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Placencia Bids Farewell to
Fyah Gyal
in Appropriate Fashion! By SHAYLENE TODD Contributing Writer The Placencia Breeze
shaylenetodd@gmail.com
W
e’re on the Point. The torch is lit. Twenty-four glittering contestants line the boardwalk, each taking their turn to hold the flame high against the candy blue sky and pass it to the next contender. I’m last in line, and I drop to one knee with the flame, lighting the poi in front of me. A familiar beat blasts through the speakers, and the flaming poi starts spinning in time with her blonde pigtails. Fire burning overhead and through her legs, I know many are worried she may light her hair on fire again. Or maybe they want her to, yeah, the sea is pretty close. Fyah Gal! She waves her poi and sets the Olympic Torch ablaze. Her hair and polyester shorts are safe! The flame reflects off a hot pink disco rug and the crowd cheers! The games have begun.
be joining her boyfriend Greg in Tasmania, an island state of Australia. These Beach Olympics are an elaborate farewell, reminiscent of the ones she first hosted in 2009 and the type of gathering that fits her spirit. People of all ages, nationalities and athletic deficiencies gather together to compete. Add beer bongs, bittaz shots, and, in her signature fashion, copious amounts of glitter to team bodies and the fun brings itself. There is only one rule on the list of rules: “One Whiny Comment = One Shot.” I find that rule very representative of how Stephanie lives her life; her contagious positive spirit reminds us to stop complaining and celebrate the beauty in our community and glittery fun around you.
A biomechanical engineer by trade and straight out of corporate America, Stephanie first came to Placencia for a friend’s wedding in 2005. Knowing she wanted to move here, she set out on an around-the-world trip in 2007 only slightly afraid that she’d find “a better place.” Lucky for us, after having visited 40 countries from India to Indonesia and her making her way through Europe, Africa and South America, she feels Belize has it all. Rich in history, lush in its natural beauty, Stephanie found her home quickly among the English speaking community and has since Stephanie Wandke, Placencia’s resi- become as integral to the Placencia dent fire dancer and my best friend, community as the Barefoot Beach hailed as Fyah Gal all over Belize, Bar. has decided to bid a fond “see you See LAYTA FYAH GYAL on page 25 later” to us after 10 years. She will
The Placencia Breeze
February 2019
Stephanie says that when she arrives overseas, and people ask her where she’s from, she’ll say, 'Belize.' "This is where I chose to live, and this is the flag I wave as I travel. This is the place that has shaped me and where I grew up.” Her legacy of glitter, positivity and love of everything fun is now in our hands, and we’ll try and do her proud … until her epic Welcome Home party, of course.
Remember. Fyah Gal Says: 1. Say No to Plastic. 2. Don’t Pet the Turtles! 3. Be Excellent to Each Other ♥♥♥
Sidewalk Art Fest Fest Logo Winner Continued from page 19
planning more annual events, operating the tourism center, publishing this newspaper and much more to promote grassroots tourism on the Peninsula. (See festival map on page 27.) “I know I have a bit of creativity in me, and I wanted to test it out there,” Torres said. “Since I was a child I have been drawing and placing my pieces where people
can see them, just so I can see their reactions.” The 32 year old, who has been teaching at Georgetown for the past 11 years, says that many teachers will buy expensive materials to decorate their classrooms or pay people, but in his case, he’s always created his own. “And I enjoy my students’ reactions because I’ll draw cartoon characters that are so old, they are lost! … But it catches their attention.”
Torres grew up in Orange Walk Town, but currently resides in Independence Village. As the son of Placencia fisherman, boat captain and tour guide, Benji Eiley, Torres has always maintained a strong relationship with Placencia and looks forward to attending the Sidewalk Art Festival each year. “I enjoy seeing things from a different perspective. What may be trash for some is art – fascinating art for others,” he said. Two years ago while studying cu-
linary arts in Austria, Torres said he visited a few places in central Europe where he found himself making comparisons between European and Belizean art. “I can tell anyone that Belizeans are very creative people.” The fact that Placencia sets a weekend aside to “celebrate, highlight and promote art, is just pure awesomeness!” Torres said. Congratulate this new artist among the pros and dilettantes on the Feb. 9-10 weekend. ▪
