I received a knock on my door this morning, "Hey, we're going to La Pintada today. Wanna come?"
It was the Pilliod family, all ready with the country music and their red truck, which they call "Little Mule," waiting outside.
"Sure!" I quick put in contacts, stuffed my money and passport in a bag, and hurried down the stairs to meet them.
An hour later, we find ourselves urging "Little Mule" on, as we chugged up the hill to La Cabana National Park. Our plan was to head to La Pintada, but since it was a clear day, we made a pit stop for pictures and a picnic of empanadas from Quesos Chela. The view was astounding..and I couldn't even believe I was looking at Panama. Lush green mountains lined with pine trees, bordered by sheer rock cliffs, contrasted with the serene, blue-grey ocean in the distance. You could see Chame, several little towns in between, and a cross on top of the nearest mountain. Plus, it was a gorgeous, sunny day with clear views in all directions.
Following this uphill adventure, we continued on to our destination town: La Pintada. La Pintada is known mainly for two things: 1) this is where the traditional Panamanian hats are made, and 2) there are rocks with petroglyphs here. Guess which of these we found??
Well, after driving down what seemed like every road in the little town, passing the church plaza area several times and a policeman who never stopped the crazy gringos in the pick up truck, we went down one road that said it led to the river. Sure enough, it did! I won't mention that we went off-roading down a steep hill to get there, but we found it!
It was wonderful to stretch our legs and climb over the tiny pools that had formed in the rocks along the bank and watch the sediment-laden river rush by us. We paused to take in the tranquility of it all: then suddenly, we heard branches crashing down right behind us. We whipped around, expecting to see an animal. But it was a person! He was a short man with sun-baked wrinkles, wielding a machete, and working to clear the land. He was wearing a sombrero pintado (painted hat-the traditional Panamanian hat). He gave us directions to the hat-making place.
We ended up not finding it, which is just as well because we later found out that everything in that town was closed for the holiday. We drove down little roads to explore awhile, and stumbled upon a cigar factory. The owner's face lit up when she saw us, and she agreed to explain to us a little bit about how they made the cigars. It was fascinating to learn about this local business; they literally roll each cigar by hand. They also had jewelry and hats for sale. Probably the only place open in the entire town that day. We paid her for her time.
Next, we went on a search up rugged mountain roads for the rocks with the petroglyphs. We didn't find them, but we did see a guy waiting on the side of the road. We asked him if he knew where the petroglyphs were and we'd give him a ride in the back of the pick up truck in exchange. Fair deal, he thought, and hopped in.
We drive back down the mountain, until there is barbed wire on either side of us, a thick, grassy area, laden with rocks and cow pies. Our "guide" starts enthusiastically pointing towards the side of the street. "This must be it," we agreed and pulled over.
What an adventure that was! Climbing over or scooting under barbed wire, crossing the river (good thing I had my Keens!), and finally following our guide to two different sets of rocks with moss-covered engravings on them. We would have NEVER found those petroglyphs without our guide. He said that there was another rock that had petroglyphs on it but it was currently underwater, but we could see it if we came back in March. Ha!
We dropped him back in town with our thanks and a tip and headed home, a little wet but savoring the fun, and a little loco, experiences we had in La Pintada and on our journey. We sang along to country tunes, and the "Little Mule" carried us back to Clayton once again.
About Me
- Global Expeditions
- This blog chronicles my adventures since my junior year of college to..everywhere. Primarily it consists of life experiences and God stories in Honduras, Costa Rica, and Panama. Enjoy and God bless!
