Bienvenido a Panama!!!

At long last, I say ‘Hello’ from Panamá! I can still hardly believe I’m here! A few thoughts I had once I stepped out of the doors to the aeropuerto and into the world of Panamá:

-HELLO, humidity!! It smacks you in the face, figuratively speaking (at least for someone coming from a place with absolutely no humidity)!
-DIOS MIO!! (oh my goodness!)
-and, It really is gorgeous here. Green green green, and it was so fun to see all the rivers and ocean as we flew in

Some Peace Corps Panamá staff picked us all up at the airport and shuttled us off to the Ciudad del Saber (City of Knowledge). It’s an old American military base, and where the PC Panamá main office is located. Time there involved more administrative stuff-getting immunizations squared away (so far Yellow Fever & HepA…and there’s still a list of 8 or so to come. Gross), safety talks, meeting with project leaders, Spanish placement interviews (bleh), etc. We finally met with our ‘sector advisors’ (i.e. for me, SAS-Sustainable Agricultural Systems advisors) and that totally did me in, as far as excitement goes! FINALLY got some more direct info on probable projects and where I might be! After meeting with them for the first time, I have been told I am, indeed, doing animal husbandry work, and it seems I may be on a CHICKEN farm! Eeeeeee!!!!! They said most farms have at least A cow, goats and/or pigs, as well! (I’M SMILING REALLY BIG RIGHT NOW!!) Whether that goes through, or not, my enthusiasm is rising at an exponential rate, and I know I’ll love anything under this sector!

SAS group took a field trip to an old volunteer’s site in Las Gaitas, still in the province of Panama (Oeste). It was great being off the base and getting a taste of real Panama… beautiful beautiful beautiful…tropical, rainforesty…amazing. We toured a farm and all the projects the people had going on, i.e. fish farming, rice farming, cute little greenhouse, etc. Awesome stuff. There were chickens and dogs and a couple cats, goats… (I’m smiling really big right now…this is constant, really…my cheeks are killing me). We helped them plant a rice field, and I took a crack at de-shelling some already collected rice they had grown.

I got mi machete. I feel official.

After a couple days in La Ciudad del Saber, we were sent off to our host families! I’m in a little town called Santa Clara, and my family is pretty sweet. They have two kids, a 17yr old boy and 13yr old girl. After a brief language immersion freak out, I really think I’ll be ok…even after a few days, I feel my Spanish is heaps better. Still pretty silly, though. Story: My brother is a touch timid, and wouldn’t really talk to me much. The other day, it was crazy windy; I guess when it’s really windy, a smell of fish wanders over Santa Clara…because of some nearby island…I really don’t understand the whole thing, nor do I smell the fishyness…But they hate it, and brother was trying to tell me about it…he was waving his hands in the air, pointing toward the sky, and I caught the word ‘PESCADO’…naturally, the first thing that comes out of my mouth is ‘Hay pescados en el cielo?!’ (There are fish in the sky?!) He cracks up, and since then is no longer afraid of me. I guess it’s ok to sound like a fool, sometimes. He’s taking a lot of science classes. He whipped out his Spanish periodic table and my heart just jumped with joy. We like science.

It’s also begun raining a TON. I was dancing in our yard singing my own Spanglish version of ‘if all the raindrops were lemon drops and gumdrops…’ Sister taught me the Spanish version, AND pulled out a book of childhood songs for me! So I’m singing Spanish (old mcdonald, 5 little monkeys, bingo was his name-o) ALL the time now. I love this.

Food…I love plantains. I love mamey. I love guava. I love rice & lentils. I’m eating chicken and fish and eggs and cheese. My stomach gave me a piece of her mind at the beginning, but I’m getting used to it, and I love this. I dare say, I am going to gain 40 lbs.

The other aspirantes (aspiring volunteers) are amazing! It is wonderful to be around a whole mess of people who are just pumped to be here! The staff is beyond incredible, so, simply stated, I’m in a great environment. Busy busy with technical training 8-12 and Spanish lessons 1-5, however it makes for a great night’s sleep. Next week, we are all going on a site visit for 4 or so days..I am going to the Darien providence...to an Indigenous site. SO EXCITED!!! (yes i am smiling really big right now!!) cannot wait to tell you how it goes!

