Teaching and Trekking

Chiricanos Witness Snowfall by Laura Layton Many volunteers only dream of the opportunity to one day bring their best friends and counterparts from site to their hometown in the United States. There is only so much one can say to describe where they are from, but words never suffice. A few months ago, I lived out my dream by sharing my hometown first-hand with seven members of my community of El Palmar, Chiriquí, playing the role of tour guide, host, and cultural bridge. Last school year I assisted with an after-school English course for a group of teachers at my elementary school in site. The course was offered to all grade level teachers in an effort to make the school completely bilingual. When teachers graduated from the course, they received the opportunity through Panama Bilingue to spend their summer studying in the United States or Canada. To my surprise, seven of teachers from the course were chosen to study at Stockton University in New Jersey, only 30 minut...

Day 1, March 25 I arrived at mid-night feeling somewhat confident and secure, while somewhat nervous and unsure. When I picked up my luggage and headed to the exit I was relieved to see a man that resembled the pictures I saw on Couchsurfing. He greeted me and helped me place my luggage into the taxi. We soon stopped at a gas station to pick up some snacks and drinks and I was alone in the taxi, coming face to face with my mediocre Spanish skills conversing with the driver. When Anthony, my host, returned we began to drive down many unfamiliar roads that contained homes reminding me of townships in South Africa. When we arrived at his home, I saw a large gate blocking his property and I had no idea what to expect behind it. I paid the driver and walked through the dark with Anthony as he guided me and gave me a shadowed tour of the home and property. I didn't know what I was seeing until he showed me the building in which I would be sleeping. It had a tv and two mattresses low to ...