Monday, November 26, 2012
Panama Pictures
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| A glimpse into my classroom (before school started-I'll take an updated photo soon) |
Also, I am super proud of my 6th grade Ancient Civilizations class. Check out photos of our Night at the Museum, here: Night at the Museum
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| Playa Bonita: where we had our church women's retreat back in October |
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| On very accurately named, Playa Bonita (Beautiful Beach). Only 15-20 minutes from the school. |
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| Volleyball tournament with students vs. staff |
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| We've made many trips out to the Amador Causeway--one of my favorite spots in Panama City. |
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| There is an awesome view from the Causeway of the city skyline. |
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| The view from Ancon Hill, overlooking the Panama Canal. |
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| The Panama Canal Museum at the Miraflores Locks |
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| Learned how to make arepas (a Venezuelan meal) with my Spanish tutor, her son, and his friend. |
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| Map of Panama (made by students for Fiestas Patrias)--Many more places to visit!! |
Return to Boquete
11-24-12
Thanksgiving Break is here! And I have returned to Boquete, a small town tucked into the mountains, about 7 hours from Panama City. Four teachers and I, loaded up our suitcases and in the spirit of adventure, took the long bus ride to David and a chicken bus to Boquete. The town greeted us as usual with pouring down rain and cool winds, and we were elated to step inside our warm cabin of a hotel with its couches perfectly positioned next to the fireplace and a shelf of books. This is vacation!
We even had the privilege of going to the Rock Restaurant for jazz night and a gourmet style Thanksgiving dinner.
Mostly our time here has been relaxing, reading, exploring the marketplaces and little festivities the town is having for the Panama holidays; however, yesterday was a different story!
We headed up to Boquete Tree Trek (where I had done my coffee tour before) and met our friendly guides for our Zipline Canopy Tour. For Esther and Katy, it was their first time ever ziplining, and they were amazing! Despite the drizzling rain and cold temperatures, we had a blast zipping over breathtaking views of river rapids, coffee farms, and waterfalls. It was definitely a bonding experience as we cheered each other on crossing the 70 meter to 410 meter long wires.
Por supuesto, our zipline tour was followed by a coffee tour and the chance to warm up again. It was so fun to share this experience together; we even ran into two teacher families from the school!
The next day we took a taxi out to Cascada San Ramon and our taxi driver took the scenic route back to our hotel, giving us incredible views of the Boquete area, even seeing a little castle on a hill. When we asked about it, he said something to the effect of, "yeah, in Boquete people build whatever they want." Hilarious.
Thanksgiving Break is here! And I have returned to Boquete, a small town tucked into the mountains, about 7 hours from Panama City. Four teachers and I, loaded up our suitcases and in the spirit of adventure, took the long bus ride to David and a chicken bus to Boquete. The town greeted us as usual with pouring down rain and cool winds, and we were elated to step inside our warm cabin of a hotel with its couches perfectly positioned next to the fireplace and a shelf of books. This is vacation!
We even had the privilege of going to the Rock Restaurant for jazz night and a gourmet style Thanksgiving dinner.
Mostly our time here has been relaxing, reading, exploring the marketplaces and little festivities the town is having for the Panama holidays; however, yesterday was a different story!
We headed up to Boquete Tree Trek (where I had done my coffee tour before) and met our friendly guides for our Zipline Canopy Tour. For Esther and Katy, it was their first time ever ziplining, and they were amazing! Despite the drizzling rain and cold temperatures, we had a blast zipping over breathtaking views of river rapids, coffee farms, and waterfalls. It was definitely a bonding experience as we cheered each other on crossing the 70 meter to 410 meter long wires.
Por supuesto, our zipline tour was followed by a coffee tour and the chance to warm up again. It was so fun to share this experience together; we even ran into two teacher families from the school!
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| CCA reunion! |
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| Coffee Tasting |
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| Riverside Inn, our "home" in Boquete |
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| The 500-piece puzzle we solved together :) |
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| San Ramon Waterfall |
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There seem to be rainbows everywhere in Boquete! Frequent reminders of God's promises!
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Sunday, November 25, 2012
Gamboa Union Church
One Sunday I had the privilege of attending Gamboa Union Church, about 45 minutes outside the city. It was amazing to sit in the pews of a church I had heard a great deal about while growing up and meet and talk with Pastor Wilbur, a long time friend of my grandpa. Over the years, the little church has maintained its focus on seeking and saving the lost, whether through overseas mission, welcoming different YWAM teams, or ministering to the indigenous groups in the area. It was a joy to worship in this diverse and welcoming church body.
