Oh my, no time to write. I have been way busy, yet lots of things are happening. Yesterday I was sure we would float away. I haven’t ever seen it rain so hard and our neighbor said it was nothing YET. I guess it really is crazy in November.
Our pre-school meetings remind me of the ones at CHCA way back in the beginning where there were only about 20-30 teachers. Lots of great food and a smaller group. They are feeding us well right now. Guess that will end when school starts, but if it keeps up until then, I will be happy. I remember the times when I knew everyone at CHCA and we were always together as a group. Those were good times.
During our faculty meeting yesterday, we had a gentleman from the United States Embassy talk to us. How different is that! But we got to hear all the gory news of bad things in Panama and the places we should avoid. Still, there is much less crime than in the US, yet it is here, like everyplace. Guess all the drugs from South American have to come through here or close to the shore. No other way other than air. So they “only” seized 50 tons of cocaine a year here. Oh my.
Wayne drove to the mall yesterday to catch a cab to the city. Since everyplace in the mall was chained off (Why, we will never know), he had to drive downtown himself. That may sound easy in Cincinnati, but certainly not here. He got down there and then back home OK, so all was good. Remarkably, he found a place to park on a street near where he wanted to go in the city (a rare occurrence), but someone was there asking for three dollars. Wayne gave it to him thinking it might be a parking spot the guy “owned”. We have been told that could happen. However, you give it to them anyway with the hopes no one messes with your car. Guess you have to remember that many Panamanians still live on a dollar a day. Otherwise, it was not a bad day to be out of the apartment since the internet was out and the power was out for about eight hours. Interesting life down here. Anyway, if we EVER get our used car we bought two weeks ago, I don’t know if I will ever have the guts to drive anyplace. Why does it take so long to get a car that you already paid for. Here is a very interesting fact that is driving our “Nancy” totally nuts. In reading over the insurance policies for the car, it stated that there is a $1000 deductible on collision UNLESS you get hit by a woman driver. Then there is only a $500 deductible. Go figure. Wayne read two different policies and they are both the same.
Wayne got his “cedula” (national identity card) the other day, so he is officially a documented Panamanian. Now the process can begin for me to get my visa. Another Panamanian teacher tried to get his “USA” wife her visa and it took them 5 years! But as long as I get a temporary one, then I don’t have to leave the country every 90 days. So that is what I am looking for right now. Otherwise, you have to leave the country for 72 hours every 90 days to renew your tourist visa. Some folks down here have been doing that for several years, usually by going to Costa Rica by bus for a long weekend.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
July 26, 2010
Love our new Sunday School Class. Our teacher reminds me of Dean, quite the Biblical scholar. We just keep our mouths shut to not show our comparative lack of Biblical knowledge, but love listening to those that do know a lot.
This afternoon we were invited to our very first Panamanian barbeque. Great time with lots of fabulous food from the grill, very friendly people, kids running all over the place and loud conversations. There was only one other “gringo” besides ourselves, although several people could speak English quite well. Again, just listening to their stories about Panama was just way too interesting. From what we have heard and read, Panamanians love to party and find almost any reason to celebrate. One gentleman told us of a huge party in the city where they had to close the streets off and people were going crazy. The reason? Panama had just barely lost to the USA team in a soccer game. Heaven only knows what the celebration would have been like had they won.
Went to a new area of Panama yesterday and wandered around. There was a major six lane street in front of a large group of stores with crazy crazy traffic and we wanted to get across those six lanes to explore what was on the other side. But we decided that the way people drive in this country and that there was no nearby crosswalk with a stoplight, it would be suicide. Anyway, while we were standing there and pondering what to do, we saw a young woman carrying a baby cautiously walk right into the street and the cars, taxis, buses all stopped. Then, there were others that also walked right into the traffic and everybody stopped. So we tried it. It does work. The people stop. No horns honking or anything.
