We said good-bye to San Jose December 3 as we flew to Panama City in the morning. We spent the night in a hotel, leaving most of our baggage behind, and leaving the next day for another early morning flight. This time we each had one small backpack and boarded one small jet plane that only fit 20 people. That day was my birthday, and what a birthday it was! Definitely the most unique birthday yet. We woke up at 4:30 to make it to the airport, and they sang to me on the bus, the earliest I've ever been sung to. That was really the only official birthday thing that happened. I didn't tell anyone on the island it was my birthday; I didn't want any special treatment on my birthday because we were already getting special treatment just by visiting them. But what a birthday it was. The plane ride was breath-taking. We took off around sunrise and rode along as the morning colors spanned the horizon. Since the plane was little, we stayed low to the ground and could see all the landscape of Panama. Panama contains the second highest amount of rain forest, second to the Amazon. We flew from the Pacific side to the Caribbean side where the Kunas' land is. They own a stretch of land along the coast and several hundred islands off the coast. It was a beautiful birthday just to experience such new, once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.
We landed at the "airport" which consisted of a small shack, a runway surrounded by land and forest, and a port of canoes. We loaded up our backpacks on a canoe and thus began the journey. Our group was split into 2 islands. We arrived to our island first, and we met our families right away. My dad spoke Spanish thankfully; the majority of people only speak Kuna, their native dialect. He walked me to our "house" which consisted of 5 huts: sleeping hut, bread-making hut, cooking hut, shower/bathing hut, and the "bathroom" hut located above the ocean. My family included my dad and mom, both age 28; 3 brothers, ages 2, 4, 5; and grandmother. There were lots of neighbors and other family members who came by to meet the American. It was a long day since it began so early, but such a wonderful day adjusting to everyday life on the islands with the Kunas.
The island was very small. It took a minute to walk the width and 10 minutes to walk the length. Between 1000 and 2000 people live on the island. Life is very laid back and simple. The men go fishing for food and go to the mainland where they cultivate platanos, coconuts, and other fruits and vegetables. Women cook, take care of children, and make molas, their native stitching made into shirts. Recently, tourists have fallen in love with molas, and the making of molas provides a significant income for the Kunas. Money is used on the island, but only to exchange goods. Everyone has what they need on the island because they use what the land gives without exploitation. A beautiful existence. The government of Panama works with the Kuna government to give them their own authority while still being part of Panama. It was great to see that old customs of native peoples still exist in the world.
The people treated us so well on the island. They took us on special trips to another deserted island to swim and their farms on the mainland. We worshiped with them 2 nights and even got to sit in on a governmental meeting. They caught and cooked a lobster and crab dinner for us. Their diet is mainly rice, fish, and platanos. We even got to help prepare, aka slaughter, fish. Not my favorite part. Most of the days were spent relaxing in hammocks, just being with the families. I loved experiencing such unique lifestyle and customs.
It's difficult to describe my experience because it is so different from our own lifestyles. The biggest adjustment was not doing much of anything and just being. They take care of their immediate needs: food, clothing, shelter; but, there is not a rush and push for new and better, always wanting more, like here in the States. Even here when we get together to hang out, we're always doing something whether we watch a movie, play sports, play games, etc. Their lifestyle consists of sitting, being, and conversing with one another. I loved the simplicity.
We left the islands after 5 nights there. We returned to Panama City and explored historical sites such as the Panama Canal. From Panama we flew to Miami to reunite with the whole group for a re-entry workshop. And December 13, I finally reunited with my family in Memphis, as well as with four friends who made a surprise visit.
So now it's almost been 2 weeks since my time in Latin America. It has been difficult to adjust between cultures and between the extremes I've experienced within the past 4 months. I'm still figuring out a lot of things in my life, especially what to do after graduation. Only time will tell as no answers come easy or without processing. All I can say now is that the past 4 months changed me, changed my life, but only God knows what those changes will produce.
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