I recently finished reading Pastor Wilbur's book, entitled: Finding Freedom in Panama. It is his incredible account of ministering to prisoners at the Renacer and Modelo prisons during a time of political unrest in Panama. I was awe-struck to hear how God, in all His sovereignty, redeemed some of the worst situations imaginable and used them to set many spiritual captives free, forever changing lives by the power of Christ and the transforming work of the Holy Spirit.
Second, I was struck by the lesson that: When we obey, God blesses. Even if it's our "little lunch of loaves and fishes", God will multiply what we surrender to Him to use and use it in a way that we never imagined was possible. So what do we have to fear?
2 Timothy 1:7
"For God did not give us a spirit of fear and timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline."
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Isla Taboga
11-04-12
With Fiestas Patrias in full swing, this meant a month full of intermittent holidays and chopped up school weeks, the month everyone had been long expecting: November.
One of the adventures four other teachers and I got to share on a day off was visiting Isla Taboga. A forty-five minute ferry ride from the end of the Amador Causeway, we watched as the city skyline shrunk into the horizon. Our Clayton apartment, CCA, our weekly routines and frequented places, all left behind. It felt like Taboga was a world away. A different Panama.
White sandy beaches decked with colorful seashells and clear water with a gentle tide all made Isla Taboga a perfect day trip from Panama City. We read, walked on the beach, swam in the cool water, and explored the little town with as a local put it ^solo tres restaurantes^. Meeting some British ladies who were also searching for a place for breakfast, we discovered a hotel cafe with an amazing view of the ocean. We exchanged international experiences, and I was inspired to hear how traveling changes and expands one`s perspective on the world. It was a special and refreshing time.
The ferry back allowed us another opportunity to look around and admire the paradise around us, seeing the Bridge of the Americas, Playa Bonita (where we had had our church women`s retreat just weeks ago), and a line of ships getting ready to enter the canal. As I unboarded the ferry and gazed back to see where we had come, I reflected on the journey from where God had brought me: from Illinois to California to Honduras to Costa Rica, and now this new chapter in Panama. Multiple times in my life God has affirmed that He is my help and deliverer and gives me a firm place to stand (Ps. 40). Wherever I am, I can serve Him with the confidence He is there.
Psalm 40:1-3
I waited patiently for the Lord;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord
and put their trust in him.
With Fiestas Patrias in full swing, this meant a month full of intermittent holidays and chopped up school weeks, the month everyone had been long expecting: November.
One of the adventures four other teachers and I got to share on a day off was visiting Isla Taboga. A forty-five minute ferry ride from the end of the Amador Causeway, we watched as the city skyline shrunk into the horizon. Our Clayton apartment, CCA, our weekly routines and frequented places, all left behind. It felt like Taboga was a world away. A different Panama.
White sandy beaches decked with colorful seashells and clear water with a gentle tide all made Isla Taboga a perfect day trip from Panama City. We read, walked on the beach, swam in the cool water, and explored the little town with as a local put it ^solo tres restaurantes^. Meeting some British ladies who were also searching for a place for breakfast, we discovered a hotel cafe with an amazing view of the ocean. We exchanged international experiences, and I was inspired to hear how traveling changes and expands one`s perspective on the world. It was a special and refreshing time.
The ferry back allowed us another opportunity to look around and admire the paradise around us, seeing the Bridge of the Americas, Playa Bonita (where we had had our church women`s retreat just weeks ago), and a line of ships getting ready to enter the canal. As I unboarded the ferry and gazed back to see where we had come, I reflected on the journey from where God had brought me: from Illinois to California to Honduras to Costa Rica, and now this new chapter in Panama. Multiple times in my life God has affirmed that He is my help and deliverer and gives me a firm place to stand (Ps. 40). Wherever I am, I can serve Him with the confidence He is there.
Psalm 40:1-3
I waited patiently for the Lord;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord
and put their trust in him.
Fiestas Patrias
11-03-12
Panameño, Panameño
Panameño vida mia.
