25 Years Ago
Those Nails in the Kitchen
Last week I placed two nails near my door entrance so that I could hang two hats and that reminded me of a common practice used 25 years ago. Today I want to take you through another and different custom of the 50's. First of all you need to realize that the kitchens of the past did not boast a kitchen counter nor cabinets. In fact, they did not even have a wash sink or gas range. However, that is not the point for you wouldn't think that the nails served for a sink or stove.
Protection For Your Feet
Twenty-five years ago, and that would be in the 1940's and 50's, people in San Pedro absolutely wore no shoes. The sole of men's feet were so thick you would think that they could walk over burning coal. The feet were so thick and strong that the boys of San Pedro were teased that they could play football with coconuts. The feet of the men were generally wide, so wide that when they wanted to use shoes, their feet could not fit into the shoes.
Dia de San Pedro Procession
This photograph locks so much history that instead of a flashback article, the editor suggested a feature article in this column. It features so many people, young girls who are now in their fifties, women who are now deceased (RIP), and historic buildings from the village of the 1950’s.
Blessed Home Remedies
Today we will concentrate on the teeth. There is a lot to be said about the teeth today, but even more so about them twenty five years ago.
More Home Remedies
Deep cuts or wounds were more common 25 years ago than today because people walked totally barefooted. Occasionally one jumped from the pier into the shallow water only to discover that there was a broken bottle that caused a large cut on the sole of the foot, or a conch shell that caused a deep and wide wound. TREATING CUTS AND WOUNDS:
Home Remedies Saved The Day!
Deep cuts or wounds were more common 25 years ago than today because people walked totally barefooted. Occasionally one jumped from the pier into the shallow water only to discover that there was a broken bottle that caused a large cut on the sole of the foot, or a conch shell that caused a deep and wide wound. TREATING CUTS AND WOUNDS:
Lets Cure “Cagalera” (Loose Bowels)
Twenty five years ago San Pedro might have lacked doctors and nurses, but that is not to say that people lived without any mercy of the ailments and diseases. Of course there were the home remedies and I can tell you that they were effective. Today a little toothache has people running to the doctor and taking three days off from work. Not so 25 years ago. So let us begin by curing your “cagalera”.
The Flirty Girls of 25 Years Ago
TODAY you hear the older folks talking about the young generation being ruthless and irresponsible, more so than in the 1930’s and 40’s. Perhaps they are right. It is also said that the new generation does not hold matrimony as a serious act. The older generation believes that the young people today are only into sex and not love, and that morals have been forgotten. I would say they are partly right, but would like you to really see the situation 25 years ago.
Pirates Fact & Myth
Pirates were interesting people and everything you hear about them is a combination of truth and facts and a whole lot is myth or legend. The skull on their back and all over the ship is fact for they were blood hungry people who would kill for valuables or booty. The captain carrying a little parrot on his shoulder is truth because he always had need for someone he could trust and would signal to him an attacker from behind his back.
Those Tasty Pigeons
Hey Dorian and you guys at the office at Ambergris Today, what makes you say that the pigeon situation in San Pedro is a real nuisance and that those flocks of pigeons are now pests? I understand that these birds do cause a nuisance with nesting on the eaves of the houses, and the droppings on rooftops that collect rain water for its drinking source. They can also mess up the laundry, the swimming pools, and create noise in the middle of the night that disturbs your sleep.
No Women Drinking
Even before I start this article, I would like to mention that back in 1992 I first wrote this article and one particular woman was extremely offended by the article. She thought that I was anti-women. I tried to explain to her that my wife and mother are women and I was not against them. I was simply trying to show that many years ago women did not drink to socialize as men did and that San Pedro has undergone a big change when it comes to women drinking. So with that same mind, not fear, here it goes again.
Did You Inherit Land?
This past weekend I was having a very pleasant and interesting conversation with my very good friends Wil Escalante and Thomas Kirkpatrick. Among other interesting things, Wil asked me if I had any more land apart from those where my house is located. His real question was whether I had inherited any land from my father.
How Weddings Were So Different
Weddings are weddings and you would think that as long as there was a bride and a groom and a party, there you have a wedding. I will agree to that, but indeed there were many differences of weddings of the past to those of today. I know you will tell me they cost a lot more today. That is true too, but check out the big differences. The entire village was invited. I mean you knew everyone and because there was a wedding like every two or three years, when they happened, it was a big event.
Collecting Bad Debts
Bad debts…there has always been bad debts. They say that prostitution is the oldest profession (if you want to call it a profession) but perhaps the oldest problem or sour relationship between two parties is “bad debts”. There has always been someone who is not willing to repay to the person that has done you a favor. I mean, you can even understand a thief who comes and takes something illegally, but how can you explain when you do someone a favor and then he is so ungrateful he does not want to pay you back.
Tattoos For The Young And Old
Oh yes, tattoos go back to around the year 1965 as far as local tattoos go here in San Pedro. Before this time there were a few tattoos made on a few guys, but they were made in Belize City or Corozal Town.
The Arrival of Outboard Motors
Back in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s, the arrival of the outboard motors in San Pedro was quite a revolution. It was such a revolutionary move and innovative event that everybody in San Pedro desired one. And to tell the truth practically everyone got one for different needs and different reasons. The very first ones were Johnson Outboard Motors and that was soon followed by Evinrude Motors because there was a good and competitive market.
Where There’s A Will There’s A Way
San Pedro High School is only 35 years old. In terms of schools it is a pretty young school with some over one hundred years old like SJC and St. Catherine’s Academy. But in terms of accomplishments, San Pedro High has got its share to show.
Fun in the Kraal
Most people in San Pedro today would not know what a kraal is, so we will have to draw a diagram of one to give you the full idea. Only the richer people in San Pedro had kraals, but the common children enjoyed it the most, so a kraal was very important to all of us poor kids living in the 1950’s. A business lady from Belize City, Mrs. Serafina Encalada had a kraal right in front of her home and the Blakes had one which was mostly used by the nuns when they visited the island for their Easter or Summer vacations.
Reminiscing the British Soldiers
They were here to guarantee the safety and protection of Belize even before our independence and a few years later on. Though they were not stationed here in San Pedro, they did form an important part of our society.
And The Green Grass Grew Around
Do you recall some of the words of this nursery rhyme? “And the green grass grew all around, all around and the green grass grew all around…”