This afternoon we were invited to our very first Panamanian barbeque. Great time with lots of fabulous food from the grill, very friendly people, kids running all over the place and loud conversations. There was only one other “gringo” besides ourselves, although several people could speak English quite well. Again, just listening to their stories about Panama was just way too interesting. From what we have heard and read, Panamanians love to party and find almost any reason to celebrate. One gentleman told us of a huge party in the city where they had to close the streets off and people were going crazy. The reason? Panama had just barely lost to the USA team in a soccer game. Heaven only knows what the celebration would have been like had they won.
Went to a new area of Panama yesterday and wandered around. There was a major six lane street in front of a large group of stores with crazy crazy traffic and we wanted to get across those six lanes to explore what was on the other side. But we decided that the way people drive in this country and that there was no nearby crosswalk with a stoplight, it would be suicide. Anyway, while we were standing there and pondering what to do, we saw a young woman carrying a baby cautiously walk right into the street and the cars, taxis, buses all stopped. Then, there were others that also walked right into the traffic and everybody stopped. So we tried it. It does work. The people stop. No horns honking or anything.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Saturday July 24, 2010
Going to a dinner party tonight to meet yet some more virtual friends. Can’t wait. But I was responsible for dessert. I have no supplies to actually make anything (so sad??). I thought I would go to the bakery to buy a cake and have “Happy Birthday” written on it, since Wayne is celebrating his on the 28th. So a wise woman said “make sure you write out the words”. Great advice. So I walk into the bakery, message in hand and the menu is in Spanish (go figure). The clerks are only Spanish speaking (hummm, see a pattern here?). The bakery case had beautiful cakes in them, but they were all cut and selling them by the piece. I didn’t even see a whole cake, so I could begin my great game of charades. Let’s see, how was I going to ask for a whole cake, with Happy Birthday written on it?? I was totally flustered, so I left and then later grabbed a ready-made cake at Price Smart. Can’t wait until I have to have my hair cut. Wonder how THAT will work out?
This morning I had my first “new teachers meeting”. Unlike anything I have ever had at CHCA, we learned “how to live” in our new home. I guess Dean just figures that his new teachers at CHCA know how to get around, where to buy groceries, get a driver’s license, what identification is necessary to carry, etc.
Had a wonderful evening after a totally frustrating day. I love my technology, but when the operating system is in Spanish, it is causing way too many issues. In the US, I would call tech service. I don’t think Panama has a word for tech service (the key word being “service”). I knew I would be up against many issues here, but honestly, this was not one of them. I was prepared for the Spanish keyboard, but Windows in Spanish (??). Come on, sometimes the messages that Windows give you are difficult enough to understand, even in so-called plain English! Anyway, this evening we went to a dinner at yet another “virtual” friend’s place. And the fun thing about tonight was Ace was invited to dine with her two dogs. She and her husband have the most spectacular apartment down in the city with a patio on the roof overlooking Panama Bay on one side and the city on the other. Heavenly!! Once again, I met someone who really can cook! Watching Wayne enjoy a marvelous home cooked meal was, well, there is no word. Hey, he is the one staying at home to work, while I am at school, so he needs to learn this kitchen skill that “some” people seem to enjoy! Otherwise we will stick to my simple, healthy fare. Oh well, until Manana! (Now Lyn may tell you that word means “tomorrow”) She is so wrong. It means, “not now”, “any day BUT today”, “I am not dealing with it” or any number of other things. Why do I love this place so much? I really do even with all the frustrations.
This morning I had my first “new teachers meeting”. Unlike anything I have ever had at CHCA, we learned “how to live” in our new home. I guess Dean just figures that his new teachers at CHCA know how to get around, where to buy groceries, get a driver’s license, what identification is necessary to carry, etc.
