Megan Unbounded

What do you do when you have travel burnout?! The first thing to do is to distinguish between symptoms of culture shock or burn out from traveling. It is possibly that you are experiencing culture shock because there are similar symptoms like homesickness and others that are common for both. Before buying that ticket home, take some time to focus on what is going on within. A few symptoms of travel burnout are: Homesickness. Traveling feels like a chore. You feel exhausted mentally and physically. No interest in site seeing. Unable to cope with your new surroundings. Anti-social and have no desire to take advantage of this great opportunity to meet new people, learn the language, and culture! Okay, so you are feeling like a spoiled brat right now and that you should be enjoying this chance to travel that most in the world do not have. I remember my first sign of travel burnout was when I went to Beijing, China. I was able to get through it and it was an awesome trip! H...

Are you deciding to move to Beiijing, China?! STAY OPEN MINDED Have you ever thought people would eat roaches off a stick? How about scorpions or grass hoppers? For me, China has been the most unique place I have traveled to so far. But, being open to the experience and maintaining a worldly perspective have helped me to adapt to the cultural differences that I have encountered. LEAVE BEIJING FOR THE HOLIDAYS While I really wanted to see the holiday parades and some tourist sites over the long holidays, they actually turned out to be the worst times to go see any tourist attractions in Beijing! First, the pollution was really bad where you needed to wear a mask and the skies were hazy, which I assume was due to the massive movement of city dwellers leaving Beijing and rural residents coming into it. Also, those that do not live in the city and foreigners that may be traveling during these times too are all trying to see the events and take advantage of their time off to see ...

Have you ever considered eating jerked llama? How about a roasted guinea pig???? These are some of the interesting foods and culture norms you will find in Peru. Of course I had to see Machu Picchu while I was there and the cute mountain town that I stayed at before going was Cusco. They had more to share about their traditions and the ancient Incans than Lima and is worth checking out! ( If you want more travel info and tips, check out my sister website here, theruleofthr3e !) Some similarities between Panama and Peru are the variety of indigenious groups you will find and they dress differently according to their village. They change their hats, skirts, and colors in relation to their group. The day I arrived, I got to see many of them in a parade in Cusco while they danced their traditional dances. I am an agriculture volunteer so I found it really interesting that they grow quinoa, stevia, and thousands of types of potatoes! However, the most fascinating is...

The community aqueduct needed some repairs so I went with a community member to check out the problem with the water source. It took about an hour and a half to hike to the location over many hills (omg my legs were burning because the steepness was insane), some creeks, and farm animals hanging around. At the top of the highest hill, it was beautiful to see all of the mountains and rivers that surround the community and the lake that flows into the Panama Canal. The site of the water source was shaded and cool without many people or animals, which is a good thing to ensure that the our drinking water stays clean! though the hike was intense with many hills but it is like a natural stair stepper for a good days workout as well. On the way there, we came across some goats and I learned of a time when the community was in a bad time where something was eating their livestock and goats. I was told, it possibly a jaguar or the Chupacabra because the odd thing about the animals was that o...

Finally I had some visitors from the USA!! My former college roomies came to visit my community and experience Panama! Let's just say that I forgot about some the interesting things about Panama and campo life that I have become accustomed to, like the diablo rojos (buses with crazy designs), 3AM rooster wake up call, and cold showers/bathing in the river. Also, they enjoyed the variety of fruits and vegetables that are easily available in our gardens or found in the jungle especially coconuts, pipas, and bananas.   Iguana! A monkey!

Independence festivals usually take place for the whole month of November. I went to parades in my community and one in the city to be a part of this cultural moment. This is the time of year where the streets are filled with people wearing Polleras and the intricate head pieces where ever they go, at work or just going to the supermarket for groceries. It is exciting to be a part of this moment, especially when they are dressed in the traditional Panamanian dress for the whole month! The little girls in their Polleras are so cute as well. It is definitely a time of the year to visit Panama to experience their pride in their country because it is not just one day when they recognize their independences from Colombia and Spain. It is really a month of fiestas, arroz con pollo (chicken with rice), and family gatherings.

At the end of March, I partnered with a few volunteers in my group to give baking and business sessions in the Darien with the Embera indigenous group. They are very fun and friendly people! In this part of Panama bordering Colombia, they wear skirts of colorful designs and for some women, that is all they wear! They either are topless (which is their traditional dress), wear a bra like top, or just a shirt with the skirts. Also, it is their tradition to be painted with blue/black designs all over their body and face from a fruit called,  jagwa  ( pronounced hag-wah), which lasts for about a week. They create intricate designs and around the neck and chest is a painted necklace, which is beautiful artwork to see when you are not wearing a shirt. I got the traditional design of their community, which is of their river. Usually they would wear designs that symbolize their community but now, they just create nature or creative drawings for fun. Supposedly it helps to protect...