Yo quiero que tu me lleves
al "Tambor de la alegria".
(Tambor de Alegria)
After weeks of daily hearing this refrain sung to the beat of a bongo drum, Fiestas Patrias had finally arrived! Fiestas Patrias are Panama´s patriotic holidays, beginning the third of November and lasting the entire month.
At CCA, Fiestas Patrias is a mandatory school day (scheduled on a Saturday), transformed into an elementary-middle school assembly and family fun fair. The High Schoolers represent CCA by marching in a city-wide school parade starting in Casco Viejo.
The Spanish teachers did a phenomenal job preparing the students for their different roles in the History of Panama drama this year, and even the kindergarten kids sang their Panamanian anthems loud and proud. The sanctuary was filled until there was standing room only; it was truly a family affair.
From my vantage point, the most interesting part of the drama (done all in Spanish) involved several of my 8th grade students. The students donned these masks, like hay hanging in front of their faces, and reenacted a traditional, indigenous story about a woman and her children. It involved a lot of chanting and jumping around, and I think the 8th grade boys especially enjoyed this part.
Following the students^s talented performances, we hurried outside to set up our booths for the Family Fun Fair. From slingshots to bounce houses, there were several activities to occupy families on a warm Panama day.
The 7th grader`s booth = pie toss; total tickets earned = 120 tickets
The 6th grader`s booth = water balloon toss; total tickets earned = 420 tickets! The perfect game for a super sunny morning; plus parents had the opportunity to play and throw water balloons at their children.
Overall, it was a fun time, and things ran smoothly, even the clean up!
It was a great chance to see CCA families come together and be part of a fundraiser for our community outreach program.
After the Family Fun Fair, Mami (my housemate) and I headed downtown with a family from the school to see if we could catch a glimpse of the CCA high schoolers-teachers marching in the parade. It was quite the Panamanian experience!
Street vendors lined the sidewalks, their griddles laden with all sorts of meat on a stick or fried plantains. Families crowded the grassy medians, set up in lawn chairs or sitting on the curbs, and were decked in their proudest Panamanian colors or traditional wear. Little boys played jubilantly on toy drums or loudly blasted their trompetitas (whose sound was similar to that of a wounded duck) whenever someone walked by. And all around me was this strange popping noise.
It didn´t take me long to figure out that apparently the parade tradition was to throw what they call, cebollitas, or little white packages filled with gunpowder-something that exploded on impact, on the ground, and they sold them by the box-full to eager children, keeping them occupied during the long gaps between parade groups. Anybody and everybody could be part of the parade, even if just for a few minutes as you strolled down the street right in the middle of the procession.
Schools marched in the order that they were founded, and CCA founded in 1997, marched by us, just after we arrived. We cheered them on, as the weary students lifted their country flags a little bit higher. The students had arrived to the parade area at 8:30a, and were just now finishing the last leg of the parade around 4:00-4:30p. It was a very long day for them; they were great troopers.
Aside from CCA, I was amazed and encouraged by another Christian school, Panama Christian Academy, that chose to make their procession distinct from all the rest. They had several students at the front, playing a song on mini xylophones and three drummers (2 high school and 1 first grader) in the middle keeping the beat and entertaining all through a routine where they spun the drums around their neck. They followed this with rows of more students, who sung acapella the words to the song that had been played on the xylophones: Yo tengo un amigo que me ama. Me ama. Me ama. Yo tengo un amigo que me ama. Su nombre es Jesus.
Wow. There they were being a bold witness for Christ, and I could see the joy of who they were glorifying just radiate from their faces. I prayed a special prayer for Panama; that all would hear and believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and find in Him the hope and peace that our world is so desperately craving. That Christians in Panama would not be ashamed and would live distinctly, pointing people to Christ as the reason for their hope. And I prayed again for the students at Crossroads Christian Academy, where I teach, that they would come to know Christ deeper and fully believe they have a Friend that loves them, no matter what, and no matter where in the world they go.
