Well, we started off this week with a bang by attending the local “Hosanna” evangelical born-again church. The service was held in a large two or three story indoor amphitheater which centered around a massive stage which held a fully dressed out gospel choir and full band of around 15 people, with drums, guitars, electric keyboards, trumpets, saxophones, and I don’t know what else. I’m not sure exactly which spirit I felt, but between the touching tambourine rhythms, the crooning choir, and the passed-out patrons (they would gather around the stage while the music was blasting and the pastor would begin touching them on the foreheads for a while and then push them/let them fall to the ground) I definitely felt something. It was definitely an... “enlightening” experience.
We continued our religious education by trying to visit the synagogue across the street from the LDS ward we attended, but it was closed. I was able to get a picture of McKay in front of part of the building before a security guard came out and told us we couldn’t take pictures.
We’re hoping to continue our religious tour by visiting the Baha’i Temple (one of only seven in the world!) as well as an Hindu Temple, so I’ll keep you updated on those ones.
Most of the week was then spent organizing dates and times and materials for the workshop we will be teaching, but I did have the wonderful opportunity of taking some time to get a haircut. The following picture attests to the importance of having a well-rounded grooming and styling vocabulary BEFORE going to the barbershop:
I decided that I was either lacking in language skills to say I wanted just one inch off on the top and trimmed on the sides (I have just over one inch remaining...) OR the wonderful young lady who cut my hair really only knows how to do one kind of style. The problem is I look more like a Scottish NED than a native! (“NED” stands for “non-educated delinquent” for those of you unfamiliar with UK slang.)
We took one day for ourselves this week and went to an island called Taboga which is just off the mainland from Panama City about one hour. Here are some pictures of the trip:
Arrival at Taboga, the Island of Flowers
Welcoming crew! (Not really, they were just there to unload a shipment of... well, I don't really know, but they unloaded it real good! I wasn't sure if the man in the yellow rain jacket was wearing anything else underneath... I wouldn't have! It was hot enough with just my umbrella over my head!
< A local basketball court. Apparently they were regional champs! (Which I can't imagine is too hard living on an island.) The hoops were conspicuously missing, so I'm not sure what they are the champions of exactly.
A little beach friend.>
This was a beautiful little island! Almost anything growing was covered in flowers, and you can't beat the view of the ocean and beach from pretty much any part of town.
And the view of the city from the island is incredible! This picture doesn't do it justice by a long shot. Panama City is immense.
I've never seen a place where the sidewalks were as wide as the street!
Religious imagery (shrines, figurines, murals) was EVERYWHERE in the city. I don't think I saw a single building with out some religious item attached.
I was great to see that they even appreciated the Mormons by putting one of our pamphlets next to a statue of one of their virgins.
The local cemetery was impressive. I enjoyed seeing how each tomb was for a specific family, but they cover the space of about one and a half plots that one person would normally take up in the US... I'm not sure how they fit everyone from the family in there!
I will admit that I was a bit concerned when I saw that there were a few open ones left empty. I couldn't help but look around to make sure there weren't other "visitors." I was actually kind of surprised at some of the things people stashed inside of the open tombs, old doors, a boat, some work buckets, work supplies, and mostly all kinds of trash. It was interesting to see tombs like this next to immaculate, well-groomed and cared for graves with tons of flowers surrounding them. It gave me a lot of questions, like who owned the plots, what the process was for making room as years went on, etc.
The squeamish may wish to avert your eyes for the next pictures, or find yourselves a leaf.... I came to realize that even though it is called The Island of Flowers, it has a dark side as well.
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I also saw the remains of a death by electrocution. The authorities are still trying to decide if it was a suicide or lynching.
Back to more pleasant things, they LOVE decorations. I was impressed by the ornate styles of many of the doors and walkways. This walkway was made all of pink colored shells.
I local street shop. If you aren't sure what to buy, just move your head around a bit and I'm sure something will come to you. (I guess stringing your wares up outside can have some advantages.
Just some shots of around town.
This was the sunset we returned to along the Amador Causeway. And the delicious ceviche we refreshed ourselves with after a long day. (Ceviche is seafood "cooked" in a lemon cilantro juice. I'm
not sure if it is actually heated and cooked, or if something in the juices "cook" the meat, but it's great!
And the resulting sunburn from going around all day on an island and forgetting to bring sunscreen. (Sorry Mom, I promise I was listening when you taught me that life lesson...)
Well, that was Taboga. I thoroughly enjoyed that trip, but I'm now suffering the feeling a snake has when it's time to change skin.
As for the rest of the week, we finally set some dates for teaching the workshop and will start this week. We had a chance to do a practice run with the first part of the workshop in a mutual activity of about 30-40 youth, and it went pretty well, but let me tell you, it's been a while since I've taught teenagers, and that's all I'm going to say... I think I'll do better with the adults this week.
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