More posts for the new year

After my apparent epiphany of blog writing a few months ago, I realized that I only wrote two blog entries.  This time I hope that I will be able to write more often and post more pictures.  There was so much to be said about last year's trip but it almost seems too late to write about it now.  Thus I will start anew, probably putting things about last year into new blogs!

So please sit back and enjoy!

The Language, the food, and the people

Bienvenidos!  This means welcome in Spanish -one of the very few word of Spanish I knew coming into this country which ironically speaks mainly Espanol!  As you may have read in my other blog post, I've been here now for a little over a month during which time my proficiency level has definitely gone up.  Upon arrival, my vocabulary consisted solely of "Hola, como estas?"  (to which by the way, I wasn't sure exactly how to respond so I never used it in fear that someone would ask me something more complicated).  I now boast that I can...answer my own question!  "Bien, tu?"  Actually I've learned a lot more than to simply say, "I'm well and you?" mainly because this really won't get me anywhere or anything.  More on the language to come but I will post a new word that I've recently learned at the end of each blog entry in the hopes that it may help you one day as well.

Pescado entaro (frita) with salad and french fries-
oh and the Panama beer  ;)

The food.  Ah the crux of civilization!  Where would we be without food, actually where would I be without food.  I had to write a blog entry about the food since so many people were asking me so much about Panamanian food.  Well folks, the verdict is...GREAT! I'm not going to lie, there are tons of American fast food restaurants around the city including McDonalds, Popeyes, and Taco Bell. But I'm not talking about any of those establishments, what I'm referring to is cooked by Panamanian people without an American trademarked logo lurking around the corner.  In Panama there are lots of great tasting food, including tons of seafood, for cheap prices.  The other weekend I went with another person from STRI to a Pepsi stand in Balboa and bought a plate lunch which included grilled spiced chicken, rice, lentils, pickled vegetables, and plantains all for $3.25.  Now that is unheard of!!!  And I must say- it was good.  However, apparently if you are here for the food, you simply cannot leave the country without trying a pescado entaro, meaning whole fish.  There are many ways that this dish is cooked but the most commonly eaten version is fried!!!!  The first time I tried it was in Veracruz on my 2nd weekend here and I became addicted.  Usually it is a white fish that is deep fried whole and served on a plate with a couple of side dishes that can vary.  I've had yucca fries, coleslaw, beans and rice, and french fries- the choice is yours.

Now finally I write to you about the people.  Panamanian people are hard to describe in one word.  I've just sat here for the past few minutes trying to determine a good way to describe these people but there is just no way to do it all in one word or phrase.  There is such diversity both ethnically, socially, and economically.  While most of the citizens are of Latino origin, there are a fair number of Asians (mainly Chinese who first immigrated here to work on building the Panama canal) and Caucasian people. Although, I have a feeling that many of the Caucasian people are actually ex-pats who have chosen to retire here in this beautiful country.  And despite the glaring socio-economic disparity where slums co-exist with iron gated mansions, everyone manages to be extremely friendly and seemingly content to 'work with what they've got.'  Now that was purely a fantastical opinion since I actually haven't interviewed any Panamanians and know that they're just fine and dandy living in the slums.  But putting that aside, every Panamanian that I have met so far has been extremely friendly.  Even when I can answer their questions because I have a limited Spanish vocabulary they seem to be almost well, amused by my incompetence.  I still haven't figured out if this is a good thing or a bad thing.  They also have several native tribes including the Kuna people.  Many of these native people make traditional Panamanian garb or wears called molas.  On our way back from Chiriqui we were fortunate enough to come across several native peoples selling molas including beaded work and clothing.  We learned that something like a very small beaded bag can take up to 6 entire days to complete!  

A hut on the side of the road where molas are sold.
Unfortunately you must look beyond our carboy full of seawater
in the back of our pick-up.  Sorry.

Alright, although there is so much more to share I will stop here.  Ciao. Hasta luego. 

Spanish word of the day: Soapa de mariscos (seafood soup)

A month in Panama

It's been about a month now that I've been in the beautiful Central American country of Panama.  Last night as we drove back from the Gulf of Chiriqui I found myself narrating in my head what my experience has been like thus far and decided that it was time for a blogspot page.

But let me start from the beginning.  I'm an intern at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) in Panama City.  The Smithsonian Institution, though an American organization, is known for it's world class museums and research.  I took this  opportunity with two weeks to prepare (i.e. plane ticket, shots, pills, clothing, etc).  That was quite a nightmare but well worth it.  I took two flights- one from Seattle, WA to Houston, TX and another from Texas to Tocumen International Airport in Panama City, Panama.  Things were going well until I hit immigration- the lines were long and the people unfriendly.  I'm sure that since I was standing in the visitors line from a plane that came in from North America that the people behind the desk don't only speak Spanish, but solo Espanol is what I got.  (I was later assured by other STRI people, including local Panamanians, that the immigration people are horrible to everyone).  Whew it wasn't just me- I hope.  But my shock didn't stop there.  On the road, from Tocumen to Ancon (where I'm living), the roads were lined with trash and driving within lanes or within a set speed limit is practically non-existent.  Luckily, I've come to terms with both of these things.  The glaring litter, while bad, was mainly the result of a trash-workers strike which caused a massive pile-up of trash on every street corner.  And the driving....well, let's just say thank goodness I'm not driving.


I also learned that Panama, located between Costa Rica and Colombia, is a rather small but proud country.  Almost every car and many building windows have a Panamanian flag attached to them in some fashion.  People take their nationality and futbol very seriously here- well maybe not like Brazil.  But Panama has a lot to be proud of.  This month (November) has a total of 5 official holiday days- Independence from Colombia, Colon Day, Flag Day, Call for Independence Day, and Independence from Spain Day.  So in essence, what gets packed into one July day in the United States, lasts an entire month here.


Well that's all for now but I've got lots more to share.

Hasta luego.  Ciao.