A Normal Sabado

Saturday was one of the most fun days I have had so far. We did a short hike, for old people and kids, through the first National Park of Panama. It was cool and fresh and relaxing. Best part ever...we saw a SLOTH!! In Panama barely a week and boom wildlife....so awesome.

Then comes party weekend. There was an insane amount of parties in town, a 21st birthday, a quincinera and just generally hanging out. My neighbor did my nails, bright blue with white tips. I guess it looks good since I am muy blanca. Then it was bingo and the aunts house. I had kids help me because I could not keep up with thinking between english and spanish for the numbers. They were more than happy to help!Afterwards, we paseared for a little while and checked out what was happening. I went back to the bingo house and the party was really started. Just hanging out, playing cards, dancing, soccer with family and friends. It is so nice to feel welcomed by everyone!

I am currently writing from the mall in Panama City. We had an adventure in the city for more practice on how to use the buses and find important things in the city like the hospital and a check in point for the emergency action plan. Panama is one of the safest coutries for PC volunteers in Central America. The crime rates are so low. And the health care is excellent, Panama is the regional MEDIVAC center.

Adios for now!

Mi Familia Panamania

My host family rocks! My mom, Freddy is 31 and she has two kids Victor, 12 and Cielo, 10. Freddy is so outgoing and loves to make jokes and thinks I am crazy for not wearing shorty shorts and spagetti strap tops. It has been really great to practice spanish with them. And dont worry I am not living in squalor or anything. I have running water, electricity, tv, washing machine, and microwave. Only downfall...only a curtain for the bathroom door.

My spanish is getting so much better. woop woop. There are four levels of spanish and I was placed in the second. I am at intermediate low and need to be at intermediate medium in order to be sworn in. I have seen how much I have progressed in the past week and it feels great! My teacher said I was placed in a class slightly above my level based on the recommedation of the tester. She said the I am doing great. oh yea.

Positive reinforcement is something that we definately get alot of which is amazing! The staff is fantastic and are really making this transition so much easier.

My host family has alot of family in our community and a really fun thing we do here is pasear. Which basically means to go visit others. Just to hang out, have a chat, drink some chicha. Its great!

The kids in my neighborhood are super cool. They are always looking for me and waiting for me to come play. Freddy called me Hannah Montana and all the kids are my fans! LOL The kids have really become my favorite part of being here!

I will try to post some photos soon but its hard without my own computer or regular access to internet. I gotta fill my time by publishing for my loyal following. Ok more so you guys know Im still alive.

Please feel free to email me or write comments and I will respond as quickly as I can.

Volunteer Visit

Today was an amazing day! It was our first field trip to check out a current volunteer site. We visited Jake a current CEC volunteer who is doing really great things in his community. School gardens, composting, more efficient ovens, and assisting farmers are just some of the projects he is working on. It felt really good to see how well he integrated into the community and how much progress he has made. It is really reassuring to see the progress and confidence that former volunteers have.

The best part of this so far has been how welcoming the panamanians have been! Part of the reason I chose the PC is that we are invited into the country and into the communities. They have been incredibly appreciative and kind.

Tomorrow we are leaving panama city and heading to our training community and host families. It is super exciting and nerve wracking!

Development is love in action

Time is flying by so fast here! It seems like so long ago I left, but really its only been a week! We have been super busy with sessions and getting ready to go to our host families. Today most of the discussions was on what it is like to live with a host family and strategies for dealing with new situations. First shot of my trip....yellow fever and malaria medications we handed out today. I got this really awesome medical kit which truly has everything! And my mosquito net, which shall be interesting because I have no idea how to set it up. Fun fun!

After all our sessions were over we went to the mall and bus terminal. Woah. First of all, there does not appear to be schedules. And there are lots of Rojos Diablos aka old school buses with crazy paintings all over them. So bus travel in definitely going to be a learning experience. The mall is HUGE! There are so many stores and restaurants. Lots of chains and cheap clothes.

