get asked, " What did you do to your hair?"- but not in a good way. The question was coming from people who were flabbergasted that I would cut off my long " pretty " hair. Some of those people would look at my hair in disgust and pass rude comments, like, you need to comb your hair. " Roots " was my answer to them. It ' s very much a poem about coming to terms with identity.
About memorable books she’ s read A book that will always be dear to me is Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie ' s first novel, " Purple Hibiscus ". I came across it while perusing a book store in New York while I was in college there. It was the middle of winter, my first semester living on my own in a different country, and the title and cover art caught my attention. A hibiscus- a purple hibiscus- in the middle of a New York winter felt like a touch of home. I read half the book right there in the book store, and the other half over the course of a few hours after I got home. I was enchanted by the beauty of the writing, and the deep and profound similarities between Nigeria and Belize, including culture, the landscape and food, and even the words. I was startled when a character used the word " unu ", the plural form of the English " you ", which I learned at that moment is actually an Igbo word, and therefore clearly an example of African retention in Belize, as well as elsewhere in the Caribbean where it is also used. I ' m not surprised Adiche has gone on to become one of the top authors today, widely acclaimed for her more recent walk as well as her talk on feminism, which was sampled in a Beyonce song.
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About Kalilah’ s Belize At minimum, guests must visit one of the cayes and one of the many ancient Mayan temples. San Pedro on Ambergris Caye is the most popular tourist destination, but I prefer the laid back charm of Caye Caulker. If they’ re into diving, a trip to the Blue Hole is a must! The Blue Hole, an underwater cave visible from space, is one of the premier diving spots in the world. Ecotourism is also a big deal in Belize. They can check out one of many experiences like river rafting, cave tubing, or hiking through the jungle. The Belize Zoo is also easily accessible, and children can observe the many native animals in their natural habitat. But my best advise is to make sure they enjoy all the food! Belizean food is one of the best things about my little country, particularly because there is such a unique blend of cultures, each with their indigenous dishes. My favourites: rice and beans, ducunu, salbutes, panades, and hudut!
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