Christmas in Panama

My sister and I at the top of Cerro Ancon

A nice view of Lago Bayano, which is on the way to Wacuco

This Christmas was different than most for me and my family. My mother and sister came to visit me here in Panama to spend the holiday together. We spent the first part of the trip visiting my old home of Tocumen and getting to know the neighborhood, neighbors, my roommates, and the priests (Padre Jose and Lorenzo) that work there.

We then went to the city for a couple of nights and stayed at a hostel in Casco Viejo, a historic, colonial part of the capital. We visited the canal, of course, the ruins of Panama Viejo, and got a beautiful view of the entire city from the top of ANCON which is a forest preserve on top of a massive hill. We covered a lot of ground in the two days we were there and my mom and sister were probably sick of the many buses and taxis we took by that point. And I, in my frugality, enjoy taking the ¨Diablos Rojos¨ which are buses that cost only a quarter and go all around the city. Sure they dont have A/C and half the time you either stand or are squished between two hefty panamanians in a seat big enough for only two, but they are cheap and everyone uses them. Well, not everyone, not the rich or gringos, but the regular folk. We were sort of a novelty and my family mentioned that they felt like we were an exibit at a zoo. But, it was to be expected, we kind of stick out. Even a couple police officers offered us a free ride into the city so we would not ride the bus, because they were afraid for us. I told them that I take the buses all the time and nothing has happened, but still they insisted, and I can´t say no to a free ride anyways.

A view of the driveway in Wacuco

After the city, we took a bus to Wacuco taking the ¨Pan-American Highway¨ which has potholes big enough to put New York to shame. The plan was to spend the next couple days in Wacuco, including Christmas, to meet the people I work with and check out my new home. Well, not all worked out according to my master plan. Once my sister and my mom saw the rooms they were going to sleep in the next few nights they began to tear up. Being a male, I didn´t understand. The rooms were clean, there was a bed, toilet, and a shower. What more could one need? I guess the junkyard motif we have going here is not as conducive for living for women. And the lack of electricity and the fact the nearest town is a couple miles away didn´t help either. We agreed to spend one night in Wacuco, enough so they could see everything and meet some people. Well it all worked out and we decided to return to Tocumen for the rest of our stay. Upon arriving in Tocumen, we were welcomed with open arms and the neighbors were thrilled that we would be joining them to celebrate Christmas. We ended up having a wonderful time, eating lots of food at all of my neighbors´ homes and enjoying their company even though my mom and sister do not speak the language.

Gabriel with my family on Christmas Eve at the neighbor´s

It was definitely a good learning experience for all of us and it was good that my family could get to know the area I have been living and see the things I see. I will have to now redefine what ¨roughing it¨means to the people that come visit, because many are not used to the lifestyle. But at least, I hope my family came away from the experience with eyes more open the to the world around them and hearts more touched by the poor.

Neighbor, Barbara, celebrating Christmas Panamanian Style with sparklers