Congrats to the winner Elainy!!!
04 April 2012
Canta Conmigo
Monday night everyone in Panamá tuned in to watch Canta Conmigo, which is similar to a children´s American Idol. We were watching just like everyone else with our host family. Take a look and see how much you are able to understand ☺
03 April 2012
El Diablo Rojo
2/4/2012 April 2, 2012
Today my students started off with their Spanish classes. While they did that Zane and I worked on a solar system robotic kit that I brought with us from home and Dude played in the dirt with his trucks, of course! Afterwards, we walked over to the to the main street and had lunch at a Pio Pio restaurant. I can best describe Pio Pio as a panamanian version of Wendy`s. It rained pretty hard today but that was OK because it help make the temperature feel cooler.
After lunch we took the new buses over to Casa Esperanza. Here is some of what we saw.
At Casa Esperanza we made ourselves at home. Some of my students took Dude and went in the room with the younger kids 3-6 yrs old and had a blast singing and dancing. Others went with the older kids 9-12 and had real Spanish conversation with some of the kids.
Two of the teachers that joined us from the States played a customized Panamanian Monopoly with 4 very sassy and cute little girls.
The best part of today was our return back to our side of town. Since it was a little cooler than usual our tour guide Melody and I decided to be a little extra adventurous and take the Diablo Rojo back to Ileri.
El Diablo Rojo (Red Devil) is the nickname for the pimped out school bus public transportation. People pack in, there is no A/C, and the music ((((BLASTS)))). You can say a lot about these buses but you will never forget your first ride and you can never say they lack character. Let the pictures speak for themselves.
Tomorrow we will have the same schedule.
Today my students started off with their Spanish classes. While they did that Zane and I worked on a solar system robotic kit that I brought with us from home and Dude played in the dirt with his trucks, of course! Afterwards, we walked over to the to the main street and had lunch at a Pio Pio restaurant. I can best describe Pio Pio as a panamanian version of Wendy`s. It rained pretty hard today but that was OK because it help make the temperature feel cooler.
After lunch we took the new buses over to Casa Esperanza. Here is some of what we saw.
Dominos in the street
Outdoor barber shop
At Casa Esperanza we made ourselves at home. Some of my students took Dude and went in the room with the younger kids 3-6 yrs old and had a blast singing and dancing. Others went with the older kids 9-12 and had real Spanish conversation with some of the kids.
Two of the teachers that joined us from the States played a customized Panamanian Monopoly with 4 very sassy and cute little girls.
My students, Zane, and Dude learning the rules for a
new game.
My students with students from Casa Esperanza
Teachers playing Monopoly
Specialized Panamanian Monopoly board
The best part of today was our return back to our side of town. Since it was a little cooler than usual our tour guide Melody and I decided to be a little extra adventurous and take the Diablo Rojo back to Ileri.
El Diablo Rojo (Red Devil) is the nickname for the pimped out school bus public transportation. People pack in, there is no A/C, and the music ((((BLASTS)))). You can say a lot about these buses but you will never forget your first ride and you can never say they lack character. Let the pictures speak for themselves.
El Diablo Rojo public transportation bus
Inside El Diablo Rojo
Tight squeeze
02 April 2012
Happy Birthday Dude!
Sunday 1/4/ 2012 (Yes, Dude was born on April Fool´s Day)
Today is Dude´s 3rd birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DUDE!!!!! When we woke up Zane and I sang him Happy Birthday in English and Spanish. Zane added versions in Chinese and Japanese as a special gift just from him. Conchita also made a big deal over Dude turning 3. I swear FoxyMama must have put in a special order with the universe to send Dude a Panamanian grandma that would spoil him the way she would.
After breakfast we met up with my students at the school. Our driver, Ricardo, picked us up and we headed to get the other students who live a little further away and the 3 teachers from the U.S. that arrived last night. The students were ready but the teachers were not, so they decided to meet us at the Panama Canal, which was our first tour for the day.
After the canal the teachers joined in our van and we headed on a 2- 2.5 hour drive to the Beach at Playa Gorgona on the Pacific Coast. Woo-hoo! Everyone seemed to love the feel of adventure. Driving through an unfamliar land to a place you hadn´t heard of before. Along the way we stopped, at what would be our version of a WalMart, for snacks and small forgotten items. One of the teachers commented on how quiet everyone was and how patiently everyone waited in the long check-out lines. I´d warned them to be aware of how loudly they were speaking in public and she says it immediately showed itself as good advice.
Once we got to the beach we were all very happy to be free. We rented a $4 covered stand to put our stuff in while we swam. Playa Gorgona had high strong waves and black sand. We had so much fun getting knocked down by the waves, jumping the waves, and running from the waves. Dude played in the sand with his Conway dump trucks and even made a couple of new friends. Before we left the beach we ate from the beach restaurant, fried red snapper with tostones, que rico!
We headed back home, another 2.5 hours and Conchita was up waiting for our arrival. Dude slept the whole way back home, but was still exhausted when we arrived back in Panama City. I think it´s safe to say that he had a good 3rd birthday.
