City of Knowledge.
Today after breakfast (did I mention I just have to walk down to the cafeteria area to get delicious food that someone else prepares and then cleans up in order to eat? Well yeah, sorry real life - no time for you in PCV (Peace Corps Volunteer) Training.) we walked to the PC office here in Panama. It's in the CoK (City of Knowledge, and btw - no one calls it CoK, but it seems fitting because we have begun to be inundated with acronyms! I guess that's the US gov't for you.)
So began our day with blood being taken, a language test, and talks with the medical personnel and a talk with our sector supervisors - intimidating! It felt kind of like a job interview because there was my resume sitting there in front of me. I talked and talked and talked and then talked some more and really enjoyed meeting those two. I really am looking forward to growing in that area with my supervisors. Also, I appreciate the fact that at least one of my supervisors is older than me are older than me. Unsure about Isabel, but mostly, they seem like proper grownups, and since I THINK I'm the oldest in my group, I am grateful for some people to have my back with some life experiences under their belts.
The teacher in charge of my test was hard to hear; apparently Panama has a very different accent that has definitely made the whole listening comprehension thing a challenge. She asked about my favorite book, and after probably more thought that any person should give to the question during a language test, I finally decided The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood was my favorite - in that moment. I can barely explain the premise of the book in English, but here I was trying to clarify the roles of women and questioning society and why people feel and think how they do. Ayiyiyi. I would like to know what exactly she took away from that conversation. Let's just say, if that was an actually graded test - I'd be in some serious trouble. (Also, I would've totally skipped school that day! Ha!) Perhaps it's strange to some, but I handled the blood way better than the language test.
The birthday was great - considering. I'm a little sad that my nephew wasn't born today on my bday, but I guess I can forgive him for that. I just thought that'd be special, and I know my sister-in-law is probably ready for the little man to make himself known in this world. I wore my birthday pin and got some love from the other PCV. At dinner they sang "feliz cumpleanos" and then one of the guys gave me a pint of "birthday ice cream," which was such a sweet gesture.
I went for a walk tonight, which was pretty nice considering I know that will not be something I will necessarily be able to do in my site. I am making some friends and learning quite a bit about our group and our differences. It's definitely different to be in a secular group because a lot of things we discuss seem like definite Catholic issues, but they're not ever prefaced that way. For instance, the need for social justice in this world and the importance of treating others with dignity. And then other things are brought up that are definitely not Catholic teachings, but I won't go in to that. I feel fortunate to be serving in a nation where I can easily attend mass.
Today I learned there are over 200 volunteers here in Panama. Woah - right? Also, you should never send mail via FedEx or DHL, only USPS because of the fact that the other two get taxed heavily. It's not that you'll get taxed, it's that I'll get taxed.
So, today was good! I have a roomie and she is super adorbs and nice. She is also a peliroja!
Waking up at 6AM tomorrow, so I gotsta get to bed. Thanks to all for the bday love! :)
Chao!
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