Megan Unbounded

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!

After being here for a year, I have really surprised myself with being happy and content with having even less things! (I am not rich and did not have much to begin with before coming to Panama..lol) I am genuinely happy and have learned a valuable lesson from my Pana-mom. What is it that is really important to you in your life? These people here do not have much but there are some who are absolutely content with having the basics to live. After talking with some, they love how they live their life and would not want to change anything about it which is great. They find their happiness in having the option to spend more time with their families working together on their farm and depending on the harvest season, just spending time together in the river or making artisan crafts to sell when it is not harvest season. And while society tells us that we need money to survive, they do not make it their source for their happiness. Take for instance; my host family digs for gold most tim...

For the past few weeks, a lot has been going on with the holiday season and trying to prepare for my first charla about La Poda , or pruning, for coffee trees. At the beginning of this month, it was Mother's Day in Panama (December 8) and my Panamanian mother asked me to celebrate it with her and her family. We made chicha, or juice, from freshly squeezed oranges and they had sancocho for dinner. Sancocho has chicken (like all parts of it, feet and all!), name, otoe, and a few other Panamanian veggies in it. When it was time to eat, my Panamanian mother was so sweet and said I am like her daughter now and appreciates that everyone in the community, as well as her family, takes good care of her because she does not like to be alone and cannot care for her house due to her age. Sancocho! My Panamanian mother and her family that came to visit from Panama City. Finally, I had my first charla or seminar about the correct way to prune a coffee tree! The farmers...

Welcome to my updated blog on my travels and experiences as a future Peace Corps volunteer! I hope to inspire and help those who want to know what to expect and the realities of living abroad, or specifically Panama!