Today is Dude´s 3rd birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DUDE!!!!! When we woke up Zane and I sang him Happy Birthday in English and Spanish. Zane added versions in Chinese and Japanese as a special gift just from him. Conchita also made a big deal over Dude turning 3. I swear FoxyMama must have put in a special order with the universe to send Dude a Panamanian grandma that would spoil him the way she would.
After breakfast we met up with my students at the school. Our driver, Ricardo, picked us up and we headed to get the other students who live a little further away and the 3 teachers from the U.S. that arrived last night. The students were ready but the teachers were not, so they decided to meet us at the Panama Canal, which was our first tour for the day.
Welcome to the Panama Canal
A damn next to the canal.
The Canal is massive and amazing. We saw a ship that was as large as a building moving through it. We also went the the museum dedicated to its history and construction. I searched in the canal´s construction workers data base for my grandfather´s name but I was unable to find it. In retrospect I think I did something wrong and should have tried the search a different way. I hate when that happens. It´s OK though the canal was great and I learned a lot.
Mira Flores Visitors Center at te Panama Canal
Me (Echo), Zane, and Dude about to enter the Canal´s visitors center
The Panama Canal
You can see the water is high on one side of the lock
and low on the other side
After the canal the teachers joined in our van and we headed on a 2- 2.5 hour drive to the Beach at Playa Gorgona on the Pacific Coast. Woo-hoo! Everyone seemed to love the feel of adventure. Driving through an unfamliar land to a place you hadn´t heard of before. Along the way we stopped, at what would be our version of a WalMart, for snacks and small forgotten items. One of the teachers commented on how quiet everyone was and how patiently everyone waited in the long check-out lines. I´d warned them to be aware of how loudly they were speaking in public and she says it immediately showed itself as good advice.
Once we got to the beach we were all very happy to be free. We rented a $4 covered stand to put our stuff in while we swam. Playa Gorgona had high strong waves and black sand. We had so much fun getting knocked down by the waves, jumping the waves, and running from the waves. Dude played in the sand with his Conway dump trucks and even made a couple of new friends. Before we left the beach we ate from the beach restaurant, fried red snapper with tostones, que rico!
Dude playing with his Conway trucks at Playa Gorgona
Dude and Zane enjoying the black sand at Playa Gorgona
Our feet (Echo, Zane, & Dude)
Dude is not appreciating mom being the paparazzi
We headed back home, another 2.5 hours and Conchita was up waiting for our arrival. Dude slept the whole way back home, but was still exhausted when we arrived back in Panama City. I think it´s safe to say that he had a good 3rd birthday.
Malls and Movies
Saturday 31/3/2012 continued...
After we drank our mango juice we went to school. While my students were in class me and my boys made copies of our passports; the part that shows their pictures and the part that shows the entry stamp into Panama. After classes everyone was hungry so we decided to head to the mall for lunch and a movie.
After the movie is was dark out and getting late so her hopped in cabs and headed to our host famlies. Once again we all returned home happy and tired. But we must admit we suuuure wish AlphaPoppa and FoxyMama were here.
After we drank our mango juice we went to school. While my students were in class me and my boys made copies of our passports; the part that shows their pictures and the part that shows the entry stamp into Panama. After classes everyone was hungry so we decided to head to the mall for lunch and a movie.
BlockBuster stores still exist!!!!!
El Centro Comercial Albrook is huge and very American. they had every American store you could think of and more. I got a new sim card in my phone for $2.40 but it didnt work since my phone isn´t jail-broken. *note to self: get a jail broken phone before next trip abroad*. Things in the mall seemed very expensive. I was happy to find a Conway store. I went there and bought Dude an early birthday present, 3 small yellow dump trucks for $3.50. His birthday is tomorrow, he will turn 3. I also got Zane a Ninjago lego set for $9.
El Centro Comercial Albrook is huge and very American. they had every American store you could think of and more. I got a new sim card in my phone for $2.40 but it didnt work since my phone isn´t jail-broken. *note to self: get a jail broken phone before next trip abroad*. Things in the mall seemed very expensive. I was happy to find a Conway store. I went there and bought Dude an early birthday present, 3 small yellow dump trucks for $3.50. His birthday is tomorrow, he will turn 3. I also got Zane a Ninjago lego set for $9.
Zane and a couple of my students checking out video games
We rented this mall cart for $4 per hour. Dude loved it!
We also ate at McDonald´s, just as a taste test to see if it was lke the states. Overall it is, maybe less greasy and the chick taste like real chicken.
The McDonald´s in Panamá is tasty, less greasy.
25 cent fee to use the toilets. Kids go free.
After lunch we went to the loooong movie ticket line at the box office downstairs and got tickets for John Carter. The movie was dubbed with voice overs and not the version with subtitles. I thought it would be a good experience for y students to return home and say that they´ve only seen a popular movie only in spanish. The movie theatres here give assigned seats tickets cost $3.50 and the combo snack meal only $4.75. I think that the movie theatre here is pretty smart. The snack bar is shared with the whole mall, it´s not just exclusively for movie goers. The movie was great. of course Zane understood everything. Dude played with his toy trucks most of the movie, and my students said they could understand just about everything that was happening
Coming soon to the CineMax Panamá. Ice Age 4.
