Photos

So, today I am back in Panama City at an internet cafe, and I was able to upload a few photos. I finally have a fast internet connection (lol!). Be sure to check out the following link: http://picasaweb.google.com/kwwhite3/Panama
Anyways, I returned safe and sound from my journey to Hato Chami on tech week, which was a wonderful place. I had to ride in the back of a chiva (the real thing, which is a small pickup truck with a roll cage and tarp covering it) for an hour and a half with 15 other trainees, and many of us kept saying that they should sell tickets because it was an amazing ride, while others got soaked, banged around, and prayed for safety. (I wanted to be in the drivers seat because it was like an hour and a half mudding experience, included the driver stopping at one point to manually lock the hubs.) The end of the ride takes you to the top of a mountain that is above cloud level. While standing outside in the afternoons and early mornings, you can watch as a cloud approaches and then engulfs you and everything around you. You end up being in what feels like a heavy fog with a sprinkle, but you are really standing in a cloud. I now know what a cloud feels like!
At Hato Chami, which is another Ngobe indigineous community of approximately 2,000 people, there is no electricity, and my host family only had running water in the early morning hours, unless you count the stream that ran behind the house and was used for bathing by myself and others when we woke up too late. My host family was again amazing, and I am beginning to think that it may just be all Panamanians (or at least those that Peace Corp places volunteers with). While there and working with a very amazing group, my group helped a honey cooperative. We walked the president through a SWOT analysis and a significant part of Strategic and Operational Planning. In addition, we had done a mini-BOCA (which is business and organizational capacity assessment). I also worked with another volunteer, Jack, on teaching a group of fifth graders for two hours. I never thought I would enjoy teaching kids so much. With Jack, we used a poster competition to teach/reinforce budgeting, decision-making, and marketing/advertising concepts. We had them create a sign for their tienda (convenient store).
The biggest news I have right now is that I find out where I will be spending my next 2 years on Friday, and I am extremely excited. The diversity of cities here in Panama is incredibily broad, so my site could be from one extreme to another. However, I feel like either extreme will make for an amazing two year experience.
I will try to update this coming Friday with information on my site placement, but I can´t make any promises. As for now, everything is wonderful, and I have a lot of Spanish left to learn.

First Month!

So yesterday will be the anniversary of my first month in country, and it is truly amazing how quick one can adapt. While I still cannot communicate on a sophisticated level with Panamanians, I can communicate to a point (like I can tell Panamanians that I can´t communicate), and I seem to understand more of what is being said each day. But besides language, using a pit latrine with no toilet seat no longer bothers me. I take bucket baths when the water is out, and it doesn´t ruin my day. While Panama will never replace my home in the states, I still look forward to the end of the day and going home to sleep in my bed in Santa Clara (and not the one on the beach). In addition, I look forward to seeing my Panamanian mom, complimenting her on her cooking, enjoying her cooking, and playing bingo or watching TV with her and my host brother (I won a´peso´ last night, which is a half dollar, and I quit playing when I was down to just that). I also enjoy sharing the American culture, while learning about the Panamanian culture at the same time. For instance, where I live, no one really cares or keeps up with the weather, neither the temperature, 7 day forecast, nor even if there will be a rain shower later in the day (except if they see a cloud). I remember being constantly in tune with the weather on my cell phone while living in Arkansas. Granted, I may not always know the 7 day forecast, but I could ask someone close by and they would. Now the weather is always a surprise. In fact, at night, I no longer keep the fan on all night because it feels cold. After only a month, I enjoy the food of Panama. I even have a standard routine each day. I don´t sweat as much as I used to, and I consider it a luxury to have a dry towel after a shower (because I never do). Again, it is not that I am or ever will truly be a Panamanian, but I feel like I may someday not stand out. (Well actually, my pale skin and blue eyes will always make me stand out, but I won´t feel like an outsider.) One month, a lot learned, a lot missed, a lot more I now have a stronger appreciation for, and a lot I know I will miss when I leave in 26 months.
As for my plans, tomorrow I will work with a small group of fellow Peace Corps Trainees, and we will talk to a group of kids about gender roles in Panama. In addition, on Sunday, I will leave for another one week adventure in a Ngobe community. What I am supposed to pack, a sleeping bag because it is high in the mountains and gets cold at night. I still don´t believe it, but I will take my sleeping bag. How could it get cold in Panama?
(By the way, thank you to everyone who is commenting on my posts! It is good to hear from you even if it is through a brief post!)

Volunteer Site Visit!

