Belmopan is the capital of Belize (a good trivia question because many people assume Belize City is the capital). We leave Roberts Grove at 5:30am to be sure to arrive at the US Embassy before our 9am appointment. It’s a 2-1/2 hr drive (each way) per Google however if we need to change a tire like yesterday or have trouble finding the correct building, or delayed due to road construction, etc. it’s good to have a time buffer. We arrive without incident at 8am, so plenty early.

The Embassy is in lock-down. I, and only I, am allowed to enter the locked entrance after my passport and printed appointment is approved by a guard. At 9am, not before. I expected an airport style security scan but this was much more; my purse is not allowed, my cellphone, even my Apple watch is not allowed. Closed, sealed, stamped envelopes, are not allowed (I’d hoped they had a Belize / US mail service for us citizens, but no). All of this must stay with Jerry who must stay outside. I can take my wallet, my passport and the paper that needs to be notarized. I pass thru the metal detector and am directed to a building on the other side of the outdoor courtyard. More security. My appointment paper is verified and I’m directed to window 4. After a short while, someone arrives at that window to take my appointment paper, passport and form to be notarized. I sit back down. Several minutes later I’m summoned to the payment window. US$50 for each notary signature / stamp. I need just one. Paid, I sit back down. 10 minutes or so later, I’m summoned to the interview room. I’m asked what I’m signing and why. Then she allows me to sign the form, she signs the form and gives me back my passport with my receipt. It’ll be a few minutes for the stamp I’m told. Back to reception to sit & wait. A few minutes later, my form is ready. Since they do not offer mail-to-the-US service, our choices are FedEX letter or wait until Ellie can take it back and drop it in the mail. We decide on the latter.

Our Belmopan primary mission complete, it’s time to see what’s available here grocery-wise that is not available in Placencia. We look in 2 highly rated grocery stores. The selection we see in Placencia’s stores & green markets is way better than in Belmopan, so we fill up the gas tank and head back. I should mention the condition of the highways. Some sections are flat with center & side stripes but most are without road markings and a few are in terrible shape with car-sized potholes and single lane bridges that look about ready to collapse under the weight of the citrus-laden semis. There is 1 gas station in Placencia, 1 near the turnoff to Dangriga (approx 45 min from Placencia) and two in Belmopan. That’s it. Around here you start a trip with a full gas tank and tires checked.