This is our first post, and here I plan to outline the intent of this blog and what we hope to accomplish. So let's get started!
First, the basics:
This will be the story of a couple (myself and my boyfriend, Wes) and our quest to turn our dream of a life in Belize into a reality. The point of this blog is not only to track our experiences, but to act as a record for important information and documentation we will need. Be prepared, because I will be using this Blog as a pin-board to stick ideas on, a journal to talk about the experience, and a planner (because I get antsy and unpleasant when I don't have a plan!) This is the spot we're going to keep our dark and devious blueprints on how to live in paradise!
Second, who we are:
I'm Wallace, and I am currently a Wine and Spirits professional in New Orleans, LA. I currently have my 1st level Sommeiler Certificate, and within the next two years, I plan to get my Certified Sommelier Certificate and my Certified Specialist of Wine certificate. STUDY STUDY STUDY! Within the next two years, I also plan to get into the best shape of my life, and have the lofty ambitions of eventually participating in an Iron-Man (Iron-Lady?) competition in Belize. Lofty goals, indeed!
Wes, who may or may not choose to participate from time to time, is a prep chef in New Orleans currently working for the Besh Restaurant Group (John Besh, y'all!). He is currently seeking to learn the most he can with on-the-job training. He'd really like to master butchery in the next two years. This may require him to stage (from French stagiaire meaning trainee, apprentice or intern for anyone counting) at different restaurants around town.
Third, the plan (so far):
What we know: We are keen on moving to the Placencia area of Belize within 2 years. We have done extensive travel to Belize, and feel comfortable with the vibe here. We have a good friend that lives here already and owns a business. We also have a very, very close family friend from Belize City, and know a few people in the area. We won't be strangers, we both know the language, custom, and general direction in the place, and where to avoid. If we were to move abroad, we feel that now would be the best time (because when is there ever a best time?) and I've always felt it is totally stupid to have regrets about never doing things you can actually do and that people do all the time.
We plan to work in Belize once there and legally allowed. According to the Government of Belize (GOB) we will need to pay for a tourism permit ($50 US) a month per person for the first 6 months of residency. After this, we will need to apply for residency and for a work permit, which must be sponsored by a business wanting to hire you. This business must prove that they have offered this job to the local Belizean population for 3 weeks with no qualified applicants. You also must prove why you are qualified to hold the position. Entry Requirements to Belize. After this, you pay a flat annual fee to hold residency. During this first year, you may not leave Belize for more than 14 aggregate days (though the language says consecutive), but others have shown that even going above 14 aggregate days has resulted in starting the process all over. For the last 6 months of residency, you pay $100 US per person per month. We'll get into the details later of what we plan to do after the first year.
We feel comfortable with two years to plan, because this gives me time to accomplish things professionally and to save the amount of money needed to make this happen. We do not plan to take our furniture. I plan to store it (since it is mostly mine) at a home my parents have. We also do not plan to take the cars. We may sell one (or both) of them in order to save money for the trip. We may hold on to one to have just in case. Who knows. We have agreed that we are not committing to staying forever, though this is a possibility. More on this later.
We have a cat named Penelope, who is a cuddly domestic indoor "pot-likker." She will be coming along for the voyage. Apparently, this is not a huge deal at all as it is to do it into the U.S. or Australia. All diseases already present and accounted for!! Ooh.. I don't know what "Screwworm" is, but it sounds terrible. You only must get a clean bill of health from the vet, and fill out the appropriate forms. Belize Department of Animal Health. Then, before submitting the forms, I plan on copying all pertinent documentation to take along WITH Penelope when we go, and noting on the forms I submit the date and location that I will be entering the country with her so they can send the papers ahead.
She will be strictly indoor, as she is now.
That said, we will ideally like to rent a 2 bed, 1 bath house in the Placencia area nearer to the resort developments. There are quite a few coming up in that neck of the woods. I feel confident that with the appropriate resumés and credentials, finding employment shouldn't pose a horrific problem. For instance, Turtle Cove is one of Francis Ford Coppola's resort developments that recently opened. It is his most luxurious vacation location. After some digging, however, he only pours his wines on location (understandable), but not a gig for me. Just a quick look up and down the beach, however, and there's work galore. This looks cool: Wild Orchid Belize is a luxury living property where people build their dream homes for people to retire and languish in the lap of luxury. Basically what I'm saying is there's money moving into town.
So next-- gotta plan the budget.
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