Belize Blog #2 | Katie Mathis and ISU Get Settled as Practice Begins

Nov. 24, 2008

BELIZE CITY, Belize - b>Editor's Note: The Illinois State softball team is participating in an international tour in Belize from Nov. 22-30. Throughout the trip, GoRedbirds.com will provide Illinois State Athletics fans with player and coach blogs, photo galleries and fun facts about Belize. Monday's blog comes from senior center fielder Katie Mathis.

Hey, all you Redbird softball fans back home! This is Katie Mathis, and here is our update from Belize.

Today (Sunday) was day two of our trip. We woke up around 9 a.m. to a wonderful home-cooked breakfast. There was fresh pineapple, watermelon, cantaloupe and bananas that were delicious. We also had some scrambled eggs, toast with delicious jam, and Honey Bunches of Oats with real peaches. To drink, we had the best tasting fresh-squeezed orange juice and lemonade.

Around 11 a.m., we loaded up the bus and headed off to Old Belize. When we arrived, the majority of us went down a zip line. We all got dressed up in our harnesses and walked up a terrifying five flights of stairs. They strapped us on the wires and down we went 650 feet in length. It was a big rush of adrenaline.

Belize Tour Main | Belize Tour Photo Gallery

After the zip line, we ventured our way into the beach area. In the beach area, you could lay out in the lawn chairs, go down a humongous slide, jump on the trampoline, float in inner tubes, play beach volleyball or go off a swing. The slide was very tall and steep. Going down, it was a big rush. You would pick up speed and skip across the water. Some people would have competitions to see who could get the furthest across the water.

After a long day in the sun, we went back to the hotel and took a nap. When we woke up from a well-needed nap, we headed off to practice. After practice, we went back to Old Belize and enjoyed a delicious dinner.

Thanks for checking in with the Redbird softball team as we continue our fun-filled international tour in Belize. Be sure to check back throughout the week for daily blogs from the rest of my teammates, as well as photos from our trip.

GO YOU REDBIRDS!

- Katie Mathis