Had a wonderful evening after a totally frustrating day. I love my technology, but when the operating system is in Spanish, it is causing way too many issues. In the US, I would call tech service. I don’t think Panama has a word for tech service (the key word being “service”). I knew I would be up against many issues here, but honestly, this was not one of them. I was prepared for the Spanish keyboard, but Windows in Spanish (??). Come on, sometimes the messages that Windows give you are difficult enough to understand, even in so-called plain English! Anyway, this evening we went to a dinner at yet another “virtual” friend’s place. And the fun thing about tonight was Ace was invited to dine with her two dogs. She and her husband have the most spectacular apartment down in the city with a patio on the roof overlooking Panama Bay on one side and the city on the other. Heavenly!! Once again, I met someone who really can cook! Watching Wayne enjoy a marvelous home cooked meal was, well, there is no word. Hey, he is the one staying at home to work, while I am at school, so he needs to learn this kitchen skill that “some” people seem to enjoy! Otherwise we will stick to my simple, healthy fare. Oh well, until Manana! (Now Lyn may tell you that word means “tomorrow”) She is so wrong. It means, “not now”, “any day BUT today”, “I am not dealing with it” or any number of other things. Why do I love this place so much? I really do even with all the frustrations.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
July 22, 2010
Our apartment was painted prior to us moving in. But the blinds over the patio door were never re-installed. Our landlord (a terrific guy, by the way) had requested this be done three weeks ago. He was in Florida most of that time, but kept emailing us asking if it had been done. NO. So, once he got back in the country, he insisted they were to come yesterday exactly at 1:00. He kept calling Wayne to see if they had arrived. NO. Finally at 4:45, they came. Humm, let’s see. Three weeks, two days later AND at 4:30 rather than 1. Typical. I just CAN’T imagine the people that come down here to renovate an existing structure. How can you stay sane with people who never show up when they are supposed to?? We just laughed, because it really wasn’t all that important to us. We have gotten so that if we want to leave the apartment, we do. They probably won’t come anyway.
I went to my school yesterday and met some of the people. So far, great! Saw the technology. It isn’t what I left, but at least they have some. I see opportunities. I certainly won’t have all my amazing toys that I had at CHCA, but I knew that coming in. I am here to help them build a program. That should be fun and challenging and that is what I want.
Wayne has his cable TV. After 34 years of marriage, he gets cable! Had to move to a foreign country, but he got his cable TV. He will never want to leave now, since he never had cable TV in the US. But it is rather important here, if you want to hear any news in English. We got “basic” cable. WE didn’t need all the special channels. Oh, guess what? Basic cable is all in Spanish. We had to upgrade. I keep forgetting, I am not in the US.
Went to school today to start working on the new laptops they got. Wouldn’t you know it, not only is the keyboard Spanish BUT Windows is in Spanish TOO.. Oh my, what a challenge. I did say that was what I wanted, didn’t I?
I went to my school yesterday and met some of the people. So far, great! Saw the technology. It isn’t what I left, but at least they have some. I see opportunities. I certainly won’t have all my amazing toys that I had at CHCA, but I knew that coming in. I am here to help them build a program. That should be fun and challenging and that is what I want.
Wayne has his cable TV. After 34 years of marriage, he gets cable! Had to move to a foreign country, but he got his cable TV. He will never want to leave now, since he never had cable TV in the US. But it is rather important here, if you want to hear any news in English. We got “basic” cable. WE didn’t need all the special channels. Oh, guess what? Basic cable is all in Spanish. We had to upgrade. I keep forgetting, I am not in the US.
Went to school today to start working on the new laptops they got. Wouldn’t you know it, not only is the keyboard Spanish BUT Windows is in Spanish TOO.. Oh my, what a challenge. I did say that was what I wanted, didn’t I?
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
What a fun fun day. I finally got to meet my “virtual” friend that I have been corresponding with over the internet for the past several months. We took a Diablo Rojo (Red Devil) bus to Cinco De Mayo. The bus charges 25 cents to go almost anyplace (if you dare!). They are “retired” school buses (usually driven down from the states) and they are in horrid mechanical shape, but painted bright colors. But oh, how much fun to ride with the locals. One gentleman saw us two “older” women get onto a crowded bus and made a younger gentlemen sitting across from him get up and offered us his seat. Such a sweet man. These people are so sweet here. Unfortunately, it doesn’t translate over to customer service, but hey, this is Panama. Cinco de Mayo was so much fun. The streets were packed with locals, vendors, open store fronts, men playing board games, women selling lottery tickets, kids running all over and loud loud music. I guess the only place I have ever been to that was even remotely like it was Chinatown in San Francisco. I can’t wait to go back again. Afterwards, we went to the large fruit and vegetable market that sells to the locals and to vendors. I am just bummed out that I forgot my camera. Apparently, no prices are posted since the color of your skin can dictate the price. If only I knew some Spanish, it would be the place to bargain, but, alas I don’t. I finally got the “cuanto” down after asking many times. I am trying to listen carefully to understand the price they quote me after I ask “how much”. Thankfully, my friend was there to navigate. How can you beat new friends, new places and new experiences? A great day for sure!
