I finally made the 6 hour trip by boat and bus for a little rest and relaxation. Well, if you can call running around shopping, printing pictures, typing Peace Corps documents, and using the internet and phone like a crazy R&R. But warm showers are hard to beat.
Recently I’ve been keeping busy in my site doing the same old same old. Unfortunately no work has been done on my house for weeks on end and it still sits sadly frame completed and ¾ roof completed waiting to be finished. I am no longer building it with hira (the “traditional” way they built houses) because everyone was waiting for everyone else to be the first to cut their part and as a result nobody cut the wood. So, now I am going with tablas or essentially 2x4s for the walls. Luckily my boss came for my four month visit and fanned the flame a bit so they say I should have my house done in two weeks.
On Wednesday, Pablo my APCD, aka my boss came to visit my site. I was a bit nervous not really having a whole lot planned but it went really well. HE BROUGHT ME ICECREAM! Even though by the time we ate it, it was more like ice cream soup, it was delicious and will probably be the only time I get ice cream in my site. He also participated in my English class where I taught about clothes. I had lots of fun games planned and my students didn’t let me down. They really are a smart bunch and Pablo was highly impressed. Then we had town meeting. I hadn’t planned it in advance but still had a pretty good turnout- although as usual it started over an hour late. Basically he asked the community to evaluate me, how I’m doing, if they’re satisfied with the work I’ve done, etc. And as we say, my “tanque” was filled. They said I’m very hard working and always participating in whatever activity, cleaning up the school, fishing, etc. They even asked how it would be possible for me to stay longer than two years. Which is kind of ridiculous considering I haven’t even been there six months. But never the less it made me feel pretty good. Then Pablo showed off his mad skills in volleyball and it was back to my host family’s house. It was good to talk and get his advice, especially for the tourism part of my project.
The next day, because I wanted to leave, I went with his boat on the way to visit another volunteer and I was dropped of at a beach to hang out for the day. I do lead a tough life here… Unfortunately it was raining and COLD!! I was wearing pants and a fleece and my fingers and toes were COLD! It was exciting. I chatted with a hotel worker for most of the day and went on a 2 hour walk along the coast. Panamanians are truly friendly people. But it’s annoying to be a blond and have your phone number asked for by every guy you talk to for more than 30 minutes. Yesterday in my travels everywhere I went people would chat with me, but it’s neat that some how I stand out as a Peace Corps volunteer because they all ask, Cuerpo de Paz? I was even invited to the woman’s house that I sat next to on the bus. Anyways, I made it to the hotel safe and sound.
So, that’s pretty much what’s going on in my life right now. There are lots of holidays in November so English classes won’t be as regular. Hopefully I’ll get moved into my house and then it’s more training for a week at the end of the month before the big Thanksgiving celebration. The pictures are of a birthday party I went to and my current host family...
Recently I’ve been keeping busy in my site doing the same old same old. Unfortunately no work has been done on my house for weeks on end and it still sits sadly frame completed and ¾ roof completed waiting to be finished. I am no longer building it with hira (the “traditional” way they built houses) because everyone was waiting for everyone else to be the first to cut their part and as a result nobody cut the wood. So, now I am going with tablas or essentially 2x4s for the walls. Luckily my boss came for my four month visit and fanned the flame a bit so they say I should have my house done in two weeks.
On Wednesday, Pablo my APCD, aka my boss came to visit my site. I was a bit nervous not really having a whole lot planned but it went really well. HE BROUGHT ME ICECREAM! Even though by the time we ate it, it was more like ice cream soup, it was delicious and will probably be the only time I get ice cream in my site. He also participated in my English class where I taught about clothes. I had lots of fun games planned and my students didn’t let me down. They really are a smart bunch and Pablo was highly impressed. Then we had town meeting. I hadn’t planned it in advance but still had a pretty good turnout- although as usual it started over an hour late. Basically he asked the community to evaluate me, how I’m doing, if they’re satisfied with the work I’ve done, etc. And as we say, my “tanque” was filled. They said I’m very hard working and always participating in whatever activity, cleaning up the school, fishing, etc. They even asked how it would be possible for me to stay longer than two years. Which is kind of ridiculous considering I haven’t even been there six months. But never the less it made me feel pretty good. Then Pablo showed off his mad skills in volleyball and it was back to my host family’s house. It was good to talk and get his advice, especially for the tourism part of my project.
The next day, because I wanted to leave, I went with his boat on the way to visit another volunteer and I was dropped of at a beach to hang out for the day. I do lead a tough life here… Unfortunately it was raining and COLD!! I was wearing pants and a fleece and my fingers and toes were COLD! It was exciting. I chatted with a hotel worker for most of the day and went on a 2 hour walk along the coast. Panamanians are truly friendly people. But it’s annoying to be a blond and have your phone number asked for by every guy you talk to for more than 30 minutes. Yesterday in my travels everywhere I went people would chat with me, but it’s neat that some how I stand out as a Peace Corps volunteer because they all ask, Cuerpo de Paz? I was even invited to the woman’s house that I sat next to on the bus. Anyways, I made it to the hotel safe and sound.
So, that’s pretty much what’s going on in my life right now. There are lots of holidays in November so English classes won’t be as regular. Hopefully I’ll get moved into my house and then it’s more training for a week at the end of the month before the big Thanksgiving celebration. The pictures are of a birthday party I went to and my current host family...
3 comments:
miss you! glad you got a mini break.
ps. that girl is incredibly mona!
Hey Jess -
I'm praying for you and your country amidst the floods! I'm glad to hear you made it to safer ground. Let me know how you are whenever you can...
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