Tag Archives: Spanish classes

Fun weekend!

A piñata, a dishwasher, Swiss neighbors, kids playing capoeira, getting lost in a park, and a trip to the big mall.  That’s what you can expect from this post.  Along with at least one Oxford comma.

Friday afternoon we went to Brie’s son’s third birthday party.  It was the first time we had seen her and her husband since we moved down here and the first time we met her boys, so it was exciting.  Granted, I’ve only seen her one other time since high school graduation and that was during our trip down here in Jan 2014, but still.  Fun to see a familiar face.  She’s always been really sweet to me and has been really helpful whenever we’ve had questions since we moved.

The party was at the clubhouse of an area called the Embassy Club, which you will not be surprised to find out, is right next to the US Embassy.  Beautiful country club type building with a big pool with little fountains in it.  Unfortunately, it rained, so the party was moved inside.  After a while though, we moved outside for the piñata!  The venue already had a pulley set up, so I guess it really is something that people do a lot.  So odd to find that out!  I don’t know why…I guess I just assumed it was only in Mexico or that it was something people used to do or something.  Didn’t seem Panamanian to me.  Apparently it is.

So remember, these kids are 2, 3, and 4 years old, and someone is handing them a stick and telling them to hit something with that stick.  Brilliant.  Absolutely hilarious from our point of view though.  We were sure that this one bigger kid was going to be a ringer, but when he got up there, he just carefully tapped at the piñata.  Such a letdown from my preseason pick.

The birthday boy taking a few shots at his Cars piñata.
You can’t trust a 3 year old with a big stick, especially when other 3 year olds are running around near him.
Brie gave it a few final whacks and let the kids get at the candy…and whistles. Surprisingly, 2 and 3 year olds love things that make noise. Super fun.

A good portion of the rest of the day was relegated to finding dishwasher soap.  Very few people here have a lavaplatos/dishwasher because you either can’t afford it or because your maid does your dishes for you.  I insisted, however, that we find an apartment with a dishwasher b/c I was one of those spoiled kids who never lived without one…not even in college (aside from in the dorms, but that’s different).  Anyway, Finish is the only brand of dishwasher soap that exists here, and only in tablet form.  And EVERY store is ALWAYS out!  There is a little tag on the shelf that says that it’s supposed to be there and space on the shelf where it supposedly once was, but that just plain doesn’t help.

Anyway, earlier in the day on Friday, I had to run an errand near a grocery store that we don’t usually go to, so I checked it out.  No Finish.  After the birthday party, we went by our grocery store on the way home.  No finish.  After we unpacked groceries and let Addie out, we decided it was time.  We were just plain going to find this stuff, no matter how many stores it took, or we were going to spend all Friday night washing the mountain of dishes that had accumulated.

We knew of two more stores right off, but one was out and one was more of a Bi-Lo than a Harris Teeter, if you know what I mean, so they didn’t even carry the stuff.  So we expanded our search perimeter.  Two more stores, and we were really getting into a rhythm.  By then we were in a completely unexplored part of the city that seemed pretty fancy…lots of nice houses and calmer streets.  I can’t describe to you the feeling I felt when walking into that last store.  I knew it was the one.  Finally!  About 15 boxes on the shelf and I could have all of them if I wanted!  I was actually really tempted just because we had worked so hard to get them.  It just seemed like the right thing to do…to buy all of them and hoard them.  But luckily, I calmed myself down and only bought three…at a ridiculous $7.50 a box, which is standard here.  Silly as the adventure sounds, we had a good time, and we were super happy that we completed our quest!

So…earlier this week I met a nice Swiss woman on the elevator named Stella, and she loved Addie so I loved her.  We had a conversation in Spanish and discovered that she lived right above us, just on the other side of the hall.  While we were in our grocery store on Friday evening, we ran into her with her boyfriend (Elliot, maybe?) and had a great chat with them (in English).  The boyfriend apparently just got down here and it was his first time to a Panamanian grocery store.  Anyway, we exchanged numbers and hope to have them over for a drink sometime soon.  Fun!  I was especially endeared to them (or were they endeared to me?  I can’t remember how that word works.) when Stella told Elliot about Addie, saying that she was the kind of dog that you just want to put your face in her fur and snuggle her.  Elliot responded by saying maybe he could borrow her when Stella goes away for business.  Cute.

Why are they called cherry tomatoes when they are yellow/green? Okay, I get it – it’s the size. But still. Just seems wrong.
Eric found PBR in our grocery store! WOOHOO! But check out the price! Have you ever heard of PBR being so expensive? Crazy to think of it as an import…

Oh!  And then we ran into them on the elevator yesterday!  Doesn’t seem like anything special, I know, but we haven’t run into anyone twice in our building.

