Training begins

I have now been living in my training community for one week. I’m living with a host family. They have two daughters, 15 and 11, with whom I share a room. They have already proved themselves very hospitable and helpful. For example, right after arriving, I discovered that some shampoo in my bag leaked, and they helped me clean up. This accident will also explain why there aren’t any photos on this blog. Yep, my camera is currently out of service. I’ll try to remedy the situation soon. The next night I got a bloody nose. I felt their concern again. Plus, I get three large meals every day and the opportunity to practice my Spanish. I am fast becoming fluent in Spanglish.
The days of training are very full. I have Spanish class and technical training. About 8 hours everyday. 8 am to noon, and 1 pm to 5. Not very much time to relax or process. My host family all get up around 4 am to commute into Panama City, so lights out is usually around 8:30 or 9. I need that much time to sleep though since I often get woken up by dogs, busses, or roosters (don’t be deceived, they do not only make noise at dawn to wake you up) But, I’ve already learned how to use a machete, make compost, host a environment movie night, navigate the bus system, and plant trees. Plus, we get to meet lots of current volunteers and hear about their projects. We won’t find out our own sites and projects for 3 more weeks, though I think my director already knows. I asked him a question the other day and he referred to “your site” since he has apparently already picked it out. I’ll try to get the details out of him. The highlight of this training week was going to Chorrera on Friday. Usually, a long day of listening to presentations on safety, tropical diseases, and regulations would not be interesting. BUT, we sit in air conditioning, get to eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, and have coffee around all day. Such luxury. Plus, afterward, we had the opportunity to go have pizza and beer and make telephone calls. No wonder they call Peace Corps Panama Posh Corps

So, today, the group of us in Community Environment Conservation (there's about 18 of us) went out to visit a volunteer in the field and see what life is really like. He lives in a community near the coast and does mangrove reforestation. So, we walked around a mangrove forest for a while. We didn't have to plant any trees, but we got to see the forest and also the places where "carboneros" make charcoal from the trees. We also got to enjoy a nice lunch, visit a (tree) nursery the community has, and see some typical Panamanian dancing by children. One kid even got me up there to dance with him, but he wouldn't look me in the eyes, so I'm pretty sure I was atrociously horrible. Afterwards, on our way back, we bought machetes. So, I now have a machete, anti-malarials, and a mosquito net. Welcome to Peace Corps!
Tomorrow, we leave our compound and actually begin training. I'll be living with a host family in a small, rural community about an hour from Panama City. These posts will start becoming much less frequent since the town has no internet (though it does have electricity).

In Panama!

Well, I am finally in Panama! We arrived in Panama City this afternoon. We were then whisked away to the "Ciudad del Saber" (or City of Knowledge), which is basically the old military base Ft. Clayton next to the canal. This is for our "aspirantes" (trainees) retreat for the next few days. So, there's still AC and even WiFi, which I'm using right now. The hardships of Peace Corps Service won't come until I little later. But, we got to meet the Country Director and finally start learning all the Panama specific information (as opposed to Peace Corps in general). I'm very excited. Apparently, this is one of the best country programs.

I haven't used my camera yet. I promise I will and then I'll post some photos

contact info

Here's my address

Abby Furnish
Cuerpo de Paz/Panama
Edificio 104, 1er Piso
Avenida Vicente Bonilla
Ciudad del Saber, Clayton
Panama, Republica de Panama

Once I get an address at my site in July, I'll let you know.

Otherwise, e-mail still works. Either my hotmail or my gmail.

Once I get a phone/phone number, I'll let you know that too

the countdown begins

Alright guys, We are now inside a week until I leave for Panama. Here's a hint of my schedule

April 14th, 8:25 am: Board a plane for Miami
April 14-16th: Staging in Miami with the rest of Group 61
April 16th: board plane for Panama City
April 16th-20th: Orientation in Panama City
April 20th: Depart to my training site and host family.

I am currently packing up my belongings in my apartment. Then I need to pack up the rest of my stuff into 80 lbs worth of luggage. and say goodbye to everyone. Oh, the challenges
Here's a few photos from my going away party Saturday night