Sunday, August 8, 2010

Found out this morning that there is a creek in our neighborhood that has interesting creatures in it. I just saw it as a pretty creek with running water and something to view and enjoy. Guess I will watch my step now. I heard that an 8 foot long alligator has declared it his home. Oh my. Don’t think I will wade in that place.
Wayne has had some rather unique traffic stories to tell lately. He has to come pick me up from school since we just have one car. Granted, school is only about a mile or so from our apartment and you know Janet and walking a mile is like walking across the street. But it is am impossible walk. Anyway, during his trips to and from school, plus several trips into the city, he observed:
1) Traffic lights, stop signs, one way signs and speed limits are mere suggestions. Plus, anyone on a motorcycle or scooter apparently does not have to observe any traffic laws and they can go thru lights and stop signs, go down between lanes of traffic or do just about anything they can to get to their destination sooner.
2) One micro second after a light turns green, people start honking. It is usually starts with about the tenth car in line.
3) If you allow one car to merge in front of you or make a left hand turn as a courtesy, you should expect two or three cars (maybe more) to immediately try and do the same thing.
4) If you linger too long trying to make a left turn into heavy traffic, someone from behind will go right around you and barge into the traffic ahead of you.
Our neighbor related a story that a friend had just gotten their driver’s license, but was rear-ended three times in the first thirty days. I guess she had done an unheard thing, which was to actually slow down when the traffic light had turned yellow. Apparently, drivers around here think that yellow means “speed up” and a light that just turned red means “floor it”.
Had open house at school on Wednesday. This not to be confused with Meet the Teacher night which is later. I must have spoken with over a dozen families and not two were from the same country. This place is truly international.
Had my first two days of school. So far so good. Kids are sweet. Behavior is excellent SO far but hey, isn’t it always those first few days. I am wondering what February will be like here. Obviously everyone won’t be sick with cabin fever, so will that really make a difference?
Went to the “Interior” today (which is considered anyplace in Panama outside of Panama City) after church to meet up with new friends. We drove up several thousand feet into the mountains and had a picnic lunch. It was absolutely beautiful. Pictures simply don’t do it justice. You could catch glimpses of the ocean beyond those mountains that you can only see when the clouds would clear. We had a wonderful time with more new friends, 3 of whom we didn’t meet until today. I can’t express how much fun it is to meet all these new people all the time. Afterward we headed to the Pacific Ocean (only took about 30 minutes) to a small fishing village. People were very very poor and the fish factory there really stunk. It sure was a different side of Panama.
Now back to the never ending job of preparing lessons. Everything being new this year means lots of time learning again and it is fun and challenging.