Arrival

I flew into Panama City yesterday around 11am Panamanian time. As you get closer all you see is the blue ocean and green islands. Closer to the city you can see the canal with huge boats waiting to go through the locks. They look so small from the air, but I know their shipments are huge. The Panamanian governement, I'm sure backed by China or another Asian country, is expanding the canal. And another Asian country is threatening to build another in Nicaragua, where the canal was supposed to be originally.

After going through customs and the lack of security, I went outside into the humidity. I read in Lonely Planet that the buses bound for the central bus terminal pass by across the street. The bus costs a little more than a dollar, while a taxi would cost around $20, probably more for a gringa like me. Apparently though I was waiting in the wrong place, so two men (taxi drivers) took me to the right place. Right then the metrobus came and someone else helped me drag my huge suitcase inside. I am always amazed at how helpful people are here, with nothing in return expected. You may call me naive for being so trusting, but I truly believe that they mean me no harm.

After about an hour bus ride, we made it to the bus terminal. I had been there before, so thankfully I knew where to find the bus to Parita. I paid $9 and got on a very crowded medium sized bus. My suitcase and backpack were put up top and I shared a bench with an overweight woman. She turned out to be very friendly, but my butt definitely hurt after four hours with one butt cheek hanging off the side.

At 6:30pm I finally arrived in Parita and dragged my bags to Maritza's house. She was so happy to see me, as were her two daughters (Dania and Celia) and their kids (Emmylyne, Carmen, Jennifer, and Celia). I was so tired I had a lot of difficulty speaking Spanish. But I took a shower, wrote in my journal, and talked to Dania for a while. I hadn't seen her in 6 years, since the first time I came. Then I tried to sleep, but it was hard with all the noise from people chatting and the television. The house is also on the highway, so the cars can be very loud.

This morning I woke up and had an orange and some bread. The oranges here are yellow and green and white inside. Apparently you are supposed to cut the top off to see if it is sweet, but I peeled mine. I hung out for awhile as everyone was waking up and finally decided to go visit my other host family. They weren't there when I got there, but Carmen walked around the town with me and brought me to this internet cafe. It is more of a study center, I'm not sure if I am supposed to use it because I am not a student, but no one has said anything.

I am excited to start taking photos and speak with local non-profits to see how I can help out. I think I will wait a few days for the photos, everyone needs to get used to me being here first. I have told everyone that I will be here for a few months, they don't understand why I love it here so much. But they say I am welcome to stay as long as I want.

I hope everyone in the US is doing well, I know I will miss all of you.