April 23, 2011

Thursday was my first free day from my Easter week off school. So we decided it was time for me to get my Panamanian driver’s license. First stop was at the U.S. Embassy to get my U.S. driver’s license authenticated. To get into the embassy, you have to go through a small building in which only one person is allowed at a time (or a couple or family). It is like security at the airport, but much more. They keep your keys, cell phone, water bottle, etc. Wayne had to roll his pant legs up to show he had nothing strapped to his legs under his long pants. Then, I proceeded to another building to pay $51 to get my Ohio driver’s license authenticated. Afterwards, we went to a Panamanian government office to get THAT authentication authenticated by the Panamanian government. After waiting in line, I was instructed to go to a local bank to get some revenue stamps (like postage stamps). I was told to return three hours later to get the authenticated authentication document back and put the stamps on it. Then, I had to go to another person to get those stamps STAMPED. Meanwhile, I went to get a blood test to determine my blood type, since it is required for the license. NOW, I can finally go to the driver’s license bureau to apply for my license, which is a half day (mostly waiting in line) process. Today, I only had to stand in five different lines (well 7 if you count the two at the blood bank). Also, I am trying to get this all done when I don’t speak Spanish.
Now why did I not go until Thursday? My new school had in-service (8 hours a day) for three days. And we aren’t even under contract yet to get paid. But, most of the 25 new teachers were there, giving up their vacations. What a fascinating three days. We learned about the PYP program which is the Primary Years Program for the IB (International Baccalaureate) program for international schools. I thought I knew about most near everything about education, having been in it for so long. Not so. It is going to be REALLY interesting. The first day we all talked about how many countries we all have lived in. I was at the bottom of the totem pole with only two. Some have lived in 5, 10 or 15 different countries. Can you only imagine how interesting it will be to work with people from all over the world? However, I was at the TOP of the totem pole with years of experience. I was totally impressed with the people they hired. They were from Turkey, the U.S., Columbia, Venezuela, Ukraine, and on and on and on. I was considered a “local” because of my immigration status. Seems funny to be a “local” and from Panama. Every student will have a digital device (iTouch, iPad, or MacBook ). My job is to get the technology integrated into the IB program and get all the teachers onboard and trained. Right now, I think it will be a blast. Ask me later about this.
Apparently when the Americans were here, they controlled the population of the alligators in the local lakes. Since they left, no one is doing it. So, a nearby lake where people sometimes go diving, has had some divers go “missing”. Gator sightings are common among the people that pass by the lake daily. Some fish in the lake, sitting on the bank, late at night when the alligators roam. No comment on that!
The city is dead this weekend. Very little traffic and nothing is open. Good Friday is another day that the country shuts down. Even some of the popular grocery stores are closed. Driving around is real easy on Friday, just no place open to drive to. Most everyone headed off to the beaches.
Saw a police roadblock on the other side of the road when we headed out shopping on Saturday. Wayne knew the police would not be there when we returned, since it would be in the bright sun by that time. You don’t have to worry about cops standing out for long in the hot sun.