Tuesday, December 29, 2009

The beginning

6 months into my Peace Corps experience I decide to start my blog. I figure better late than never.

Up til now I have been working and learning in Panama for 9 months. I say 6 months into my experience because I had 3 months of training before I was placed in the site I work in for the two years of service. Counting down the months until I am done, I have 18 to go. My Close of Service (COS) date is June 30 2011. It feels so far away but still these first six months seem to have flown by. I imagine by the time I am done I will be thinking where did the time go.

As for personal experiences I have had many. I met a girl here in the first weeks of training and at the end of the three month training, we decided to try and work out the relationship during our time of service. We are still together and have a great relationship. Although we are in sites that are 8 hours apart by bus we get to talk on the phone a lot and occasionally escape the campo for sometime together. David, the second largest city in Panama is our mid-way point and has all of those amenities that you dream about while living in the campo. I.E. hot water, air conditioning, a bed, t.v. and of course the person you care about. We also just got to spend 4 days in Costa Rica and are on our way to Panama City to enjoy New Years with some of our fellow volunteers.

The first six months have included too many experiences in culture to include in this installment, but I will be sure to include them as my time here goes along. I am using this as my introduction to those who have not been privy to the emails I started this experience with. So stay tuned because I am sure that the experiences will be unlimited and surely entertaining.