What’s goin’ on?
It has been a minute since I’ve updated this thing, and for that I apologize. I know you people yearn and crave for my updates, and I do hate to keep you on the edge of your seat. Alas, at long last here it is. Exhale.
As most of you know, I’ve been down in Panama City, Panama since the beginning of January working on a project called Kalu Yala. My weeks are busy; Monday- Wed I work in a rural village about an hour and half outside Panama City called San Miguel, and my weekends (most of the time including Friday) have been spent traveling the country and getting to taste the culture, see the sights, and surf the beaches. My Spanish is improving, I actually prefer a cold shower, I have slept on a hammock more times than I can count, I have eaten a lifetimes worth of beans, rice, and plantains, and I have begun to really appreciate the things we often take for granted, such as good drinking water and even having a car. My time in Panama has been amazing. Rather than use this blog for too many details related to my work, I am going to include links to the blogs I have been writing on a weekly basis. Check these out if you are curious about my project:
January 14, 2011 – First Impressions
http://www.kaluyala.com/community/the-creation-of-a-culture/first-impressions/
January 21, 2011 – San Miguel: Not Quite Like National Geographic
http://www.kaluyala.com/community/the-creation-of-a-culture/san-miguel-not-quite-like-national-geographic/
February 3, 2011 – A Moment of Clarity While Cleaning the Bathroom
http://www.kaluyala.com/community/a-home-grown-economy/a-moment-of-clarity-while-cleaning-the-bathroom/
February 14, 2011 – A Video Tour of Mi Casita San Miguel
http://www.kaluyala.com/community/our-global-community/a-video-tour-of-mi-casita-san-miguel/
February 21, 2011 – Vamos al Rio!
http://www.kaluyala.com/community/our-global-community/%C2%A1vamos-al-rio/
So what have I learned here so far?
– I have learned to appreciate small moments of truth and fellowship with other believers, because they are far and few between here.
– I have learned a good bit of Spanish. However, I would still classify my most effective means of communication as Spanglish.
– I have learned that I want to live life helping others and society, most likely in the form of international development and/or humanitarian work. Who knows where that will end up being or through what means.
– I have learned to go with the flow and let life come to me. Don’t sweat the small things. Your situation will work itself out. This has saved me a lot of needless stressing.
– I have learned how to be who I know I am and not let anyone dictate it for me.
Here are a few pictures from down here:
The group eating dinner with our new friend Martina and her son in San Miguel, Panama.
Our ragamuffin group at a restaurant outside a bustop in the middle of rural Panama. Seriously, where are we? We made it to the beach though, safe and sound.
Me posing in Cathedral Square in Casca Viejo, or old town Panama City.
Just a few of the many pictures I’ve taken. My Facebook has a good many pictures as well, so feel free to check those out too!
Anyhow, please keep me in your thoughts and prayers while I’m down here. I am excited about getting back to the states in a few months and preparing for the World Race, but it will definitely be sad for me to leave Panama. I know I am supposed to go on the World Race, but at the same time I definitely wish I could just continue to rock it out down here in Panama! Keep it real everyone, stay in touch and don’t hesitate to contact me, and I hopefully I’ll be a bit better about updating this thing in the near future!
Oh, and feel free to make my day by donating support.
Cheers!
Steven
