Belize City, Belize
Yesterday I had the privilege of visiting Belize City, Belize.
I chose the word privilege as a measured coinage of value and learning—as it came with tears. However, the experience also makes me think and ruminate, which is without doubt, the highest of privilege. Always.
Belize City is not a wealthy city. Belize is not a wealthy country. Like Jamaica, it was under British rule and control for a long time, before gaining its independence in 1981.
Tourism is an enormous driving factor of its economy. It was known at British Honduras until 1973. There are Mayan Ruins that I wish to see if I have the additional privilege of being here again.
There were children beating on whatever plastic container they had handy, trying to make some tips.
I passed an adult maybe forty paces later, who jokingly asked for me to give him two million dollars. What he doesn’t know is that I was nearly evicted out of my apartment last year around this time and almost lost my car, and everything I own. However, who can blame him? What he saw with his eyes, was a tourist.
… and I am. I know. Painfully, I know.
What do I know of life or how hard it is around the world? Not much. I am trying to learn though.
Regardless of wherever we are born on Earth, it is nearly impossible to be born in a place that does not have a government with borders or a currency—or some sort of military. We inherit this from those who came before us.
We inherit invisible lines and exchange rates on rectangular pieces of paper and tiny flats of metals and minerals, collectively taught to believe that they have value. Ultimately, they must, as it helps these human tourists of Earth, no matter where they are born, to put food and water in one’s mouth or to pay rent to the individual who laid claim to a piece of land, long ago.
And from all of this, we get social hierarchy and classes and wealth gaps. And while the last two are unique and not ubiquitous to other animals, the first very much can be found in all animals, which tells me that we have a long way to go, yet still, as a species, if there is any chance of survival, living in harmony as equals.
WHO IS MIKE VITALE?
I am a storyteller, songwriter, singer, music producer, traveling musician, Jungian dream analyst, all-around curious fellow (Spiritual, Mathematical Historical, Scientific), Taoist, and much much more, based out of Los Angeles, California. I’m constantly releasing new music, in all sorts of different genres. You can listen to me below, on Spotify: