San Pedro Columbia (confusingly known locally and as just Columbia) is one of many traditional Maya villages dotted around the Toledo district of Belize. All the homes are built out of either bamboo or loosely fitted planks of timber with palm thatched roofs, an open fire used to cook on and hammocks dotted around as beds. The women all wear brightly coloured handmade dresses and weave beautiful baskets and make jewellery to sell in the towns. The men are mainly farmers or have found work in the town; families are large with at least three generations living under one roof.

We had heard about Maya hospitality and been told that they would welcome us into their homes and offer to cook for us so we decided to check it out. We had been given the name of a family to try so we drove through Columbia asking for directions a number of times along the way. We arrived at Marguerite's house where she lived with her daughter and six grandchildren at about 8am and as hopped she offered to cook us some breakfast; spicy eggs and corn tortillas. The children were getting ready for school but were distracted by the rare chance to pose for a photo with their family. They all gathered around to see themselves on the screen. One of the girls surprised me though when she asked me if I could email her the photos, her school had recently gotten internet access. I guess the village isn't quite as traditional as we had thought.

After breakfast the children helped their mother and Marguerite lay out all of the baskets and crafts for us to see. In return for their hospitality, buying something was the least I could do. I bought a pendent necklace carved out of green volcanic rock.

Not wanting to outstay our welcome we thanked out hosts and said our goodbyes.