Jaguars and ants and urchins, oh my! Get over your fears

Me: Just how long is the plane ride? What if customs confiscates my passport? What if someone steals the credit card? Where is the U.S. Embassy? I refuse to ride in a puddlejumper! What if it crashes? I don’t know how to fly! What do I wear in the jungle? Will there be snakes? Will we have a guide? How about those poisonous spiders? The jungle looks intimidating. What if it gets dark before we get out? It is going to be hot and humid? You know I am a cold-weather girl. What if we can’t find our way (get lost)? Will we even come out alive? What about those darn bugs that can take up residence under the skin? Will a jaguar attack and leave me for dead? What if they drop me off in the middle of the sea and then leave? What if I get attacked by a shark? What if I get stranded in Belize City?

What if, what if, what if?

Daniel: You are ridiculous! What is there to fear?

A jungle and snorkeling adventure has always been on my bucket list but the list of concerns and fears were many. My brave husband finally convinced me we should take a trip to the pint-size country of Belize. So in 2018, I trusted his guidance and we boarded a plane heading to Central America. Belize is tucked between Mexico, Guatemala, and the Caribbean Sea. It is bordered by Mexico to the north, the Caribbean Sea to the east, and Guatemala to the west and south.

Just 12 miles northwest of Hopkins is Mayflower Bocawina National Park. Located on the eastern end of the Maya Mountains next to the Sitee River Forest Reserve in Southern Belize, this national park is a connecting region between the Maya Mountains and the coastal regions.

My expedition began before arriving in the jungle. I just had to disturb a nest of red fire-ants! Those critters were quite aggressive and their sting hurt. Ouch! In addition to a few choice words and loud screams, my legs could not carry me to the cold waters quick enough. What a relief. Whew! The guide, among others, had a good laugh, but I did not think it was funny. Not a positive beginning for a scaredy-cat.

After regaining my composure, it was time to explore the wild. First things first. I laced up my boots, applied sunscreen to this fair-toned skin of mine and doused my entire self, clothes and all, with insect repellent. The chance of a bite from a botfly was most definitely high on my list of fears. The botfly is a horrifying parasite more commonly found in the tropics. These flies lay parasitic larvae which infect warm-blooded animals, including humans. The baby larva will stay inside the host’s body until it’s mature enough to spring from the flesh of its host and continue on to the next step of its life journey. Heard enough?

Onward. Happy trails. The sight of a boa-constrictor bathing in the sun made my heart beat faster. Around the corner, a hairy tarantula was hiding in the weeds and gave me quite the scare. Yikes!

The loud vocal sound of a Yucatan black howler monkey was creepy. My favorite sister dared me to communicate back a few sounds of my own, but I remained quiet. The guide said, “Do not roar back,” so I heeded his wisdom. I had absolutely no desire for a monkey on my back.

Tiny, yet mighty creatures caught my eye. Carrying leaves above their heads were thousands of leafcutter ants parading their way along the rainforest floor. They were marching one by one and I actually think I heard them singing “Hoorah, hoorah.” Although they were not red, I did not dare to disturb their mission.

Tasting like carrots, a few live termites were quite the snack! Never again. I saw a gorgeous keel-billed toucan. I learned they can survive about 20 years in the wild. If customs would have allowed it, Sam would have made the journey home with me to my kind of wild.

Yes, finally I reached the top. The view of the Caribbean Sea was absolutely stunning. Way up above the rocks was a 15-foot waterfall with a swimming hole down below. I was hot, cranky and miserable so I decided to conquer my fear. I climbed to the top of the waterfall, looked down (mistake) and gracefully (ha) jumped into the refreshing spring waters.

Mission accomplished. Time to head back down. We survived the jungle!

The Belize Barrier Reef is the second-largest barrier reef in the world and the largest in the western hemisphere. Measuring more than 180 miles long, the Barrier Reef stretches the full length of the coastline of the Central American country of Belize.

This landlubber wanted to snorkel, so I boarded the boat. Skipper Abraham appeared responsible and knowledgeable and I am sure he had a compass. Why worry? Plus, I knew how to swim. Out into the deep. I put my snorkel gear on and sooner than later I plunged myself into the open blue waters.

I saw so many different species of brightly colored fish and myriad other forms of marine life. None of them were afraid, so why should I be? I saw a barracuda, many starfish, and a queen conch. I also saw a nurse shark in the distance and was able to remain calm. Sorry, no bites to prove it!

Despite the fact that I could have suffered respiratory distress from its venomous sting, I gently held a long-spine urchin in the palm of my hand.

The beauty and wonder of the coral reefs are indescribable. The vivid colors and the sea life I encountered that day were absolutely stunning. God is an amazing and awesome God.

Based on my thoughts and beliefs I almost allowed fear to keep me home. Being afraid of something that has not yet happened, and may never happen, is really ridiculous. My husband was right.

We all have fears (fill in the blank). Think about them for a moment. Fear is conditioned into us from a very young age. “Be careful.” “You can’t do that.” “You will get hurt.” “Be safe.” “Watch out.” “Don’t do that.” “It’s dark in there.”

As we get older fears change. “Will you marry me?” “I will.” “I do.” “I am having a baby!” “We are going to be parents.” “Grandparents?”

Franklin D. Roosevelt said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” Fear is a choice. It can cripple you or you can allow it to let you fly.

I will remember the trip to Belize forever and certainly the fact that I did indeed conquer my fears.

I am glad I chose to fly.

Trepidation strikes during the puddle-jumper flight.