"No hablo en espanol!"

In case you're reading this and you don't know what's going on...I decided a few months ago that I wanted to spend the bulk of my summer down here in Panama! ( www.losbuzos.net ). I am minoring in spanish and want so badly to be able to actually speak it already!! So I emailed a family about coming and they were crazy enough to let me come! I am not really making money down here, more like working to pay for my food and housing. Although as of right now, I feel like I'm getting the better end of the deal! But I'm sure they'll put me to more work after I settle in.

The family that I am staying with is the Palmer's: Morris, Teri, AJ (13), and Hayden (11). They are from Port St. Joe but moved here to run their resort. Morris runs everything with his southern accent spanish -lol!- while Teri home-schools the boys. They both work so hard, it's amazing that they were able to do this!

When I arrived in the city on Monday night it was raining! I realize this is the rainy season, but there has been wayyyy too much rain lately. I believe a storm has been making it's way through the area :( But that is fine with me, the countryside is gorgeous! Plants, flowers, grass, mountains, trees, beach...All of it! just beautiful =)

As far as the beach goes...the sand is pretty much black! and it's not really sand. More like little rocks but it feels great to walk on, but I hear it gets mucho caliente!

They have put me up in one of the "hotel" rooms. It really is adorable. My walls are this orangey-peachy color with matching accessories: bedspread, shower curtain, pretty paintings... I wish my room back in the states was this cute!!?

I got here on Tuesday around 4 p.m. and really did not do anything! No exploring or wandering around...It was rainy and I was tired! But I started to meet some of their employees. I really like Negra (Nay-grrah) she works in la cocina -the kitchen- from 7-4 most days. We have already begun speaking, we'll say a phrase either in spanish or english but then switch it around and repeat back to each other. Also, I have a notebook and we were writing in it. One column was labeled "english" and yes the other "spanish" ! This way if we could not understand what each other were saying we could write! very very helpful!
Around 4 p.m. Tuesday, I met Francisco (24) and he will work mostly every night except for Mon.&Tues. are his days off. He works 4-11 although we are not busy right now. No guests! Thats because of the rainy season ? I guess.

FYI: Dec-April = dry May-Nov = wet

Anyway, I believe I will be helping F. a lot in the kitchen. And doing whatever other chores or jobs they give me. Tuesday I set up Teri's nano iPod for her. I guess she didn't know about iTunes and it did not come with any software!?! So that was my job for the day :) I also rode bikes with Hayden and got to see their farm and animals. While there we picked up a bunch of ripe mangoes off the ground! Which turned into our postre -dessert- after dinner! mango ice cream... Delicioso :P


There are a few things that are different down here. They have (I'm assuming this) all the same vehicles we have in the US, but more!!? Trucks and SUVs I have never seen that are made by Toyota & Nissan..., it's weird! Also, milk and eggs are not meant or don't have to be refrigerated down here. And we don't have lunch meat! and only some cheese I'm told!!! but hey I will survive! The driving age and drinking age is the same- 18 y/o. So I'm good either way! Honking the horn on the car is not rude...it's practically a must! everyone does it. Teri said they must not believe in using their rear-view mirrors when they pass, because they come by honking as if you didn't know they were coming. lol... I have heard many interesting stories already and I think I will like it down here :)

Drawbacks...-No friends, family. -Barely anyone speaks english!?! so it is very weird, almost like a handicap I'm stuck with?! But I am trying to communicate. -& the rain!!!! I have to see some sunshine soon or else I'm cutting this trip short! hahaaa... that's enough complaining for now :P I am enjoying it, it seems like it will be challenging but I am ready! "Estoy listo!"
And they say next week, a guy named Jose (22-ish?) is coming to stay and work here. Best part--- he's bilingual!!!!!!! yayyyyyy =] I will feel much better then. Well that is, if he is nice and wants to help me !

I will probably be on the internet every day, I'm not sure how often I will post on here, weekly? I'm not sure yet. Christopher told me about this site right before he dropped me off at the airport on Monday. We'll see how it goes.... Otherwise my email is psjchick@hotmail.com and I'm on facebook :)

More to come later! Any questions??? did I leave something out that you were wondering? Let me know!!!!! love, M