Yesterday, Saturday, turned out to be a lot of fun even though I was dreading it a little.  CDO met up with the kids’ capoeira group at some huge event that had a TON of scouts running around.  It was at a park that is basically the Central Park of Panamá.  It’s called Parque Omar.  Anyway, we met at 4pm, and it was crazy humid and super hot.  I was a little cranky and not super excited about trying to talk with the kids and trying not to kick them in the face in the roda.  I’m not controlled enough yet to trust myself slowly kicking a 5 year old.

Eric was really sweet to take me out there since I still can’t drive until next week.  He could’ve done something else with his saturday afternoon like, I don’t know, not fry outside, but instead he chose to be supportive.  Problem is…we kinda lost each other for two hours, including the whole event with the kids.

I met up with CDO near the entrance to the park and the plan was to walk up to the spot where the kids would be from there.  Eric got decided to look around a bit while we waited on people to show up.  When we started to head towards the place where the event would take place, Eric was nowhere to be found, and my WhatsApp wasn’t working.  I tried to call him, but to no avail…and I only had 20% of my battery left on my phone.  Perfect.

Anyway, we did some fun warm-ups with the kids – wheelbarrow races (my kid partner, Barbie, had to take the lead on that cause I had no idea what they were asking us to do…shockingly you don’t learn that term in Spanish class), cartwheels, one-handed cartwheels (which I pulled off!  still only on that one side, but hey, one step at a time), etc.  I totally picked the right kid too – she was stellar.  All of probably 6 years old, but she knew her stuff.

We had a roda with them after that.  For those of you who haven’t read that word here before, a roda is when capoeira players (capoeiristas) get in a circle and play drums, the berimbau (see the last post), and other instruments.  Meanwhile, people from the circle will take turns playing capoeira inside the circle in time with the music.  This roda was adorable b/c we paired up one adult with one kid each time.  So cute.  And the best part is that it was all recorded, and a friend of the group is going to edit a video of the whole thing for us.  I can’t wait to see it!  I’ll share photos as soon as I get them.

We had an adult roda afterwards just to show the kids what we (read: everyone else in the group who’s been there for more than a month) could do.  I never get tired of watching my friends play.  They’re absolutely amazing.  And they always have HUGE smiles on their faces when they do it!  I hope I can stick with it for long enough to be confident going into the roda.  I need to practice putting sequences of moves together at home so I have some material to work with.  It’s also weird to me that there’s no structure for who plays when.  You just kinda go when you can…or at least that’s how we generally do it.  I guess some groups allow the higher cords (like belts in karate) to go first and others let the lower ones go first b/c the music is slower at first, then gets faster.  I dunno.  Lots to learn.

Today we relaxed for a good part of the day, then went to one of the big malls…probably the biggest…called Albrook.  It’s the one with the circus-y/animal theme.  We had two goals in mind – 1) capoeira shoes for me b/c tennis shoes just don’t cut it, and 2) a shaver for Eric so he doesn’t have to pay $12 for haircuts.  We largely failed on both accounts…even after going through the entire mall and spending HOURS there.  However, Eric let me out on the side of the road on the way back, and I brought back treats for both of us from the Cinta Costera.  A strawberry raspado for him (slushee with condensed milk for extra sugary goodness) and a mango ceviche for me (mango with vinegar, salt, pepper, spicy sauce).  Yum!

Okay, off to do homework for Spanish class tomorrow.  I have to write some dialogue for characters from this detective story that we’re reading about a guy who has been wrongly accused of murder.  Kinda a silly story…it’s not literature, it’s just something straight out of a Spanish textbook, but whatever.

I’ve also been reading a novel in Spanish as a way to keep the language running through my head as often as possible.  Proud of myself for getting through it…I just wish it were easier to track progress with languages!  I feel like I haven’t improved at all since we got here, even though I know I have.  I just really can’t see it for myself.

Oh, and Eric did a great job of speaking Spanish today!  While we were walking through the mall, he pulled out a lot of Spanglish…and even a couple of full Spanish sentences.  I was thrilled that he was willing to play, and he did a great job.  I’m very proud of all that he’s learned.  And so grateful that he’d move to a country that speaks a language that he had no desire to learn because he knew it was my dream!  I’m a lucky girl.

Found on a box of perfume in a pharmacy.

Found on a box of perfume in a pharmacy.

Visit from my parents

My folks got to Panama on Sunday night around 9:30.  It’s been pretty exciting to have them here after telling them about our lives here for so long.  They are also our first visitors in this apartment.

