Muchas gracias a todos y todas

I've been back in the United States for "más o menos" two months and it has taken me this long to figure out how to compose a closure statement for this blog.

"The End" or "Bye-bye" or "So long and thanks for all the ..." well, I certainly need to fill in the blank and at least post something.

Could be that a long list of scrolling credits is appropriate because the Peace Corps experience hinges on more than one character, more than one mentor, more than one friend, "pues, digamos mucho apoyo, sí?"

But I imagine that those people I would mention would just roll their eyes, so I think I will keep this post simple, avoid singling people out, not wax poetic, and finish.

39 Days

With so little time remaining in Panama, what can you expect?


For starters, last-minute photo opportunities:Also, last-minute Baru fieldwork:

Final trips to the grocery store:

And... well, there simply isn't anymore time for anything else.

The Inauguration Party

We set the date 4 weeks ago and on Sunday, July 26th we celebrated.

The Aqueduct Project of Quebrada Mina is officially closed. The hard work of planning, designing, constructing, and trouble-shooting is over. The community has a sound water system, the Committee has new responsibilities, and there was a lot of food and chicha (dulce) to celebrate it!


Every family contributed several pounds of rice, chicken, celery, potatoes, carrots, garlic, coffee, sugar, and ... to prepare all of this, no one had to carry a single jug of water up from the river.


A lot of cooking and cleaning needed to be done to get ready - that included everyone and everything!


The celebration began with formal words from the Water Committee. The Master of Ceremonies, Secretary of the Directive, Miguel Mora introduced all of the speakers and provided closing remarks:


The distinguished guests: the PC director of the Environmental Health Sector, a neighboring volunteer, a visitor from the States, and of course, Beligo Kudobu shared praise and enthusiasm for the water feats and community achievements. Thanks to Tim, there are great photos to share as well!

And before the meal was served and the dancing began, the Committee had some gifts to administer to the Peace Corps Volunteer:

Did I just say there was dancing? Oh yes; don't let them fool you, the Ngabe have a great sense of style and appreciate Tipico as deeply as Americans do Rock-and-Roll. The dancing, plus the party favors and chicha, lasted until dusk, when we simply ran out of light to see where to put our feet.

Great party!