Sorry it´s been a couple weeks since I´ve posted! It´s been eventful, to say the least. I´m going to do a top five real quick, because I don´t have a lot of time left at the internet cafe. I´m going to mix the good in with the bad here, to make sure I´m giving fair representation.

1. Sweating profusely can cause armpit infections.

Who knew? I found this one out the hard way. I got infections under my arms then I had to tell my APCD (Assistant Peace Corps Director) about it so I could go to the doctor. What a lame illness.

2. Mountains = cool weather

Kind of obvious, I know, But I spent this last weekend up in the Comarca in the Chiriqui region with another volunteer, and I actually put on a long sleeve shirt. Especially after the rain, it´s cool and refreshing. Danny, the volunteer I was visiting, lives in a Ngabe community (pronounced NO-bay) and showed me around. It was an amazing experience. We got to help out a community member build an aquaduct, take a long hike to neighboring community and speak with their water committee, and cook on a fogon (a three-rock cooking technique).

We also were witnesses to a very serious medical emergency about an hour and a half from any hospital, which was probably one of the scariest things I´ve been involved in. The young woman that was sick could hardly breathe, and I wasn´t sure she´d make it off the mountain, but we heard later that she did. Thank God.

3. Popes in a Volkswagon

So, the way up to Danny´s site is by chiva, which is basically just a Range Rover. To maximize their time and space, and to make more money, they pack the chivas to the brim. And I mean PACK them. I was in a chiva with 23 other people, and Danny said that he´s been in one with 30. To be fair, I wasn´t in it, so much as riding on top of it. There were 6 men hanging onto the back as well. It was nuts. But it was either ride on the top, or sit in the back with 12 drunk men and listen to them talk about the gringa that´s in the car with them. I chose the roof.

4. Air conditioning and hot showers are gifts from God.

I got to enjoy both last night in the hostel in David, and they truly are the work of the Lord. And I´m not even religious.

5. Machetes are awesome.

I love my machete! I also love getting dirty and mixing cement. It´s great. There´s never any reason for me to look cute, which is sometimes a downer, but there will be plenty of time for that after my 2 years of service, so I´m not too worried. Right now I´m enjoying because a cachimbona (hard working woman--it´s what my homestay family calls me because they can´t pronounce my name).

Alright, that´s all for now. I´ll post pictures next time I´m on. I promise! I hope all is well with everyone at home!

Much love!

A Panamanian Birthday

Yesterday was my birthday. 25 years ago today, I was born. That's crazy! I don't know where last year went. Last year at this time I was by the swimming pool enjoying some beer and guacamole. Where has it all gone?

Today was a little different than that. I went to another volunteer's site with my Environmental Health people today. It was the first time that I actually saw a volunteer's site in person. It was pretty...rustic. I prepared myself pretty well for it, but I was still struck by the community that we stepped into. The problems in this community, and I imagine in many others, are relatively basic. Why do I keep getting sick after drinking the water? Well, who else is using the water and, more importantly, what is it being used for? They're questions that seem obvious to us, but for a rural community that hasn't had a lot of education about germs and parasites and what causes them, they're issues that need to be addressed.

I'm leaving now to head over to Santa Clara for training (woohoo!). I'm meeting my first host family today, which should be interesting. I'm nervous about it, but the volunteers that are here with us trainees assured us that, although it's awkward at first, it gets a lot better. And, eventually, they end up becoming a good support system for you. I'm sure I'll be exhausted every night after my 10 hours of Spanish and technical training. But, I'm going to make an effort to stay engaged and talk to them.

Here are some pictures of the trip out to Panama este (Panama is a city, province and country name--so East Panama is in the eastern part of the province). We were very close to the Darien, which is the big jungle just north of the Columbia border. The Darien is off limits because of the FARC presence (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia). The woman is part of the Kuna tribe, and she's in traditional Kuna clothing. Enjoy!

I will try and post soon, but it may not be possible. So, until next time! Chau!

The ZOO!