On Monday, my Mom joined me for a field trip with my Spanish teacher, Marianela, to a street called Avenida Central which is the closest thing I’ve seen to a market since we’ve been here.  It is closed to traffic, and people sell fruits and vegetables in the street, along with – at this time of year – a fruit cake type bread called pan bon.

Mom buying pan bon.

Mom buying pan bon.

 

Fruits and veggies

Fruits and veggies

It was fun to have an outing and to have Mom along instead of Marianela and I just staring at each other for 4 hours straight.  Here’s what Marianela looks like:

Marianela and I on Avenida Central

Marianela and I on Avenida Central

There are also…I guess department stores?…along the street too.  Old stores with clothes that TJ Maxx probably wouldn’t take, but Marianela tells me that occasionally you can find name brand stuff for $10 or so.  Then there were the furniture stores own by the Spanish folks, and apparently people of each nationality owns a particular kind of store.  Interesting.  She spends so much time telling me that Panamanians aren’t racist, but then she also tells me not to eat in restaurants in that area run by Chinese people because they are dirty (the restaurants, not the people).  Race is a very funny thing down here.  I would be interested to read an American student’s thesis on the subject of race and racism in Panamá.  Okay, I’ll be honest, I wouldn’t want to read it.  I might want a brief summary of it though, and perhaps a 45 minute conversation about it.

We went down this street called SalSiPuedes (Sal Si Puedes, meaning Leave if you Can) where kids apparently can get everything they need for school.  The way Marianela described it for me, I was expecting Diagon Alley.  If you don’t get that reference, please call me immediately because your life is not yet complete.  I was a little concerned at first because of the name since it sounds kinda shady.  Should I be worried that I won’t be able to leave?  No, no.  It’s just a really really skinny street, and that’s why they call it that.  A few pictures of it:

We capped off the afternoon with a visit to Café Coca-Cola for pineapple batidos (smoothies/milkshakes).  It’s said to be the oldest café in Panamá (the city), established in 1875, and has had famous visitors like Che Guevara.  Back in the day, only men were allowed, as it was a place where they discussed politics and sports.  As we sat and talked, I kept catching Marianela eyeing a group of old men in the corner.  She told us that they were doing just that – talking sports and politics, just like in the old days.  She surprised us, however, by saying that the sport they were discussing was not futbol, but rather baseball!  Apparently Panamanians are really good at baseball.

In Café Coca-Cola with my Mom.

In Café Coca-Cola with my Mom.

Cafe Coca-cola

 

Anything having to do with Coca-Cola down here is special for me and for my family because my Great Uncle Bill Solms, my favorite for several reasons, one of which was because he reminded me so much of his brother, my grandfather, who passed away when I was 7, was the President of Coke for Latin America (family – correct me if I’m getting this wrong) for several years several decades ago.  He and his family lived in Mexico City, and I enjoyed speaking Spanish with him when I visited with him and his wife.

Yesterday, Mom, Dad, and I went to Casco Viejo (the old city – was run down, but now everyone is investing a lot in it and it’s become really cool and beautiful and hip – if the kids use that word anymore).

Mom in Casco Viejo

Mom in Casco Viejo

 

Ruins in Casco Viejo. I love the stairs and how they look like they're floating. Mom said they looked like they were out of Harry Potter and were going to move at any moment.

Ruins in Casco Viejo. I love the stairs and how they look like they’re floating. Mom said they looked like they were out of Harry Potter and were going to move at any moment.

See the description in the next photo. Basically, this arch is one of the reasons they decided to build the Canal in Panama instead of in Nicaragua.

See the description in the next photo. Basically, this arch is one of the reasons they decided to build the Canal in Panama instead of in Nicaragua.

IMG_4714

 

The highlight was when my folks discovered an artist who said he had been painting watercolors out there for 40 years.  They liked his work and we talked to him for a while about it, about his life, and about which paintings were his favorites.  He was super cute and we had a great time talking to him.  I translated a bit, but my mom also speaks some Spanish, so she enjoyed talking to him as well.  The guy played all the games, proclaimed that it was his birthday and he had to go home soon to have his traditional chicken and rice, said he’d give us a special price, told us that our favorite was his favorite too…he’s done this before.  But he was good at it.  At the end of it, he went from $45 + $35 +$35 for three paintings to a total of $50 for all three.  In hindsight, I’m sure we could’ve done better, but I was just playing translator.  My folks were happy, the guy was happy…no harm done.

The best part was when Mom asked him to write his name on the back of one of them for her.  He wrote it and then wrote the date…but had to verify the date with us.  It was then that we began to question whether it really was his birthday…

Dad wanted a photo with him:

My parents with the artist who painted the watercolors that they bought in Casco Viejo.

My parents with the artist who painted the watercolors that they bought in Casco Viejo.

