I called Natalio in August Pine Ridge, Belize on New Year’s Eve, 2009 to catch up on the Belize Open Source property and let him know I am coming in February. Natalio said Christmas had gone well for his family and we wished each other’s families a good new year.
“I just drove by the place.” Natalio said. “I expect within an hour, David’s crew will finish putting the wire on the fence posts. It looks real good, Pat. It’s done nicely, well made.”
As we talked, I heard a rooster crowing in the background. I imagined Natalio sitting at the counter of his general store, the big window opening out to August Pine Ridge. I often saw this when I stayed at his place in 2008.
I asked if he could send photos of the fence and property. “Aiii, Pat, ” Natalio said, “I was going to have my older daughter start taking photos, but I completely forgot. She’s here right now and I will talk to her. She can do it.”
Natalio said he and David had talked a few days ago. Getting the fence done will enable us to proceed with livestock and other related initiatives. But, they felt it’s important to start small, see what works. They also talked about the new pond. It’s full now, but we’ll have to see how it holds up as a water source during the coming dry season.
We wrapped up and I hung up. Afterwards, the sound of the rooster kept coming back to me. I remembered a morning in Natalio’s guest room, February 21st, 2008, 6:45 am. I’d been up for over an hour and as I finished meditating, I wrote, “, I hear this rich soundscape of morning in August Pine Ridge. Lilting call of birds, chickens clucking, roosters crowing – birds, birds, all kinds of sounds – tortilla vendors blaring their vehicle horns to signal they are selling. There is sense of physicality and a sensual life that’s rich, textured, layered, almost overwhelming. It ebbs and then rises again almost like breathing,”
Pat,
What a beautiful descriptive passage. I am able to share your experience thanks to your image provoking words.
“, I hear this rich soundscape of morning in August Pine Ridge. Lilting call of birds, chickens clucking, roosters crowing – birds, birds, all kinds of sounds – tortilla vendors blaring their vehicle horns to signal they are selling. There is sense of physicality and a sensual life that’s rich, textured, layered, almost overwhelming. It ebbs and then rises again almost like breathing,”