hello loves,
last week i really got into the swing of things. it feels like i belong here, and no one lets me forget that. everyday my family, friends, and students tell me they will cry when i leave. its hard to hear, especially because i cant imagine leaving already. not only that, but i have only been here for two weeks and already have a new home. along with a home comes family members to add to my tree, and i have a feeling they arent temporary. yolanys plans on visiting for christmas. rick and stace, i hope thats ok!
last week i got to see what the health system is like here. yolanys had a high fever for a few days so we had to travel into the cities to seek care. after three buses and two taxis we got the medical attention she needed. the emergency clinics, pharmacies, and medical testing centers all happen to be in different locations. one of the hospitals we went to seemed to run rather smoothly, while the clinics seemed to be packed and underemployed. the facilities have outdoor walkways, which makes sense here. in some of the hospitals they have rooms for prisoners too. they keep them next to the emergency waiting rooms, but luckily the places i visited did not double as jailhouses.
after school, and when i finish teaching my extra classes, my little gang of about 10 kids and some of my friends that are my age play soccer and pan con queso. i love this time of day most. last thursday we had an intense workout. after about two hours of soccer we did dynamic exercises and gymnastics! i loved it. by the time night had fallen we were dirty and exhausted. my body was covered in red, clay-like dirt and mud. we all joked that it was the day i stopped being a gringa.
last week i also started the process of getting measurements taken and collecting different types of lace for my pollera (a traditional panamanian dress). a friend of the family makes gorgeous intricate dresses and decided he wanted to make one for me as a gift. if you google it you will probably find a different dress than the one i will receive, mine is more simple and i will be able to wear it back in the us. russio, the tailor, is using the typical colors white with red pattern. i was thrilled when i found out! the other day the whole gang came to watch my measurement get taken, it was quite endearing how excited everyone was.
wow, time flies! i have to go teach sixth grade.
love and peace,
cait
please send my love to the nans!
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