Zane and Dude playing with their new toys at our homestay
After the movie is was dark out and getting late so her hopped in cabs and headed to our host famlies. Once again we all returned home happy and tired. But we must admit we suuuure wish AlphaPoppa and FoxyMama were here.
31 March 2012
30 March 2012
OK, this is how we got lost....
Yes, I got lost. I thought it was impossible after traveling so much, but it happened. I blame the fact that my host dad drove us to Ileri, instead of us walking AND getting bad directions. While lost Dude was happily walking, talking about the birds, trying not to get hit by speeding cars, and just be plain ole happy little Dude. Now Zane on the other hand had melt down number 2 in less than 24 hours. He missed AlphaPoppa, FoxyMama, and he knew he´d never see them again... so dramatic. We eventually back tracked, I followed my instict, and we made it home. I even took some good pictures.
Conchita was waiting for us with big smile, a great dinner, and a load of ice cream for the boys. She also had a little soccer ball for dude as an early birthday present. He was elated! This kind treatment is priceless, wobbly beds are not greater than love. Right now Zane and the Bermudan kids are laid out on the couches watching a Brazilian soccer game (in Portuguese). We have been sweating since we woke up so I think its time for another shower.
coconuts for sale
neighborhood watch
Zane´s favorite tree
License plates
beautiful flowers in my neighborhood
beautiful yellow tree
Conchita was waiting for us with big smile, a great dinner, and a load of ice cream for the boys. She also had a little soccer ball for dude as an early birthday present. He was elated! This kind treatment is priceless, wobbly beds are not greater than love. Right now Zane and the Bermudan kids are laid out on the couches watching a Brazilian soccer game (in Portuguese). We have been sweating since we woke up so I think its time for another shower.
Our first morning in Panamá
As soon as we woke I threw my two little stinky travelers in the shower. It was so hot this morning they didn't notice that the water was cold. Zane did however notice the electric wiring running from the shower head, up the wall, and out of the window. Before getting wet he asked me 50 times if I was sure he wouldnt get electrocuted. Welcome to America Latina Zane!
At breakfast we got a chance to really meet our hosts. Chonchita is a retired French teacher, mother of three, and grandmother of two. Dude loved her immediately, Im sure she reminds him of FoxyMama especially since she started spoiling him immdeiately. Her husband, José, is a cool chilled-out retiree, we also met their daughter Anahi, and Rebeca their part-time house keeper. Although they are not wealthy they are solidly middle-class and it is common in Latin America for middle-class families to have house keepers or maids. This is very different from the U.S.
We also met other house guest. We have two 13 year old Bermudan boys living here and studying at the same school. They are talkative and sweet kids. They are also victims of a crazy Spanish Teacher who dragged them out of their country to experience another. After breakfast our host dad drove us to school. My students arrived shorty and started their classes.
While my students were in class we went on our first adventure. We found a delicious Panamanian restaurant with a huge 3.50 meal, I found where Ill be getting my Panamanian mani-pedi next week, and we met quite a few Chinese store owners.
We met up with my students just in time to head to our volunteer sport at Casa Esperanza. Casa Esperanza is a school/ after-school program for low-income children. I took great video of some of the games they were playing. Everyone there welcomed me, my students, and my two boys with open arms. Zane made friends right away and before I knew it he was in a soccer game stealing the ball and trying to make shots. Go Zane!
At breakfast we got a chance to really meet our hosts. Chonchita is a retired French teacher, mother of three, and grandmother of two. Dude loved her immediately, Im sure she reminds him of FoxyMama especially since she started spoiling him immdeiately. Her husband, José, is a cool chilled-out retiree, we also met their daughter Anahi, and Rebeca their part-time house keeper. Although they are not wealthy they are solidly middle-class and it is common in Latin America for middle-class families to have house keepers or maids. This is very different from the U.S.
view the the front of our house
fruit trees all around our homestay
Waiting for my breakfast
Echo on the way to school
We also met other house guest. We have two 13 year old Bermudan boys living here and studying at the same school. They are talkative and sweet kids. They are also victims of a crazy Spanish Teacher who dragged them out of their country to experience another. After breakfast our host dad drove us to school. My students arrived shorty and started their classes.
While my students were in class we went on our first adventure. We found a delicious Panamanian restaurant with a huge 3.50 meal, I found where Ill be getting my Panamanian mani-pedi next week, and we met quite a few Chinese store owners.
Our $3.50 lunch
We met up with my students just in time to head to our volunteer sport at Casa Esperanza. Casa Esperanza is a school/ after-school program for low-income children. I took great video of some of the games they were playing. Everyone there welcomed me, my students, and my two boys with open arms. Zane made friends right away and before I knew it he was in a soccer game stealing the ball and trying to make shots. Go Zane!
Kids at Casa Experanza building fine motor skills
Casa Esperanza
We combat child labor with health and education
Zane playing soccer with new friends
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