Photo credit: instagram and Esther Brunat
Panameño, Panameño
Panameño vida mia.
Yo quiero que tu me lleves
al "Tambor de la alegria".
(Tambor de Alegria)
After weeks of daily hearing this refrain sung to the beat of a bongo drum, Fiestas Patrias had finally arrived! Fiestas Patrias are Panama´s patriotic holidays, beginning the third of November and lasting the entire month.
At CCA, Fiestas Patrias is a mandatory school day (scheduled on a Saturday), transformed into an elementary-middle school assembly and family fun fair. The High Schoolers represent CCA by marching in a city-wide school parade starting in Casco Viejo.
The Spanish teachers did a phenomenal job preparing the students for their different roles in the History of Panama drama this year, and even the kindergarten kids sang their Panamanian anthems loud and proud. The sanctuary was filled until there was standing room only; it was truly a family affair.
From my vantage point, the most interesting part of the drama (done all in Spanish) involved several of my 8th grade students. The students donned these masks, like hay hanging in front of their faces, and reenacted a traditional, indigenous story about a woman and her children. It involved a lot of chanting and jumping around, and I think the 8th grade boys especially enjoyed this part.
Following the students^s talented performances, we hurried outside to set up our booths for the Family Fun Fair. From slingshots to bounce houses, there were several activities to occupy families on a warm Panama day.
The 7th grader`s booth = pie toss; total tickets earned = 120 tickets
The 6th grader`s booth = water balloon toss; total tickets earned = 420 tickets! The perfect game for a super sunny morning; plus parents had the opportunity to play and throw water balloons at their children.
Overall, it was a fun time, and things ran smoothly, even the clean up!
It was a great chance to see CCA families come together and be part of a fundraiser for our community outreach program.
After the Family Fun Fair, Mami (my housemate) and I headed downtown with a family from the school to see if we could catch a glimpse of the CCA high schoolers-teachers marching in the parade. It was quite the Panamanian experience!
Street vendors lined the sidewalks, their griddles laden with all sorts of meat on a stick or fried plantains. Families crowded the grassy medians, set up in lawn chairs or sitting on the curbs, and were decked in their proudest Panamanian colors or traditional wear. Little boys played jubilantly on toy drums or loudly blasted their trompetitas (whose sound was similar to that of a wounded duck) whenever someone walked by. And all around me was this strange popping noise.
It didn´t take me long to figure out that apparently the parade tradition was to throw what they call, cebollitas, or little white packages filled with gunpowder-something that exploded on impact, on the ground, and they sold them by the box-full to eager children, keeping them occupied during the long gaps between parade groups. Anybody and everybody could be part of the parade, even if just for a few minutes as you strolled down the street right in the middle of the procession.
Schools marched in the order that they were founded, and CCA founded in 1997, marched by us, just after we arrived. We cheered them on, as the weary students lifted their country flags a little bit higher. The students had arrived to the parade area at 8:30a, and were just now finishing the last leg of the parade around 4:00-4:30p. It was a very long day for them; they were great troopers.
Aside from CCA, I was amazed and encouraged by another Christian school, Panama Christian Academy, that chose to make their procession distinct from all the rest. They had several students at the front, playing a song on mini xylophones and three drummers (2 high school and 1 first grader) in the middle keeping the beat and entertaining all through a routine where they spun the drums around their neck. They followed this with rows of more students, who sung acapella the words to the song that had been played on the xylophones: Yo tengo un amigo que me ama. Me ama. Me ama. Yo tengo un amigo que me ama. Su nombre es Jesus.
Wow. There they were being a bold witness for Christ, and I could see the joy of who they were glorifying just radiate from their faces. I prayed a special prayer for Panama; that all would hear and believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and find in Him the hope and peace that our world is so desperately craving. That Christians in Panama would not be ashamed and would live distinctly, pointing people to Christ as the reason for their hope. And I prayed again for the students at Crossroads Christian Academy, where I teach, that they would come to know Christ deeper and fully believe they have a Friend that loves them, no matter what, and no matter where in the world they go.
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