Hmmm…I think that covers most for now…I found it so hard to write this, and it’s sort of all over the place; There’s just SO much going on and SO much I want to share and SO little time at this Internet café. AH! Loved ones back home, I miss you, love you, and thanks for continued support!

gonna see if i can figure out how to put my pictures up with this panamanian computer..hmm

Hasta luego!

Casa Blanca

Hi, from Washington, D.C.!

Yesterday, I said farewell to Arizona to head to the east coast for the Peace Corps 'Staging' process. The flight over was nice; sat next to a lovely couple from, none other than, Tucson!!! **Shout out to John and Janine (spelling??)! Hope you enjoyed your visit to DC, hope John had a happy birthday, and thanks, again, for the crackers & craisins! **

Today was the good old staging event...met the other 52 (wow) volunteers going to Panamá, got all registered, went over some Peace Corps history, expectations, etc etc. After that wrapped up, I made it my touristy goal to at least see the White House--I mean I'm here, right?! So began a 3 hour race around D.C...

With the help of some amazing passer-bys, I made it to the 'Foggy Bottom' metro station! I LOVE underground metros. Needless-to-say, as I waited for the metro to come, bouncing in excited anticipation and hardly able to contain my smile, I got quite a few second glances.

Yay, Foggy Bottom Metro Station!

Got off at the old 'Smithsonian' station and wandered around looking for a big white house...

This guy stuck out...I followed my nose to him, and then signs down 15th street toward the White House...

Blurry view of the Capitol along the way

AND

:) You know...I don't know if I'd want to live in a place where there are people constantly outside my gate, taking pictures. But, GOAL ACCOMPLISHED!!!

So I literally snapped a picture, and retraced my steps as quickly as possible so as not to forget. Inevitably, after I made it back to Foggy Bottom, I got lost on random city buses en route back to Georgetown at 10pm..which led to a frustrated Jenny shedding tears on a bus, with all the people on board huddling together to help her get where I needed to go. It was kind of cute. Thank you.

Now I'm back in my hotel room...it's 11pm..and we have to be up and out in the hotel lobby by 2:30am..WHAT?! Our flight to Panamá doesn't even leave til around 7am..alas, I guess it's better to be crazy early than late?

To sleep or not to sleep??

Next time I write I'll be in PANAMA! eeeeee!!!!!

T-9 days!

9 more days!!! I think it is the fact that my countdown is now down to single digits that is forcing everything to sink in...

-Yes, I am really going to Panamá for 27 months with the Peace Corps

-Yes, my new 'job title' is actually going to be Sustainable Agricultural Systems Extension Agent

-Yes, I will be working with small farmers, experimenting with sustainable agricultural methods and helping these farmers find markets for their products

-Yes, Spanish is spoken in Panamá

...YIKES! I think about it all and my heart starts racing to a beat fueled by astounding excitement and a touch of apprehension. 

We have had a few electricians at the house to install fans in some of the rooms. Nice men, really--polite, hardworking...hispanic.  So, they're working away, conversing with themselves, and the only thought crossing my mind was 'holy toledo, they are talking so fast!' In fact, the only thing I ever understood with 100% confidence was when one of the men shouted "¡AHHHH, mi mano!" No worries, I did check on him (muttered an uncertain  "¿está todo bien?"  yeahh! Progress! Party!)- just a minor, drill induced cut. 

Moral of the story: ¡Necesito practicar mi español! I need to practice my Spanish! Oh, and handle drills with much caution. 

With nearly a week left, I suppose I also need to get this 'packing' thing started.  2 bags not to exceed 80 lbs. Oh boy. We are told to keep a "when in doubt, leave it out" mantra going as we pack. This may prove to be quite an ordeal, as I have favored this mantra's not-so-evil twin, "when in doubt, buy it/keep it/bring it along!", for as long as I can remember. 

Oh well. I'M GOING TO PANAMÁ!!!!