I'm on an unexpected 3 day "vacation" from my site. I've been somewhat sick for over a week now and I finally decided today that it was worth a trip to the clinic, so 1 1/2 hours in boat and 45 min in bus later I made it to the clinic where I received an IV injection, a shot in my butt, some pills, and I get to stay for the next two days for more butt shots. But I can already tell a difference and it will be nice to be healthy again. And having internet and air conditioning for a couple days isn't so bad. Tonight I'm going to have a little me time and watch a movie on my laptop- I also bought skittles, oreos and cheetos! I'm horrible I know!

For a little more insight as to what life is like for me, I'm going to share a journal entry I wrote a few weeks back that I rather like...

I hate that:
-The nearest bathroom is a 10 min walk that involves mud, squating, and BYOTP.
-Burping is not rude.
-Babies pee and poop on the floor and it's only the second that gets rinsed with water.
-People have so much Pena.
-I'm seen as a walking dollar bill.
-I'm used for my "gringa" status.
-I can't understand what people are saying 65% of the time because of Ngabere.
-Kids don't have all the opportunities I had in school.
-There isn't an inch on my arms or legs that isn't overed in bug bites.
-I'm discovering new gigantic bugs everyday.
-There's not enough time in a day, yet half the time I'm bored.
-There are ants in my bed.
-I have to do diagnoses for Peace Corps.
-There's always a radio on when God's jungle music is so much better.
-I can't solve all their problems.
-Nothing dries.
-I'm condemned from the church for wearing pants, having short hair, wearing a watch and jewelery, listening to the radio, playing volleyball, and playing Bingo.
-Because of many things mentioned above, so many people in the community are condemned from the church (ex. my host brother-in-law likes to play baseball, my host sisters like listening to the radio)
-I have pena to pasear.
-I don't eat fish scales or heads.
-Bochinche exists.

I love:
-That I'm living on an island in Panama!!
-When I remember they're Indians and how proud and strong their culture is.
-When I realize that worlds apart dads still put on their reading glasses to read to their sons and big brothers help their little sisters with school projects.
-That I get to play volleyball.
-That I'm starting to feel at home.
-That I get to bathe naked everynight under the stars watching lightning in the distance.
-That I really am living in a house on stilts with a palm thatched roof.
-That people are so excited about English classes.
-I know I've got great friends and family back home rooting and praying for me.
-The simplicity of life.
-Hammocks.
-That I'm actually speaking Spanish all day everyday.
-The prospect of changing lives for the better.

Alrighty then, I'm going to start my movie now. Peace out for now!

Sloppy Joe

Wireless internet, electrical outlets, public phones, flushing toilets and a sloppy joe- today has been a good day! I was definately in need of a break and today has fit the bill. Life on the island is going well. Some days I feel overwhelmed with the tasks ahead of me, but taking things one day at a time, and playing lots of volleyball makes things seem do-able. The most exciting news is that work on my house has begun. On Satruday 14 men and 8 women showed up for my work "junta". The men cut and carried the wood that will become the posts and frame of my house while the women and I cooked 10 pounds of rice and chicken foot soup. And the fun will continue next Satruday when we will work again. I can't wait to cook for myself and have a space to call my own. Athough the prospect of having to face giant spiders, cockroaches, scorpians, and blood sucking bats on my own isn't all that thrilling. On Thursday I'll move in with my second host family in the community. It will be a big change moving from a house with 17 people to one with only 4. A change should be good though. Posted are some pictures from my site. Thanks for all the prayers and thoughts! Someday I'll have time to write a more detailed post, but for now I'm off to buy nails for my house. Hasta luego, Jessica

Island Life

Ahh, Ive only got 4 min left in this rediculously expensive internet cafe so heres a super short update. Life in my new community is a rollercoaster of emotions. Each day I head out from my host familys house (which includes the parents, 9 children, 3 spouses, and 3 grandchildren) and hope to find good conversation. Ive had many great experiences including fishing on the sea, playing volleyball everyday, making bread on an open fire, hosting community meetings, and much much more. There are times I think back to my office job and cant believe where I am now. Its going to be an extremely challenging time but Im looking forward to it! Love from Panama to all reading this! Love, Jessica (Bichochi)