Today was one of those days that made me realize that I am exactly where I am supposed to be. I don’t believe that there are necessarily any wrong or right paths in life. However, I do feel that in all of the forks in the road that I have faced in my life, I made choices that brought me right here. I made decisions that one by one led me to be here and I just know that I am where I am supposed to be. Some days are rough, some days make me want to give up because I feel like I’m not making any progress and “these people” just don´t understand why I´m here, but then, days like this one come along and everything comes together.
I started the morning off by saying goodbye to my wonderful guests. A fellow volunteer who works in an indigenous community came to visit Membrillo to see our recycling project because they want to start their own. I feel like they left inspired and full of fantastic ideas that they can bring back to their community to get started on designing a sustainable trash management project. In addition, I believe that they had a wonderful time in Membrillo and really liked the people and all the artisan work that they do here.
(I am sitting on a pile of dirt that leaf cutter ants carried out. Unbelieveable! I watched them carry it out one by one. Now that's what I call inspiring and motivating. Hardest workers around.)
It’s wonderful to see how Peace Corps volunteers have inspired Membrillo community members over they years, how these community members now inspire others, and hopefully over the years these newly inspired people will continue to inspire others. Inspiration through actions, example, and education is one of the most important things that we as people have to offer to others. This morning when I reflected on all of this it put me in a great mood and led to a wonderful day! The reflection was quick however because it was time to bake a cake!
Monday morning the school director invited me to an Easter celebration for all teachers and staff. Every teacher had to bring something. So of course I went with my tried and true grandma's chocolate, cinnamon, berries of the forest marmalade cake. With visitors in my house since Monday I didn't have time to buy ingredients so I quickly ran to the store to get some sugar and flour, then I ran over to some nearby neighbors to borrow a baking pan because my friends never returned mine, I got home made the batter stuck it in the oven, showered and changed and ran to school to get in on some of the religious celebration of the 14 stations. I then ran home to make sure it hadn’t burned down yet. You’ll be glad to know, not only was my house still standing, but also smelled delicious all the way from the road! I finished the cake with a rich chocolate glaze and ran back to the school. When I walked into the classroom with the cake, these teachers basically cheered. If I haven't mentioned this in previous posts, Panamanians love cakes! And it was one of only two. Most other people brought crackers and things of such. The cake was a big hit, first thing to disappear. People even asked for the recipe and some lessons on how to make a cake! Inspired! Thanks grandma! The party had a large religious focus since it was an Easter party in a Catholic country it made sense. However I did enjoy how it was spiritually focused in a simple yet interactive way. They had ice breaker type activities, karaoke, and some game where you have to “get low”. the large vice principal went first and man did he shake his booty. I looked away so that they wouldn’t choose me, and of course with my luck out of forty some people I was chosen third. I was bright red, but got some compliments after, haha. Panama. It was a fun event during which the Panamanian teachers treated me as an equal, a big change from last year, one that I’m still getting used to.
After this I went home and relaxed for a bit as a waited for the water to come back on so that I could cleanup the big mess that I had made while speed baking. Soon enough the 9 year old form next door came by. We looked at a book together about insects. Coolest book ever! If I would have had this book as a child I would have studied entomology without a doubt, but my bug collection and insect photograph obsession is where it ended at instead. Probably for the best.
After this I went home and relaxed for a bit as a waited for the water to come back on so that I could cleanup the big mess that I had made while speed baking. Soon enough the 9 year old form next door came by. We looked at a book together about insects. Coolest book ever! If I would have had this book as a child I would have studied entomology without a doubt, but my bug collection and insect photograph obsession is where it ended at instead. Probably for the best.
Before I knew it. 4 pm hit and it was time to start “collecting” the kids. Salsa practice was scheduled for 4:30 If I wouldn't go and get them myself they'd arrive at 6. So I grabbed the mattress and baking pan that was borrowed to me and headed out. As I walked to the house to return the things the kids found me instead - made my kid collecting task a lot easier :) 100 feet later and as I arrived to the woman’s house with a gang of about a dozen kids!
Salsa practice was incredible. It was the third practice for some but the second for most, and they rocked it. They all have the basic step down as well as basic turn, both the boys and the girls. And these boys are actually leading. When I walked them back home, they pretty much danced all the way back. Looks like they’ve caught the salsa bug! For those of you who know how much I love salsa, and understand how disappointed I have been by the fact that nobody in this country dances it, even though they all listen to it, you will understand why I consider this not only to be a successful day but pretty much accomplished one of my life goals. I have inspired kids to want to continue to learn how to dance to the music that they all already love and have all the words memorized to. I was so proud of them that I promised them that when they are all adults, I will come back to Panama and we will all go out salsa dancing together. Since my youngest student is 5, that wont be for another 13 years, but I plan on sticking to my word. The feeling of influencing a child is one of the most empowering feelings in the world. The way that I treat these children, the example that I set, the things that I share with them and teach them will help mold who they become, and it already is. I could see it only after only being here for a year. I hope that I really do influence them in all the best ways, and I hope that I am able to stay a part of their lives because these kids have inspired me even more than I could ever inspire them.
As we all walk-danced back, we decided together that we wanted to go on a hike to see the new road that they were making in our community to another sector. Up until a week ago there was only a small path through a forested area, now there is a legitimate dirt road. I told the kids that if they get permission from there mom’s we could all go. Lucky us, all the mom’s were together because they were all playing bingo, something they do every evening now. We were ready to go on our adventure but first I had to take a count. 15! The youngest two were both 2 years old. “Oh my, I’ll be lucky if I come back with 15 whole children” I thought to myself. “But here we go!” What are we going to sing?! I yell. And of course, before I knew it they were all singing “Happy Birthday to you” It was hilarious really. A parade of kids celebrating nobodies birthday. So I suggest an easter song instead and the five year old got super excited and started singing “Quiero ser un nino diferente...” 5 more joined in “un nino diferente” and then we were all singing “un nino diferente”. The song was about how they want to be a different child, one who supports others, does favors, gives warm hugs, and loves others, just as Jesus does. Sometimes when I’m with these kids I honestly have to pause for a moment and stand still and just take it all in. As these kids marched on singing and skipping I just stood their and smiled as my brain processed how lucky I am and recorded this moment to form it into an ever lasting memory. We continued on marching on down the dirt road singing. I and 15 kids, one in my arm. We then stopped and played a game that included chasing. Man do these kids know how to cheer their peers on. The rest of the hike was pretty much these kids running up and down the hills of this new road with there arms open as if they were birds and me chasing up and down the same hills with a two year old bouncing up and down in my arms and me telling her that she’s on a horsy. Forget lonely jogs. From now on I should just take these kids on hikes. Leg, arm and even ab workout from all the laughter. We entered back onto the main asphalt road singing and laughing together. A very successful day I’d say.
Enjoy your Sunday everyone, and Happy Easter to those that celebrate it! I love my friends and family here in Panama but I do wish I was with my family on this holiday full of beautiful traditions.
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