It has been about a month living in Panama. We definitely have found our rhythm and are feeling really comfortable with the transition. Here are a few things that happened this month:
1. We went diving.
This was my #1 requirement for moving abroad. Being from the Midwest, we do not get a lot of opportunity to dive. Now, I’m targeting immersing ourselves in the underwater world at least once a month.
We dove in the Pacific Ocean off the islands of Coiba. From the surface, it looks like Jurassic Park – lush, green islands towering from the navy blue waters of the Pacific. Dolphins greeted us as we zipped through the various islands sprinkled throughout the area.
It was almost an hour to get to the dive site. But, our instructor was one of the most amazing tour guides that I have met. He has been diving the area for 28+ years and works for National Geographic, BBC and the Smithsonian. With most of his diving being scientific versus recreational, he has a vast pool of knowledge about the underwater ecosystem.
During the dive, we saw sea turtles, white tip reef sharks, eels, lobster, parrot fish, wrasse, angel fish. When diving, I love how you can focus your attention on one fish poking out of a hole from a barnacle. Then, you look around and there is an array of activity going on all around you. It is truly amazing.
Our Go Pro wasn’t charged so I plan on taking way more pictures during next dive.
2. I had an allergic reaction.
Your first thoughts, “What was it from?” We do not know. It reminded me of my reaction to poison ivy in the States. I woke up with a little mark on my eye and it continuously starting spreading to all areas of my body.
I will share a few pictures with you since everyone secretly likes to be grossed out. But, I will spare the gory ones. This was only the treat for our friends in Panama. I tried to wear my sunglasses at night so people could have a conversation with me.
The beginning:
Before treatment:
I ended up going to the clinic twice to get shots in my glueteus maximums, an epipen and an IV with steroids. Luckily, everyone at Kevin’s school helped me through the process of A) Figuring out what to do B) Getting treated.
There is a wonderful woman who has been a nurse for 20+ years. She and a fluent Spanish speaker at Kevin’s school stayed with me at the clinic while I got my steroids.
After treatment:
3. We started exercising.
Every morning, I wake up and walk 4,200 steps to Kevin’s school and back to our house. Our neighbors also opened up a gym from their home that is literally 100 feet from our house – no excuses. She has a room equipped with cycles and hosts a cycling class every Tuesday and Thursday.
With the beat of the music and coaching through the microphone, we work our butts off. Before this, I never really understood how people actually "liked the burn" and sweat dripping from your nose. But, it feels damn good.
5. We received a tour of the old city from an ex-gang member.
Nestled beside the towering city landscape, there is a part of the old town called Casco Veijo. It has gorgeous Spanish architecture, left over remnants of a fort and delicious food. This is where Captain Morgan (yes, the man on the rum bottle) raided the city, burning buildings to the ground in 1671. I look forward to exploring more of this area.
We ended up going on a tour led by a civil-rights lawyer and pastor who also used to be a gang member. While the police fight violence with violence, his organization has been taking a different approach in the Casco Veijo area. He builds social trust within the community and works individually with members to show a different path. Some of these members even become tour guides.
They walk us through street 13. This is the “neutral zone.” The streets proceeding this route are the slums of Panama and have 200 active gangs. Once a gang member, you basically have a two block radius to live forever. If you go out of your zone or try to fight for territory, you will have to fight.
Walking through the community, everyone waves and smiles at you as you pass and our leader introduces to us to members of the community. However, it is a little unsettling to peer in as “tourist” while people are watching television in decrepit ruins. I didn’t take too many pictures for this reason.
You see locals selling homemade meals for under a $1.00, bike shops and even ceviche stores. Rehabilitation is in process.
6. We learned to not to park on the sand.
Yes, we probably should have known this. But, we got stuck one day exploring various beaches around our house. We found the perfect logs and got out in about thirty minutes. Then, rewarded ourselves with really good Chinese food.
7. I started Spanish lessons.
It's been really fun taking lessons with other teachers and their spouses. We all have bits and pieces of knowledge but are basically on the same level. It feels good to be able to confidently say, "Deme uno libre pescado, por favor."
8. We play a lot of Cooking Fever.
On a trip to Atlanta with some of my girl friends, I was introduced to a game called Cooking Fever. Who would of thought preparing food for angry customers would be so addicting? Kevin and I often have conversations about what cooking utensil to upgrade, rejoice in getting three stars and pound our fist when we can't get more gems, no matter how much money we spend at the Casino. As of today, we are making tacos in a Mexican cantina.