. The drive is about 20 minutes into town where you will be dropped of with your luggage. The water taxi is probably nothing you have experienced before, but roomy and comfortable for Belize. Approximately 30-40 people can be seated in the water taxi. Yes, there are life jackets on board just in case you were wondering (no one wears them on the trip, but they are in your sights view). Compared to other boat rides, the water taxi is generally a smooth ride to San Pedro. The trip is about 45 minutes, if I remember correctly.
This is just the beginning of your fun filled adventure of planes, train, and automobiles….not many automobiles on the island, mostly gulf carts and bicycles but you get the idea! Once you arrive to San Pedro, you and your luggage will step your toes onto the “Isla Bonita” – my beautiful island.
Connections can be tight; delay in flights as well as large overwhelming airports can be intimidated, but let not your heart be troubled….it is best to allow approximately 2 hours between flights if you have a connecting flight to Belize (unless you like to run through an airport just for fun). Now you are probably in Houston, Miami, Atlanta or Charlotte if you are flying from the US. The larger airports have connecting “trains” that will help you get across to the other side of the airport where most likely your international flight will be leaving. It’s always best to arrive to your gate early, because “plenty of time” can change if the airline decides to change the gate. All of this is to ease your mind of the unknown; knowing this first, breathe deep and pray perfectly once you are on the flight to Belize.
Depending on your mode of transportation to San Pedro, you will either enter back into the airport for a commuter small prop engine plane, or you will be greeted by Phillip, a wonderful taxi cab driver, as well as LTA staff to welcome you to Belize. (If someone besides LTA staff or Phillip helps you with your luggage you will be expected to pay them.) Most volunteers will be traveling with Phillip to the water taxi. The drive is about 20 minutes into town where you will be dropped of with your luggage. The water taxi is probably nothing you have experienced before, but roomy and comfortable for Belize. Approximately 30-40 people can be seated in the water taxi. Yes, there are life jackets on board just in case you were wondering (no one wears them on the trip, but they are in your sights view). Compared to other boat rides, the water taxi is generally a smooth ride to San Pedro. The trip is about 45 minutes, if I remember correctly.
This is just the beginning of your fun filled adventure of planes, train, and automobiles….not many automobiles on the island, mostly gulf carts and bicycles but you get the idea! Once you arrive to San Pedro, you and your luggage will step your toes onto the “Isla Bonita” – my beautiful island.
gate changes happen without warning so check upon arrival.
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