I know I said that my next post would be from D.C., but before leaving the country for two years, there were some things that I wanted to enjoy, the most important of which was a final visit to my favorite haunt: the Minnesota Zoo. Yes, indeed, the zoo.

Anyone that hasn't been to the zoo since they were little really ought to give it another go round. It's pretty awesome. The grizzlies are pretty awesome. There are three of them, two male and one female. They were each found as orphans in Russia, and moved to Alaska where they were fixed and raised as siblings. The two boys are the ones rough-housing here. They're 500 or 600 pounds right now, and they're only half their adult size! They're pretty awesome. One of them swam back and forth in front of the glass and pressed his paw against the glass, much to the delight of all the spectators.

The whole Russia's Grizzly Coast exhibit is really well done. There were some leopards and tigers and sea otters and wild boars. It was pretty hot yesterday, so most of the animals were resting in the shade. Some of the big cats were pacing, like this one that my sister made friends with.

We didn't get to see the Discovery Bay, but we made our rounds to all the other places. I didn't remember there being a petting zoo there when I was little, but there's a big farm section of the zoo. It's beautiful, too! There are goats and sheep and a huge cloned cow. There were some chickens and horses and piglets. I love farms. I like all the animals and the smells (even the gross smells).

Here's Laura and I posing as chickens.


Alright! I'm leaving tomorrow! This was my last blast for two years, and I enjoyed it thoroughly! Looking forward to posting in Panama!

Um...homework?

I've been trying to complete the homework that I was assigned by the Peace Corps before I go, but I've got to say, I'm a little out of practice with the whole homework thing. I don't remember it being quite this difficult when I was in college. I have to give a five minute presentation on the Environmental Health Status of my community to the other Peace Corps trainees. Five minutes is not a very long time for a presentation, unless you have nothing to say. Then five minutes becomes a 9 month pregnant pause.

Here are some things that I've learned:

1. There are 1,800 dumps in Minnesota alone (wow)
2. More than 1,725 of them are considered to be well maintained and pose no threat of contamination to the nearby environment (phew)
3. The state of Minnesota tests almost 3,000 lakes a year for contamination and toxin levels. Out of over 10,000 lakes. Hm.

Those are just some tidbits for everyone to mull over.

Leaving on Monday. Things to still complete: finish packing, say goodbye to some more folks, spend the afternoon watching Pride and Prejudice with my mom and sister, clean my sheets and bedroom (that one's for you mom ;)

Next time I post, I'll be in D.C. getting ready to go to Panama!

Packing

Who knew that going to a third world country for two years required the purchasing of so much first world stuff? I've bought an (additional) computer, a shockproof, waterproof camera, countless allergy meds, ibuprofin and (because I have middle aged problems) Prilosec, pants, shirts, underwear, bras, socks, hair binders, shoes, luggage, backpacks, flash drives, extra memory cards, and so many other random things. It's pretty unbelievable. Something feels wrong about stocking up on first world pleasures to bring with me to the third world.



Aside from the hemorraging of money, it's really pretty exciting to get ready to go somewhere for two years. One week from this moment, I will be in D.C. preparing to head off to Panama. Right now I'm just trying to soak up the things that I'll miss. I'm enjoying every night that I have left in my bed because I know that I won't find anything quite so plush in Panama. I'm also enjoying television (like the good little All-American kid I am!) and my living room sofa. Have I mentioned air conditioning? And FANS! I'm pretty certain that I'm going to miss both of those things.

I'll also miss my family and friends. But, as I've said before, everyone is welcome to visit! If you can't come and visit, I will certainly keep you updated as much as I can via my blog or e-mail. I don't know how much, if any, internet connection I'll have, but I'll do my best.



There are things that I'm really excited for. I'm looking forward to meeting my fellow volunteers, figuring out exactly how one goes about building a latrine, and figuring out how best to distribute my belongings so I don't go over the 50lbs airline weight limit. I'm pretty confident about all but the third. I'll keep everyone updated!