Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Waa finally updating!

Hola!! It has been forever since I've had the opportunity to update so I'll do my best to fill you in...

First of all, over a month ago I ventured to Antigua, Guatemala to visit my friend, Krista. I had a great time!! I traveled by bus to Costa Rica and flew from there. I got to see the school where she teaches English, many old church ruins, beautiful Lake Atitlan surrounded by volcanoes, a huge artisanry market, and much more. My favorite was climbing a volcano, camping near the top overnight, and roasting marshmellows on the lava. It was an incredible experience and a great break from Panama.

After Guatemala I spent a few weeks back in site but getting re-motivated was difficult. The women's group that I work with is having some major power struggles and organizational issues. So I've been laying low, sewing lots and working on the relationship side of things with the ladies.

The rain finally stopped, but unfortunately it really stopped. When I was last in the community it hadn't rained for a month and people's water sources were running out. But the lack of rain meant lots and lots of volleyball in the afternoons. And me and a few friends have started playing cards, mainly rummy 500, everynight.

Last week we had an all volunteer conference where the over 150 current volunteers in Panama got together to share project ideas and information and talk about culture. It was great to get together with some of the volunteers I hadn't seen since training and meet many people I had never seen before. Bocas del Toro region won the Jeopardy game and Group 61 won the Panamanian challenges.

I'm currently in Panama City waiting to meet group 63 trainees who arrive in the country today. Because of that I had about five days to visit some fellow volunteers in between the conference and today. I visited two conservation volunteers, Ashley and Brandon, in Colon and a fellow tourism and English volunteer, Elena, in the Chagres National Park. It is always crazy to see how other volunteers live and what their daily lives consist of because they are all so diverse. In Elena's site I got my whole back tatooed (don't worry mom, it washes off in about 2 weeks) and got to go tubing down the river. It was really good to hear about their projects and it makes me excited to get back to my site and get working.

Yesterday I spend my whole day in Albrook mall! I got a manicure and pedicure, a haircut, saw a movie, and shopped at Zara! I'm feeling bad about so much time out of my community but this has been a really good break and I know I'll be better able to work when I return to Bocas.

I have now been in Panama for over a year! I arrived in the country April 16, 2008. CRAZY!!! It's hard to comprehend the passing of time when it is perpetual summer here. Time is flying by but I'm still wondering how am I going to fill another year, yet how am I going to finish all I wanted to accomplish! Well, I think that pretty much covers it, hope all is well with you. Chao!