Hi, my name is Rebecca Coutant and that's me in the blue headed out to swim with whale sharks. I've lived on the Caribbean island of Ambergris Caye, Belize for 6 years. SIX YEARS! I can hardly believe it. At the age of 32, I moved here (solo) leaving Manhattan, NYC and a job as a trader on Wall Street...
When and how did you decide to move to Belize? Is it complicated to settle down there?
I left that job exhausted in 2006, travelled for 6 months (the UK, Italy, Croatia and Montenegro) and was about to go back to the grind when I visited Belize with a friend. Just one week but I couldn't get it out of my head. I made the decision in a few months (visiting 3 times) to try it for just one year... New York will always be there...right? I left everything in storage and just did it.
Complicated to settle down? For me, no. You just do it. There is quite a large https://www.expat.community here from the US, Canada, the UK who have all done it before you so, if you ask for it, there is plenty of help.
Have you ever lived abroad before? How many countries have you visited?
Before college, I had been outside of the USA a total of one time… with my grandparents… at the truly awkward age of 13. But I always loved the idea of travel...history...beaches...exotic places. So, I decided to take my junior year abroad in London. It was the perfect opportunity to visit Europe cheaply (with some minimal school work on the side). I went to Spain and Italy, France and Scotland, Belgium and Majorca that year: I was totally hooked on travel.
I've visited 28 countries in total (out of 190+? I've got some serious work to do...). I have traveled quite a bit in Central America since I moved to Belize. Before that, Europe and some of the Caribbean. A bit of Asia (Hong Kong, Thailand, Vietnam and Japan) sprinkled in.
What do you like the most about San Pedro / Belize?
Every day I am in love with the beach, the water and the weather. Looking off my balcony and seeing the barrier reef each morning is pretty humbling. I also love the people and the whole "go slow" mentality (which can also be an incredible adjustment after moving from a big city). I am a giant fan of the local food, rum and music (you really must try all three). I'm not going to lie: I also love that everyone speaks English.
How is/was the cultural shock? What are the main differences with the United States, your home country?
Belize is so many different cultures: from the Mayans to the Garifuna, the Creole people to Mennonites. You can get as much culture shock or as little as you want. Some days I want to eat pig tails and split peas and some days I just want to have a beer, buffalo wings and watch a baseball game at a sports bar. You can easily do both in this town.
The biggest difference and adjustment is my love and sometimes hate relationship with the "take it easy" culture. When someone tells you that they are going to do something "right now", it usually means tomorrow...or maybe never. It can make you nuts sometimes. Or it can be fantastic if you tend towards procrastination.
It was also a big shock for me moving from New York City to San Pedro and finding out that I might actually be a "small town girl". I like the feeling of knowing everyone.
Do you miss anything from your homeland?
I do miss some things. Better just to list them:
1. I miss newspapers and magazines. I love my new kindle but sometimes I just want to hold the Sunday New York Times...Style section and all.
2. I miss "good hair"...curly hair and humidity are a dangerous and mostly ugly combination.
3. I miss deli sandwiches and NY bagels (from my Murray's Bagels in Chelsea, NYC). The frozen ones, which are available here, are just not the same. I usually gorge on the real thing when I visit my mom in New Jersey once a year or so.
4. Oh yes...even though friends and family visit with some frequency, I miss being able to see them much more often. Especially my little nephews growing up.
When did you start your blog? For what reasons?
I started my blog just over a year ago when I left my full time job as a bar & restaurant manager here on the island. I'd been in Belize for so long but felt like I'd seen so little of it. I knew that by blogging daily (no small task), it would give me the push to travel more, meet more people and try new things.
Did you make new friends with your blog?
I get the chance to meet readers all the time: it's a pretty small island. Many people live here part time and check in on my blog to see what is happening in Belize. And my readership is expanding! I ran into two "fans" at the airport in El Salvador a few months ago and they bought me a beer at 10am: that was a first.
Why did you register on
https://www.expat.com and what do you think of the website?
When relocating I visited the site to find information about people who had relocated to Belize. Five years later when I started my own blog, I registered right away to hopefully expand my readership.
Which advice would you give to the other Expat blog members who would like to settle in San Pedro or Belize?
Visit a few times before making a permanent change. Try an extended stay if you can. Belize is pretty awesome but it's not for everyone.
Check out the blogs from the local area...all of them. There are so many people writing a diary on-line, you are sure to click in some way with one of them. See their likes and dislikes and contact them with questions: such a great way to learn out how things really are.
Think about living a bit more simply when you think about moving to Belize. Can you do it? You don't need to bring a TV for each room or formal attire, life here is much more easy going.
And lastly, things operate differently in Belize, on their own time frame. Be friendly and patient. It's a small country and personal relationships go a long way. Things will get done but usually not at the rate you think they will. Leave the phrase "well...this is how they do it in my country" at home.