This afternoon there were great discussions about what is development and the Peace Corps approach. It felt really great to hear that PC policies are in line with my ideals. Empowerment of people and capacity building. And my favorite was a quote from Roland Bunch,"Development is love in action." So simple, but so powerful. Amen Roland!



 

Espanol es mi vida

I just want to start by saying that blog updates will not be very frequent, but these past few days have been the exception. The retreat villa is very plush...ac and internet...which won't last for much longer.
 
The weather here is definitely an adjustment. From cold Buffalo to hot and humid Panama my body and hair are not really thrilled. Also we are entering the wet season so it is likely to rain most days. And it isn't your light sprinkle, its downpours with thunder and lightening.

Today we had two interviews, one for language and one for site placement. The placement one was great to talk more about what I want out of the Peace Corps and what sort of expectations I have about my site. The language one was...challenging. But honestly, I did much better than I thought. The staff is great and helpful and really push you to succeed. The staff is amazing and helpful and it feels good to be moving forward after waiting forever to hear from them! One of my goals in Panama is to become conversationally fluent and today marks the first day of my learning spanish adventure!

In order to practice I shall only post in spanish! Just kidding :)


 

Peace Corps Family

Even though I left behind many friends and family, I have a new family...my Peace Corps family. There are 44 trainees from all over the US, but mostly fresh out of college. We are now starting this incredible journey together and I really can't wait to get going!

I have had two really long days on a row. First was departure day. I really have awful luck with flights. My plane got changed and I only arrived 15 minutes before we started. But I wasn't the last to arrive so that's all that matters ;)We learned more about general expectations of Peace Corps and got to know each other better. It feels good to be with people as idealistic and motivated to make a difference as I am!

Then another early day to get to Panama. No worries with our flights and we were met by our program directors right outside the gate to take our first group photo. Then a short drive to Ciuad del Saber at the old Fort Clayton for more orientation. It is reassuring to hear more about the programs and what is going on.

So....I am in Panama! Wooooo!

This is actually happening!

I remember the first time I started thinking about Peace Corps my senior year at Brockport and now the time has finally come for me to leave for Panama! Once I made the decision to send in my application, the Peace Corps has pretty much been all I could think about for the past year. As everyone graduated from college, got jobs, and married, I was waiting (not so patiently) to get my invitation. And while some might think I'm crazy, leaving the US and my comfortable life and not getting a "real" job after graduating from Columbia to live and work with those less fortunate than us in a whole new country....too bad. I could not be happier! I know that at this time in my life, the Peace Corps and Panama are what is right for me. I know that this is going to help me figure out what I want to do with my future. And that I am going to have an awesome time doing it!

What exactly am I going to be doing? 

Not sure! But what I do know is that I am going to be a community environmental conservation (CEC) volunteer. According to my letter, "The purpose of the CEC project is to assist Panamanians in learning techniques which will help them in reducing their impact on their local environment, especially in and around the sensitive ecosystems of protected areas and important river watersheds." Possible assignments could include: supporting school environmental education activities, promotion of environmentally responsible practices, and working with youth groups.

What are my next steps?

• Staging in Miami: Pre-departure orientation which includes intro to Peace Corps and Panama and paperwork.
• Aspirante Retreat in Ciudad de Saber: A few days getting acclimated to Panama. Shots, language placement, and expectations.
• Training in a community outside of La Chorrera: About three months of intense language, technical, cultural, and safety training. I will be staying with a local family during training.

I will try to keep up with emails and the blog and much as possible, but snail mail works too. It might take awhile to get to me but it will be much appreciated! The address below will be good until July 7th.

AMY STYPA

Cuerpo de Paz/ Panama

Edificio 104, 1 er Piso

Avenida Vincente Bonilla

Ciudad del Saber, Clayton

Corregimiento de Ancon

Panama, Republica de Panama

This has been a long journey so far and so much more to come!