Goodbyes

Well, I am back in Panama City with the village of Llano Largo a few hundred kilometers away. It was really hard to say goodbye to my students yesterday. I am still so happy that I came on this trip, and cannot believe that it is about to be over! Right now Im staying in a hostel with some friends from the program, and just by talking to other travelers here I am realizing how different my experience has been from that of a typical tourist. If you ever come to Panama, make sure you get out of the city! I spent about two months on the Azuero Peninsula in the countryside, in the province of Los Santos. That is where Panamas heart is. There are so many cultural celebrations (Santa Librada, Corpus Cristi, Dia de Independencia, the pollera festival) that you can only really experience if you get out of the touristy areas and go into the interior. Also, the people are just different in the countryside, theres a slower pace to life. Its not that I dislike the city, it is huge and interesting, but I am so glad that I spent most of my time in a small village getting to understand how real Panamanians live.

Things I will miss about Llano Largo

1. My host family

2. The sense of community

3. The neighborhood kids

4. queso blanco (white cheese made fresh from cows in the village. it is kind of like a mix between feta and mozarella, so good!)

5. pastelitos (we ate them for breakfast a lot. they are made from fresh ground corn and salt, formed into balls and then lightly fried. best eaten hot and with queso blanco!)

6. free mangoes!

7. improving lesson plans for classes that try my patience

8. the scenery

...... there is more, but I cant think of it all now. Headed out to the fruit market (15cents for two or three bananas always makes my day). I am catching a flight to Mexico on Monday, and will update more from there.

Besitas,

Jenn