01 - Via Mi Amor Villa

Journeying to a new country isn’t always the smoothest transition. You expect to feel a little out of place at first—especially when traveling from a chilly Michigan spring into Belize’s tropical heat (36°F on takeoff in Detroit and close to 90°F on arrival in Belize City!). Benjamin thought it might take us a while to settle in. As it turned out, he was wrong. Our stay at Via Mi Amor Villa, our base in Orange Walk (OW), helped us feel grounded and at home almost immediately.

The team rolling their luggage in a single file on the brick path leading to the front entrance of the villa. The villa is in the background. It is a beautiful 3-story white stucco home with a red-clay tile roof. You can see a small grassy area and hedge in the foreground and palm leaves.

After a long day of travel and a quick stop at one of Belize’s most popular hangouts, Di Bruwry—home of the famous Belikin Beer—we finally arrived at the Via Mi Amor. The drive from the airport was long, but well worth it. The photo on the left shows us hauling our bags inside, tired but excited to finally settle in.

Right away, the heat was a reminder that we weren’t in Michigan anymore. Belize’s humidity can be intense, and fans alone don’t always cut it. Thankfully, the villa had quick-acting room air conditioners. They allowed us to both stay cool and conserve energy by cooling rooms only when in use and closing them off when not. The villa also sported a refreshing outdoor swimming pool.

One of the things that made our stay extra special was the hospitality. Maricruz, the villa’s incredible cook, prepared delicious Belizean breakfasts and lunches that kept us energized and happy. Mornings usually featured eggs with beans and handmade tortillas or fried jacks, accompanied by spicy sauces, fresh fruit, and fresh-squeezed juices. One lunch included an unforgettable chicken stew with rice that had everyone going back for more. This lunch was also special because we were joined by Alex and several others from Pathlight.

The villa’s caretaker, Adler, also made us feel completely at home. On our first morning, someone asked if there was milk for the coffee. There wasn’t—until ten minutes later, when milk magically appeared. That kind of thoughtful attention made a big impression on all of us.

Joshua (left) and Benjamin (right) working on their laptops. They are seated at a counter that separates the living room from the kitchen.
Sanaye (left), Sanya (middle), and Laura (right) working in the living room. Sanaye and Sanya are sharing a couch and Laura is in a matching chair. All have laptops on their laps.
The MSU team together with Alex sitting at the dining table adjoining the living room to go over the plan for the week ahead.

The villa also had strong Wi-Fi, a spacious living room where we held team meetings and curriculum planning sessions, and a peaceful atmosphere that made it easy to stay focused and productive. Its location was ideal—close to markets, restaurants, and our teaching site.

The MSU team around an outdoor table on the side patio. They are enjoying a breakfast of eggs, beans, fried jack, and fruit. It is a sunny day. The patio is colorfully decorated with a metallic sun wall-hanging and flowers.

We even had a chance to connect with Teresa’s extended family who live in Orange Walk. Sisters, cousins, nieces, and nephews welcomed us with open arms, sharing stories, food, and laughter. Their warmth and generosity added another layer of richness to our stay and gave us a deeper appreciation of Belizean culture. And when Laura’s luggage didn’t arrive on time, Teresa’s niece Shaki graciously loaned her fresh clothes until the bag showed up—just in time to prep for Tuesday morning’s robotics lesson.

Of course, this isn’t a complete list of all our memories at Via Mi Amor, but these moments—meals shared around a table, finishing touches added collaboratively to lesson plans, quiet mornings with coffee and birdsong—paint a pretty good picture of our time at the villa. It was a place where we rested, worked, connected, and prepared for the work we came to do. In every sense, it was our home away from home.

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