So this prior weekend, I had a wonderful time visiting another volunteer´s site. It gave me perspective into a typical site of a volunteer in an Ngöbe community, and I enjoyed it. I have tried to upload two pictures to give perspective, but it is impossible to do so with the internet speed I am working with, plus to capture the culture, sound, smell, or overall feeling you have when you are staying in such a community is impossible. It is something truly amazing! I was even lucky enough to see a dolphin while riding in a dugout canoe! (I will upload photos when I am in a internet cafe or hotspot with a good speed. Otherwise, my blog posts will most likely remain imageless).

Also, I have been continuing to learn Spanish, but I still have a long way to go. I do feel as if I am making progress though because I can communicate on many different topics with my host family, including my American family, when I am not feeling well, how wonderful the cooking is, and ask questions about past events (yes, I have started dabbing with the past tense, which feels like an accomplishment.) I am staying healthy, but Panama still doesn´t feel quite like home.

As far as training, I had one of my most enjoyable sessions/days this week. We, Panama Group 66 - CED, had an introduction into Panamanian culture, including work culture and dealing with agencies. It was very interesting. To provide a few examples: Panamanians point with their lips and not their fingers (it is kind of like blowing a kiss in the direction you are intending), letters are still very customary (including a letter that introduces yourself to agencies/groups and thank you letters), it is okay to be late and walk around the group saying hello to every single person while the presentation continues, and they are still very particular about dressing professionally (which includes clean shoes and a collared shirt) when going to town (even if you have to hike for hours to get there). As far as Ngöbe specific, the word for "good" is "queen" (which is pheonetic spelling because I have no idea how to write it).

As far as what I have upcoming over the next week, I have a language assessment interview on Monday (which I am hoping goes well), and I will be leaving at the end of next week for a one week, in-site, technical training. However, I will not know where I am going to spend the next two years helping people until early October.

To all my blog readers (you don´t have to be a follower), what have you experienced in another culture that would seem weird/different in the United States? (Honestly, the telling everyone hello individually even when you are late for a meeting would be very rude in the U.S. But as they say, "when in Rome....")

From Panama City

Just to update some of you,
I currently sit in an internet cafe located in the largest mall I have ever seen, and it is located in Panama City (Albrook). How did I get here? Diablos Rojos!
I know the picture is a little blurred, so I would Google Diablo Rojos to get a more accurate picture. It is really interesting where American culture is present and where Panamanian culture is. It is definitely a different culture overall here, but it isn´t what I was expecting.
So far, I have experienced some pretty amazing things. I consider myself lucky to be doing what I am. I wish you could all enjoy the same experiences. As everyone had warned, there are up days and down days, but the overarching direction is purely up. I am starting to learn Spanish, and I hope that I only continue to do so more quickly.
As far as pictures go, it is lacking. I have been so busy with training that there is little time to do much else. In addition, I have been devoting a significant amount of time to studying Spanish. However, I promise to add more photos later in my journey.
As for my host family that I am staying with these first 10 weeks, I don´t feel as if I could have been luckier. Mi Madre Felicia is a wonderful cook and does everything she can to make me feel at home. She cooks everything from carne to rice to yucca to cornmeal mush (which reminds me of home). In addition, I have now bought a cell phone because it seems as if every Panamanian has at least two. Who would have guessed? (Feel free to call me if you like. Just send me an email, and I will respond with my phone number next time I am near a cafe. Remember though, if you call me, then it is on your dime) I am actually starting to hope for more isolation from technology, though, so be forewarned that I may not have cell phone signal. I can´t wait for this upcoming week!
On Wednesday, I am making a trip out to the Bocos del Toros region of Panama, which is located in the north western part of the country. The purpose is to get a better experience of a volunteer´s life and community, so I will be spending about four days there. As part of the trip, I have a 20 minute boat ride to my destination. Yes, the only access is via a 20 minute boat ride! Amazing, right?

Adiós Estados Unidos

First, I would like to apologize for the long delay from my prior post. However, it has been a whirlwind over the past month and a half. Currently, I sit in a hotel room in Arlington, VA awaiting morning's arrival and my departure to Panama. The bus leaves at 10:30.

Second, I would like to recap the past few days. I arrived yesterday evening in Arlington with 70 lbs of checked luggage, a carry-on backpack loaded with all my heavy items, and a man purse (or sometimes referred to as a murse or satchel). (FYI - I typically don't carry a murse, but the necessity for additional storage space outweighed my own personal taste.) In addition, yesterday evening, I was lucky enough to find my way to Arlington Cemetery where I observed JFK's grave-site, who also started the 'nontraditional federal agency' that I now volunteer my next 27 months to, and I honored our fallen soldiers in arms. Their service to our country is one that should always be remembered, for without them, our country would not be in a position to have the amazing opportunities we take for granted on a daily basis, including my ability to serve in the Peace Corps.