My parents with the artist who painted the watercolors that they bought in Casco Viejo.

My parents with the artist who painted the watercolors that they bought in Casco Viejo.

Today, Eric went with them on a tour of Lake Gatún – a lake in the middle of the Canal.  They kayaked and fed grapes to monkeys and saw big ships.  Same tour that Katie did – mostly due to Katie’s recommendation and because she was kind enough to show my parents her photos when Katie watched Addie for a weekend last month.  A guest blog posting from my parents might be forthcoming with some of those photos.  At the very least, I’ll have a photo of Eric holding a very very tiny crocodile.  It’s hilarious.

Day Two with Marta

Day Two is going much better.  I am calmer.  I have Reiki music going, I’m making lists of things that need to be done, and I’m slowly checking things off.  I started the day off by greeting her warmly, smiling, and asking how she was.  We’ve been chatting a little too.  I asked her how long she’s been in Panama, and she’s been here a few weeks less than we have!  She has two kids.  Her son is here with her, but her daughter, Jennifer, is still in Nicaragua with Marta’s sister.  She misses her, of course, but she says it’s only for a time, and things will get better.  She tells me that she lives in a place here in Panamá where people steal.  It takes her two hours to get here.

Last time she was here, she asked for a small step ladder before she would dust the air vents, then showed me a deep huge scar from when she had fallen before doing something similar.  I agreed that a step ladder was a small request considering possible medical bills.  So today, when she pulled out a chair to do it, I went in to spot her.  We talked a bit in there too, and she’s even smiled and laughed with me some, so I’m feeling much better about our relationship.  I just plain can’t be the boss all the time.  We’ll have to arrange something a little different.  Yes, I’ll have to make sure everything gets done before we pay her or before she goes home each night, but things will have to be pleasant or else I won’t be able to soportarlo (to bear it, to endure it).

I’m finding that my Spanish is coming along rather well.  I’m really enjoying our Spanish teacher, Marianela.  I may have said in earlier posts that she is the one who taught my friend Brie (the one who I’ve known since preschool and who moved here over 10 years ago).  I can’t say how glad I am that we decided to go with her because not only is she a great teacher, but she is just a great person.  We get along so well.  We are similarly minded people.  We’ve discussed, in maybe 6 days (long days, mind you – 4 hours of just sitting and talking to each other), religion, politics, racism, immigration, different measures of beauty, anxiety, illness, family issues (don’t worry Mom, your secrets are safe with me), women’s rights, the list goes on.  She asks me to read the Bible (in Spanish) for homework, and I tell her Bible stories in order to practice the past tense.

Mostly, we chat…but about important cultural issues.  But she also challenges me.  What DO I think about immigration in the US?  Mostly I’ve always thought about the basics and how it’s a really tough problem.  There’s no simple solution, I’m not the one who’s in a position to solve it, I have other big issues that I deal with in my work and my life, so I honestly don’t think about it too much.  But when she pushed me yesterday, we had a great conversation.  She brought up points that I’d never thought about.  And then that spurs great conversations between Eric and me.

I wish that Eric was able to have the same experience with her.  He has to drill with her.  He has to come from a 9 or 10 hour day of work with Red Hat to a table of workbook pages or to tell her where he went on vacation last year.  He’s working on past tense (one of the two of them) right now.  He’s doing GREAT, and he doesn’t see it…but it’s boring.  I get it.  He can’t speak freely like I can.  He can’t even experience Marianela’s incredible personality because they don’t have the chance to interact on a deeper level.  I’m sure they think much differently about each other than I do about either of them.  Actually, i’m sure Marianela gives Eric a lot of credit b/c this is her job and she gets it.  I’m guessing Eric doesn’t really know much about Marianela.  So I try to tell him what I know of her.

One more thing, I found out yesterday via Facebook that Sweet Briar College in Virginia will be closing at the end of this summer due to “insurmountable financial challenges.”  This is Brie’s alma mater, as well as that of her sister, and the two are devastated, as is the entire Sweet Briar community.  It’s a small women’s college – a little over 700 undergrads and 0ver 700 graduate students – and it was founded in 1901.  It has an incredible reputation.  Jackie Kennedy’s mother was an alumna.  Anyway, it was horrible news for that community, and I’m hoping to take Brie out to lunch or for drinks soon to hear the whole story, to let her vent, and to see if I can do anything for her.  She’s just the best kind of person, and I hate to hear about this kind of thing happening to her.  I can’t imagine Carolina just disappearing one day.

To lighten the mood, I’ll leave you this morning with a few voyeuristic (maybe I should say sneaky so I don’t feel so dirty) photos of Marta, just so you can get to know her a little.