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
July 20, 2010
I talked with a friend today regarding PUBLIC schools in Panama. Guess they just do NOT have substitutes. If a teacher has a medical appointment or doesn’t feel like coming to school, they tell the kids to not come the next day. Sometimes when the teacher calls in sick, they put a sign in front of the school saying that the kids in that class should go back home. Needless to say, that can be very problematic, since many women here work as well and no one is at home to watch the kids. If the kids are at school and their teacher doesn’t show, well, they have no teacher and need to sit in the classroom the rest of the day. Private schools are what most parents want, although most can’t afford them. Very sad for the children.
We bit the bullet and bought a used car yesterday. (ok, at least purchased it, don’t get it for a week or so) You would have loved the lot at the car dealer. Armed guards were sitting at the entrance of the car lot (which was surrounded by a barbed / razor wire fence) holding shotguns. First time we went there, we parked in the wrong spot and one of the guards came over to motion to us to move. We promptly followed his instructions. Actually, I am getting used to seeing such sights now. It was strange and unsettling to see all the armed guards initially, but now it is just part of the landscape. It will probably be completely reversed when we come to America and don’t see them anymore and wonder who is watching for criminals? Thankfully, we had a friend go with us to the used car lot. Our salesman was a great guy who spoke English, but just the process of getting this car was totally different than what we experienced in the states. It was really nice to have someone there with us that spoke Spanish and knew some of the ropes.
This was the funniest yet. After 3 weeks, it was our TURN to get cable TV. After two phone calls, which resulted in hang ups when Wayne and I kept saying “no hablo espanol”, an English speaking person finally called. The technician was in our area, but could not find out apartment. So, Wayne is on the phone trying to give directions. We haven’t any idea what the streets are called around here (even if they are marked) and we don’t even know N,S,E or W yet. We were totally clueless in giving directions. It was a comedy routine without going to a comedy club! So, we did discover where the cable guy “might” be (a nearby landmark, of course) and Wayne took off in the car to find him and hopefully he could follow Wayne back to the apartment. WOW, talk about being helpless!! Then the cable guys come in and guess who can’t communicate with them. No one will ever beat us at a game of charades in Cincinnati again. We are getting really great!
We bit the bullet and bought a used car yesterday. (ok, at least purchased it, don’t get it for a week or so) You would have loved the lot at the car dealer. Armed guards were sitting at the entrance of the car lot (which was surrounded by a barbed / razor wire fence) holding shotguns. First time we went there, we parked in the wrong spot and one of the guards came over to motion to us to move. We promptly followed his instructions. Actually, I am getting used to seeing such sights now. It was strange and unsettling to see all the armed guards initially, but now it is just part of the landscape. It will probably be completely reversed when we come to America and don’t see them anymore and wonder who is watching for criminals? Thankfully, we had a friend go with us to the used car lot. Our salesman was a great guy who spoke English, but just the process of getting this car was totally different than what we experienced in the states. It was really nice to have someone there with us that spoke Spanish and knew some of the ropes.
This was the funniest yet. After 3 weeks, it was our TURN to get cable TV. After two phone calls, which resulted in hang ups when Wayne and I kept saying “no hablo espanol”, an English speaking person finally called. The technician was in our area, but could not find out apartment. So, Wayne is on the phone trying to give directions. We haven’t any idea what the streets are called around here (even if they are marked) and we don’t even know N,S,E or W yet. We were totally clueless in giving directions. It was a comedy routine without going to a comedy club! So, we did discover where the cable guy “might” be (a nearby landmark, of course) and Wayne took off in the car to find him and hopefully he could follow Wayne back to the apartment. WOW, talk about being helpless!! Then the cable guys come in and guess who can’t communicate with them. No one will ever beat us at a game of charades in Cincinnati again. We are getting really great!