Today, I had my first opportunity to meet my fellow trainees (48 in this training class). Just to briefly describe the group, the volunteers range from just graduated to retired, are from all races, were born from California to Rhode Island (although, I do feel as if the southern states are under represented - unofficial count has two from Texas, two from Georgia, one from Florida, possibly one from South Carolina or North Carolina, a few from Virginia and West Virginia, and none from Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, or Alabama), and have a Spanish language proficiency ranging from fluent to non-existent (which is where I stand). In all, while we were required to do group activities, i.e. skits, drawings, etc., which I do not typically enjoy, the staging was beneficial, informative, and well organized. Congratulations to Leonard, Kevin, and Abby - the RPCVs who are now Peace Corp employees and worked the staging event!

Some very important information acquired during the staging includes the fact that I will be given anti-malaria medication and our departure to the airport has been bumped back three hours. Hooray for more time in a comfortable bed! I have been forewarned that I may not have as soft of a bed as I am accustomed to, but I am sure it will be softer than the Cosby campsites of the Smokey Mountains.

To those who may not have noticed, I have also added a contact page, and I will let you know of any additional methods of contact as I identify them. As of Thursday morning, my cell phone will no longer be active, and this will be the only reliable method of contact until I establish another source.

Finally, I want to say 'Thank You' to all of those who have been here and will be in the U.S. to support me. This includes, but not limited to, those who came to my farewell dinner at Nancy's, at my parent's, and those who came to the airport to see me off. These memories really mean a lot to keep me going! Thank You!

5 Years Without a Job!

Yesterday, I said 'Goodbye' to my home of the past 6 years. Well, it at least felt like home. It was my last day of employment with the ASBTDC, which provides small business assistance to Arkansans. 6 years I roamed the campus of UALR. 6 years I knew what I would do when I woke up in the morning, or at least where I would drink coffee. 6 years!

Now, I can only look forward. 5 years without a job! 5 years without the ability to accumulate personal wealth and instead deplete it! 27 months in the Peace Corps, and 3 years in law school. 5 years.........

However, I know that the ramifications of the next 5 years will continue for the rest of my life, and the next 27 months may be the most significant.

Today, I said 'Goodbye' to people who's face I have come to welcome and enjoy.

The day after tomorrow, I say 'Goodbye' to Arkansas for one week, and I travel to the cultural and political capitals of the United States, New York City and Washington D.C.

Somehow, I feel as if 'Goodbye' is something I will saying more and more often over the next 47 days. In fact, I know it will become more frequent. The only question is, 'Which will be hardest?' So I pose this question to all readers. If you were going away to serve in the Peace Corps for 27 months, what would be the hardest thing for you to say 'Goodbye' to? Pizza? Hamburgers? Electricity? Cell Phone? Google? Job? Best friend? Family? Mother? Father? Air Conditioning? Your church? Your vehicle? Ability to communicate in your native language? TV? Internet? Steady supply of Toilet Paper? What would you miss most?

Continued Preparation

So it's been a while since I have posted, but I haven't done a lot. However, I had some requests for an update, and I want to form a habit of posting regularly. So here goes....
Over the past few weeks, I have messaged a RPCV on Facebook that I found who went to Panama and was a CED consultant. I am hoping to gain some insight before I leave.
I have ordered a backpack for my travels, and I think it will serve me well. It is a Kelty Red Cloud 6650. I bought it from REI, and I am thinking that this may be a great source for additional supplies.
Yesterday, I attended a Peace Corp Volunteer potluck, and it was definitely worth it. All of the PCVs that showed up, and there were close to 50 it seems, were very friendly and supportive. Also, the food was good. While talking to the RPCVs, I realized that every Peace Corp volunteer's experience is completely different. It was very interesting listening to their stories though.
Also, I am attempting to get a listserv/Facebook group started. I heard from the RPCVs that they were able to gain insight and tips/tricks from other people departing, and they used it as a bouncing board for ideas. If you know of anyone that is going to Panama in August, please tell them to contact me.
Finally, I have began my countdown at work and countdown for departure. I have a calendar posted in my office, and I am marking each day. I have also began with cleaning my office, although this is quite a hurdle. I might just possibly leave the mess to the next occupant! Haha!

Oh.....I almost forgot the best part. I also went on a 'Photo Extravaganza' with my BFF! We traveled around taking photos, and it was a blast! I also completed my checklist from last time (officially accepted, mailed passport information, provided an updated resume and aspiration statement, etc.) Here are some photos from the trip (I'm using this to get used to uploading photos as well because I definitely will be uploading photos):