So, I eventually got all the paperwork together that I needed, called the airline to book Dino's and my flight, only to find out that even the airlines that said they took exotic animals would not, as we had a stop over in the USA and the US has their own full set of procedures which must be adhered to, but which the airlines would have no part in. At that point, after all the work I'd done, the disappointment was unbearable. There I was all set for us to go, when I hit a brick wall head on! But I'd come so far, I couldn't give up. Everything was planned, I even had friends to stay with in Belize. 

By sheer luck, the friend I was gong to stay with in Belize found an international animal shipper in Madrid, Spain, on the internet. I contacted them and they said they could do it, but because of the complications in the USA, due to a stopover there and because they'd have to hire a specialist to deal with the US customs and forestry department paperwork and inspection, it would cost me $6,000 USD ($12,000 BZD). I had no other choice, I had to take the deal.

I booked my flight and Dino was booked on his the day after, however, because he had to have vet checks at Madrid airport on leaving, and again in the USA, his trip would last a whole 4 days! That's 4 days in a transport case, in airports, on planes, on runways, in cars etc. All I could do at that point was keep on telling myself, 'he'll make it, he's strong', but of course, thinking the worst all the time!

Another highlight was a drive I took down the Hummingbird Highway...the name alone is an attraction, isn't it? Well, it deserves such a beautiful name because it was so stunning, it took me 5 hours to travel its 75 mile length. I traveled on an almost vehicle free highway (highways here are two lane country roads) at a snails pace taking in the sheer beauty of its lush palm covered mountains. I talked to some locals and got invited into their home, where they immediately offered me locally grown tobacco! It was wonderful, but talk about paranoia setting in, I suddenly had a panic attack, envisioning myself in the middle of nowhere, with no one on Earth knowing where I was, surrounded by 4 pretty strong looking guys and I suddenly feared for my life! (Have you seen the movie 'Paradise lost'?) Probably a reaction to the tobacco, but I ran to my car and got out of there faster than a Green-wing moves when you approach it with a medicine syringe!

Anyway, it has turned out that Dino is a superstar in Belize. Everywhere I go, when I don't have him with me, I get asked, where's Dino? And when I do have him with me, all I hear is "Dino!" shouted out from every direction.
Just yesterday, (December 18th) I took Dino to Arts in the park in the center of Corozal Town and Dino stole the show! Kids gathered around like bees to a honey pot and I realized I actually enjoyed telling them a bit about the world of parrots, but I've put my foot in it because Jenni who I live with has said she's going to arrange for Dino and I and her and her Scarlet to visit schools. Crap! I've never taught a thing before, I'm excited but scared about the prospect of doing that! 
Many have said to me I came to Belize for a reason, the coincidences to get here with Dino became so frequent, they were no longer coincidences, they were guiding us here. Maybe my calling is to teach? I dunno, its too early to tell, but I have this overwhelming feeling I'm here for something, not just the awesome weather and scenery.

Anyways, in January I am headed off down south for 3 months. I've made some truly wonderful friends up here in Corozal and it pains me to go, but I have to go and experience the 'other' part of the country, which I'm always told rains a hell of a lot more, but little do they know, I love the rain and all they're doing is tempting me even more! So come January, off Dino and I go into the wild green yonder. Heck, its easy to forget this country's less than 200 miles from tip to toe, it ain't as if I'm leaving the planet!

Life has never treated me particularly well, dunno why, I tried my best but I never really found contentment, but since setting foot on these shores, I'm the happiest I've ever been. I LOVE Belize! 
Who'd have thought one parrot could have such a huge impact on someone's life? Dino must be my angel sent from above. (Thanks for sending him to rescue me mom). Now there's a turn for the books. 'Parrot rescues human!' The proof of how important they are to this world, is right in that statement! Please treat them with all the love and respect they so much deserve. They can and do have a profound effect on our lives, yet we are wiping them off the face of the Earth. In the wild, many other creatures suffer their loss, because as every parront knows, parrots are amazingly efficient food scatterers. Countless critters rely on their charming habit of scattering out of reach fruit and nuts all over the forest floor. Yes, I hear you all ROFL'ing to that one! :-)

PS. I'll add some more photos of my big red bug soon!