Monday, July 19, 2010
Monday July 19, 2010
Started my immigration process Friday. We did find the building, even without an address. Guess you learn to find places here just by noting landmarks. There was no parking lot (never is, since most folks take a cab or bus), so we had to park several blocks away at a strip mall. Found out there was a parking lot. It was the grassy area between the roadways out front. Meanwhile, there was a huge line already in place about twenty minutes before the immigration office even opened. The lawyer’s assistant met us there to help us through the “simple” process. Apparently, this day was just a baby step to the real thing. It was quite interesting because the lawyer’s assistant knew not a word of English. He would just smile and nod when we tried to say something (be it in Spanish (our version of Spanish) or English). The immigration clerk knew very little English, so it was a struggle just to figure out information that I needed to give her. You learn to play a wonderful game of charades. Now I have to wait for a few weeks for the next step.
It has been a great weekend. We were invited to a birthday party Saturday night at the local Elks lodge. Only knowing three people that were there, I had the opportunity to meet lots of new folks. It was a bastion of English speaking residents, so we didn’t have our typical communication difficulties.
Ace and I were taking a long walk yesterday and a gal stopped me to ask ME a question. She obviously didn’t realize I had no answers. She had just arrived from Costa Rica and was here to study for a week. To get her answers, I did suggest that I could walk her to place I knew had people in it on a Sunday afternoon that she could talk to in Spanish and maybe get an answer. I had such a good time because what I considered “short” walk took us about 30 minutes. The entire time she was trying to teach me some Spanish when she wasn’t complaining about how far we were walking. Ok, guess my walking reputation has yet to reach Latin America. I told her I had been in Costa Rica the past five years and in her hometown of San Jose. She asked me where I was. When I mentioned La Carpio, her face just dropped. Granted, La Carpio are the slums where we minister. And I neglected to mention it was a mission’s trip. La Carpio is not the scenic place to visit in that beautiful county.
My school meetings begin Friday. I was just thinking that I BET I won’t have that video from OSHA that I would have to watch for the 20th time about hand washing! And I bet I don’t have to watch OSHA’s video on blood bore diseases this year. Panama doesn’t seem to have all the rules and regulations as in the states. I love learning year after year to wash my hand for 4 minutes and then realize that I only have about 4 seconds to accomplish the job between classes. It will be just so interesting to see how my meetings differ from CHCA’s meetings. Stay tuned!
It has been a great weekend. We were invited to a birthday party Saturday night at the local Elks lodge. Only knowing three people that were there, I had the opportunity to meet lots of new folks. It was a bastion of English speaking residents, so we didn’t have our typical communication difficulties.
Ace and I were taking a long walk yesterday and a gal stopped me to ask ME a question. She obviously didn’t realize I had no answers. She had just arrived from Costa Rica and was here to study for a week. To get her answers, I did suggest that I could walk her to place I knew had people in it on a Sunday afternoon that she could talk to in Spanish and maybe get an answer. I had such a good time because what I considered “short” walk took us about 30 minutes. The entire time she was trying to teach me some Spanish when she wasn’t complaining about how far we were walking. Ok, guess my walking reputation has yet to reach Latin America. I told her I had been in Costa Rica the past five years and in her hometown of San Jose. She asked me where I was. When I mentioned La Carpio, her face just dropped. Granted, La Carpio are the slums where we minister. And I neglected to mention it was a mission’s trip. La Carpio is not the scenic place to visit in that beautiful county.
My school meetings begin Friday. I was just thinking that I BET I won’t have that video from OSHA that I would have to watch for the 20th time about hand washing! And I bet I don’t have to watch OSHA’s video on blood bore diseases this year. Panama doesn’t seem to have all the rules and regulations as in the states. I love learning year after year to wash my hand for 4 minutes and then realize that I only have about 4 seconds to accomplish the job between classes. It will be just so interesting to see how my meetings differ from CHCA’s meetings. Stay tuned!
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