Well, that was fun ...

Independence Day

Belize is a relatively young nation, gaining its independence from England only 30 years ago (more info here)

This event is commemorated by pageants, parades, dancing, etc.

Pictured is the local RC school's parade through Patchakan, and then the much larger parade in nearby Orange Walk. This second parade is called Mardi Gras, and it is a smaller version than what you might find/imagine in New Orleans or Mobile, AL - though without any beads and what that entails.

The fun part was our vehicle breaking down about 45 minutes from our house, after dark, on the main two-lane highway, with marshes and who know what else on either side, and pick-up trucks (driven by likely intoxicated drivers) with 6-8 people in the bed of the truck driving by at 45 mph. Our van contained my family and four other women.

We then had the pleasure of being towed by a pick-up truck :)