...because she came home with a Tablespoon of San Juanito.
Note
to self: remember things like Grateful, Consume Less, Give Back, it is
About the People and not the Things. I cannot fix the world, but can I
perhaps do something/anything to help someone? You bet! I am home from
my amazing visit to Lauren and Alex’s house. They helped me in so many
ways. First, I understand more now. I understand what sustainable giving
means in the Peace Corps context. I understand what Alex and Lauren are
trying to do (and succeeding). One Peace Corps goal is cultural
exchange and boy oh boy did Panamanian campo culture come my way. I was
there long enough to understand a few things. Yes, I do feel overwhelmed
by the needs those people have and I also realize that the people
living in San Juanito have a very good life compared to billions of
people on this planet. The people I met are, for the most part, happy
and content, but there are many sad stories there too. The local school
is good, but, sadly, many people cannot afford the school fees past
grade six. One man told me (via my translators) that he knows there are
skyscrapers in Panama City. Here, he said, he has land and lots of food.
Indeed - plantains and oranges were visible from his hammock. There are
also papaya and mangos nearby. And many chickens. Why is it that nobody
has bred the cock-a-doodle-doo out of a rooster?
I
came home with a renewed attitude that life isn’t about me, it is about
the circles around me. My family, my extended family, my friends, my
neighbors, my town, my state, my country, animals, the world. I will
take one action in my life each day to touch each of those circles in a
positive way.
I
do not need half of the “things” I already have. I am going to think
long and hard before I buy another thing. Alex and Lauren helped me sort
out an idea that will be helpful to the people in San Juanito. I am
excited to get started. Being Shelly, of course, I loved the people I
met. I got to experience a very solemn speech by the mother of many
children whose own father had recently died. She apologized, saying she
was too sad to come down to our house to meet us. Lauren was kindly
translating in my ear and I was thinking to this mother “my heart
touches your heart” the whole time. Then she served us rice and tamales
with a spoonful of purchased birthday cake on top. I easily connected
with all the mothers and grandmothers. We understood each other the
instant I said I was Alex’s mama and was introduced to their children
and grandchildren. I am so grateful for the teaching and helping these
people have offered Alex and Lauren. We visited the school teacher,
Hilda (say eelda), who is fantastic and who not only invited me back to
stay in her house where we would speak Spanish in the morning and
English in the afternoon, but also sent me on my way with three ceramic
butterflies that she painted and a lemon the size of my head! Ma Bell
(at least that is how I heard her name being pronounced) hosted us for
one night on my way back to Panama City. Her daughter is an engineer who
works on Panama Canal lock maintenance and her son is nearing the end
of medical school. Her house was quite comfortable and she has been
hosting volunteers for 12 years. She is a good cook and has wisdom in
her eyes. This family has cars, electricity, refrigerators and so are
relatively rich. Her goat was being butchered in the back yard, but
fortunately in a shed where I could not see.
Alex
and Lauren are loved and trusted already and that is half the fight in
the Peace Corps. I was silly with the kids in the mud house and in the
river. My heart was singing at those times. Lauren was entertained each
time she saw me conversing on a bus. Here’s how to start. Say, no hablo
Espanol and shrug your shoulders sheepishly. Point to Alex and then
yourself and say Madre (well that would be weird if you did that)
and then just smile. People offered me crackers, helped me with my
luggage, we smiled at each other when we both had to grab the seat back
to make it around a corner on the bus.
For
those of you thinking of visiting - GO! It changed my outlook and
healed my soul. Next, know that it will be much harder than you expect.
Also, know that Alex and Lauren can take care of you. Lauren parceled
out the critter of the day. “Tonight, if you walk to the latrine in the
dark you will pass by a big toad that will startle you but is harmless.”
That happened. You will eat campo food, they will introduce you to
their community, and they will lead you on adventures. It is absolutely
beautiful where they live. Friend me on Facebook if you want Lauren’s
pictures with my captions.
Yes,
go to your travel doctor and get all the shots and take your
antibiotics and stuff for a major stomach disaster with you. Also
Benadryl and anti-itch cream for the 2:00 am bouts of scratching your
own ankles right off. Take only three changes of clothes – and then only
things that drip dry. Rubber boots! Ear plugs. And some shorts to swim
in the river. You will be glad of long sleeves and long pants even
though you are hot. A head lamp would be good.
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