Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Panama

Last spring break I co-lead a service trip to the island of Ustupu, Panama.  While visiting the Kuna Yala we learned many valued life lessons:  how to sleep in hammocks, how to rock a nose tattoo, how to keep a sarong up (sometimes--thanks, Suzy, for catching that one for me), and how to appreciate a beautiful, proud culture.
Don't hit me! A sign from the Panama City zoo. 
The students and I were on command form watch during our travels.
 This is the albino alligator's plea.
Why pick on the poor albino?


Sleeping quarters.  The ocean's tide just outside the window.


For Kuna women the nose is to be accented and a straight one is a sign of beauty.  They paint theirs with the pulp of a seed that supposedly comes off in a couple of days.  The girls and I underwent some major scrubbing after this was not the case.  And yes, that hair is about a day away from dreads.

                                           Top:  Sara and Candace Bottom:  Suzy
These pictures are my favorite.  They were such great sports when trying new food. 
Our farewell dinner --caught the night by the bare hands of a spunky fisherman-- still included the animalitos' little faces.
Girls, your open-mindedness deserves many random tyrannosaurus impressions--una promesa!

Crafting a mola, a complex tapestry that requires months of stitching by hand. 
 A front and a back panel form the typical Kuna female attire.

With Sara, Candace and Karen in the market in Panama City. 
Hope dear Karen comes to stay with me soon!




                             Last night in Panama--a welcomed shower and delicious food.
A special experience that I'm blessed to have shared with this energetic group.

Puerto Rico

No, you are not mistaken.  The subject of this blog is Chile.  However, since it has taken me a mere six months to upload these pictures, I thought that I might share them.  Last fall a dear friend and colleague, Elena Aldea, and I attended a terrific conference in Arecibo, Puerto Rico.  The top picture is an ode to my students in a graffiti-motiv restroom.  Viva Capital!