well, i thought i had chosen the most stable country in central america (other than Costa Rica, which i've already been to) for our honeymoon. and belize was. no serious political unrest in 25 years.

however, belize is kinda-sorta falling apart, it seems. their telecommunication company went on strike and sabotaged all communication lines with the outside world. there were no news updates (that i could find) between april 22nd and april 25th, and the only communication anyone seemed to have was through the few internet cafes with satellite connections. now their Public Officers are planning to strike and want to take "industrial action", as are their teachers.

For Reuters assessment of the situation, the only current one I could find, look here: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N25491431.htm

They claim this is the worst violence since 1981, when Belize broke away from Britain. The most disturbing thing I've read, though, was in the National Business Review, which said "it was days before news agencies noticed that the country had vanished from the telecommunications map." How's that for feeling unloved?

Aaron now wants to go somewhere else, I say it's too soon to decide. And I think there's no better way to get your blood pumping than a good, old-fashioned creole riot.