Las Tinajas

We went to dinner downtown at a restaurant called Las Tinajas, which included a show of some pretty crazy native dancing.

The Self-Proclaimed Hot FYA-ers

Me, Jake, Stephanie

Some crazy native dancing, I guess
The downtown skyline looks so hot across the water from Casco Viejo
And is so hard to get a decent picture of too

Sunday on Calle Estiva

Today we went tubing down the Chagres River, which feeds into the Panama Canal. Then we hiked to a waterfall and met the Embera indians. No pictures though - I couldn't bring a camera because we were floating down a river all day soaking wet.

But more importantly, tonight we had 17 people over for dinner. That's how we do it in 917B. We called it our family potluck. Pretty much the whole coldesac was here, plus a few from around the corner. Included is a picture of some of the bomb food we've been cookin up.

In other news, I won at our first poker night! No real money though yet :-/, just for fun till the neighbors all learn!

Oh yeah and tomorrow we start school.

Panama City Tour

We took a tour of the city today. I don't know what some of these pictures are. It was hard to pay attention to the guide because I'm not a big fan of historical tours. But I am a fan of this place.

Some ruins

These birds guard the Presidential Palace. I couldn't make this stuff up.
Canal
Panama City

Every day I feel more comfortable speaking Spanish. Yesterday I successfully called a cab company, got meat from the butcher at the grocery store, and bought a local cell phone. I'm so Panamanian now.

My New Home in Panama

Some pictures from my first few days here:

The must-have plane window shot City bus
My house - 5 girls on the right side, 4 guys on the left
Living room
Kitchen
Backyard

Practically our front yard

The Bridge of the Americas, which crosses the Panama Canal

School And our neighborhood cat, Bella, who we inherited from a previous student

I really love it here. It feels like being on vacation and I keep having to remind myself that I live here now. It's great.

PS Mom I did find a binder at William's house.

My Celebrity Encounter

Thanks to frequent flier miles, I got to fly first class from LA to Miami, then on to Panama. In the days preceding the trip, I bragged that I would surely meet a celeb because I was flying like a VIP in first class. So guess who was right in front of me in the boarding line in LA? Hint: he's brought us such classic hits as Locked Up, Smack That, and I Wanna Love (****) You.

Oh yes, it was definitely Akon.

So there I was, standing within two feet of him, knowing I'd never be this close again, and I had to make a move. So I asked if he knew what we were waiting for (they had let first class into the jetway, then closed us in without opening the plane). After confirming his identity I was completely starstruck and could barely put words together, but we managed to discuss his abundance of gadgets (isn't the iPhone supposed to rid you of all others?), and why we were each going to Miami before finally boarding. We both sat in row six but he slept the whole flight. I never knew I could get so starstruck but I've also never met such a big star before! He is super nice by the way.

Bird

This creature showed up in our driveway today.

What is this?

Edit: Turned out to be a roadrunner.

How tragically ordinary.

Puerto Vallarta

We went to Mexico.

Group minus Alec

Jungle view

Pool

Balcony view

Beach

Me, David, Dominic

All was well. Just a few more days until I move to Panama.

Here Goes

aslfjhasljsldjhgld so I'm starting this blog to chronicle my journey. Or something. We'll see.

I admittedly do not know today's date, but I know I'm moving to Panama on August 20th, which I think is roughly two weeks from now.

So far I have packed extra batteries for my calculator, graph paper, and a Strawberry Shortcake notebook. I am so ready for life in Latin America.