Wednesday, June 10, 2009

"You wanna go to Bocas mon?"*

* This is the question that guys in Almirante chant at you as you pull in on the bus as they try to make some cash by taking the English speaking tourists to Bocas island.
So, by the way, I got my assignment and as of July 4, will be living in the Bocas Del Toro region in a Ngabe indigenous site. Woohoo! I took a trip last week to visit the area and it´s basically gorgeous. Although from looking at a map it appears I am close to the beach, I am actually a 20 min hike, 30 min bus ride, 1 hr boat ride, and 15 min walk from an actual beach. But my site has a cool river running through it.

Training has been intense. My last two weeks I traveled to the provinces of Cocle and Bocas del Toro for technical and culture training. Now I´m back in my training community with just 3 weeks left til I swear in and am officially a Peace Corps volunteer. It´s crazy thinking of how fast this has all happened.

My next big challenge is my Ngabere classes (which is REDICULOUSLY hard) and getting myself mentally prepared to do my site visit next week in which I spend about 5 days in my site getting to meet the people and look into what I will likely be doing for the next two years. My primary jobs will likely be working with the elementary school finding ways to implement the mandated environmental eductation topics in classes, working with the local environmental group, and possibly doing some solid waste/latrine projects. I´m stoked and freaked at the same time.

I´m excited to be almost past the brutal training period but sad I´ll be leaving my gringo buddies and nervous to be kissing the English language goodbye for a while. Should be a challenge but I´m still up for it :)

Sorry this one´s so short but I have a half hour of internet left and lots of important Peace Corps business to do (totally a lie, I´ll probably just go to facebook). But I definately miss all of my friends and family and think about everyone all the time. Thank you for all your kind messages and if you do so feel like talking with me here is my new Panamanian cell number: 50760898524

Hugs and kisses! Jatuaita mare!

6 comments:

  1. Cat, Good luck with your Peace Corp adventure. Mi amiga es fabulosa! That is the extent of my spanish, but I try to learn more all the time. You will be immersed in the language so you will learn it well. Have a good time and be safe. By the way, I am in Tucson Arizona working for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service at the Area Office as a Soil Conservationist. Dave is still in Prunedale. Just moved here from Yuma last week. My address is 2000 E. Roger Rd. Apt. B12, Tucson, AZ 85719, 831-229-1492. Love, Cheryl Lambert

    ReplyDelete
  2. Haha.. my mom is so cute. I miss you and will call you soon when I stop procrastinating and buy a phone card. Everything is good here! Nursing school rocks and I am kicking its butt! Love you!!!!!! Be safe!
    -Eva

    ReplyDelete
  3. Just an fyi, for those that try to call, will need international calling enabled on your phone (unless you use a card).

    I think the country code is 011.

    Talk to ya tomorrow Cat!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Catherine!!! I am living vicariously through You in the Peace Corp! Wish I had joined just out of college. Such a joy to read your blogs! Think I will share them if that is okay. You are such a great Spirit! Yes, I have been a flake and haven't sent you a care package from our convent yet!
    Peace and Joy and Love to Youuu!
    Aloha,
    Sister Wendy

    ReplyDelete
  5. That's awesome that everything is going so great! Miss you madly! Hope we can visit next year! :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Nice to hear from all of you! I´ll try my best to keep posting regularly. Just know I´m always thinking of you guys!

    ReplyDelete


coastal Peru

Machu Picchu

Santa Barbara, Arajuno River, Ecuador