Tropical Ecology Institute
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Q & A for July 24, 2007

What is the food like? Arissa, an 8th grader from Mecklenberg Co., and Byrn, a 7th grader from Wake Co.

Bill Hasse eating a piteya fruitGOOD!!!! We have enjoyed the best home cooking such as tamales, refried beans, fresh fruit and johnny cakes. We all have learned the food is especially delicious when sprinkled with Maria Sharp's hot sauce and enjoyed with a group of new friends.

Our wonderful hostess at the Warrie Head Lodge, Miss Lydia, offered up this traditional recipe to share with you.

Rice and Beans
  1. Wash about 1 pound of red kidney beans. Place them in a large skillet with plenty of water.
  2. Add 3–4 whole cloves of garlic and a little thyme.
  3. Boil beans until soft, adding small amounts of water if it boils off before they are tender.
  4. Get about 2.5 pounds of white rice. Wash rice and put in with the beans. Mix together.
  5. Add coconut milk to just cover the rice.
  6. Lower to simmer until cooked down.
  7. Cut bell pepper and onion and add to pot.
  8. Add salt and pepper.
  9. Enjoy!

What activities have you done to find animals in Belize? Are they the same or different as animals in North Carolina? Esther, a 10th grader from Mecklenburg Co., Natalie, a 6th grader from Forsyth Co., and Maris, a 7th grader from Wake Co.

We have seen plenty of wildlife on our drives and walks to various places. We saw about six Howler Monkeys at the Community Baboon Sanctuary. Animals we have seen in Belize that also live in North Carolina are White-tailed Deer, wolf spiders, ticks, mosquitoes, Turkey Vultures and Black Vultures, roosters, egrets, cormorants, chickens and other farm animals.

Some animals in Belize, while different from those found in North Carolina, are actually very similar to those found at home. North Carolina has a Blue Jay, Belize has a Brown jay. The Oscillated Turkey is similar to our Wild Turkey.

Animals that are not seen in North Carolina are the Howler Monkey, Plain Chachalaca (a bird) and iguana. We have also found signs of animals not seen in North Carolina such as Baird's Tapir tracks and scat from a boa constrictor estimated to be 5 feet long.

2007 Q & A