Day 1 - Part 2 & Part 3

PART 2

We just landed in Panama International Airport… since its 9:30 everything is dark and hard to see. The darkness mixed with the glare on the greasy dirty plastic windows didn't let my camera pick up any of the darkened scenery. We came in over water, with the moon shining down onto the wing of the plane and then glistening the water, it made it seem like the whole ocean was royal blue jewels. There were small waves and wives in the otherwise straight calm water. The import is surrounded by huge i am guessing luscious green trees. The temperature we were informed is a beautiful 85. With a small breeze, a HUGE change from the low 40's we were getting in Queretaro. Now we are taxi-ing towards our gate where we will all go through customs and baggage claim, this will be the second time for me today to go through all the paperwork and lines. But its all worth it. I haven't ha a good night sleep in over a month and let night I didn't even close my eyes to try and sleep. I hd 2 little 5 minute power naps today, and originally I was exhausted but now all I want to do is go in service… RIGHT NOW at 9:30 at night. You think they would mind? We are at our gate now but I am all the way back at 27F So I have a bit of  time for everyone to get their bus and sleepily move their way to the front of the plane. Good thing I am in no rush. I got 6 months! Take all the time you need :) When I finish with cutoms and baggage claim I will meet a 'welcoming committee' and go to my one night stay house. Tomorrow I will get back on a bus and leave Panama City to go to David, Panama. Where yet another 'welcoming committee' will meet me and then we drive to Monte Lirio. Tomorrow will be my first Spanish meeting in about 5 years i think…but no pressure at all. HA! Yeah! I was able to talk with my mom and sister when I was waiting in Miami, they seem to be doing ok so far. My mom misses me. :{ Poor mom! But I know that she is proud of me for doing this, and I know I have her FULL support! Which is exactly what I will need to hear when and if ever I get to the point that I just want to come home. My family is a big reason why I am here. Not only do I want to make them proud, but I get to have the privilege of representing my whole family for these next 6 months. it will be an adventure sure to be full of happiness, tears, and joy! And I look forward to it thoroughly. Well i better back up my computer for now. Even though they are TAKING THEIR SWEET TIME UP THERE! oh well. I got 6 months! :) As soon as I way out of this plane, taking my first steps my true amazing experience/assignment/craziness/adventure STARTS!! So I am packing everything up now, let the adventures begin! 

PART 3

Stepping out of the plane you feel the heat rising. Its warm but not warm enough to make you uncomfortable. The line for immigration is enormous. 2 FULL flights of people just came in and their are 10 people working at a tired speed. Asking questions, stamping papers, saying the same old tired greeting 'Enjoy your trip'. When really everyone knows they couldn't care less about you or your trip because its been YEARS since they got one.  After standing an hour in line you finally get to the desk and you hand the man your information. The man speaks, his Spanish a completely different dialect from yours. He speaks again slower. Your face just gets more bewildered. Then slowly in a poor excuse of a Mexican Spanish accent he says "Eeeen kaaaayyy trabajjjjjas?" "Ah!" you say, "Soy una maesra de Ingles." He peries his lips and grunts as he punches keys on the computer. And he speak but this time you just stare blankly at him. He sighs and forces out a "Errrrrrresss Marguuuurita?" "Si" you confirm. "Porrrrr cuaaaaanthhhooo thheeempo vaas a quethaaaar aqui?" " Creo que es 10 or 11 dias menus de 6 meses" you say with a smile, proud of how precise you are. "10 o 11 dia?!" he replies not impressed at all."No freiges!" So you repeat yourself "Ohhhh!" he replies and punched in the information. Then with a forced smile he says the tired saying "Gracias pro su visita, now demos para la proxima." What a strange man you think walking to the luggage claim. You find your luggage terminal, but it is not moving so you walk around the other side. ALL and we are talking ALL of the luggage is thrown together on the floor. And people are literally diving for their suitcases. Perfect! You think to yourself mine is on the very bottom. And I can;t leave the rest of my stuff here on the floor. so you palitely try and get through to your luggage. But you soon realize that if this is going to happen any time son, it is not join g to be y being lady ike and politely. Her face changes and so does the scenario, this is the last plane out of vietnam and if you don;t get there your gonna e stranded. Oh hey look! You got your bag.  ;) Perfect it worked. Everyone is happy now, except for the casualties you left behind. Oh well, goes they didn't get the memo. Walking out of the terminal th  and the phone rings. Its for you! A brother informs you through a thick accent on the phone you will NOT be staying very long. IN FACT! He will be there tomorrow morning at 8 to pick  you up and take you to the bus station. Is there any other place you have to go? Money exchange. Everything here is in U.S. Dollars because of the trade route. All you have is Mexican pesos. No problem he says he will see you bright and early at 8. Which means you will be getting about 7 1/2 hours sleep. You confirm that, that is fine, thank you, see you in the morning. Elsy and Guillermo are waiting to here what happened. Both there eyes are as big as walnuts staring at you. You tell them the news, both faces sag. They wanted you to stay longer, buts its good you are going to your assignment. They say Good night. Back in your room, now you have to pack everything back up. It doesn't fit. Finally you get it some what figured out and decide to update your journal and go to bed. You sit on the bed! OH MAN!! Its nicer then the one I have at home! It feels like a cloud. Dumb! You should have said you needed to stay at least one more night here! 

Oh well now you will be at your assignment tomorrow. Good night Day 1 I had a nice time with you! :) Onward!